The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-12-08
THE MESSAGE.
Mr.. Hayes Makes His Last Regu-
lar Talk to Congress.
He Discusses All Questions of
Public Importance.
The Secretary of the Treasury
Makes His Annual Report.
His Financial Statements to Congress
and Estimates as to Future
Expenditures

Annual Message of the President of the
United states, to the Two Houses of Con-
gress at the commencement of the Third
Session of the FOrty-Sixth Congress.
FEILLow-CiTzENs or THE SENATE AND House or
REPRESENTATIVES,:
congratulate you On the continued and in
creasing prosperity of our country. BY the favor
Of Divine Providence we have been blessed,
during the past year. with health, with abundant
harYests, with profitable employment Tor all our
people, and with cOntentment at home, and with
peace aud friendship with other Nations
The occurrence Of the twenty-fOurth election OF
Chief Magistrate has afforded anOtherOppOrtunity
To the people OF the United States to exhibit To
the world significant example of the peaceful
and safe transmission OF the power and authority
OF Government from the public servants whose
terms of office about TO expire, 10 their newly
chosen successors. This example can not fail to
impress profoundly, thoughtful people of other
countries with the advantages which Republican
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 its friends throughout the
world. that Government based on the free con
sent Of an intelligent and patriotic people pos
Sesses elements of strength, stability, ard perna-
nency net found in any other form OF Govern
ment.
Continued opposition to the full and free enjoy
ment of the rights of citizenship conferred upon
the cOlOred people by the recent amendments TO
the Constitution, still prevails in several of the
late slave holding States. 1t has perhaps not
been manifested in the recent election to any
large extent in acts OF violence or Intimidation
IL has. however. by fraudulent practices in con-
nectiOn with the ballots, with the regulations as
20 the places and manner of voting, and with
counting. returning and cauvassing the votes
east. been successful in defeating the exercise of
the right preservatve of all rights. the right of
suffrage, which the Constitution expressly con-
ferS upon our enfranchiSed citizens.
II is the desire of the good people OF the whole
country that sectionalsm as a factor in ouT poll
fiOu Of Thp ShCUld he united in solid
opposition to any other section. The disposition
TO refuse prompt and hearty obedience TO
the equal rights amendments To the Constitution,
l. all that now stands in the way OF II complete
ObliteratiOn Of sectional lines in our political
contests. As long either of these amendments
assume that the people who placed them in the
Constitution. as embOdyng the legitimate results
of the war for the Union, and who believe them
to be wise and necessary. will continue 10 act to-
gethe-, and 10 insist that they shall be Ooeyed.
The paramount question still Is, rs Ia 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 re-
lieyed OF the contentious OF the past: bygOneS viii
indeed be bygOnes: and political and party issues
with respect To economy and efficiency OF admin
istmtlOn. internal improvements. the tariff, do
meStic taxation, education. finance, and other
important subjects viii then receive their full
share OF a,teia1ion but resistance to to
the war will unite together in reSOlue purpose
for their support all who maintain the authority
Of the government ana the perpSlultE OF the
Union and who dequately appreciate the value
OF the victory achieved. This determination pro-
eeeds from no hostile sentiment or feeling to any
their Interests The invioIabiiity OF the AMEND
mentS rests upon the fundamental principle of
our Government. They are the solemn expires
sion OF the will Of the people of the United
states.
The sentiment that the Constitutional rights Of
all our citizens must be maintained does not
grow weaker II will 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 Ia the Fifteenth
Amendment has heretofore prevailed, ii is dimin-
ishing. and is likely To cease altogether il firm
and well-cOnsidered action is taken bv Congress
/ trust the House of Representatives and the SEN
ate which have the right 10 judge of the elections
returns and qualifications of their own member
letter or spirit of the Fifteenth Amendment is
thoroughly investigated, and that no benefit from
snch EiolauCh shall accrue 20 any person OF party
IL Will be the duty OF the Executive, with sutf-
cient appropriations for the purpose TO prosecute
unspariugly all who have been engaged In depriv-
ing citizens Of the rights guaranteed to them by
1t is not. however, to be forgotten that the best
and surest guarantee OF the primary rights of
citizenship is 70 be found in that capacity for
eelfprotectinn which can belong only To people
whose right TO universal suffrage Is supported by
universal education. The means at the command
of the local and State authorities are, in many
cases wholly inadequate 10 furnish free instruc-
ton to all who need it,. This is especially true
where. before emancipation. the education OF the
people was neglected or prevented in the interest
of slavery. Firmly Convinced that the subject of
popular education deserves the earnest attention
Of the people of the whole country. with a view to
wise and comprehensive action by the Govern
ment of the United states, respectfully recOm-
mend that Congress. by suitable legislation and
with proper safeguards, supplement the local edu-
cati0nai funds in the several States where the
grave duties and responsibilities of citizenship
have been devOlved on uneducated people by de-
voting 10 the purpose grants OF the public lands,
and, ii necessary, by appropriations from the
treasury OF the United States. Whatever Govern
nEN RI lar
cation ought to be done. Wherever general edu-
cation is found, peace. virtue aud social order
prevail and civil and religious liberty secure.
In my former annual messages, l have asked
the attention of Congress 10 the urgent necessity
of a reformation OF the civil service system of the
Government My views concerning the dangers OF
patronage or appointments for personal or parti-
san considerations. have been strengthened by
my observations and experience in the Executive
office and believe these dangers threaten the
stability of the Government. Abuses so serious
in their nature can not be permanently tolerated.
They tend to become more alarming with the en-
Iargement OF administrative service. as the growth
OF the country in population increases the mum
Der Of officers and placemen employed.
The reasons are Imperative for the adoption OF
fixed rules for the regulation of appointments,
promotions, and removals establishing a uniform
method. having exclusively in view, in every In
stance. the attainment of the best quail hcatiOns
for the position in question. Such method
alone Is eOnsisten, with the equal rights OF all
citizens. and the most economical and efficient
administration of the public business.
Competitive examinations, in aid of impartial
huu pTDUlDUOilrs udNt Dttn tOu
Quoted for some years past in several of the Exec
utive Departments, and by my direction this sys
TEN has been adopted in the Custom Houses and
postofIces Of the larger cities Of tho country. In
the city of New York over 900 positions in the
civil service have been subject, in their appoint
ments and tenure of place, to the operation oi
published rules for this purpose, during the
past two years. The results Of these practical
trials have been very satisfactory, and have con
firmed my opinion in favor of this system OF Sc
lection. All are subjected 20 the same tests, anc
the result Is free from prejudice by personal fayo
or partisan influence. IL secures iOr the position
applied for the best qualifications attainablt
among the competing applicants IL is an effect
- ual prOtecton from the pressure of, importunitl
which, under any other course pursued. largely
exsets the time and attention OF appointing
offcers<o their great detriment In the discharge o
other official duties. preventing the abuse OF ths
service for tise mere furtherance OF private o
party purposes and leaving the employe of th'
Goyenment, freed from the obligations imposed b.
patronage. " depend solely upon merit for reten
ton and advancement, and with this constan
e incentive 20 exerti0n and improvement
These invaluable results have been attained II
high degree In the Offices where the rules 10
appointment by competitive examination hav
been applied. = baa sfehaa - q.
A method which has 50 approved itself By ex