The Russellville Democrat., 1880-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Synopsis of the Ideas and Sug-
 gestiOns of the President.

gestions of the President.
 The following brief synopsis of the Presidents Message IS given because we have not room for the entire paper;
 He congratnlates the people on the quiet and orderly manner of the recent election, and thinks it affords to the world another evidence that government based on the free con sent of an entelligcnt people, pos sesses elements of strength, stabili- " and permanency not found in any other form Of government. He then devotes good deal of space to expressing his regret that in some of the southern states the colored men are still denied equal rights etc., etc, and that one part of the country is solid against another. He is strong for education and re- comments that congress supple ment the local educational fund in several states by donations of land and if necessary appropriations of money.
 Civil service reform prsvokes strong expressions, and he believes itsviolaters threaten the stability of the government. Abuses so serious in their nature cannot be permitted to continue. As remedy he sug- gests rules for appointment, promo tions, removals, etc. Competitive examinations Tn aid of important appointments should also be held, and commissioner at salary or $25,00 per annum should be ap pointed by the president to devise . system of examinations, and to su- pervise the same.
 Polygamy should be suppressed, and congress should govern Utah, appointing governor and judges. The right.to vote, hold office and sit on juries should be denied Nor mons.
 Satisfactory and harmonious re- lations are reported existing with foriegn countries, belief is ex- pressed that all obstacles prevent ing the building of railways to Mexlco have been removed, and that 1t is the duty of the United States to assert and maintain au thority over any inter ocean canal across the isthmus that connects us with South America.
 For the benefit of foriegn trade and commerce trans marine cable should be laid from San Francisco to the Sandwich islands, and thence to Japan at the north and Austral ia at the south. The navy should be fostered and enlarged, because of it's unquestionable service to the expansion of our commerce.
 The financial condition of the country IS very satisfactory. The financial valuation of the country has never been surpassed at any time by any country.
 The receipts of this year amount $450, 1000, ,000, sufficient to meet ex- penses and leave $90000,000 sur plus.
 The debt of the United States is being rapidly reduced, and there has been no interruption of specie payment since it's commencement.
 As to the army, posts not neces. sary should be sold and proceeds used in building new ones; officers detailed as professors of tactics in colleges, etc., should be from the re- tired list, and not from active ser vice.
 A comprehensive improvement oi the Mississlppi river and it's tribu taries is a matter of great impor- tance.
 Gen. Grant should be made cap tain general of the army for his ser vices during the war, and an act should be passed relating to his com pensation and other details.
 The conduct of the postal affairs shows an unavoidable expenditure of $3, ,5S0, 757 90 more than the re-. ceipts.
 In view ofincreasing business in supreme and circuit federal courts,