The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1880-12-10
Tbe pres,seYts Message.

have read it. We would never have
read il ourselves had it not been a
matter Of business, and for the sake
OF those who may have a curiosity as
70 what is in it we give a short synop'
sis. II commences with congratula-
tons to the country ON the peace and
prosperity that it enjoys, and in the
next sentence endeavors to disturb
that peace by lying on the Southern
people. lie has the brazenness of a
government mule to speak Of fraud,
when his own tenure Of Office is by the
meanest fraud ever perpetrated. His
suggestion that the sales Of the public
lands be devoted to the education of
the colored people and if need be an
appropriation made for the purpose, is
a good one, but when he goes on to
speak of Civil Service Reform, it is
enough to make a little dog laugh.
His theory is good, but his practice,
rs all must admit who recollect Order
No. /, is faulty indeed. lie wants
Congress to appropriate $4,000 per
annum for commission to supervise
a system of competitive examinations
through he entire civil service, and
wants every ofiiceholder to feel as
safe as private citizen in refusing de-
mands upon his salary for political
purposes. A complete divorce be-
tween Congress and the Executive in
the matter of appointments is i'm.
peratively necessary for reform, and
the idea that Congressman shall dis
pense the patronage of his district
must be gotten rid of. For the sup
preston of polygamy he demands that
prompt and decided measures be taken
and recommends that Congress provide
for the better government Of Utah. The
friendly relations existing between us
and all foreign nations is dilated upon
and the success of negotiations with
China upon the subject Of restricting
the immigration from that country is
announced. Ia order to facilitate our
commerce on the Pacific coast a cable
to the Sandwich Islands is suggested.
The President takes occasion to praise
Secretary Sherman for the very salts
factory condition of the finances OF the
country. He states that the total
amount of revenues collected for the
fiscal year was 1888, 526, 610.9s, an
increase Of about sixty millions over
the preceding year. The public debt
is put down at 1866, 0l9, 504 60.
Over 5000, 10000 of five and six per
cent. bonds are about to become due,
and he thinks this a most favorable
time to refund into bonds bearing a
less interest than four per cent. He
fears that unless the law is repealed
requiring two millions in silver to be
coined monthly, and unless the weight
of the silver dollar is increased, that it
will have the effect of making gold
the single standard, and therefore asks
the necessary legislation to prevent
it. The cost of the Army Depart
ment for the year was $50, 1924, 773.03,
and still he thinks that the number of
soldiers ought to be increased over
$4,000. In view of the distinguished
services of Gen. Grant, he suggests
that an act of Congress authorizing
the appointment of a Captain General
of the Army, with suitable provisions
relating to compensation, retirement,
and other details, would, in my judg-
ment, be altogether fitting and proper,
and would be warmly approved by
the country" The reports of the
Navy and Postofiice Departments are
given, and the latter shows the con-
tinued growth and efficiency of its
service. Indian affairs are reported
in better condition. Liberal appro-
priations for the Missouri and other
rivers are urgently requested. A
large increase in the sales of govern.
ment lands is reported, showing the
prosperous growth of our agricultural
industry, and measures are asked for
to stop the wasteful destruction of our
public timber. He agrees with the
Commission of Agriculture that the
production of our own sugar and tea
would be a most remunerative indus
try, and unites with him in call for
against the pleuro-pnemonia .
cattle plague which so seriously affects
our trade with Great Britain. The {
value Of neal cattle exported from the
United States for eight months was ,
more than sl2,0O0,000 and is fast 5
becoming a most important trade. q
The successful workings Of the school
system in the District of Columbia he
says ought to suggest an extension of /
lis benefits. He wants Congress to
reclaim the marshes around Washing.
lon, and an appropriation to improve
he water supply of Washington. lie ,
urther suggests an appropriation tor
! Congressional Library, another for
he completion OF the Washington !
and still another for the
n