The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1880-12-09
THE MESSAGE.
President HayeS'S Annual
Message to Congress.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives.:

congratulate Won on the continued and
increasing prosperity OF our country By the
favor of Divine Providence we have been
blessed, during the past year, with health,
with abundant harvests, with profitable en-
ployment for all our people, and with con
tentment at home, and with peace and friend
ship with other Nations.
The occurrence of the twenty-fourth cleo
tion of Chief Magistrate has afforded another
opportunity TO the people of the United
states 70 exhibit TO the world a significant eX.
ample Of the peaceful and safe transmission
Of the power and authority of government
from the public servants whose terms of office
are about 20 expire, TO their newly chosen
successors. This example can not fail to i'm
press profoundly, thoughtful people of other
countries with the advantages which Repub-
hcan institutions afford. The immediate,
general and cheerful acquiescence of all good
citizens in the result OF the election, gives
gratifying assurance to our country, and to
it friends throughout the world, that Gov
ernment based on the free consent of an in
telligent and patriotic people possesses ele-
ments of strength, stability and permanency
not found in any other form ot government.
Continued opposition to the full and free en-
loyment of the rights of citizenship, conferred
upon the colored people by the recent amend
ments 10 the Constitution, still prevails in
several of the late slaveholding States. Ii
has, perhaps, not been manifested in the re-
cent election TO any large extent in acts OF VI
olence or intimidation. 1t has, however, by
fraudulent practices i'm connection with the
ballots, with the regulations TO the places
and manner OF voting, and with counting, re-
ce-stully defeating the exercise of the right
preventative of all rights, the right OF sui
trage, which the Constitution expressly con-
ters upon our enfranchised citizens.
THE EQUAL-RIGHTS AMENDMENTS.
Itisthedesire ofthe good people ofthe whole
country that sectionalism as a factor in our
politics should disappear. They prefer that
united nm i'm in solid OPPOSITION 70 any other
section. The disposition to refuse a
prompt and hearty obedience to
the equal rights amendments to the Constitu-
ton Is I'LL mat now stands in the way OF a
complete ObliteratiOn of sectional lines in our
political contests. AS long as either of these
amendments is tagrantly violated or disre-
garded, il is safe to assume that the people
who p aced them in the Constitution, as en-
Doaying the legitimate results OF the war for
the Union, and who believe them to be wise
and necessary, will continue to act together,
and 10 insist that they shall be Obcyed. The
paramount question still is as to the enjoy
ment OF the right, by every American citizen
who has the requisite qualifications, to freely
cast his vote and to have il honestly counted.
With this question rightly settled, the country
Will be relieved OF the contentious of the past (;
bygoncs VIII indeed be bygoneS; and political
and party issues with respect to economy and
efficiency of administration. internal improve
ments, the tariff, domestic taxation, eGuca-
ton. finance, and other important subjects,
will then receive their full share of attention !:
bat resistance to and notification of the re-
suits OF the war will unite together in resolute
purpose for their support all who maintain
the authority of the Government and the per.
petuity of the Union, and who adequately
appreciate the value of the victory achieved.
This determination proceeds from no hostile
sentiment or feeling TO any part of the people
OF our country, or to any of their interests.
Inc inviolability of the amendments rests
upon the fundamental principle of our Gov
eminent. They are the solemn expression of
the will of the people of the United States.
The sentiment that the constitutional rights
OF aliour citizens must be maintained does not
grow weaker. IL VIII continue to control the
Government of the country. Happily, the
history of the late election shows that in
many parts OF the country where opposition
to the Fifteenth Amendment has heretofore
prevailed, il is diminishing, and is likely to
cease altogether, If firm and well considered
action is taken by Congress. trust the House
of Representatives and Senate which have
the right TO judge of the elections, returns,
and qualifications of their own members. will
see TO 1t that every case of violation of the
letter or spirit of the Fifteenth Amendment is
thoroughly Investigated, and that no benefit
from such violation shall accrue to any per-
son or party. 1t will be the duty of the Exec
utive, with sufficient appropriations for the
purpose, to prosecute nnsparingly all who
have been engaged in depriving citizens of
the rights guaranteed to them by the Consti-
tuition.
1t is not, however, to be forgotten that the
best and sureSt guarantee of the primary rights
of citizenship is to be found in that capacity
for self protection which can belong only to n
people whose right to universal suffrage is
supported by universal education. The means
at the command of the local and State author
furnish free instruction to all who need it.
This is especially true where, before enamel
patton, the education of the people was neg
1ected or prevented, in the interests of slav-
cry. Firmly convinced that the subject of
popular education deserves the earnest atten-
ton of the people of the whole country, with
view to wise and comprehensive action by
the Government of the United States, re
specially recommend that Congress, by suit
able legislation and with proper safeguards
supplement the local educational funds in the
-Nns.,..
sponsibilities of citizenship have been devolv-
cd on uneducated people, by devoting to the
purpose grants of the public lands, and, If
necessary, by appropriations from the Urea
sury of the United States. Whatever Govern
ment can fairly do to promote free popular
education ought to be done. Wherever gen
eral education is found, peace virtue, and
social order prevail, and civil and religious
liberty are secure.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
In my former annual messages / have
asked the attention of Congress TO the urgent
necessity of n reformation of the civil service
system of the Government. MY views CON
corning the dangers of patronage, or APP
pointments for personal or partisan consid-
erations, have been strengthened by my OBJ
seTvation and experience in the Executive
Office, and / believe these dangers threaten
the stability of the Government. Abuses so
serious in their nature cam be permanent
ly tolerated. They tend to become more
alarming with the enlargement of admins
trative service, as the growth of the country
in population increases the number of officers
and placemen employed.
The reasons are imperative for the adoption
of fixed rules for the regulation of appoint
ments, promotions and removals. establish
ing uniform method, having exclusively in
view, in every instance, the attainment of the
best qualifications for the position in Ques-
ton. Such q method alone is consistent with
the equal rights of all citizens, and the most
economical and efficient administration of
the public business.
Competitive examinations, in aid of impair,
tial appointments and promotions, have been
conducted tor some years past in several of
the Executive Departments and by my direc.
ton this system has been adopted in the Gus
tom houses and Post offices of the larger cit
les of the country. In the city of New York
over two thousand positions in the civil serv-
ice have been subject, in their appointments
and tenure of place, TO the operation of pub
lished rules for this purpose, during the
nast two years The results of these practical
trials have been very satisfactory, and have
confirmed my opinion in favor of this system
of selection. All are subjected 10 the same
tests, and the result is free from prejudice by
personal favor or partisan influence. 1t Sc
cures for the position applied for, the best
qualifications attainable among the competing
applicants. 1t is an efectual protection from
the pressure of importantly whiC h, under any
other course pursued, largely exacts the time
and attention of appointing officers, TO their
great detT1ment in the discharge OF other OH
ciai duties preventing the abuse of the serY-
ice for the mere furtherance of private or
party purposes, and leaving the employee of
the Government, freed from che obligations
imposed by patronage TO depend solely upon
merit for retention and advancement, and
with this constant incentive TO exertion and
Improvement
These invaluable results have been attained
in a high degree in the offices where the rules
for appointments by competitive examination |
have been applied.
method which so approved itself by ex- |
perimental tests at points where such tests |
may he fairly considered conclusive, should |
be extended to all subordinate positions un-
der the Government. believe that a strong |
and growing public sentiment demands i'm |
mediate measures for securing and ENFORCING |
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