National Republican., 1880-07-13


dom Of congress should be invoked to devise |
some plan by which that great river shall
cease to be n terror to those who dwell upon its
banks and by which its shipping may safely
carry the industrial products of twenty-five
millions of people. Tho interests of agreul
ture, which Is the basis Of all our material
prosperity and in which soven-twolfths of our
population are engaged, as wcllas the interests
of manufacturers aud commerce. demand
that tho facilities for cheap transporta-
tion shall be increased by the use Of
all our great water courses Tho material in'
terrcsts of this country the traditions ofits set
tlemont aud the sentiment of our people have
led the government to offer the widest hos
pitality TO emigrants who seek our shores for
new and happier homes, willing to share tho
burdens as well as the benefits of our society,
and intending that their postcrity shall be-
come an undistinguishable part of our populs'
tion. The recent movement of tho Chinese
TO our Pacific coast partakes but little OF the
qualities of such au emigration, either in It's
purposes or its results. II Is too much like
an importation to he welcomed without re-
striction, too much like an invasion to be
looked upon without solicitudo. We cannot
consent 10 allow any form of servilo labor to be
introduced among us under the guise OF immi-
| grafton.
Recognizing the gravity Of this subject, tho
present administration, supported by con-
gress, has sent to China commission OF dis
| tinguishod citizens, for the purpose OF socur-
ing such = modification OF tho existing treaty
as will prevent the evils likely to arise. from
the present situation. 1t is confidently be-
lieved that these diplomatic negotiations will
| bo successful without the loss of commercial
| intercourse between the two powers, which
| promises u great increase of reciprocal trade
and tho enlargement of our markets
Should these efforts fall II will be the duty
of congress to mitigate tho evils already felt
and prevent their increase by such restrictions
as, without violence or injustice, will place
upon sure foundation tho peace OF our COM
nunitios and the freedom aud dignity of
labor. The appointment of citizens to tho
various executive md judicial offices of the
government is, perhaps, the most difficult of
all duties which tho constitution has imposed
upon the executive. Tho convention wisely
demands that congress shall cooperate with
the executive departments in placing the civil
service on better basis. Experience has
proved that with our frequent changes of
administration no system of reform can
be made effective aud permanent with
out the aid of legislation. Appoint
mcnts to the military and naval service
are so regulated by law and custom as to leave
but littlo ground of complaint. 1t may not
be wise TO make similar regulations by law fol-
tho civil service, but without invading the au.
thoriiy OF necessary discretion of the execu-
tive, congress should devise method that
will determine the tenure of office and greatly
reduce tho uncertainty which makes that SER
vice SO insecure and unsatisfactory. With
out depriving any officer of his rights as 0
citizen the government should require him tC
discharge all his official duties with intelli
gence, efficiency and faitbfulncss.
70 select wisely from our vast population
those who are best fittod for the many Offices
to be filed, requires an acquaintance far be
yOnd the range of any one man. The execu
tive should, therefore, seek and receive the
information and assistance of those whose
knowledge of the communities in which the
! duties are to bo performed bost qualities then
to aid in making the wiscst choice,
The doctrines announced by the Chicago
convention are not the temporary devices OF
party to attract votes and carry an election
: They are deliberate convictions resulting
from 6 careful study of tho spirit of our insti
! tutions, the events Of our history and the bes
impulses Of our people. In my judgmen
these principles should control the legislatio,
: and administration of the governments. IL
any event, they will guido my conduct unit
: experience points out better way. Ii oecte,
it will be my purpose TO enforce strict obedi
J ence to the constitution and the laws and 4
promote as bost l may tho interest and homo
: of tho whole country, relying for support upo'
the wisdom Of congress, the intelligence an(
: patriotism of the people and the favor of God
With great respect, am very truly yours,
! j. A. GARFIELD.
To Hon. GEORGE +. HoAR Chairman o
the Committee,