Ashtabula weekly telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1880-1886, 1880-12-10
THE TELEGRAPH
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE,

mencement of the third session of the
Forty-SiXth Congress on the 9th:
FELIow-CIrRENs OF THE SENATE AND HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES,: l congratulate you on
the continued and increasing prosperity OF our
country. By the favor Of Divine Providence we
have been blessed, during the past year with
health with abundant harvests with profitable
employment for all our people, and with con-
tentment at home. and with peace and friend
ship with all nations.
The occurrence Of the twenty-fourth election
of Chief Magistrate has afforded another oppOr-
tnnity TO the people of the United States 10 ex-
hibit to the world a signihcunt example OF the
peaceful and safe transmission of the power and
authority OF government from the public ser
yants whose terms of office are about to expire
TO their newly chosen successor. This example
cannot fail to impress profoundly, thoughtful
people OF other countries with the advantages
which Republican institutions afford The i'm
mediate, general and cheerful ncquicscence
the election, gives gratifying assurance 10 our
country, and 70 its friends throughout the
world, that Government based on the free
consent of an Intelligent and patriotic peO-
pie possesses elements of strength, stability
and permanency not found in any other form
OfgOvernment.
RIGHTS or CITIZENSHIP.
Confined opposition 10 the full and free on
toyment of the rights OF citizenship, conferred
upon the colOred people by the recent amend
ments 70 the Constitution, still prevails i'm
several of the late slavehoding States. It has
perhaps not been manifested in the recent
election TO any large extent i'm acts of violence
or intimidation. Il has, however, by frnudu-
lent practices In connection with the ballots,
with the regulations ~ To the places and man
ner OF voting, and with counting, returning
and oanvnssing the votes cast, been successful
indefeating the exercise ufthe right preserya-
tiveof all rights, the right of suderage, which
the Constitution expressly Confers upon our
enfranchsed citizens.
1t is the desire OF the good people of the
whole country that seCtOuHlism as Il factor in
our politics should disappear. They prefer
that no section Of the country should
be united in solid opposition TO any
other section. The disposition TO re-
fuse prompt and hearty obedience to
the equnl-rghts amendments 10 the COnstitl-
tion, is all that now stands n the way of IA
complete ohliteratiOn of sectional lines In our
political contests. As long as either Of these
amendments is hagrantly violated or disrc-
garded, II is safe 10 assume that the people
who placed them in the Constitution, M en-
bodyinR the legitimate results Of the war for
the Union, and who believe them 10 be wise
and necessary, Will continue TO act together,
and to,insist that they shall be Obcycd, The
paramount question Btill Is, MS 10 the enjoy
ment of the right by every American citizen
who has the requisite qualifications. tn freely
cast his vote ard to have II honestly counted.
With this question rightly settled, the country
will be relieved of the contentious of the past;
cal and party issues with respect to economy
and efficiency of administration, internal i'm
prOYements, the tnrH, domestic taxation,
education, finance and other important sub
jeCts, viii then receive their full share Of
attention; but resistance 10 and notification
of the results of the war, will unite together
maintain the authority of the Government
and the pcTpetuity of the Union, and who
adequately appreciate the value Of the victory
achieved. This determination proceeds from
no hostile sentiment or feeling to any part OF
the people Of our country, or to any Of their
interests. The inviOlability OF the amend
ments rest upon the Fundamental principle OF
our Government. They are the solemn ex-
preston of the will oftho people Of the United
States.
The sentiment that the constitutional rights
Of all our citizeus must be main ntained does not
grow weaker. II will continue tn control the
Government of the country. Happily the his
tory of the late election shows that in many
parts of the country where opposition 10 the
Fifteenth Amendment has heretofore prevailed
II ig diminishing and is likely to altogeth-
or, Il firm and well considered action is taken
by Congress- trust the House Of Representa-
ives and the Senate, which have the right TO
Judge of the elections, returns and qualifications
of their own members, will see 10 IL that every
case of violation of the letter or spirit OF the
Fifteenth Amendment is thoroughly investiRa-
ted and that no benefit from such violation
shall accrue to any person party. 10 will be
the duty Of the Executive, with sufficient ap-
propriationa for the purpOse to prosecute un-
Bpsringly all who have been engaged in depriV-
ingoltizens OF the rights guaranteed to them by
the Constitution.
