The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

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The conditions of a country ut peace with
itself and all the world, Its people prospecting
beyond precedent and no evil Impending,
are not such as to elicit from the Chief Mag
istrate startling message to Congress or
one in which especial abilities would be dis
played. These are the conditions existing
now. President Hayes message Is not
startling. II is chiefly a calm, dignified
statement ofthe situation of national affairs,
but contains beside some suggestions re-
garding internal polity that we believe are
sound, and point the way In which the Ma
ton will find 1t wisdom to progress. The
publication of the message entire in the In
dependent, Herald and Miner renders it in
advisable for us to occupy space with IL, and
we therefore advert to only the more salient
features.
After the usual congratulations the Presi-
dent refers TO the continued intimidation of
the colored voters In the South, and depre-
Gates that political idiocy which boasts of or
encourages sectional political solidity. He
thinks the South should yield prompt and
hearty obedience to all amendments to the
Constitution, and that then bygones should
be bygones. As this has not been done he
urges the investigation and unsparing prose-
cution of all who have been engaged In de-
priving citizens of their rights. The right
Of suffrage is the right preservative of all
rights. -...
He believes In universal education as the
guarantee of peace, virtue, social order and
civil and religious liberty, and that where
local governments are unable to furnish
free education to all who need 1t, their
means should be supplemented with aid from
the general government. -
Civil service reform is dealt with as the
most important topic of the message, and all
his previously asserted views are strengthen
ed by experience and observation. He be-
lieves In competitive examination, in promo
ton If deserved, In tenure during the period
for which appointed, in a law defining the
prerogatives and privileges Of Congressman,
and the Executive In the matter of appoint
ment. He denounces as pernisious the the
DRY of "the spoils to the victos," and the
levying Of political assessments, and sug-
gests the repeal Of the tenure Of Office law.
The most stalwart suggestion Is con-
corning government in the Territory of
Utah. Effort to suppress polygamy has
| made but the record of failure after failure,
and now the Momons are reaching out with
polygamy and sectarian political power into
| adjoining Territories. The Momons make
the laws and control the juries and wage ef-
fective opposition to all laws of Congress
aiming to establish a Republican form of
government in Utah and suppress the vice of
polygamy, Prompt aud decided measures
are necessary" He recommends that the
Territorial government of Utah be disestab-
lished and government by the Governor
and Judges or Commissioners appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Senate
be substituted. This was was the form of
provisional government first established for
the territory northwest of the Ohio by the
ordinance of 1857. II this is not done he
recommends that the right TO vote, hold Of
fee and sit on juries in Utah be confined to
those who neither practice nor uphold polyg-
amy. ,.. ..,..f,.. o., 3D.
I'm speaking Of the Inter- Oceanic Canal he
repeats the principle avowed in his message
of last March: ",That it is the right and du-
ty Of the United States to assist and main
tain such supervision and authority over any
Inter-Oceanic canal across the Isthmus that
connects North and South America as will
protect our national interests" ...n a.
Much satisfaction Is expressed at the finan-
cial condition of the country. In August,
1896, the NATIONAL debt was $2,758, ,571.
1t Is now $3.50, O19,5o4. Since March LIST,
1877, there has been paid $10S, 758, 100, redu-
cling the annual interest 90, 107, 593, besides
an annual saving of interest by the sale of
low-rate bonds of Sis, 200, 453. There will
soon be $6o0, 000, 900 of five and six per cent.
bonds redeemable. These should be re-
deemed and refunded at low rates.
The silver dollar Of 412a grains was worth,
when the law authorizing its coinage was
passed, from 90 TO 90 cents. Its value now
is Ssh cents. or the s72,s47,750 thus COIN
ed only $25, 7es, POI are in the hands of the
people. 1t keeps coming back to the Treas
ury despite allefferts to keep it circulating.
The President thinks the coinage of this
fraud should cease and dollar be coined
with 100 cents worth Of value in 1t.
He recommends the increase of the enlist
ed men of the army to $4,000; the appoint
ment of retired army officers as professors of
tactics and military science ut certain COL
leges and universities; the enlistment of 100
schoolmasters for the army, and the appoint
ment of Grant as Captain General Of the
Army. a Il r. i g..
The situation Of Indian affairs is pronoun-
ced very gratifying. He says the Indians
make good freighteH and police, that many
are making homes and engaging in the occu-
pations of civilized life, and recommends
they be encouraged by the allotment of res
ervation lands to them In severalty under
patent. .#H.r.r f. ..a
The recommendation OF the Commissioner
er of Education that portion Of the revenue
derived from the sale Of public lands be set
aside and apportioned and distributed to TIE
several States and Territories Is approved.
The message Is quite long, occupies eight
or nine columns Of the Territorial dailies
and will repay perusal and consideration by