The Portland daily press., 1880-12-07

gress as it will be to the President and heads of
departments, but that il will greatly tend to
remove causes of embarrassment which now
inevHaoiy ana constantly attend conflicting
claims OF patronage between the legislative and
executive departments. A most effectual
check upon the pernicious competition of in
fuence and official favoritism in the be-
stowal Of otfics will be the substitu-
tion of open competition OF merit between
applicants, in which every one can make his
own record with the assurance that his success
will depend upon this alone.
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS
also recommend such legislation as, while
leaving every officer free as any other citizen
to express his political opinions and to use his
means tor their advancement, shall also en-
able him to feel as safe as any private citizen
in refusing all demands upon his salary for po-
litical purposes. A law which should thus
guarantee true liberty and justice to all who
are engaged in the public service, and likewise
contain stringent provisions against the use OF
of1cal authority to coerce the political action
OF private citizens or Of official subordnales, is
greatly to be desired. -
RELATION OF MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO Ap-
PoINTMENTs.
The most serious obstacle, however to the
improvement of the civil service, and especi-
ally to reform In the method of appointment
and removal, has been found to be the practice
under what is known as the spoils system, by
which the appointing ,ower has been so large
ly encroached upon by members OF Congress.
The first step in the reform Of civil service
must be complete divorce between Congress,
and the Executive in the matter of
appointments. The corrupting doctrine
that to the victors belong the spoils
Is inseparable from Congressional patronage as
established by rue and practice Of parties in
power. IL comes to be understood by appli-
cants for office and by the people generally
that Representatives and Senators are entitled
to disburse the patronage Of their respective
districts and states. " is not necessary to re-
cite at length the evils resulting from this in
vasion OF the executive functions. The true
principles OF government on the subject OF ap-
pointments to office, as stated in the national
conventions OF the leading parties of the coun-
tsy' nave again aud again been approved BY
the American people aud not been called in
question in any quarter. These authentic ex-
pressions of pubic opinion upon this all impor-
tant subject are the statement Of principles that
belong TO the constitutional strnctuie Of gov
ernment Under the consti uti tie Pre5i-
dent and heads OF departments are to make
nominations for office, the Senate is to advise
and consent to appointments and the House Of
Representatives is to accuse and prosecute
faithless officers The best interest Of the pub
lie service demands that these distinctions be
respected, that Senators and Representatives
dictate appointments to office" Tt this end the
cooperation of the legislative department OF
the government is required alike by the nee
essltes OF the case and by public opinion.
Members OF Congress will not be relieved from
demands made upon them with reference to
enactment the pernicious practice is condemn
ed and forbidden.
1t is therefore recommended that an act be
passed defining the relations of members of
Congress with respect to appointment to office
by the President, and also recommend that
the provisions OF section 1,767 and sections fol-
lowing, of the Revised statutes, comprising
the tenure of Office act of March 2, 1867, be re-
pealed. Believing that to reform the system
and methods OF the civil Service in our country
Is one OF the highest and most imperative du-
ties of craftsmanship, and that it can be per-
manently done only by the cooperation OF the
legislative and executive departments of the
government, again commend the whole sub.
ject to your considerate attention.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
1t is the recognized duty and purpose of the
people OF the United States to suppress polyga.
my where it now exists in our territories aud
to prevent its extension. Faithful and ZEAL
GUS efforts have been made by the United
States authorities in Utah to enforce the laws
against it. Experience has shown that legis-
latlon upon this subject to be effective requires
extensive modification and amendment
The longer action is delayed the more difficult
1t Will be to accomplish what is desired
Prompt and decided measures are necessary
The Mormon sectarian organization VIII ch up
holds polygamy has the whole power OF maA-
ing and executing the local legislation OF the
territory. BY its control of grand and petit
juries it possesses large influence over the ad-
ministr alton of justice. Exercising as the
heads of this sect do the local political power of
the territory they are able to make effective
their hostility to the law of Congress ON the
subject OF polygamy and in fact do prevent its
enforcement. Polygamy cannot be abolished
II fae enforcement OF the law depends on
those who practice and uphold the crime. 1t
can only be suppressed by taking away the
political power of the sect which en-
courages and sustains it. The power of Con.
gress to onact suitable laws to protect the ter.
ritories is ample. II is not q case for half way
measures. The political power of the Mormon
sect is increasing. 1t controls now one of
our weaithlest and most pOpulous territories
II is extending steadily into other territories
Wherever it goes it establishes poly gamy and
sectarlan political power The sanctity of
marriage and the family relation are II . corner
stone OF our American society and civilization.
Religious liberty and the separation of the
ideas OF free instsutions. To re-.
establish interests and principles
which polygamy and Mormonism have
imperiled and to fully reopen to intelligent ani
vlrtuous immigrants of all creeds that part of
our domain which has been, in a great degree
closed to general immigration by intolerant
and immoral institutions, it is recommended
that the government of the Territory of Utah
be reorganized. recommend Congress to
provide for the government of Utah by
governor and judges, or commissioners. ap-
pointed by the President and confirmed by
the Senate, a government analogous to
the provisional government established for
the territory north west of the Ohio, by
ordinance Of 1857. If, however, it is DEEM
ed best to continue the existing form of local
government. l recommend that the right to
vote, hold office and sit on juries In the Terri
tory of Utah he confined to those who neither
practice nor uphold polygamy. If thorough
measures are adopted it is believed that within
q few years the evils which now afict Utah
will be eradcated, ard this Territory will in
good time become one of the most prosperous
and attractive of the new States of the Union.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with all foreign countries have
been those of undsturbed peace, and have
presented no occasion for concern as to their
continued maintenance.
THE FISHERY QUESTION.
Ny anticipation of an early reply from the
British Government to the demand of indem-
nifty to our fishermen for injuries suffered BY
that industry at Fortune Bay in January, 1878,
which expressed in my last annual message,
was disappointed. This answer was received
only in the latter part of April in the present
year, and when received exhibited failure
of accord between the two Governments as to
the measure Of in shore fishing privilege Sc
cured to our fishermen by the treaty Of WASH
lngton OF SO serious a character that made it
= subject OF communication to Congress, in
which 1 recommended the adoption of meas
ares which seemed to me proper to be taken
by this Government in maintenance of the
rights accorded our fishermen under the treaty
and toward securing indemnity for the injuries
these interests had suffered. A bill to carry
out these recommendations was under consid-
GRAFTON by the House of Representatives at the
time OF adjournment OF Congress in June last.
Within few weeks received a communi-
cation from II er Msiesty's government renew
ing the consideration of the subject both OF in
1emnity for injuries at Fortune Bay and of
The interpretation of the Treaty in which pre-
vious correspondence had shown the two gov
to be at variance. Upon both these
topics disposition towards friendly agree.
ment is manifested by a recognition of our
right to indemnity for the transaction at For--
tune Bay, leaving the measure OF such indem-
nifty to further conference and by assent to the
view of this government presented in previous
that the regulation of conflict
ing interests o. the shore fishery of provincial
sea coasts and vessel fishery of our fishermen
hould bs made a subject of conferences
and concurrent arrangement between the two
governments. sincerely hope the basis may