Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-12-11
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

Senate and House of Representatives,
opens with his congratulations on the
continued and increasing prosperity OF
the country. The recent presidential
election, alfl the immediate general and
cheerful acquiescence of all good people
in its result he regards rs an example that
Cannot fail to impress profoundly
thoughtful people of Other countries with
the advantages which republican institu-
tons afford. In respect to several OF the
late slaye-holding States he declares that
the colored people there are still prevent
ed the free enjoyment Of the rights OF cit
i.enship, and while admitting that they
were subject to no acts of violence or IN
timidation at the late election, asserts
that they were defeated in the exercise of
the suffrage by fraudulent practices in
connection with the ballots and count.
aud in other ways. He remarks justly
that it is the desire of tic good people OF
the country that sectionaliSm rs factor
in politics should disappear; and lie trusts
that the two houses of Congress Will IN
vestigatc the returns and qualifications OF
their respective members, and see to 1t that
no benefit from such violation shall accrue
to any person or party, and that the In
ecutiye, with sufficient appropriations
for the purpose. will prosecute unspar-
ingly all who have been engaged in de-
priving citizens of their constitutional
rights.
On the subject of education President
Hayes is an enthusiast. lie holds that
universal suffrage should be supported
by universal education, ana lie recon-
mends that Congress AXE the matter in
hand aud supplement the local funds by
grants of public lands, and, if necessary,
by appropriations from the treasury-thc
proceeds, it is to be presumed, to be dis
bursed BE- federal agents. On civil SER
vice reform the theoretical views of
President Hayes have undergone no
modification. lie still believes that there
is great dangers 10 be apprchended from
appointments for personal or partisan
Observation-Disclosures that threaten the
stability of the government. Wherever
competitive examinations have been in
Stituted, he asserts that they have con-
tirmed his opinion in favor OF this system
Of selection. He, therefore, recommends
an appropriation of S25, 900 per annum to
meet the expenses OF commission to ex-
anime into the fitness of candidates, un-
der the authority given to the President
in the Revised Statutes, section 1913.
lie would do away with political pa,
irons and have only open competition,
but he does not add that the service
shOnld be nOn-partisan, although he
recommends such legislation as will
leave every officer free to express his Po-
litical opinion, and 10 feel safe in refUs-
ing to pay political assessments. He
holds further that it is departure from
the spirit of the constitution TO allow
members of Congress 10 make momina-
tons for otiice--a strong reflection upon
President Gartield'S letter, pledging HIM
self to consult the wishes OF members of
Congress in respect to nominations.
The next subject taken up in the mes
sage is polygamy in Utah. As it cannot
be put down by local action, and rs ali
laws against it are inOparatiye.i IS recon-
mended that Il new government he organ
lied in Utah, to be composed wholly of
Gentiles, or that the MormonS be de-
prived by law of the right to vote, hold
office or sit on jurics if they either Prac-
tice or uphold pOlygamy.
Inregard TO our relations with foreign
powers, the message tells us that we are
ut peace with all; that the fishery outrage
at Fortune bay. Nova Scotia, is in pro-
cess of settlement with Great Britain;
that the exhibition of arts and induSries
awarding quite a number Of prizTsSfo
American exhibitors; that q convention
with France has been concluded and rati-
tied for the settlement OF claims of citi-
zen5 Of both countries. and the commits
sion for this purpose is now i'll session ut
Washington. Our relations with Ger
many are friendly, and in the interna-
tional fish commission American GXhibi-
tors took many prizes of high class; but
the naturalization question is still unset
tied. The trouble with Spain for inte'f ring
With our merchant marine Is undergoing inv s.
Sgatjor, ard the jOiLt commission for adjusting
other claims OF Uui.ed States citizens against
Spsiu is about 10 terminate lis liboTs.
Tne consular treaty with Be GUM will lie adj
jus!ed ST an early dpy, but ihe treaty of cHtradi
lion with Denmark has failed. New treaties
have been agreed upon between the urit,d
States and CHINA which are soon 10 be lsid be-
tore the Senate. There il p ace and good order
on the frontier between the United States and
Mexico and the Ob-tlCiGS ~ last bulldog rail-
roads TO connect the two countries are on the
point OF di4appcaing. Tue inter-ocesn canal
about to DC constructs 10y way OF Panama is
referred to as recalling the treaty obii.s ,tions
subsising between the United States aud the
Colombian government, by which we guarantee
the neutrality OF the transit and the sovereignty
ADD property of Colonies in the isthmus the
President repeats biz previous opiuion that "lhe
United STATES Inust assert and maintain such SUI
pervlsisn and authority over any ipter-oceanic
canal as will protect our national interest Tho
ssr between Grill, Peru aud Bolivia is touched
upon, but our attempt at NJ" diaton Is announced
to have failed. With Brazil we hold cordial
lItiOns and our trade is rXtenci0g. Congress- Is
asked for the necessary appropriations TO meet
the expenses cf The International Sanitary Con-
renee to be held a. Wa.hlagtOD at Tie Begin
uing of the year.
The prompt attention Ct Congress Is asked to
measures calculated 10 develop ou- foreign COM
merce, and it is suggested that great service
might be expected from the lying Of trans
lnuriue cable from San Francisco TO the isl .nds
of the Pscli,, japan and Au tralta by private
capital, and If necessary iy congressional ada
recommendation which has strong leaning to-
wards q renewal OF the old system o! subsidies.
Our fnarci Al condition |: reported 10 be very
satisfactory. TIE total OF ordinary receipts for
the fiscal JCar ending Jure b is put at 1898 52G-
10 9S .he total OF CXpeud lures st 500 "a! 81
IS, leaving surplus revenue OF SO So3, 90 ~,
witch, aided TO the cash balance Ia the treasury
oil S., 0S4, 434 q. makes total surplus OF e13,
SIS. OS7 A. all II which has been applied 10 the
redemption OF Uoiied Stlles securitles-ihe re-
dsnptisn Of bonds for the silkirg fund taking
sT3,bj2,943 OF the surplus The increase OF rev.
cuUe Tor the pact year over the year previous was
$50 699, i3G - II IS estimated that The surplus
revenue this year will reach 500 000G cO. The
debt OF the Uni. d States bsb been reduced from
60 756 43l SCI 43 in 1855 to 81 $50 0l9 50i Co. and
If the principal of The debt Sos 15s 100 has been
paid since March !, 1877. Within short period
over six hundred hi II rs OF f,e and Elk per
cent. bonds will become redeemlbi", and Con-
gross Is askt d fer prompt legislation 10 enable
the SecretaFy 10 refund the debt sboutto mature.
Tie resumption OF specie payments, IL Il al
legged las contributed greatly 10 the revival OF
business and nnr Tems rsahe prosperity. In re-
spect 10 the S346, GSl, 0lG of legai-teudcr notes
now outstanding 1t is recommended that they
he I'D eIned and retired from circulation. The
difficulty Of z .ttDg the 81 Yer dollar ito circu-
latIon il Alluded 20. The total amount cci ed
up TO tle LIST o~Tovembet last was S12, Si7 80,
OF which only ss5 TG3 al are IN the henos of tue
people. Congress Is reminded that the average
aftt.. 81 J.ita d-ri ia -