Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-12-06

The retirement from circulation Of United
States notes. with the capacity of legal tender IN
private contracts, is step to be taken in our
progress toward safe and stable currency,
which should he accepted as the policy ana duig
of the government and the interest and secufl-
ty Of the people. 1t is my firm conviction that
the issue Of lesal-tender paper money Rassa
except in extreme emergency, IS
without warrant IN the constitutions, and vio-
of Unlled States notes during the late civil war
with the capacity of legal tender between pri-
yate individuals was not authorized eXcept rs q
means OF rescung the country from imminent
peril. The circulation OF these notes rs paper
money, for any proIracted period of time after
the uccompl!s inent of this purpose, was not
contemplated by the trainers of the law unuer
redemption and withdrawal OF these notes ut the
earliest pric;lcib. period consistent with the
attainment of the object for which they were
provided.
The policy OF the United States. steadily ad-
hel ed to from the adoption of the constitution,
aud when, from necessity in time of war; debts
have been created, they have been pii! on on
the return of p ate Il, RAPIDLY ao posi- lie. w ith
this view, and FOR tins purpose. IL Is recoin-
mendeh that III" existing laws for the accumnla-
tio Of sinking iuni sufficient to eNtingush
the pubic debt wi!iiiI limited period he man.
tanned If my change oi tue objects or rates OF
taxation IS deemed necessary Nv congress, IL rs
su. gcsted that experience mas shown that duty
be placed on and coffee. which viii not
enhance the price of those articles to the con-
suintI an,t which will add several millions OIL
dollars annually TO the treasury.
PoLYGAMY.
TIE continued de.ibrraic violation by large
| number of the prominent and influential citilens
the territory oil Utah OF the laws OF ihc bnitcu
States for the prosecution aud punishment Oh
| pnlygamy demands the attention of every de-
| purtment OF the government. Tnis territory has
| n population sufficient to rnt'ie 1t 10 admission
state. and the general interests otthc nation,
| rs we'll US the welfare of the tiZrns oi the ter
| rory, require Its advance from the territorial
| form Of government lr t:ie responsibilities and
| privileges of state. Ths important change Will
| not, however, be approved By the country while
the citze,ls of Utah IN very considerable mum.
| crime by til" laws at all civilized communities
throughout the world.
| rhe law ior tie suppression Of this ofIcnse was
enacted with great un.tuimity by congress more
than seventeen years ago. bnt mas feinaineq un-
til recently dea letter IN ne territory o, Otai,
because oil the peculiar difficulties attending It's
enforcement. The opinion widely prevailed
among the citizens of Utah that the law was IN IN
| con raveution OF the constitutional guarantee OF
religious freedom. This objection is now re-
moved. ihc supreme court of the United states
has 1.ecrt. the law to be WITHIN the legislative
| power OF congress. and binding rs a rule OF ac-
ton for all who reside within the territories.
There Is no longer any reason tor delay or hesl-
tatIon in its enforcement. 1t should he firmly
r and effectively executed. II not sniicien'iy
stringent in lis provisions 1t should be amended.
, and, in aid Of he purpose IN view, recommend
= that more comprehensive anu more searching
r this crime be provided Unnecessary TO secure
obedience to the .aw, the enjoyment and eXer-
else OF the rights and pr!vies,s oi ~, ~ h IN
j. held withdrawn from those who violate or
the '"'''ss~sn, %, tue IA" ." TINS s"'
The elections OF the past year, though occupied
only with state offices, have not failed to elicit
u IN the political discussions which attended them
l. nj! over the country, new and decisive evidence
the de- interest which the great body OF clti-
zens take in the progress oil the country towards
D. Il more general and complete establishment, at
W whatever cost, of universal security and freedom
in the exercise of the elective franchise. While
N many topics oi political concern demand great
e. attention from oar people both IN the sphere OF
le qualify the opinion expressed in my last annual
message, tnat no temporary or administrative
,t interests of government, however urgent OF
W wcghty, will displace the zeal OF our peo-
ly pie defense of the primary rights oil citizen,
lis snip, and that the power OF public opinion VII,
override all political prejudices, and all sectional
)n and state attachments, IN demanding that al
over wide territory the name and character
OF citizens of the United States shall mean one
"A and the same thing, and carry with them un.
" challenged security and respect. earnestly
II appeal TO the intelligence and patriotism OF al
~ good citizs OF every part of the country, how
ad ever much they may be divided In opinions OF
other political subjects. TO unite In compeliini
Obedcuce to existing laws aimed at the protec
&C. ton of the right of suffrage. respectfully urg
;Is upon congress to supply any defects in ties
"o laws which experience has shown and whlch
on Is within its power to remedy. I again invok
cd cooperation of the executive AMI legislativ
W. authorities of the state in this great purpose.
am fully convinced that if the pubic mind Cal
:, be set ut th.s paramount question OF pop
ular rights, no serious obstacle VIII thwarl .
n delay the complete pnciticatiOn oil the country
rst | retard the general diffusion OF prosperity
ly to The subject OF the reiormation of til
CIVIL service of the government. and eApresse
the intention of transmitting to congress as earl
practicable report upon this SUBJECT pS III
chairman OF the civil service commission.
