The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-07-22

Entered at the Post-office at .Kavenna, Obi
as Second Clafs matter.
able opposition to appropriations fol
the improvement of our harbOrs anG
great navigable rivers, provided thai
the expenditures for that purpose are
strictly limited to works of national
Importance. The Mississippi river
with its great tributaries, is of such vi
tai importance to so many millions OF
people that the safety of its navigation
! requires exceptional consideration. In
order to secure to the nation the con-
troll of all its waters, President Jeffer-
son negotiated the purchase of q vast
territory extending from the Gulf of
Mexico to the Pacific ocean. The wis.,
dom of Congress should be invoked to
devise some plan by which that great
river shall cease to be a terror to those
who dwell upon its banks, and by
phich its shipping may safely carry
the industrial products of twenty-five
millions of people.
| The interests of agriculture, which is
| the basis of all our material prosperity,
and in which seven-twelfths Of our
population are engaged, as well as the
interests of manufacturers and COM
merce demand that the facilities for
cheap transportation shall be increas-
ed by the use of all::Our great water
courses.
The material interests of this cour-
try, the traditions of it's settlement, and
the sentiments of our people have led
the government to offer the widest
hospitality to emigrants who seek our
willing to share the burdens as well
as the benefits of our society, and in.
tending that their posterity shall be-
come an undistinguishable part of our
population. The recent movement of
the Chinese to our Pacific coast par
takes but little Of the qualities of such;
an immigration, either in its purposes
or its results. 1t is too much like an
il2I 2IpOrtation TO be welcomed without
restriction; too much like an Invasion
to be looked upon without sOlicitude.
of servile labor to be introduced among
US under the guise of immigration.
Recognizing the gravity of this sub
ject, the present administration, sup
ported by Congress, has sent to China
q commission of distinguished citizens
for the purpose Ofsecuring such q mod
ificatiOn of the existing treaty rs will
prevent the evils likely arise from the
present situation. 1t is confidently be-
lieved that these diplomatic negOtia-
tiOns will BIZ successful, without the
loss of commercial intercourse between
the two powers, which promises
the enlargement of our markets.
Should these efforts fail, it will be the
duty of Congress to mitigate the evils
already felt, and prevent their increase
by such rest trictiOns as, without vio-
lence or injustice. will place upon q
sure foundation the peace of our coma
munities and the freedom and dignity
of labor.
The appointment of citizens to the
various Executive and Judicial offices
of the government is perhaps the most
difficult of all the duties which the
constitution has imposed upon the Ex-
ecutive. The convention wisely de-
mands that Congress shall cooperate
with the Executive departments in
placing the civil service on q better
basis. Experience has proved that,
with our frequent changes of admins
tratiOn, no system of reform can be
made effective and permanent without
the aid of legislation. Appointments
to the military and naval services are
so regulated by law and custom as to
leave but little ground of complaint.
1t may not be wise to make similar
regulations by law for tho crivif II pcrvice.-
But, without invading the authority
or necessary discretion of the Execu-
tive, Congress shOuled devise a meth
cd that will determine the tenure of
office and greatly reduce the uncertain
ty which makes that service SO uncer-
tain and SO unsatisfactory. Without
depriving any officer of his rights as a
citizen, the Government should re-
quire him to discharge all his official
duties with intelligence, efficiency and
faithfulness. To select wisely from
our vast population those who are best
fitted for the many Offices to be filled,
requires an acquaintance far beyond
the range of any one man. The Ex-
ecutive should, therefore, seek, and re-
ceivethe Information and assistance of
those whose knowledge of the COM
munities in which the duties are to be
performed, best qualities them TO aid
in making the wisest choice.
The doctrines announced by the
Chicago convention are not the tenn
porary devices of party to attract
votes and carry an election. They
are deliberate convictions resulting
from q careful study of the spirit of our
institutions, the events of our history,
and the best impulses of our people.
In my Judgment these principles
should control the legislation and ad-
ministratiOn of the Government. In
any event they will guide my conduct
until experience points out a better
way.
II elected it will be my purpose to
enforce strict obedience to the Consti-
tuition and laws, and to promote, as
best I may, the interest and honor Of
the whole country, relying for support
upon the wisdom Congress, the intel
ligence and patriotism of the people
and the favor of God.
With great respect, I am very truly
yours, ). A. GARFIELD.
To Hon. George F. Hoar, Chairman
of Committee. .-4-4 g