The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-07-15

for the interests of commerce there is |
no longer any formidable opposition |
to appropriations for the improvement |
of our harbors and great navigable |
rivers provided that the expenditures |
for that purpose are strictly of ma
tional importance. The Mississippi1
river, with its great tributaries, is of
such vital importance to so many mil
lions of people that the safety of its
navigation requires exceptional con-
sideration. In order to secure to the
nation control of all its waters
President Jefferson negotiated the
purchase of vast territory extending
from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific
ocean. The wisdom of congress
should be invoked to devise some plan
by which that great river shall cease
to be terror to those who dwell upon
its banks and by which it's shipping
may safely carry the industrial pro-
ducts of twenty-five millions of
people.
The interests of agriculture, which
is the basis of all our material pros
perity and in which seven-twelfths of
our population are engaged, as well as
the interests of manufacture and COM
merce demand that facilities for cheap
Transportation shall be increased by
the use of all our great water courses.
Material interests of this country, the
traditions of settlement and sentiment
of our people, have led the govern
ment to offer the widest hospitality to
emigrants who seek our shores for new
and happy homes. Willing to share
the burdens as well as the benefits of
our society and intending that their
posterity shall become an undistin-
guishable part of our population.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
The recent move of Chinese to our
Pacific coast partalles but little of the
qualities of such an emigration either
in its purpose or it's results. 1t is too
much like an importation to be well
coined without restriction; too much
like an invasion to be looked upon
without solicitude. We cannot con-
sent to allow any form of servill labor
to be introduced among us under the
guise of immigration. Recognizing
the gravity of this subject, the present
administration, assisted by Congress
sent to China Il commission Of distin-
guished citizens for the purpose Of
securing such modification of the
existing treaty as will prevent the
evils likely to arise from the situation.
1t is confidently believed that these
diplomatic negotiations will be sue
cesslul without the loss of commercial
intercourse between the two great
powers, which promised q great in
crease of reciprocal trade and enlarge
ment of our markets. Should these
efforts fail it will be the duty of Con-
gress to mitigate the evils already felt
and prevent their increase by such
restrictions as, without violence or in
injustice, will place upon a sure foun-
dation the peace of our communities
and the freedom and dignity of labor.
CIVIL SERVICE.
Appointment of citizens to various
executive and judicial offices Of the
| government is the most difficult of all
duties which the constitution has inn
| posed upon the executive. The con-
vention wisely demands that Congress
shall cooperate with the executive de-
| partments in placing the civil service
on better basis. Experience has
! proved that without frequent changes
of administration no system OF
reform can be made effective and
| permanent without the aid of legisla-
ton. Appointments to the military
| service are so regulated by law and
custom as to leave but little ground
OF complaint. 1t may not be wise to
make similar regulations by law for
civil service, but without invading
the authority or necessary discretion
of the executive, Congress should de-
wise method that will determine
the tenure of Office and greatly reduce
! the uncertainty which makes that
service so uncertain and unsatisfactory
Without depriving any officer of his
rights as citizen, the government
should require him to discharge all his
official duties with intelligence, eifici.
ency and faithfulnesS. To select wisely
from our vast population those who
are best fit ed for many offices to be
filled, requires an acquaintance far be.
yond the range of any one man. The
executive should therefore seek and re-
ceive information and assistance 4
those whose knowledge OF communi
ties in which duties are to be per
formed best qualify them to aid in
making the wisest choice.
The doctrines announced by tho
Chicago convention are not temporary
devices Of a party to carry an election
They arc deliberate convictions result
ing from careful study of the spiri
OF our institutions, the events of Ou
history and best impulses Of our peo
pie. In my Judgment these prlnclple
should control legislation and the ad
ministration Of the government. II
any event they will guide my conduc
until experience points out bette
way.
If elected, it will be my purpose t
enforce strict obedience to the consti
tuition and laws and promote as best
may the interest and honor of tn
whole country, relying for supper
upon the wisdom of Congress, the in
telligence and patriotism of the peopl
and favor of God. With great respect
| am, very truly yours,
j. A. GARFIELD.
To Hon. George F. Hoar, Chairman
of the committee.
Chicago Inter- Ocean: "The Ney
Orleans Democrat is rejoicing becaus
as it says, Louisiana may justly CLAIM
another trophy of political achieve
ment and victory from her cOnSpicu