The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-12-09
Extracts from the Presidents
Message.

Representatives:
The members of the Forty-sixth Congress
have assembled in their first regular session
under circumstances calling for mutual con-
gratulations and grateful acknowledgment to
the Giver of all good for the large and UNI
usual measure of national prosperity which
we now enjoy. The most interesting events
which have occurred in our public affairs
since my last annual message to Congress are
connected with the financial operations Of the
government, directly affecting the business
interests of the country. l congratulate
Congress on the successful execution of the
Resumption act.
The increasing foreign demand for our
manufactures and agricultural products has
caused a large balance of trade IN our favor,
which has been paid in gold from the first of
July last to November 18th, to the amount of
about $780, 0 ,O00. Since the resumption of
specie payments there has been a marked and
gratifying improvement of The public credit.
The bonds OF the government, bearing only
four per cent. interest, have been sold at or.
above par, sufficient in amount to pay off all
of the national debt which was redeemable
under the present laws. The amount of
interest saved annually by the process of re-
funding the debt since March list, 1877, is
S14,297,177. The bonds sold were largely in
small sums, and the lumber of our citizens
now holding the public securities is much
greater than ever before. The amount of
national debt which natures within less than
two years, is $792, 121, 100 of which $500 ,000,-
900 bears interest at. the rate of five per
centum. 1t is believed that this part Of the
public debt can be refunded by the issue Of
four per cent. bonds and by the reduction of
interest which will thus be effected, about
L. 100000 can be annually saved to the
Treasury. To secure this important reduc-
ton of interest to be paid by the United
States, further legislation is required, which
it is hoped will be provided by Congress
during its present session. ..
COINAGE. l-.
The coinage of gold by the mints of the
United States during the last fiscal year was,
$40, 9S6 1922. The coinage of silver dollars
since the passage of the act for that purpose,
up to November LIST, 1870, was $45, 000,S $50, Of
which $12, 700,344 have been issued from the
Treasury and are now in circulation, and
$32, 100000 are still in the possession of the
government. .sr.w..
CURRENCY. -..al.
The retirement from circulation of United
States notes with the capacity of legal tender
in private contracts, is a step to be taken in
our progress toward a safe n stable currency
which should be accepted as the policy and
duty of the government, and the interest and
security of the people. 1t is my firm convic-
ton that the issue of legal tender paper
money, based wholly upon the authority and
credit of the government, except in extreme
urgency, is without warrant in the ConStitu-
ton and a violation of sound financial princi-
Piles. The issue of United States notes during
the late civil war, with the capacity of legal
tender, between private individuals, was not
authorized except as a means of rescuing the
country from imminent peril.
THE SUPPRESSION OF PoLYGAMY.
The continued deliberate violation by a
large number of the prominent and influen-
tial citizens of the Territory of Utah of the
laws of the United States for the prosecution
and punishment of polygamy, demands the at
tention of every department Of the govern
ment. This Territory has a population suii-
Gent TO entitle it to admission as a State.
This important change, will, however, never
be approved by the country, while the citi-
zenslof Itch, in very considerable number,
uphold a practice which is condemned as a
crime by the laws of all civilized communl-
ties throughout the world. The law for the
suppression of the offense was enacted with
great unanimity by Congress more than sew
enteen years ago, but has remained until re-
Gently a dead letter in the Territory of Utah,
because of the peculiar difficulties attending
its enforcement.
1t should be firmly and effectively executed.
If not sufficiently stringent in its provisions,
it should be amended, and, in aid Of the pur-
pose in view, 1 recommend that more compre-
hensive and more searching methods for pre-
venting, as well as Furnishing this crime, be
provided.
THE ELECTIONS.
earnestly appeal to the intelligence and
NOT rinticp, Of oil rOOd oitizanS nf aVarv mari Of
the country, however much they may be di-
vided in opinion on other political subjects, to
unite in compelling obedience to existing
laws aimed at the protection of the right of
suffrage. I respectfully urge upon Congress
to supply any defects in these laws which ex-
p~erience has shown, and which it is in its
power to remedy. I again invoke the coop
Grafton of the executive and legislative au-
thorities of the States in this great purpose.
l am fully convinced that if the public mind
can be set at rest on this paramount question
of popular rights, no serious object will
thwart or delay the complete pacitication of
the country, or retard the general diffusion of
prosperity.
CIVIL SERVICE.
In a former message ! invited the attention
of Congress to the subject of the reformation
of the civil service of the Government and
expressed the intention of transmitting to
Congress, as early as practicable, a report OH
the subject by the chairman of the Civil Ser
vice Commission, on the subject of Compel
tive examinations. I think the economy, pu-
rity and efficiency of the public service would
be greatly promoted by their systematic in
PRODUCTION, whenever practicable, throughout
the entire civil service of the Government,
together with ample provision for their gene.
raj supervision, IN order to secure consistency
and uniform justice. l am convinced that il
a just and definite test Of merit is enforced
for admission to the public service, and In
making promotions, such abuses as removing
without good cause, and partisan and official
interference with the proper exercise of the
appointing power, will, in a large measure
disappear. 1t may not be easy, and it may
never, perhaps, be necessary to define will
precision the proper limit of political action
on the part Of Federal officers. But while