The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1879-12-13

I n r
direct. l am convinced that if just and
deiiite test of merit is enforced for
! admission to the public service, and III
making promotions, such abuses as removal
without good cause and partisan and Off
cial interference with the proper exercise OF
| the appointing power will in large measure
| disannear There are other administrative
abuses to which the attention OF Congress
should be asked in this connection. Mere
partisan appointment and the constant peril or
| removal without cause very naturally lead to
m absorbing and miscellaneous political activity
| on the part of those thus spponteC, which not
| only interferes with the due discharge OF OIL
| cal duty but is incompatible with the freedom
of elections Not without warrant in the view
IF several Of my predecessors IN the Preslden-
tial Office directly in accordance with the law o1
1871 already cited, endeavored, by regulation
made on the 22d of June, 1877, TO put come
! reasonable limits to such abuses. LII may
| not be easy, and it may never, perhaps, De
necessary TO define with precision the proper
| limit of political action on the part OF Federal
officers But, while their right TO hold and
freely express their opinions cannot be ques-
toned, it is very plain that they should neither
be allowed TO devote to other subjects the Tune
needed for the proper discharge of their otnclal
duties, nor to use the authority of their office to
enforce their own opinions, or to coerce the
political action OF those who hold dlnerent
opinions. Reasons of justice and public policy
quite analogous to those which forbid the use
of official power for the oppression OF the prl-
| vate citizen impose upon the Government the
| duty of protecting its officers and agents from
arbitrary exactons. In whatever aspect con
| sidered, the practice OF making leVles 1or
| party purposes upon the salaries OF
| officers is highly demoralizing to the pubic
service and discreditable to the country.
| Though an officer should be as free any other
citizen 10 give his money IN aid OF his opinions
or his party he should also be as free as any
Other citizen to refuse to make such gifts II
salaries are but fair compensation Tor the
time and labor Of the officers, 1t is gross mus
tice to levy tax upon them. If they are made
excessive IN order that they may bear the tax,
the excess Is an indirect robbery Of the public
funds. l recommend, therefore, such re-
vision and extension of the present statutes as
shall secure to those in every grade Of official
life o. public employment the protection with
which q great and enlightened nation shall
guard those who are faithful IN its service
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 establish
ment, at whatever cost, of universal
security and freedom in the exercise of the
elective franchise. While maUy topics OF
political concern demand great atteltion from
our people, both in the sphere of National ano
State authority, I find no reason to qualify the
opinion l expressed In my last annual message,
! that no temporary or administrative interest
Of Government however urgent or weighty,
will ever destroy the zeal of our people in de
Tense Of the primary rights of citizenship, anc
that the power of public opinion Will over
ride all political prejudices and all sectional
and State attachments in demanding that al
over our wide territory the name and character
of citizens of the United States shall mean one
and the aame thing, and carry with them unchal
lenged security and respect. Earnestly appea
to the intelligence and patriotism OF all gooC
| citizens of every part OF the country, however
much they may be divided in opinions on other
political subjects, to unite in compelling
obedience to existing laws aimed at tbs
protection of the right of suffrage
| respectfully urge upon Congress to supply
any defects in these laws which experienced
has shown, and which it is within its power t.
remedy l again invoke the cooperation o
the Executive and Legislative authorities OF the
States in this great purpose. l am fully con
! vinced that if the public mind can be set a
rest on this paramount question of popular
| rights, no serious object Will thwart or delay
tie complete pacification of the country, or re
tsrd the general diffusion of prosperity.
Legal Tenders.
The retirement from circulation of United
States notes, with the capacity of legal tende
in private contracts, Is q step TO be taken III on
progress 10 a fair and stable currency, whicl
should be accepted as the policy and duty 0
the Government and the interest and security 0
the people. 1t Is my firm conviction that tn
issue of the legsl-tendeT paper money, base
wholly upon the authority and credit of tn
ency, IS without warrant in the con
stitution, and a violation Of sound finan
ciAl principles. The issue of United State
notes during tho late civil war, with til
capacity of legal tender between private indi
viduals, was not authorized except as mean
of rescuing the country from imminent peril
The circulation of these notes as paper none
for any protracted period of time after the &c
cOmplshment OF this purpose was not contem
plated by the trainers Of the laws under whic
they were issued. They anticipated the re
demptIon and withdrawal of these notes at til
earliest practicable period consistent with tn
attainment Of the object for which they wer
| provided
The Suppression of Polygamy.
The continued deliberate violation by
large number Of the prominent and Influential
citizens of the Territory Of Utah of the laws o
the United states for the prosecution and pun
| ishment of pOlygamy demands the attention o
Territory has population sufficient to Ell
title it to admission State. The genera
interests Of the nation. as well as the welfar
of the citizens 9f the Territory, require
it's advance from the Territorial form
Of Government to the responsibilities
and and privileges OF a State This i'm
portant change will not however, be approved
| by the country while the citizens Of Utah. il
very considerable number upheld a practie,
| which IS condemned as a crime by the laws o.
al civilized communities throughout the world
The law for the suppression of this offense wa
enacted with great unsnimity by Congress NOR
| than seventeen years ago, but has remained
until recently dead letter in the Territory 0
Utah because of the peculiar difficulties attend
ing its enforcement. The opinion widely pre
vailed among the citizens of Utah that the Law
was in contravention of the constitutional guar
| antee of religious freedom
This objection is now removed The Su
| preme Court of the United States has decided
the law to be within the legislative powe
Of Congress, and binding, as rule o
action, for all who resided within tht
Territories There is no longer any reason fol
delay or hesitation in it's enforcement I
should be firmly and effectively executed j
not sufficiently stringent in Its provisions. /
should be amended and, in aid Of tn,
purpose in view, l recommend that more com
! preheneive and more searching methods fol
preventing as well Furnishing this crime bt
provided. II necessary to secure obedience Il
the law, the enjoyment and exercise of the
rights and privileges OF citizenship in tht
| Territories of the United States may be with.
held or withdrawn from those who violate OF
oppose the enforcement Of the law on tni:
sHbject
Foreign Relations
| Our relations with foreign countries have
continued peaceful. With Great Britain there
are still unsettled questions, growing out OF the
! local laws OF the maritime provinces and the
action OF provincial authorities deemed to be in
derOgatlon of rights secured by treaty TO Amer.
lean fishermen The United States Minister II
London has been instructed to present a de
mand for sl0o,3 05O2 in view of the damages
| received by American citizens at Fortune hay
on the 9th day Of January, 1878 The subject
has been taken into consideration by the Brit
ian government, and an early reply is an.