Morning journal and courier., 1880-12-07
Price Four Gents.

itously ought not to be expected, and, without
 an appropriation by Congress for compensa-
 tlon, it is not practicable to extend the sys-
 tenn of examinations generally throughout
 the civil service. It is highly important that
 all such examinations should be conducted
 upon uniform system and under general
 supervision. Section 1753 of the Revised
 Statutes authorizes the President to prescribe the regulations for admission to the civil service of the United States, and for this pur- pose to employ suitable persons to conduct the requisite inquiries with reference to "the fitness of each candidate, in respect to age, health, character knowledge and ability, for the branch of service into which he seeks to enter" but the law is practically imperative for want of the requisite appropriation.
 therefore recommend an appropriation of $25, ,0O0 per annum to meet the expenses of a commission, to be appointed by the President in accordance with the terms of this section, whose duly it shall be devise just, uniform and efficient system of competitive examina- tions, and to supervise the application of the same throughout the entire civil service of the Government. I am persuaded that the facilities which such commission will afford for testing the fitness of those who apply for office will not only be as welcome relief to members of Congress as it will be to the President and heads of Departments, but that It will also greatly tend to remove the causes of embarrassment which now inevitably and constantly attend the conflicting claims of patronage between the Legislative and Exe- cutive Departments. The most effectual check upon the pernicious competition of in- huence and official favoritism, in the bestow- al of office, will be the substitution of an open competition of merit between the appli- cants, in which every one can make his own record with the assurance that his success will depend upon this alone.
 also recommend such legislation as, while laavino off fra 0kh citizen to express his political opinions and to use his means for their advancement, shall also enable him to feel as safe as any private citizen in refusing all demands upon his salary for political purposes. A law which should thus guarantee true liberty and jus tice to all who are engaged in the public ser vice, and likewise contain stringent provi- sions against the use of official authority to coerce the political action of private citizens or of official subordinates, is greatly to be desired.
 The most serious obstacle, however, to an improvement of the civil service, and especial ly to a reform in the method of appointment and removal, has been found to be the prac- tice, under what is known as the spells system, by which the appointing power has been so largely encroached upon by members of Congress. The first step in the reform of the civil service must be a complete divorce between Congress and the Executive in the matter of appointments. The corrupting doctrine that Ito the victors belong the spoils,'' inseparable from Congressional patronage as the established rule and practice of parties in power. It comes to be under stood by applicants for office, and by the people generally that Representatives and Senators are entitled to disburse the patron age of their respective districts and States. It IS not necessary to recite at length the evils resulting from this invasion of the Executive functions. The true principles of govern ment on the subject of appointments to. .ofice as stated in the National Conventions of the leading parties of the country, have again been ap- proved by the American people, and have not been called in question in any quarter. These authentic expressions of public opinion upon this all-important subject the statement of principles that belong to the constitution al structure of the government.
 ''Under the Constitution, the President and heads of departments are to make nomi- nations for office. The Senate is to advise and consent to appointments, and the House of Representatives is to accuse and prosecute faithless officers. The best interest of the public service demands that these distinctions be respected that Senators and Representa- tives, who may be judges and accusers, should not dictate appointments to off1ce." To this end the cooperation of the legislative de pertinent of the government is required,
  public opinion. Members of Congress will not be relieved from the demands made upon them with reference to appointments to of flee until, by legislative enactment, the per nicious practice is condemned and forbid den.
 It is therefore recommended that an act be passed defining the relations of members of Congress with respect to appointment to of flee by the President and I also recommend that the provisions of section 1767 and of the sections following, of the Revised Stat utes, comprising the tenure of office act of March ?, 1867, be repealed
 Believing that to reform the system and methods of the civil service in our country is one of the highest and most imperative duties of statesmanship, and that it can be perma- nently done only by the cooperation of the Legislative and Executive departments of the government I again commend the whole subject to your considerate attention.
 PoLYGAMY.
 It is the recognized duty and purpose of the people of the United States to suppress where it now exists in our Territo- ries, and to prevent it's extension. Faithful and zealous efforts have been made by the United States authorities in Utah to enforce the laws against it. Experience has shown that the legislation upon this subject, to be effective, requires extensive modification and The longer action is delayed,
 
 what is designed. Prompt and decided measures are necessary. The Mormon sec Iarian organization which upholds polygamy has the whole power of making and execut- ing the local legislation of the Territory. By it's control of the grand and petit juries it possesses large influence over the admins tration of justice. Exercising, as the heads of this sect do, the local political power of the Territory, they are able to make effective their hostility to the law of Congress on the subject of polygamy, and, in fact, do prevent it's enforcement Polygamy will not be abolished if the enforcement of the law de- ponds on those who practice and uphold the crime It can only be suppressed by taking away the political power of the sect which and sustains it. The power of Congress to enact suitable laws to protect the Territories is ample. It IS not case for halfway measures. The political power of the Mormon sect is increasing it controls now one of the wealthiest and most popu- lous Territories. It is extending steadily in to other Territories Wherever it goes it es- tablishes polygamy and sectarian political power. The sanctity of marriage and the family relation are the corner stone of our American society and civilization. Religious liberty and the separation of Church and State are the elementary ideas of free insti- butions To re-establish the interests and principles which polygamy and Mormonism have imperilled. and to fully reopen to in belligent and virtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of our domain which has been, in great degree, closed to general immigration by intolerant and immoral insti- tutions, it is recommended that the govern ment of the Territory of Utah be reorga- nized
 I recommend that Congress provide for the government of Utah by governor and judges, or commissioners, appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate-a government analogous to the provisional gov established for the Territory north west of the Ohio by the ordinance of 1787. [f however, it is deemed best to continue ;he existing form of local government, that the right to vote, hold of ice, and sit on juries in the Territory of Utah, be confined to those who neither prac- ;ice nor uphold polygamy. If thorough measures are adopted, it is believed that within few years the evils which now af- 1ict Utah will be eradicated, and that this Territory will in good time become one of he most prosperous and attractive of the new States of the Union.
 OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
 Our relations with all foreign countries nave been those of undisturbed peace, and nave presented no occasion for concern as to heir continued maintenance.
 My anticipation of an early reply from the British government to the demand of idem- lity to our fishermen for the injuries suffered y that industry at Fortune Bay, in January