The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-12-10
HAYES MESSAGE.

now before the public. 1t is too lengthy to
give in full to our readers. 1t is dull and
tiresome in reading and full Of misstate-
ments. In referring to the recent election,
he speaks of the power of the "House of
Representatives and the Senate" "to judge
ofthe elections, returns, aud qualifications
of their own members, will be to see that ey-
cry case of violation of the letter or spirit Of
the Fifteenth Amendment is thoroughly in
vestigated, and that no benefit from such
violation shall accrue to any person or par
ty." Who could advocate an investigation
better than this man? Unless it should be
his successor, through whose manipulations
the present occu pant of the Executive Chair
was seated for four years and drawing the
salary of another. No reference is mode to
the intimidation of the white voter, or the
law to protect the white workingman against
the interference with their right of suffrage
by their employers. Had his constituents
read the message before the late election
would they have endorsed the spirit of it?
In regard TO the assessments made upon Of
flee holders in order to buy up votes at elec.
tions-which was carried out to SO great an
extent but recently-and In many cases
made so public, he says: II also recon-
mend such legislation as, while leaving ev-
cry officer as free as any other citizen to ex
press his political opinions and to use his
means for their advancement shall also en-
able him, to feel as safe as any rivate citi-
zen in refusing al! demands upon his salary
for political purposes A law which should
thus guarantee true liberty and justice to all
who are engaged in the public service, and
likewise contain stringent provisions against
the use of official authority to coerce the po-
ltical action of private citizens or of official
subordinates, is greatly to be desired"
His civil service reform is again promi-
nent as in his former messages, and he re-
commends that: Fixed rules be adopted
for the regulation of appointments, promo
tions aud removals, establishing a uniform
method, leaving exclusively in view, in ev-
cry instance, the attainment OF the best
qualifications for the position in question.
such method alone is consistent with the
equal rights of all citizens, and the most eco
nomca and efficient administration of the
public business. ."-"In the city of New
York over two Thousand positions in the
civil service have been subject, in their ap-
pointments aud tenure of place, to the ope-
ration of published rules for this purpose
during the past two years. The results OF
these practical trials have been very satis-
factory and have confirmed my opinion in
favor of this system of selection. All are
subjected 10 the same tests and the result is
free from prejudice by personal faver or par
tisan influence. 1t secures for the position
applied Tor the best qualifications attainable
among the competing applicants" Mr.,
Hayes either has a remorse of con-
science at this time or he thinks the Amer
lean people have so far forgotten the wrong
perpetrated four years ago as 10 hide the
fact that the few who manipulated the pro-
ceedings in Louisiana aud Florida were re.
warded for max ing out the written document
by which he was seated, and have received
salaries in many cases amounting to $1,000
yearly. However, if four years of service
has brought this man to conviction on this
one subject good end is accomplished,
Speaking of polygamy, he says: 81 re
commend that Congress provide for the gov
ernment Of Utah by a governor and judges,
or by commisslC n, appointed by the Presi-
dent aud confirmed by the Senate-a gov
ernment analogous to the provisional gov
ernment established for The territory north
west of the Ohio by the ordinance of 1887
If, however, it Is deemed best to continue
the existing form Of of local government,
recommend that the right to vote, hold Of
fee and sit on juries in the territory of
Utah be confined to those who neither prsc-
tice nor uphold polygamy."
A great amount of space is devoted to
making mention of the existing treaties
with other nations and provinces.
As reward for the ''seryices of the Com
mander-in chief of our armies during the
war" he recommends "An Act of Congress,
authorizing the appointment Of a Captain
general Of the army with suitable provisions
relating to compensation, retirement, and
other details Why should General Grant
be so rewarded, when he is but one of the
many who aided in achieving the victory
Washington who gave us our independence
was content to serve his country for two
terms aud then retire. With Grant it was
different He alone could not have accom-
plished the work, but with the assistance Of
many othsrs-eYen more deserving than be
the result was attained.
With this last message Hayes will end his
career, and the memory of how he attained
the position, and its results, be handed down
Al ..anaralinns