In view of the facts that, during Il considers
HE perlod the government of Great Britain hi
been dealing W it'll administrative problems an
abuses, in various particulars analogous
those presented in this country, and that IN r.
cent years tn, measures adopted were unde
stood TO have been ell clive and III every r.spe
u highly satisfactory, l thought 1t desirable
nc | accordingly requested the chairman oi Tue CIV
~ | s.rvic commission 10 make a thorough invest
Ca- glt'On for this purpose i he result has peeh
elaborate and comprehensive report
. The report forth the history of the pa
L tisan -si,o!s system in Great Britain AMI III Il
the and fall OF the parliamentary paironaR
49, and of Official interference with the freedom
on elections 1t that after long trials of va
mo c. % mpetilive and open On equal terms to all. a
ing which ar. carried on under the superlntendcn
rap of slng e commissiini nave, WIN areas " e =
mission to almost every official place IN tho sti
tn | ordinate administration OF that country ana
- British India. The c"mple'lon OF thc fepo
now ow ing to the extent of the labor involved In
ina. preparation, and the omission oi cnheress
has max ,b any "a ,hc has b.
her | .ostponed until the present time IL Is heTew
transmitted to congress.
While the reform measures of another COVER
uch ment are of no authority Tor us t.ey are eniit
Idle to innence 10 e e sMsn aan,a,, 10 mmI i, nnr
,uch stitutons and social lie may commend them
ends our consideration
,bad CIVIL. SERVICE REFORM.
The views l have heretofore expressed C,
cerning the detects and abuses IN our civil
that ministrat:on remain unchanged, eXcepl in
men % sr .s f an ,h ,nty h, of ncera and oi ,he
8 at pie themselves TO cooperate for their remov
npy The grave evils and p,rs ,, 4i & ri
ling, u,e. are now generally recognized. In the r
olutions OF the great parties, in the reports
departments, In the debates AMI proceedings
congress- in the messages OF executives,
IFS. gravity OF these evils h,fe been pointed out,
the need of their reform has been admitted
To command the necessary support, ev
measure OF reform must be based on conn
Adj the healthy existence of great parties, which
inevitable in u free state
When the people have approved policy a
national election. confidence on the part OF
! officers they have selected, and OF the advi:
u' who, in accordance with our political inst
tions should be consulted, in the policy wi
Fl. it their duty to carry into effect. is indisl
explain it before the people, AS well as illusi
its spirit in the performance Of their Official
use of Very different considerations apply to
greater number of those who fill the subordil
nav places in The civil service Their responsibi
II CiI- ls to their superiOrS III official position
lation their duty to obey the legal instructons OF M
OF all n,,nn whnm tJnt authority Is deyolye,l md
)f ma heat pubic service consists in the discharge
their functions irrespective OF partisan pOlit
e oo Their duties the same. whatever party l
the a. enucnca if follows that their tenure of o.
!ec'iy should not depend on the prevalence OF any
~ | icy or the supremacy oil any party, Dut sHt
Xecu be determined by their capacity to serve the
~, pie most usefuliy, quite irrespective oil part
@ nitsu interests. The same considerations that SUI
oIhce govern the tenure. should also prevail IN the
oinpt- pointment, discipline and removal of these
s'hess ordinates. The authority of appointment
M ir.s VI removal is not perquiste which may be
out 10 to aid "a friend or reward a partisan, but
ON .ie trust to be exercised in The public interest. III
g I0r all the sanctions which attend the obligation
lVeS apply the public funds only for public purpo
III aiIu Every citizen has an equal right 10 the h'
very and profit of entering the public service o
Is ue- country. The only lust ground of dserim
hote' ton Is the oi character and capacit
'ecn' has to make that service most successful to
. , | people. Except in cases where, upon Just
. oeeh | recognized principles rs upon the thtor,
''nees' PENSIONS Offices and promotions are bestowt
,p mn, " rewards Tor past service their heaiowai
peu W any theory winch disrrgards personal mrrl
er ma an act Of injustice To The citizen, a5 well
CASING breach of that subject t, which the apps
, = "si ing power IS held
'hce oi la the i:ht of these principles, IL becom
soiu, great importance to provide just II a'.eq
10 tne means, especially for every department,
,a"ihp large administrative Office, where personal
Deeh crimnaton on the part of It's head Is not pr
e pun cable, for ascertlinng those qualification
'e'i ns which appointments and removals should
w az VI reference. To fan to provide uch means Il
II All o only 10 deny opportunity OF ascertanin
iu anon which righteous claim [