The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-12-07

President Hayes message is. as was
expected, very lengthy. He congratulates
the country upon continued prosperity,
alludes to the election. compliments the
people for acquiescence in the result,
INDUCES 10 some rather indefinite illusions
to negro suffrage, recommends national
educational system, refers at great length
to civil service reform and urges upon
congress the necessity for q civil service
commission, denouuces polygamy. and
urges the reorganization of Utah; dwells
upon the peaceful condition of the country
pays fine tribute to Secretary Sherman,
claiming that ours il the best financial
policy of the world, and thinks it would be
q good idea to create the Office of Captain
General of the Army, and appoint Gem
eral U. S. Grant to that position.
The above is a synop,is of the points
referred to in the presidents message, and
whils some Of the recon endat ions are
good, there sre some which are decidedly
Objectionable, and which would not accom-
piish the end desired.
The recommendation as to civil service
reform sounds well. but when We remem-
Der how these rules have been violated
and especially during the late
cam paign, the high sounding praises
which Mr. Hayes bestcws, lose much
weight, 1t is more than likely that, had
Dir, Hayes been left undisturbed. he
would have inaugurated some needed re
forms 10 the civil service, but party pres
sure was too strong, and he yielded to the
demands OF The stalwart wing OF his party.
He started out TO purify the ssrvice-that.
We believe. was his honest intention, but
those who claimed to be the leaders of the
party forced him to abandon his good
intentions aud before the last campaign
was closed, he was completely at their
mercy, and civil service reform was dead
letter. His administration has been on
the whole respectable one, but for this
b is Indebted to a Democratic congress
which made II such. Civil service reform
will never be established under Repubii.
can rule-that Ia as certain as fate.
MIR. Hayes would have a commission
appointed to examine competitors for po-
sitions, but this, instead of reforming would
became u powerful ring )re potent
even than congress, with power to admit
anyone to position, and affordlng oppor
tunities for bribery worse, even, than
under the present system.
As regards Mr.. Hayes denunciation Of
polygamy. he mersly follows in the wake
Of others and suggests no practica
remedy.
In reference to our financial policy be-
ing the best in the world. in a measure
this is the case. but Mr.. Hayes
neglects to state. what every INTEL
gent person knows, that wise Legislation
by a Democratic congress has brought
our finances 10 their present stability.
So far as creating an Office for Gen
Grant, there is no use discussing tina
question-it will not be done. Gen
Grant is simply citizen of the United
States and wherein he has any right to b.
preferred citizen is not clear. This eff
fort to have Gen. Grant appear as I
pauper, to be cared for by the govern
ment, IL getting monotonous. and it !.
abouttime the various schemes to pension
Grant at Governmental expense. were
buried out OF sight Mr.. Hayes evidently
intended this morsel as q sop to the Conk
ling wing. and can be forgiven for hi:
weakness.
The other points in the message relat'
ing to the interior department, war de-
. partmept, etc., etc.. are more summary
of the views of the heads of those depart
mepts than.individual opinion, and present
nothing not contained in the origina
reports. barring few suggestions.
; The document is somewhat above the
, average of his former messages. aud is. or
the whole, very creditable, though there
Els certain dizziness TO the paper, which
] savors in some portions OF Evartsism
; There is nothing electrical in the docu-
, ment, nor much that can be classed as
great craftsmanship. still it is very res'
pecabls state paper, and though tame
will com mand respectful consideration.