The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-12-01
The Presidents Message.

the large and unusual measure OF national prosper1
| ty which now enjoy. The most interesting
| events which have occurred in our public anairs
since my last annual message to Congress are con-
nected with the financial operations of the govern
ment directly affecting the business interests of the
country. congra ulate Congress the successful
execution of the resumption act
THE SUCCESS RESUMPTION.
At the time fixed and in the manner contemplated
bv law United States notes began to be redeemed in
coin Since the first of January last they have been
promptly redeemed on presentation, and in all busi:
ness transactions public and private, in all parts OF
the country they received and paid ont as the
equivalent of coin. The demand upon the treasury
for gold and silver in exceange for united states
notes has been comparatively small ami voluntary
deposits of coin and bullion in exchange Tor notes
have been very large. The excess OF precious
metals deposited or exchange for United States
notes over the amount of United States notes re-
deemed is about S4o,o00,Ooc. Resumption OF
specie payments has been followed by very great
revival of business. With currency equivalent in
value to the money of the commercial world we are
enabled to enter upon an equal competition with
other nations in trade and production. The nereas
ing foreign demand for our manufactures and agri.
cultural productions has caused large palahce Oh
the LIST of July last 70 Nov 10Th to the amount OF
about $50, 100000.
has also been marked and gratifying Improvement
of the public credit. The bonds of the government
bearing only per cent interest have been sold at or
above par sufficient in amount to pay off all the na-
tional debt which redeemable under the present
laws The OF interest," & saYee e arc s "
is 14297.177. The bonds sold were largely IN
small sums and the ndmber OF our citizens now
holding public securities much greater than ever
before The amount of the national debt which ma
lures within less than two years is S792 III OF
which $500 100, 900 bear interest at the rate OF
five per cent and the balance is in bonds bearing
six per cent interest. 1t is believed that this part
of the public debt can be refunded by !he issue OF
est which will thus be effected about eleven millions
of dollars be annually saved TO the treasury.
10 this important reduction OF interest TO De
paid by the United States, further legislation is re-
auired which it is hoped will be provided by Con-
gress during its present session.
THE COINAGE OF SILVER.
The coinage of gold by mints of the United
States during its last fiscal year, was S4O $50, ,9l2
The coinage of silver dollars since the passage of the
900, $50 of which 81, 700, ,344 has been issued
from the treasury and are now in circulation ana
49,, 500 still in possession OF the government
The pendency of the proposition for unity of action
between United States and the principal CONNER
cial nations of Europe to effect permanent sys,
for the equality OF gold and silver in recognized
money of the world leads to recommend that
CONGRESS rAfran from new legislation on the gen.
eral subject ..
will supply during the coming year its own instruc
tions which may well be awaited before at!emptiig
| further experimental measures with the coinage L
| would however, strongly urge upon Congress the
| Importance of authorizing the Secretary OF tne
Treasury suspend the coinage OF silver dollars:
Upon the present legal ratio, the market value OF
silver dollar being uniformly and largely less tnan
the market value of gold dollar IL Is SOP 4pVlos @ oha %
| if both are coined without limit. Ii the cheaper
coin is forced into circulation, it WILL II coined
without limit, soon become the sole stan9ard Oh
value and thus defeat the desired object which is
currency of both gold and silver which shall De OF
equivalent ilue, dollar for dollar with the uniVer-
| sally recognized money of the world.
| RETIREMENT OF GREENBACKs.
The retirement from circulation of United States
notes with the capacity OF legal tender IN prlvate
contracts step be take:. in our progress to
| rds safe andst
| accepted as the policy and duty OF the government
and the interest and security OF the people. is
nv firm conviction that the issues of legal tender
| paper money based wholly upon the authority and
| credit of the government except in extreWe emer-
gency is without warrant in the Constitution and
Violation of sound financial principles. The issue OF
United States notes during the late civil war with
the capacity of legal tender between private hal
| rescuing the country from imminent peril The
circulation of these notes as paper money for any
protracted period of time after the accompaniment
of this purpose was not contemplated by the franz
ers of the law under which they were issued They
anticipated the redemption and withdrawal OF these
notes at the earliest practical period consistent with
the attainment of the objects for which they were
provided. The policy of the United states steadily
| adhered to from the adoption of the Constitution
has been to avoid the creation of natioual debt,
and when from necessity in time of war debts have
| peace as RAPIDLY as possible With this view and for
| this purpose it is recommended that the existing
laws for the accumulation of sinking fund sufii-
cient to extingush the public debt within limited
| period be maintained Ii any change OF opJeets OF
rates of taxation deemed necessary by Congress II
is suggested that experience has shown that duty
cen be placed on tea and coffee which will not en-
hance the price of those articles to the consumer
and which will add several millions OF dollars an
nualy to the treasury.
