Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1879-12-04

in the President and Cabinet officers to
appear before the people to explain their
public policy, although he thinks that
different considerations apply to the su
bordinate officers of the civil service,
whose best public service consists in
the discharge of tLeir functions irrespec-
tive of partisan politics. The President
approves of examinations as test of
the capacity of applicants for office, and
states that so far as applied, the system
has yielded excellent results. He con-
den'ns political assessments, and recon-
mends "such revision and extension of
present statutes as shall secure to those
in every grade of official life or public
employment the protection with which
great and enlightened nation should
guard those who are faithful in its SER
vice" The only specific and definite ac-
| ii il which he proposes to Congress af-
! te' his minute review of the subject is
the passage of an appropriation for the
resumption of the work of the Civil Ser
vice Commission. This commission.
first appointed by Gen. Grant, is still in
existence, but has not been able to do
anything since Congress refused in 1874
to make any appropriation for it.
The President devotes vigorous par
agraph to the subject of free and fair
elections, the deep interest in which by
the great body of citizens he holds to
have been displayed in the elections of
this year, although only for State Off
GERS; and he declares 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 the name and char
acter of citizen of the United States
shall mean one and the same thing, and
carry with them unchallenged security
and respect" He appeals to all good
citizens to unite in compelling obedi-
ence to the laws for the protection of
the suffrage, urges Congress to supply
any defects that may exist and invokes
"the cooperation of the executive and
| legislative authorities of the States in
this great purpose"
The President reviews in detail our
relations with foreign countries, which
are uniformly peaceful, and present but
few complications, the principal being
those with Great Britain in regard to
the fisheries. A demand has been made
upon the British Government for $685.
sos OF in satisfaction of the damages re-
ceived by our fishermen in Fortune Bay
in January, 1878, and an early reply is
expected. The whole subject of our
fishery privileges is to be brought to the
attention of the English government
and the veXed question pressed to a set
| tlement. Negotiations with China in
regard to Chinese emigration to this
country are proceeding, and our govern
ment has offered its services to both
China and Japan as a mediator in the
LoochoO Islands dispute. The usual re-
commendation is made that Congress
should take some action in regard to the
distribution of the Chinese and Japanese
indemnity funds. The project for the
construction of an inter-Oceanic canal by
the Nicaragua route is warmly COM
mended; but it is lntimated that it is es-
Sential to success that the work should
be undertaken under the protective au-
spices of the United States" Referring
to our relations with South American
countries, the President advises that
provision be made ''for regular and more
frequent mail communication, in ouI
own ships, between the ports of this
country and the nations of South Amer
lea" Border raids along the Rio Grande
have been almost suppressed, so that the
present orders to military commanders
as to crossing the border may soon be
modified. The necessity for providing a
better government for Alaska is strong
ly urged, and the announcement is
made that bill for this purpose will be
submitted to Congress.
In reviewing the reports of the de-
pu. tments the President particularly
)mmends the fidelity of the United
i5.ates marshals and their deputies in
serving the government after Congress
had refused to make an appropriation
for their pay. Their action has enabled
the United States courts to discharge
their functions and an immediate ap-
p-opriation for their compensation is
strongly urged. The remedy suggested
by the Attorney General for relieving
the Supreme Court from the excess of
business which Overwhelms it is COM
mended to the consideration of Congress.
Secretary Schurz's Indian policy is dis
cussed at length, and Congress is urged
to enact additional legislation to enable
the government to carry out its plans on
this subject. Enlarged facilities and in
creased appropriations for the Depart
ment of Agriculture are recommended.
The report concludes with discussion
of District of Columbia affairs, and lib
eral appropriations for the Improvement
of marsh lands and the repair of streets
are urged. Washington is shabbily treat
ed by the national government and it is
to he hoped that the Presidents recon-
mendations will be responded to by
Congress. Altogether the message is a
very able and satisfactory public docu-
| mant