Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1879-12-08

he sphere of national and state author
ty. find no reason to qualify the opin-
on expressed in my las. annual mes
sage, that no temporary or administra-
tive interests of government, however
urgent or weighty, will ever displace
the zeal of our people in defense of the
primary rights of citizenship, and that
the power of public opinion will over
ride all political prejudices and all Sec
tional and state attachments, in demand |
ing that all over our wide territory the |
name and character of citizen of the
United States shall mean one and the
same thing, and carry with them un
challenged security and respect. ear
nestly appeal to the intelligence and
patriotism of all good citizens Of every
part of the country. however much they
may be divided in opinions on other po-
litical subjects, to unite in compelling
obedience to existing laws aimed at the
protection of the right of suffrage. ]
respectfully urge upon Congress to supp
ply any defects in these laws which ex-
perience has shown and which it is with
in its power to cooperation of the exc
cutlve and legislative authorities Of the
states in this great purpose. | am
fully convinced that if the public mind
can be set at rest on this paramount
question of popular rights, no serious
obstacle will thwart or delay the COM
:E---4:->-, 6 tho nnnntry or 4rntard
the general diffusion of prosperity.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The President devotes large space
in his message to the civil servi,e. He
makes the occasion of presenting the re-
port of the Civil Service Commission the
occasion for full discussion Of the SUBJ
ject. The President divides the public
service into two branches. One branch
consists of those officers elected by a
people to carry out given policy and
their advisers. These should be expect
ed to be in harmony With the party
electing them, ard will be expected to
retire at the expiration of their terms of
office. The others, embracing all officers
who fill subordinate places, should be
permitted to hold their positions and
discharge their duties irrespective Of
partisan politics. The President devotes
considerable space to the history of COM
petitive examinations since 1853, and
calls attention to the good results which
have attended the recent experiments in
several branches of public service. The
President denounces political assess
ments as wrong, and, while not de6n
ing the extent to which Federal officers
may engage in political action, says tina
it should not be permitted to an extern
that will interfere with the proper dis
charge of official duties, and should new
er be used as means to enforce opin
ions or coerce the political actions o
others.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with foreign nations ar
all peaceful if not satisfactory in ever,
respect. The fishery questions are un
been made during the year in perfectinI
consular relations and making treatie
designed to put us upon more neighbor
ly relations with other Governments
The President notes gratifying increas'
of trade with nearly all American anC
European countries.
DEPARTMENT REPORTs-THE INDIANS.
The President informs Congress tina
it made no provision for the pay o
Marshalls during the extra session, t,
the embarrassment of the public service
The President repeats, without endors
ing it, the recommendation of the Post
master General of a law authorizing
contracts with American-built steamer
under the flag of the United States fo
transporting mails between this country
and the ports of the West Indies ant
and South America at fixed price pc
mile. The President warmly recon
mends the passage of law enabling tn,
Government to give Indians title il
fee to such lands as may fall on them b.
lot. and also that the wants of indians
holding large reservations, after havins
portions of land set apart to them sew
orally, may be provided from funt
created by the sale of their lands. Thi
policy would open up large tracts o.
land for settlement now kept out of the
market. The President gives his opin
ion that the management of the Indian
bereau should be retained in the Inter
ior Department.
AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION.
My recommendations in former mes
sages are renewed in favor of enlargins
the facilities of the department of agrl
culture. Agriculture is the leading in
terest and the permanent industry 0
our people. 1t is to the abundance Q
agricultural production. as compares
with our home consumption. and tn
largely increased and highly proftabl
market abroad which we have enjoye
| in recent wears that we are mainly in