Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-12-10

| corruptlng doctrine that 10 Inc VICIOUS VT
long the spoils," is inseparable from Con
gressional patronage as the established RUE
and practice of parties in power. II comes
to be understood by applicants for office anu
by the people generally, that Representatives
and Senators are entitled TO disburse the
patronage of their respective districts and
States. 1t is not necessary TO recite at length
the evils resulting from this invasion OF the
Executive functions. The true principles OF
government on the subjecl of appointments
to office. as stated in the National conven-
tons of the leading parties of the country,
have again and again been approved by the
American people, and have not been called
in question in any quarter. These authen-
tic expressions of public opinion upon this
al-important subject, are the statement OF
principles that belong TO the constitutional
structure of the Government.
Under the Constitution. the President
and heads of the Departments are to make
nominations for office. The Senate is TO ad-
wise and consent TO appointments, and the
House of Representatives is TO accuse and
prosecute faithless officers. The best inter
est of the public service demands that these
distinctions be respected; that Senators ana
Representatives, who may be judges and ac-
cusers, should not dictate appointments to
office" To this end the cooperation of the
Legislative Department of the Government
is required, alike by the necessities of the
| case and by public opinion. Members of
Congress will not be relieved from the de-
mands made upon them with reference to
appointments to office until. by legislative
enactment, the pernicious practice is con
demned and forbidden.
Ii 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 recon-
mend that the provisions of section l, ,67,
and of the sections following, of the Revised
Statutes, comprising the tenure of office
act. of March ?, 1867, he repealed.
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 statesmanship, 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 subject to your considerable attention
roLYGAMY.
1t is the recognized duty and purpose of
the people of the United States 20 suppress
polygamy where it now exists in our Terri
tories, and to prevent its extension. Faith
lul anu Ltsllt'uS t!lDliS nave bttIl W
the United States authorities in Utah to en-
force the laws against it. Experience has
SHOWN that the legislation upon this subject,
to be effective, requires extensive modifica-
ton and amendment The longer action is
delayed, the more difficult it will be TO ac-
complish what is desired. Prompt and de
cided measures are necessary. The Mormon
sectarian organization which upholds polyg
amy has the whole power of making and exc
cutting the local legislation of the Territory.
By its control Of the grand and petit juries.
it possesses large influence over the admins
tration of justice. Exercising. US 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. Poly
gainy will not be abolished if the enforce
ment of the law depends on those who prac
tice and uphold the crime. 1t can only be
suppressed by taking away the political pow
or of the sect which encourages and sustains
it, The power of Congress to enact suitable
laws to protect the Territories is ample 1t
is not case for halfway measures. The po-
liiical power of the Mormon sect is increas-
ing il controls now one of our wealthiest
and most populous Territories. 1t is eX-
tending steadily into other Territories.
Wherever it goes it establishes polygamy and
sectarian political power. The sanctity of
marriage and the family relation are the cor
ner- stone of our American society and civili-
zation. Religious liberty and the separation
of Church and State are among the element
ary ideas of free institutions To re-estab-
lish the interests and principles which polyg-
amy and Mormonism have imperilled, and to
fully reopen TO intelligent and virtuous i'm
migrants of all creeds that part of our do
main which ihas been, in Il great degree,
closed to general immigration by intolerant
and immoral institutions, it is recommended
that the government of the Territory of Utah
be recrganlZed.
| recommend that Congress provide for the
government of Utah by governor and judges
or commissioners, appointed by the Pres-
dent and confirmed by the Senate govern
ment analogous TO the provisional govern
ment established for the Territory northwest
OF the Ohio, by the ordinance of 1877. IT,
however, il is deemed best 10 continue the
existing form of local government, | recon-
mend that the right to vote, hold Office, and
sit ON juries in the Territory of Utah, be con-
fined 10 those who neither practice nor up
hold pOlygamy. If thorough measures are
adopted, il is believed that within few years
the evils which now atllct Utah will be era
Dictated, and that this Territory will in good
time become one OF the most prosperous and
attractive Of the new States of the Union.
oUE FoEEIGN RELATIONS
Our relations with all foreign countries
have been those of undisturbed peace, and
have presented no occasion for concern Us to
their continued maintenance.
My anticipation of au carly reply from the
British Government TO the demand of indrm-
nifty 10 our fishermen for the injuries suffered
by that industry at Fortune Bay, in January,
1873, 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, ex-
hbited failure of accord between the two
Governments, as to the measure Of the in
shore fishing privilege secured to our fisher
men by the treaty of Washington, of SO seri-
Gus u character that made ii the subject of
a communication TO Congress, in which ] re-
commended the adoption OF the measures
which seemed to be proper to be taken by
this Government in maintenance OF the rights
| accorded TO our fishermen under the treaty,
and towards securing an indemnity for the
injury these in terests had suffered A bill to
/ carry ont these recommendations was under
consideration by the House of Representa-
tives at the time Of the adjournment of Con
greSs in June last.
! Within II few weeks | have received n
communication from Her Majcsty's Govern
mcnt, renewing the consideration of the sub
/ jet, both OF the indemnity for the injuries
at Fortune Bay, and of the Interpretation of
the treaty in which the previous correspond
| encc had shown the two Governments to be
nj variance. Upon both these topics the dis
position towards II friendly agreement is