Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1879-12-09

polygamy. demands the attention
IT every department of the gov
eminent. This Territory has a
population sufficient 10 ei.title il
To admission rs State, and the gen
cral interests Of the nation. as well a
the welfare of the citizens of the Terri
tory. require It's advance from the ter
ritorial form of government TO the re-
Sponsibilities and privileges of State,
This important change viii not, how
ever. be approved by the country while
the citizens OF Utah, in very considers
bic number, uphold practice which is
condemned as crime by the laws OF all
civilized communities throughout the
world The law for the suppression Of
this offence was enacted with great una
nimity by Congress more than seven
teen years ago, but has remained until
recently dead letter in the Territory of
Utah, because OF the peculiar Difficult
ties attending its enforcement. The
opinion widely prevailed among the
citizens of Utah that the law was in
contravention of the constitutional
guarantee of religious freedom. This OBJ
lection is now removed. The supreme
court of the United States has decided
the law 10 be within the legislative
power of Congress, and binding. as a
rule Of action, for all who resided within
the Territories. There is no longer any
reason for delay or hesitation in its en-
forcement. Ii should be firmly and eff
iectively executed. If not sufficiently
stringent in its provisions, il should b.
amended, and, in aid of the purpose in
view, I recommend that more comprc-
hensive and more searching methods fol
preventing. as well rs Furnishing. this
crime be provided. II necessary TO Sc
cure obedience 10 the law, the enjoy
ment and exercise of the rights and
privileges Of citizenship in the Territor-
les OF the United States may be withheld
or withdrawn from those who violate
or oppose the enforcement Of the law Oh
this subject.
The elections of the past year, though
occupied only with State Offices, have
not failed 10 elicit, in the political dis
cuSsiOnS which attended them 81 over
the country. new and decisive evidence
Of the deep interest which the grca,
BODY of citizens take in the progress oi
the country toward more genera. and
complete establishment, at whatcvcl
cost. Of universal security and freedom
IN the exercise of the elective franchise
While many topics OF political concern
demand great attention from our peop'r
both in the sphere of national and at
authority, find no rca> m 20 qualify the
opinion | expressed in my last ANNA
message. that no temporary or admins
tratiyc inteustS OF government, how
ever urgent or wcighty. will ever dis
play the Zeal of our people in de!eace OF
the primary rights of citizenship, and
that the power oi public opinion viii
override al political preludices and ali
sectional ard State attachments. in de-
handing that al over our wide territory
the name and character of citizen of the
United States shall mean one and the
slme thing. and carry with them I'm
challenged security and respect. | ear
neStly appeal 10 the intelligence and
patriotism OF all good citizens. of every
par, OF the country, however much
they nav be divided in opinions on
other political subjects, 10 unite in COM
pelling obedience 10 existing laws aimed
AT the protection of the right of sui
frage. 4 respectfully urge upon Con
gress to supply any defects In these
laws which experience has shown, and
which il is within its power 10 remedy.
I again invoke the cooperation Of the
executive and legislative authorities OF
the States in this great purpose. | am
fully convinced that IL the public mind
IAN be set At rest on this paramount
question of popular rights. no serious
object will thwart or delay the complete
paciication Of the country, or retard the
general diffusion of prosperity.
REFORMING THE CIVIL SERVICE.
In former message invited the at
tention OF Congress to the subject OF the
reformation of the civil service of the
government, and expressed the intention
of transmitting to Congress, rs early rs
practicable, report upon this subject by
the chairman of the civil service COM
mission. In view Of the facts that dur
ing a considerable period the govern
ment OF Great Britain has been dealing
with administrative problems and
abuses. in various particulars analogous
10 those presented in this country, and
that, in recent years, the measures
adopted were understood TO have been
effective and in every respect highly
satisfactory, / thought it desirable TO
have fuller information upon the sub
ject. and accordingly requested the
chairman of the civil service commission
TO make a thorough investigation for
this purpose. The result has been an
elaborate and comprehensive report.
The report sets forth the history of
-. IN
Britain and Of the rise and fall
Of the parliamentary patronage, and OF
official interference with the freedom OF
elections. II shows that after long trials
of various kinds of examinations, those
which are competitive and open on equal
terms TO all, and which are carried on
under the superintendent of single
commission, have with great advantage
been established as conditions of admis-
sion to almost every official place in the
subordinate administration of that coun-
try and of British India. The compile
tion of the report, owing to the extent
of the labor involved in its preparation
and the omission of Congress to make
any provision either for the.compensation
or the expenses of the commission. has
been postponed until the present time.
1t is herewith transmitted to Con-
gress. While the reform measures of
another government are of no authority
for us, they are entitled to influence TO
the extent TO which their intrinsic wis
dom and their adaptation to our institu-
tions and social life may commend them
~ our consideration.
The views have heretofore expressed
! Il.
civil administration remain unchanged
except in SO far as an enlarged expert
ence has opened my sense of the duty,
both OF officers and the people them
selves. to cooperate for their removal.
The grave evils and perils of partisan
spoils system of appointment 10 office
and of Office tenure are now generally
recognized. In the resolutions OF the
great parties, in the reports Of depart
ments, in the debates and proceedings OF
- a