Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-12-09
WHAT HAYES SUGGESTS.
His Last Annual Budget OF Recon-
mendatiOns TO Congress.

/ AN UNUSUALLY Long wINDED MESSAGE
GOOD ADVICE AND BAD-ALL ITS POINTS
CONDENSED INTO SMALL SPACE
NND READABLE sHArE.
The last annual message of Mr. Hayes
which was read before the two Houses
of Congress, yesterday, opens with the
usual congratulations upon the prosper.
ity of the country. 1t then refers at
some length to the late election and
the popular acceptance of the results
~ significant example OF the peaceful
and safe transmission OF power from
one Administration to another, yet
takes occasion to remark that in the
late slayeholding States there is still
more or less opposition to the full and
free enjoyment of the rights OF citizen.
ship. Happily, however "the history
Of the late election shows that in many
parts OF the country where opposition
10 the Fifteenth amendment has here.
toiore prevailed, 1t is diminishing and is
likely to cease altogether, it firm and
well considered action Is taken by Con.
grcss. Mr. Hayes trusts, therefore,
"ihat the House OF Representatives
and the Senate, which have the right to
Judge Of the elections, returns and
qualifications OF their own members,
will see TO II that every case OF violation
OF the letter or spirit OF the Fifteenth
amendment l. thoroughly investigated,
and that no benefit from such violation
shall acrue to any person or party
He further recommends, IN this con.
nection, that Congress. 10y suitable
legislation. and with proper safeguards,
h.. Il 4
IN the several States, where the grave
duties and responsibility Of citizenship
have been devolved on uneducated
people, 10y devoting to the purpose
grants of the puhlc lands, and, II ne.
ce-sary, 10y appropriations from the
Treasury ot the United States.
Proceeding To consider the subject OF
civil service reform, and alludiug to his
former appeals for the reformation Of
the present system, he says;
" Ny views concerning the dangers
OF patronage, or appointments for per.
sonal or partisan considerations, have
been strengthened by my observation
and experience in the Executive office,
and | believe these dangers threaten
the stability OF the Government.
j Abuses go serious in their nature can.
not be permanently tolerated. They
tend To become more alarming with the
enlargement of Administrative service,
a- the growth of the country increases
the number Of officers and placemen
! employed. The reasons are imperative
for the adoption OF fixed rules for the
regulation OF appointments, promo.
uons, and removals, establishing uni.
form method having exclusively in
view, IN every instance, the attainment
of the best qualifications for the position
IN question. Such method alone is
consistent with the equal right of all
citIzcns and the most economical and
efficient administration Of the public
business
The importance OF competitive exam.
inatlons Is thereupon considered and
an annual appropriation of $4,000 re.
commended "to meetthe expenses Of a
commission to be appointed by the Pre-.
sldent in accordance with the terms Of
this section, whose duty it shall be to
devise o Just, uniform and efficient sys.
tenn OF competitive examinations, and
to supervise the application of the same
throughout the entire civil service Of
the Government" Further, while every
officer should be left rs free rs any other
citizen to express his political opinions
and to use his means tor their advance.
ment. there should be some legislation
enabling him ito feel az safe as any pri.
vate citizen in refusing all demands
upon his salary for political purposes.
The first step, however, IN the reform of
the civil service must be a complete di.
vorcc between Congress and the Execu
tive in the matter OF appointments.
at is therefore recommended that an
act be passed defining the relations of
members of Congress with respect to
appointments to Office by the President,
and also recommend that the provis.
ions Of section 1907, and of the sections
following, of the Revised Statutes. com.
prising the tenure of office act, OF March
>, 1867, be repealed
As to polygamy in Utah OF elsewhere,
he says that the system will never be
abolished as long rs the enforcement of
the law depends on those who practice
and uphold the crime. lie therefore
recommends that Congress provide for
the government Of Utah by Governor
and judges. or commissioners appointed
by the President and confirmed by the
Senate government analogous TO the
provisional government established for
the territory northwest of the Ohio, by
the ordinance of 1857. II, however, il
is deemed best to continue the existing
form of local government, recommend
that the right to vote, hold office and
sit on juries in the Territory Of Utah,
be confined to those who neither prac.
tice or uphold polygamy.n
Our relations with foreign govern.
ments remain in a condition Of undis.
turbed peace, and within few weeks
post Mr.. Hayes has received a commu.
nication from the English government
indicatinga disposition towards friend.
ly adjustment OF all differences concern.
ing the rights of American fishermen
under the Treaty OF Washington and
the subject Of indemnity for the out.
RACES experienced at Fortune Bay.
The message further informs us that