Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1879-12-02

Tue law Tor the suppression OF this Of
fence was enacted, with great unapimity b.
congress more than seventeen years ago
but has remained until ~receutiy aTdead let
ter In the territory of Utah. because ofthe
peculiar difficulties attending its enforce
ment: The opinion widely prevailed among
the citizens Of Utah that the law was 10
CONFIRMATION of the constitutional gusran-
tee of religious freedom. This objection 10
now removed. The supreme court of the
United States has decided the law
to be within the legislative power
of congress, and binding a.
a rule Of action for all who reside within
the territories. There is no longer anv
reason for delay or hesitation in its enforce
ment. It should be firmly and effectively
executed. If not sufficiently stringent in
its provisions it should be amended, and, in
aid of the purpose in view. l recommend
that more comprehensive and more search
ing methods for preventing as we'll as pun
ishing this crime be provided. If necessary
to secure obedience to the Law, the
enjoyment and exercise of the rights and
privileges of citizenship in the territories Of
the United States may be withheld or with
drawn from those who violste or oppose
the enforcement of the law on this sub
ject.
THE RIGHT OF SUFFRAGE.
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 inter-
eat which the, great body of citizens take in
the progress Of the country towards
a more general and complete establish.
ment, at whatever cost, of universal security
and freedom in the exercise of the elective
franchise. While many topics of political
concern demand great attention from our
people, both in the sphere.of national and
state authority, l find no reason to qualify
the opinion l expressed in my last message,
that no temporary or administrative inter-
ests of government, however urgent OF
weighty, will ever displace the zeal of our
people in defence of the primary rights Of
citizenship, and that the power of public
opinion will override all political prejudi-
ces, and all sectional and state attachments,
in demanding that all over our vide terri.
tory the name and character Of citizen of
the United States shall mean one and the
same thing and carry with them unchallen-
ged security and respect. l earnestly ap-
peal to the intelligence and patriotism Of all
good citizens of every part of the country,
however much they may be divided in
opinions OF other subjects, to unite in COM
polling obedience to eqisting laws aimed at
the protection of the right of suffrage. I
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. 1 again invoke the co-opera.
ton Of the executive and legislative author.
tiles of the states in this great purpose. I
am fully convinced that if the public mind
can be set at rest on this paramount ques-
ton of popular rights, no serious obstacle
will thwart or delay the complete paci6ca-
ton OF the country, or retard the general
diffusion of prosperity.
CIVIL SERVICE REBORN.
In q former message i invited the atten.
ton Of congress to the subject Of the refor.
nation of the civil service of the govern
ment, and expressed the intention Of trans
hitting TO congress as early as practicable i
report upon this subject by the chairman Of
the civilservice commission. Z
In view of the facts that, during a con.
{ siderable period, the government of Grest
Britain has been dealing with administra.
tive problems and abuses, in various parti.
. culars analogous to those presented in thi.
country, and that in recent years the meas
ures adopted we're understood to have beer
effective and in every respect highly aatis
, : factory, l thought it desirable to have fullsi
! information upon the subject, and accord
ingly requested the chairman of the civil
service commission to make . thorough in
vestigation for this purpose. The result
has been an elaborate and comprehensive
;. report. -
B Tho pononk GATE kovtk l.
tisan-spoils eystem in Great Britain, and O
the rise and fall Of parliamentary patron
. age, and of official interference with III,
freedom Of elections. It shows that ATE,
long trials of various kinds of examination,
:. those which are competitive and open q,
equal terms to all, and which are carried Q,
under the superintendence Of a single c,m
. mission, have, with great advantage. bee,
! established ~ conditions of admission q
i almost every official place in the subordi
nate administration of that country and o
N British India. The completion Of the re
port, owing to the extent of the labor in
voived in its preparation, and the omissio,
70 OF congress to make any provision either 70
ia the compensation or the expenses of tn
commission, has been postponed until th
present time. 1t is herewith transmitted Il
sopgsess.
F. While the reform measures of auothe
government are Of no authority for ~, the,
n are entitled to influence, to the extent /
ca which their intrinsic wisdom, and thei
" adaptation to our institutions and social III
may commend them to our consideration.
a.. The views I have heretofore expresse
concerning the defects and abuses in on
er civil administration remain unchanged. q,
#. c.ept in SO far as an enlargedsexperience b,
as deepened my sense of the duty both ofod
GERS and Of the people themselves to 9
operate for their removal. The grave evi
of and perils of partisan .spoils system Of q
cd pointment to Office and Of Office tenure. n
set now generally recognized. In the resol,
tlons Of the great parties, in the reports
lily departments, in. the debates and procee
ii ings Of congress, in the messages Of exec
q tlves, the gravity of these evils has be,
In pointed out and the need Of their refor
ley has been admitted.
% 10 command the neceesary support. e,
md ~ measure Of reform must be- based on IN,
mon right and justice, and must be comu