The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-12-04

Our Reiasae.s with Kersis. Coa.tries
Sssi~fA~tsry In Every Particular.
And Other Important Matters.
F.llop- Citi.ens Of the Senate and How se Of Re
presen,ctices: The members Of the Forty sixth
Congress have assembled in their frst regular
session under circumstances calling for mutual
oongrstulation and grateful acknowledgment to
the Giver Of all good for the large and unusual
measure Of national prosperity which we now
enjoy.
TIE MOST INTERESTING EVENTS
which have occurred In our public affairs since
my last annual message TO Congress are con-
nscted with the financial operations Of the
Government, directly affecting tho business in
terests Of the country. congratulate Congress
on the successful execution Of the Resumption
Act. At the time fixed, and il the manner
contemplated by law, United States notes be-
gan TO be redeemed in coin. Since the LIST Of
January last they have been promptly re-
deemed on presentation, and in all business
transactions public and private, in all parts Of
tho country, they are received and paid as the
equivalent Of coin. The demand upon the
Treasury for gold and silver in exchange for
United States notes has been comparatively
small, and the voluntary deposit Of coin and bull
lion In exchange for notes has been very large.
The excess Of the precious metals deposited
or exchanged for United States notes over ths
smount Of United States notes redeemed IL
about 40 ,000, 900. Tho resumption of specie
psymept has been followed by q great revival
Of bwinsss.
IMPROVEMENT or PUBLIC CREDIT.
The bonds Of the Government bearing only
per cent. interest have been sold at about
par, sufficient in amount to pay of all of the
National debt which was redeemable under
present laws. The amount Of interest saved
annually by the process Of refunding the debt
since March l, 1877, is $14, ,297 ,177. The bonds
sold we're largely in small sums, and the num-
Dor oe our citizens now holding the public Sc
cur,ties Is much greater than ever before.
The amount Of the National debt which ma
Aures within less than two years is $792 1z1 ,700
of which $500, 100000 bears interest at the
In bonds bearing 8 per cent. interest. 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 s11 ,O00, 900 can be annually saved to the
Treasury. To secure this important reduction
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.
would, however, strongly urge upon Con-
grsss the importance Of authorizing the secre-.
tnry Oh the treasury 10 suspend the
COINAGE OF SILVER DOLLARS
Upon tho present legal rate. The marke.
value Of the silver dollar being uniformly and
largely less than the market value Of the gold
dollar, IL Is obviously impracticable to main
tain them at par with each othcr If both are
coined without limit. If the cheaper coin is
forced into circulation, il will, IL coined with
out limit, soon become the sole standard Of
value, and thus defeat the desired object,
~ a N ur ko<h Iii
which shall b. q equivalent valas, idoiisi
for dollar, with the universaIIy recognised
money OF the world. The retirement from cir
oulstion Of United States notes with the capa-
city Of legal tender In private contrasts,. Z .
step . be taksa IN our progress toward > safe
as the policy and duty q the Govsrnnsnt, and
the interest and security Of the people. II is
my frm conviction that the issue of legal ten
der paper money, based wholly upon the au-
thority and credit Of the Government, except
In cases Of extreme emergency, is without
warrant In the Constitution, and violation of
sound financial principles. Tha policy of the
United States, steadily adhered to from the
adoption Of the Constitution, has been to avoid
the creation Of
NATIONAL DEBT,
And when from necessity, in time Of war, debts
have been created, they have been paid of
on the return Of peace as rapidly as possi-
ble. With this view, and for this purpose, it
Is recommended that the existing laws for the
accumulation Of Sinking Fund sufficient to
extinguish the public debt within a limited
period be maintained.
The continued deliberate violation by q
large number Of the prominent and influential
citizens Of the Territory Of Utah of the laws
Of the United States for the prosecution and
punishment Of polygamy merits the attention
Of every Department Of the Government. This
territory has q population Sufficient to entitle
u to admission as State. This important
change will not, however, be approved by the
country while the citizens Of Utah in very con-
siderable number uphold q practice which is
condemned a crime by the laws Of all civil
ized communities throughout the world. The
law for the suppression Of this offense was en-
acted with great unanimity by Congress more
than seventeen years ago, but has remained
until recently dead letter in the Territory OF
Utah.
Tho opinion widely prevailed among the cit
Eens Of Utah that the law was in contraven-
tion Of the Constitutional guarantee Of relig-
ious freedom. This objection Is now removed
The Supreme Court Of the United States has
decided the law to be within the Legislative
power Of Congress, and binding a rule Of
action for all who reside within the Territories
1t should be firmly and effectively executed
II not sufficiently stingent in its provisions i
should be amended. If necessary TO secur'
obedience to the law, the enjoyment and exer
else Of the rights and privileges of citizenship
in the Territories Of the United States may b.
withheld withdrawn from those who violat
or oppose the enforcement Of the law on tn
subject. The election of the past year, thougl
occupied only with State Offices, have no
failed to elicit in tho political discussion
which attend them all over the country, ne'
and decisive evidence Of the deep interes
tha NOD ~ fcL in
progress Of the country toward more genera
and complete establishment, at whateve
cost, Of universal security and freedom in tn
exercise Of the elective franchise. Will
many topics Of political concern demand grea
attention from our people, both in the spher
of National and State authority, find no rea
SON TO qualify the opinion expressed in m
last annual mcssage-that no temporary o
administrative interests Of Government, how
ever urgent or weighty, will ever dispace tn
real of our people in defense of the primar
rights Of citizenship, and that the power q
diccs. / respectfully urge upsn Congress I
supply any defects in the laws which expert
encc has shown and which II is within il
power to remedy.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The grave evils and perils Of a partisa
spoiis system Of appointment to office, and
ofice tenure, are now generally recognized
In the resolutions Of the great parties, in u
reports Of Departments, in the debates an
proceedings Of Congress, in the messages
Executives, the gravity Of the evils has bee
pointed out, and the need Of their reform hi
been admitted. To command the necessar
support, every measure Of reform must
based on common right and justice and must /
compatible with the healthy existence of grei
parties, which are inevitable and essential
a FREQ State.
When the people have approved policy