II is not, however, to be forgotten that the best
and aurest guarantee of the primary rights of
citizenship is 10 ba found in that capacity for
self-protoCtiOn which can belong only to a peO-
pie whose right 10 universal suffrage Ia sup
ported by universal education. The means at
the command of the local aud Stute authOrl-
furnish free instruction TO all who need It,
This Is especially tr1io wher0, before emanc-
patton, the education Of the people was neg
leoted or prevented, IN the interest of slavery
Firmly convinced that the subject of popular
education dea rvos tho earnest attention of
the people of the whole country, with view
TO wise ami comprehensive action by the GOy-
ernment of the United States, I respectfully
recommend thnt Congress, by suitable legisa-
tion and with proper safeguards, supplement
the local educational funds In the several
States where the grave duties and responsible
ties Of citizenship have bcen dcvOlvCd on un-
educated people, by devoiing TO the purpose
grants of the public lands, aud, IL necessarv.
by appropriations from tho Treasury Of the
United States. WhatGVcr Government oan
ought to be done. Wherever general ud edues.
tiOn Ia found, peace virtue aud social order
prevail and civil and religious liberty are Sc
cure.
civil sEnvIcE.
In my former annual messages have asked the
attention of CunureHs to the urgent necessity Ola
reformation OF the civil service ayAtem OF the
Government. My views concerning the dangers
OF patronage, or appointments for persunal or
partisan considerations, have been strengthened
by my observation and experience in the ENeuu-
tive office, and i believe these dangers threaten
tho stability Of tho Government. Abuses 80 Sc
riouA in their nature cannot be permanently toll
Grated, They tend 10 become moro alarming
with the enlargement of administrative sarVice
hH the growth OF the country in population in
CTeaseA the number of officers and plucemen en-
plOyed.
lhe reasons are imperative for tho adoption of
uAeu fuleh lor the regulation OF appointments
promotions end removals., establishing a uni
form method, having eNCluuively in view in
every instance the attainment of the beat anal
ihcations for tile position in question. Such
method alone il consistent with the equal rights
OtRll CitiZ3nH, and the most economical and ef-
hcient administration of the public business.
Competitive examinations IN aid of impartial
Appointments and prumoiipns, have beeu CON
Quoted tor some years pant in several Of the EX.
hYatem hs been adopted ia tho oustom housea
and post Offices of the Larger cities OF the conn
try, In the city OF New York over two thousand
positions in the civil service have been subject
~ their appointments and tenure OF
place, to the operation Of publahed
rules for this purpose, during the
past two years. The results Of these practical
trials have been very satisfactory, and have CON
hrmed my opinion in favor OF this syEtem OF ne |
lection. All arc subjected 20 the same tests and
the result Is free from prejudice by personal Ia
vor or partisan influence. Il secures for the p0-
able among the competing applicants. IL is an |
ettectual protection from the pressure of impOr.
tunity which, under any other course pursued |
largely eNaets the time aud attention 0fappoint |
ing officers, 20 their great detriment In the dis |
charge Of other official duties preventing the |
abuse OF the service Tor the mere furtheranoo of
private or party purposes, and leaving the em- |
pluye OF the Government freed FROM the obliga- |
tiona imposed by patronage. to depend soiely |
upon merit for retention and advancement and |
with this constant incentive 10 eXertion and inn |
prOVement.
TheAe Invaluable results have been attained |
IN n high degree in the oiioes where the rules |
have been applied.
A method which has so approved itself by e1-
porlmentAi tests at points where such tests NAV
be fairly considered eOnclusive, should be ex-
Tended 20 all auhnrd mate pnsitona under tho
GoNernmont ] believe that q strong aud
sioMilg pgDno sentiment denRnds immediate
measures Tor securing and enforcing the nigh.
est possible efficiency Ia the civil service and