The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-12-01

Of the Grllestpracticable period consistel
with the attainment Of the object Il
which they were provided.
The policy Oft the United States, steadil
adhered to since the adoption OF the Cot
stitutlon, has been to avoid the creation {
q National debt, and when, from neCessit
In time Of war, debts have been createt
they have been paid off on the return c
peace as rapidly as possible. With thi
view, and for this purpose, It is recon
mended that the existing laws for the aC
cumulation OF sinking fund sufficient :
extinguish the public debt within limite,
period be maintained. II any change Q
the objects or rates Of taxation Is deemet
necessary by Congress, II is suggested tha
experience has shown that duty can b
placed OH tea and coffee, which will no
enhance the price ot those articles 10 thC
consumer, and which will add several mil
lions Of dollars annually to the Treasury
... PoLYGANY IN UTAH.
The continued deliberate violation by 9
large number OF the prominent and inilR
entail citizens Of the Territory OF Utah o
the laws Of the United States for the pros
ecution and punishment OF polygamy de
mands the attention OF every department
OF the Government. This Territory has d
population sufficient to ontitle it to admis.
sion as a State, and the general interests
OF the Nation, as well as the welfare OF the
citizens OF the Territory, require It's. ad.
vance from the territorial form Of govern.
ment to the responsibilities and privileges
OF State. This important change will
not, however, beapproved by the country
while the citizens OF Utah in very cOnsid.
cradle number uphold a practice which Is
condemned Rs crime by the laws OF all
civilized communities throughout tho
world.
The law for the suppression OF this Of.
fence was enacted with great unanimity
by Congress more than seventeen years
ago, but has remained until recently a
dead letter IN the Territory OF Utah, he.
cause OF the peculiaHdifIiculties attending
its enforcement. The opinion widely pre-.
vailed among the citizens OF Utah that the
law was in contravention OF the Constitu.
tional guarantee Of religious 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 as a rule OF action
for all who reside within the Territories.
There Ia no longer any reason for delay or
hesitation in It's enforcement. 1t should be
firmly and effectively executed. II not
sufficiently stringent in its provisions it
should be amended. and, in aid ofthe pur.
pose in view, recommendation more com.
prehensive and more searching methods
for preventing as well as Furnishing this
crime be provided. IL necessary to secure
obedience to the law, the enjoyment, and
exercise OF the rights and privileges OF cit.
izenship in the Territories OF the United
States may be withheld or Withdrawn from
those who violate or oppose the enforce.
ment OF the,law on this subject.
TIE LATE ELECTIONS.
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 in.
terest which the gIeat body OF citizens
take III the progress OF the country to.
wards more general and complete eStab-
lishment, at whatever cost, OF universal
security and freedom In the exercise of
the elective franchise. While many topics
OF political concern demand great atten-
tinn from our people, both in the sphere
OF National and State authority, find no
reason to qualify the opinion expressed
in my last annual message, that no tenn
porary or administrative interests Of GOV.
ernment, however urgent or weighty, will
ever displaCe the zeal OF our people in de.
fence OF the primary rights Of citizenship,
and that the power OF public opinion will
override all political prejudices, and
all sectional and State attachments,
in demanding that all over our
wide territory OF the name and character
OF citizens OF the United States shall mean
one and the same thing, and carry with
them unchallenged security and respect,
| earnestly appeal to the intelligence and
patriotism ofall good citizens Of every part
OF the country, however much they NAV
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. respectfully urge
upon Congress to supply any defects in
these laws which experience has shown
and which it is within It's power to remedy,
l again invoke the cooperation OF the
executive and legislative authorities OF the
States in this great purpose. | am fully
convinced that II the public mind can BIZ
set at rest on this paramount question OF
popular rights, no serious obstacle will
thwart or delay the complete paciHcation
Of the country, or retard the general diff
fusion oil prosperity.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In former message I invited the atten.
ton OF Congress to the subject OF the re.
formation OF the civil service OF the Gov.
ernment, and expressed the intention OF
transmitting to Congress ns early US prac.
ticable report upon this subject by the
chairman Of the Civil Service Commis.
sion.
In view OF the fact that, during a con.
siderable period, the Government of
Great Britain las been dealing with al-
ministratiye problems and abuses, in va.
rious particulars analogous 10 those pre-.
sented in this country, and that in recent
years the measures adopted were undet-
stood to have been effective and in every
respect highly satisfactory, | thought it
desirable 10 have fuller information upon
the subject, and accordingly requested tho
chairman OF the Civil Service Commission
to make a through investigation for this
purpose. The result has been an elabo.
rate and comprehensive report.
The report sets forth the history OF the
partisan.spoils system in Great Britain,
and of the rise and fall OF the parliament.
ary patronage, and Of official interference
with the freedom Of elections. II shows
that after long trials OF various kinds OF
examinations, those which are competi.
tive and open on equal terms to. all, and
which are carried on under the superin.
1endence Of q single commission, have,
with great advantage, been established as
conditions Of admission to almost every
official place In the subordinate admins.
tration Of that country and OF British
India. The completion Of the report,
owing to the extent OF the labor involved
10 It's preparation, and tho omission OF
Congress to make any provision either for
the compensation or the expenses OF the
Commission, has been postponed until
Ak. a. IA =.