PoLYGAMY IN UTAH.
The attention of Congress is called TO the contin-
ued violation Utah OF the statute against polyga-
N.Y. That territory has population sufficient to
entitle it to admission as State, and the general
interests of the nation as well as the welfare OF the
citizens of the territory require its advance from
| rrito a1 form of
ties and privileges of State This important
change will not however be approved by the coun-
try while the citizens of Utah. in very considerable
number uphold practice hich is condemned as
crime BY the laws of all civilized communities
| throughout the world. The law for the suppression
of this otense was enacted with great unanimity by
Congress than seventeen years ago, but has re-
manned until recently dead letter IN the territory
of Utah. because of the peculiar diihculties attend
| ing its enforcement. The opinion mas widely pre-
vailed among the citizens of Utah that the law was
in contravention of the constitutional guarantee OF
religious freedom. This objection is now removed
The Supreme Court of the United States has decid.
| ed the law to be within the legislative power of
Congress and binding as rule Of action for all who
reside within the territories. There is no longer
anv reason for delay or hesitation in its enforce
ment il should be firmly and effectively executed.
II is net sufficiently stringent in Its provisions ~
should be amended and in aid OF the purpose IN
view recommend that more comprehensive ana
more searching methods for preventing, as well as
furnishing, this crime be provided. If necessary to
secure obedience to the law the enjoyment and ex-
ercie of the rights and privileges of citizenship in
the territories of the United States may be with
held withdrawn from those VINO Violate OF Oppose
enforcement of the law on this subject.
PROTECTION OF THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
The elections of the past year, though occupied
only with state Offices, have not failed TO elicit IN
the political discus ions which ATTENDED them, an an
| over the country and decisive evidence VI the
deep interest which the great body OF citizens take
in the progress Of the country towards more gen
: eral and complete establishment at whatever cost
Of universal security and freedom i'll the exercise o.
the elective franchise. While many topics OF poht
cal concern demand great attention from our peo-
, | n1e hOth in
tind no reason to qualify the opinion expressed
D in my last annual message, mat no tempo.ar{ 90 %
; | administrative interests of the government now
. ever urgent or weighty, will ever dispaee the yea
of our people in defence OF the primary rgit oi c
izensbjn and that the power of public OPINION VII
u override all political prejudces and all sectiohl
S and state attachments i'll demanding that al owe
our wide territory the name and character OF cti
:. zen of the United States shall mean one ana th'
same thing and carry with them unchal eigeu secnr
= ity and respect. earnestly appeal to the lhteln
ligence and patriotism of all good citizens OF ever!
d part of the country, however much they may be u
. yided in % nions on other potcal suoe;ts, 70 ut
in compelling obedience to existing laws aimed at TN
protection OF the right of sutfr ge Respectfully urg
upon Congress to supply any defects IN these law
which experience has shown and which IL Is witnl
i its power to remedy. 1 again invoke the coopera
ton of the executive and legislative authorities
the states in this great purpose. a iuy az J vo1 ~
e the paramount question OF popular rghts no sen
ous obstacle will thwart or delay the complete psci
: ficaton OF the country or retard the 2elerh uhus
q ion of prosperi y.
: CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
: In a former message l invited the attention 0 0
Congress to the subject of the reformation OF tn
Il civil sci vice of the government and expressed m
" intention OF transmitting to Congress as carry
practicable report upon this subject by the ehali
t man of the civil service comniisslop In view OF tf
n facts that during considerable period the govern
q ment of Great Britain has been dealing with &C
ministrative problems and abuses i'll various part
- culars analogous to those presented in this country
and that in recent years the measures adopted wer
understood to have been effective and IN every re
7. spect highly satisfactory thought it desirable
e have fulier information upon the subject and az
cordinglv requested the chairman OF the cvl ser'
10 commission TO make thorough investigation fe
ID | this purpose. ,,. =, .oto
" The result has been an elaborate and eompreheI
siye report The report sets forth the history OF "
Ill partizau spoils system in Great Britain ana OF Vi
le Ise and tall OF parliamentary patronage and
j. oHelaI interference with the freedom OF election
,e n shows that after long trials of various kinds
examinations those which are competitive an
open on equal terms to ALL and which are carried {
under the superintendence of a single eommissio
have with great advantage been established as COZ
1r dilions of admission to almost every otnclh pl
in the subordinate administration of that couhtI
le and of British india The completion OF the repo
es owing to the extent of the labor involved III !
!, preparation and the omission of Congress 10 maj
III any provision either for the compensation or o
d. penses OF the commission has been postponed UNI