The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-07-22

igable rivers, provided the expenditures
for that purpose are strictly limited to
works of national importance. The Mis-.
sissippi River, with its great tributaries,
is of such vital Importance to many mil
lions of people that the safety of its
navigation requires exceptional consid-
Grafton. In order to secure to the nation
the control of its waters, President JEFF
ferson negotiated the purchase of vast
territory, extending from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. The wis
dom of Congress should be invoked to
devise some plan by which that great
river shall cease to bs the terror to those
who dwell upon its banks, and by which
its shipping may safely carry the indus
trial products of 25,O0O,OOO of people.
The interests of agriculture, which is
the basis.'of all our material prosperity,
and in which seven.twelfths Of our pop.
ulation are engaged, as we'll as the inter-
ests of manufactures and commerce, de-
mand that facilities for cheap transpor.
tation shall be increased by the use of all
our great water courses.
The material interests of this country,
the traditions of its settlement and the
sentiment of our people have led the
government to offer the widest hospitali
ty to emigrants who seek our shores for
new and happier homes, willing to share
the burdens as we'll as the benefits of our
society, and intending that their poster
ity shall become an undistinguishable
part of our population.
The recent movement of Chinese to
our Pacific coast partakes but little of the
qualities of such an emigration either in
its purposes or its results. 1t is too much
like importation to be welcomed without
restriction; too much like invasion to be
looked upon without soliritude. We
cannot consent to allow any form of SER
vile labor to be introduced among us
under the guise of immigration. Recog-
nizing the gravity of this subject the
present administration, supported by
Congress, has sent to China commission
of distinguished citizens for the purpose
of securing such modification of the
existing treaty as will prevent evils like
ly to arise from the present situation. 1t
is believed that their diplomatic ncgotia-
tions will be successful without the loss
of commercial intercourse between the
two powers which promises great in
crease of reciprocal trade and an enlarge.
ment of our markets. Should these
efforts fail it will be the duty of Congress
to mitigate the evils already felt and
prevent their increase by such restric-
tions as, without violence or injustice,
place upon q sure foundation the peace
of our communities and the freedom and
dignity of labor.
The appointment of citizens to the
various executive aud judicial Offices of
the government is, perhaps, the most diff.
fcult of all the duties which the Consti-
tuition has imposed upon the Executive.
The Convention wisely demands that
Congress shall cooperate with the Ex-
ecutive Department in placing civil SER
vice on better basis. Experience has
proved that with our frequent changes of
administration no system of reform can
be made effective and permanent without
the aid of legislation.
Appointments to the military and
naval service are so regulated by law and
custom as to leave but little ground of
complaint. 1t may not be wise to make
similar regulations by law tor civil SER
vice, but without invading the authority
or necessary discretion of the Executive
Congress should devise method that
will determine the tenure of office and
greatly reduce the uncertainty which
makes that service so uncertain and un-
satisfactory. Without depriving any
officer of his rights as citizen the gov
ernment should require him to discharge
all his official duties with intelligence,
efficiency and faithfulness. TO select
wisely from our vast population those
who are best fitted for the many offices
to be filled requires an acquaintance far
beyond the range of any one man. The
Executive should therefore seek and re.
ceiye information and assistance of those
whose knowledge of the communities in
which the duties are to be performed
best qualities them to aid in making the
wisest choice.
The doctrines announced by the Chi.
cago Convention are not temporary de.
vices of the party to attract votes ana
carry an election They are the deliber.
ate convictions resulting from careful
study of the spirit of our institutions,
events of history and the best impulses
of our people. In my judgment these
principles should control legislation and
the administration of the government.
In any event they will guide my conduct
until experience points out better way.
Ii elected it will be my purpose to en-
force strict obedience to the Constitu-
ton and laws, and to promote as best |
may the interest and honor of the whole
country, relving for support upon the
wisdom of Congress, the intelligence and
patriotism of the people and the favor OF
God.
With great respect,
l am very truly yours,
J. A. GARFIELD.
IN &c