Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-12-04


The President calls attention to poly.
gany in Utah. and says the law for It's
suppression has been decided by the
Supreme Court 10 be within the legisla.
tive power OF Congress, and binding, as
rule OF action, for all who resided
within the Territories. There il no
longer any reason for delay or hesita.
ton in it's enforcement. II should be
firmly and effectively executed. II not
sufficiently stringent in its provisions it
should be amended, and, in aid Of the
purpose in view, / recommend that
more comprehensive and more search
ing methods for preventing, as we'll al
punishing, this crime be provided.
The President says that the elections
OF the past year though occupied only
with State Offices, have not failed TO
elicit, in the political discussions which
attended them all over the country,
new and decisive evidence OF the deep
interest which the great body OF citi.
zens take in ihe progress Of the coun.
try toward more general and com.
plete establishment, at whatever cost,
OF universal security and freedom in
the exercise OF the elective franchise.
He appeals to the intelligence and pat.
riotism OF all good citizens, of every
part of the country, however much
they may be divided in opinions on
other political subjects, TO unite in
compelling obedience TO existing laws
aimed at the protection of the right Of
suffrage. lie urges Congress TO supply
any defects in these laws which experi.
ence has shown, aud which is within
its power 10 remedy, and invokes the
co operation OF the Executive and leg
islatiye authorities OF the States in this
great purpose.
The subject Of civil service reform is
next discussed. but the President has
nothing new to say. He speaks Of the
grave evils and perils of partisan
spoils system, aud goes over the same
ground a. in his message last year. lie
also recommends that Congress make
the necessary appropriation for the re-
sumption Of the work Of the Civil Ser.
vice Commission. lie is convinced that
II Just and definite test OF merit i.
enforced for admission to the pu bIIc
service and in making promotions, such
abuses as removal without good cause
and partisan aud official interference
with the proper exercise OF the appoint.
ing power, will. ia large measure. dis.
appear.
TuE TIsHTRIEs.
Our relations with foreign countries
have continued peaceful. With Great
Britain there are still unsettled qucs.
uons, growing out OF the local laws Of
the maratimc province and the action
Of provincial authorities, declined TO lie
m icrogation Of rights secured by
treaty TO American fishermen. The
United States Minister IN London hes
been instructed to present demand
for los, .sJj o., in view Of the damages
received 10y American citizens at For.
tune Bay on the 9th day Of January.
ISIS. The subject has been taken into
consideration by the British Govern.
meut, and an early reply IL anticipated.
| pom the COM Ietion Of the necessary
preliminary examination the subject Of
our participation IN the provincial tsh.
eric-, a. regulated by streaty, will at
once he brought TO the attention Of the
British Government, with view to an
early and permanent settlement OF the
whole question, which was only tempo.
rafily adjusted 10y the treaty Of wash.
d az EANb- AaithG y iahk htH'At AAAa0t 10 bffs
tain the removal of restrictions found
injurious TO the expectation OF cattle TO
the United Kingdom,
rus lsTHHus CANAL.
Diplomatic intercourse with Colon.
bia Is again fully restored by the arrival
of a Minister from that country TO the
United States. This j. especially fortu.
80 urs.. q 1t al
ton OF an iuteroceauic canal has re.
Gently assumed a new and important
aspect and IL now under discussion with
the Central American countries.
through whose territory the ca.
nal by the Nicaragua route would
have TO pass. II is trusted that en-.
lighteHed statesmanship on their part
will see that the early prosecution Of
such n work will largely enure TO the
benefit, not only Of their own citizens
and those Of the United States, but of
the commerce OF the civilized world.
Ii - not doubted that, should the work
be undertaken under the protective
auspices of the United States and upon
satisisctory concessions for the right of
way and its security by the Central
American Governments, the capital for
its completion would readily he fur.
nished from this country and Europe
which might. falling such guarantees,
prove inaccessible.
The portion Of the message devoted
TO the army. and navy Is mere sum.
mary of the reports Of the Secretaries
OF War and the Navy. The business of
the Supre,le Court, the President says.
Is at present largely in arrears. In the
courts of many OF the circuits, also, the
business has increased TO such an ex.
tent that the delay Of justice will call
the attention Of Congress 10 an appro-
pirate remedy. The remedy suggested
by the Attorney General IL the appoint.
ment OF additional Circuit Judges and
the creation OF an intermediate Court
OF Errors and Appeals which shalt re
lieve the Supreme Court of part OF its
jurisdiction. The President next gives
the figures published in the report of
the Postmaster General and then takes