Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-12-04

~b,ch is condemned "a 9 crime by the laws OF
ali civilized communities throughout the world.
The law for the snpp ession Of his offense WAS
enacted with great una unity by Congrt more
+hen seventeen wears ag, but has remained
until recently dead letter in the Territory OF
Utah hecause Of the peculiar difficulties attend
ing its enforcement. The opiHiou widely pre-
vailed among the citizens OF Utah that the law
was in coutraveniion of the constitutional guar
antae of religious freedom
This objection il now removed. The Su-
creme Court of the United States has decided
Inc law to be within the legislative power
~ Congress, and binding, as a rule of
seton, for all who resided within the
Territories. There is no longer any reason fer
delay or hesitation in its enforcement It
.hould be firmly and effectively executed "
not sufficiently stringent in its provisions, it
should be amended, and, in aid of the
purpose in view, I recommend that more COM
prehensive and more searching meth ds for
preventing IS we'll e. pupisf ing this crime be
provided. If necessary to secure obedience TO
she law, the enjoyment AID exercise OF the
rights and privileges of cltiz, nship in the
Territories of the United STATES may be with
held or withdrawn from those who violate or
oppose the enforcement Of the law on this
subject
Popular Rights.
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 citizens take
IN the progress of the country toward
a more general and complete establi.h
ment, at Whatever cost, of universal
security and freedom in the exercise of the
elective franchise. While mauy topics of
political concern demand great attention from
IL kAst 81.
State authori y, / lind no reason to qualify the
opinion | Expressed in my astannual message,
that no temporary administrative interests
OF Government, however urgent or weghty,
will ever destroy the zeal Of our people in de
Tense OF the primary rights OF citizenship, an
that the power OF pu plic opinion will over
ride all political prejuiices and al sectional
and State attachments in demanding that all
over our wide territory the name and character
OF citizens of the United States shall mean one
and the tame thing and carry with them unchsl
ienged security and respect learnestly app al
70 the intelligence ana patriotism of all good
citizens of every part Of the country, however
much they may b. divided in opinions on other
political subjects, TO unite in compelling
obedience 10 existing laws aimed at the
protection Of the right OF suffrage. |
respectfully urge upon Congress to supply
any defects ia these laws which experience
has shown, and which IL il within its power to
the Executive and Legislative authorities OF the
States in this great purpose l am fully cen
WINGED that if the public mind can be Sc. at
rest on this paramount question OF popular
rights, no serious object will thwart or delay
the complete pacificsttion OF the country, or re-
tard the general diffusion of prosperity
Civii-Servics Reform.
In a former message / invited the attention
of Congress to the subject Of the reformation
of the civil service or the Government, and
expressed the intention of transmitting to Con-
gress, as early as practicable report upon
this subject by the Chairman of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission. In view OF the fact that
during q eousi Jerabe period the Government
of Great Britain has been dealing with
administrative problems and abuses in
various particulars analogous 70 those present.
ed in this country and that, in recent years,
the measures adopted were understood to have
been effective ana in every respect highly sat
isfactory, ! thought it desirable 70 have fuller
information upon tho subject, and accordingly
requested the Chairman Of the Civil Servi g
Commission to make thorough investigation
Cor this purpose. The result has beer all elab-
crate and comprehensive report The report
sets forth the history Of the partisan spoils sys-
tenn in Great Brits N, and of the rise and fall OF
the Parliamentary patronage, and OF of
ticisl interference with the freedom of
elections. 1t shows that, after long
trials Of various kinds Of examina-
lions those which are competitive and
open on equal terms TO all, and which are car
ried on ugder the super;ntendence OF single
commission, have with great advantage been
established as conditions of admission to almost
every official place in the subordinate admins
tratlon of that country and OF British India.
The com plelon of tire report, owing to the eS-
tent of the labor involved in its preparation, and
the omission OF Congress to make any provis-
ion either for the compensation or the expenses
of the commission, has been postponed unu
the present time 1t Is herewith trausmitted
to Congress. While the measures of another
Government are OF no au hnrIty for us, they
are entitled to influence TO the extent 10 which
their lntr nsiG wisdom and their adaptation to
our institutions aud social life NAV commend
them to our consideration The views ! have
heretofore expressed concerning the defects
and abuses III our civil administration remain
unchanged, except In 30 far AZ an enlarged eN-
perieuce has opened my seuae OF the duty both
If officers and * the people themselves
20 Co operate for Aeir removal. The grave
evils and perils Of partisan spolls system Of APP
point ent to Office aud Office tenure are now
generally recognized IN the resolutions Of the
great parties ia q reports Of def a tments, in
the debates and proc cduGs Of Congress, iii the
messages of Execut yes. the gravity of these
evils has been poluted out, and the need Of their
reform has been admitted To command the
necessary support, every measure OF reform
must be based gu common night and justice,
ana must lie conpatlbie with the hesihy
existence of great parties which are inoyitabls
and essential In free state When tue
people have approved policy at q
asnonsl election, confidence on the part Of
the officers they have selected and OF the al
Users who, in accordance with our political
institutions should be consulted in the policy
which it lis their duty to carry into effect,
- Indispensable 1t il emineutly proper that
they should explain IT before the people, AZ
we'll as illustrate lis r;4rit in he performance
OF their official tHtee. IL hardly need be
pointed on. that very different considerations
apply TO the greater number OF thGse who
MI the sutordina places in the civil service
Their responsibility is to their superors