Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1880-07-22
CUSTOM LAWS.

\ In reference to our custom laws a pol
icy should be pursued which will bring
revenue to the Treasury, and will ena-
! bic the labor and capital semplOyed in
our great industries to compete fairly
in our own markets with the labor and
capital of foreign producers. We legis-
late for the people of the United States,
not for the whole world, and it is our
| glory that the American laborer is more
intelligent and better paid than his for
eign competitor. Our country cannot
be independent unless its people, with
| their Abundant natural resources, pos
sess the requisite skill, at any time, to
war, and in time of peace to produce all
the implements of labor. 1t was the
manifest intention of the founders OF
the Government to provide for the COM
!, mon defense, not by standing armies
alone, but by raising among the people
a greater army of artisans, whose intel
ligence and skill shonld powerfully con-
tribute to the safety and glory of the
Nation.
RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENT.
Fortunately for the interests Of COM
merce, there is no longer any formidable
opposition to appropriations for the i'm
provement of our harbOrs and great navl-
gable rivers, provided that the eXpendi-
lures for that purpose are strictly limit
ed to works of National Importance.
The Mississippi river, with its great
| tributaries, is of such vital Importance
to SO many millions of people that the
safety of its navigation requires eXcep-
| tional consideration. In order to secure
to the Nation control of all its waters.
President Jefferson negotiated the pur-
chase of a vast territory extending from
| the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.
| The wisdom of Congress should be invo-
ked to deviae some plan by which that
great river shall cease to be terror to
those who dwell upon its banks, and by
which its shipping may safely carry the
industrial products of twenty-five mil
lions of people.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
The interests of agriculture, which is
the basis of all our material property,
and in which seven-twelfths of our pop
ulation are engaged, as well as the III
terests of manufactures and commerce,
demand that the facilities for cheap
transportation shall be increased by the
use of all our great water courses.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
The material interests of this country,
the traditions of it's settlement, and the
sentiments of our people have led the
Government to offer the widest hOspl-
tality to emigrants who seek our shores
for new and happier homes, willing to
share the burdens, as well as the bene-
fits of our society, and intending that
their posterity shall become an undis-
tinguishable part of our population.
The recent movement of the Chinese to
our Pacific coast partakes but little of
the qualities of such an emigration, Ell
ther its purposes or its results. It's too
much like an importation to be well
eomed without restriction; too much
like an invasion, to be looked upon with
out solicitude. We cannot consent to
allow any form of servile labor to be
introduced among us under the guIse OF
immigration.
Recognizing the gravity Of this sub
ject, the present administration, sup
ported by Congress, has sent to China a
commission of distinguished citizens for
the purpose of securing such moditi-
cation of the existing treaty as will pre-
vent the evils likely to arise from the
present situation. 1t is confidently be-
lieved that these diplomatic negOtia-
tions will be successful, without the loss
of commercial intercourse between the
two powers, which promises great in
crease of reciprocal trade and the en-
largement 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 re-
strictions as, without violence or injus-
tice, will place upon a sure foundation
the peace of our communities and the
freedom and dignity of labor.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The appointment of citizens to the va
rious executive and judicial offices OF
the Government is perhaps the most
difficult of all the duties which the Con-
stitution has imposed upon the Execu-
tive. The Convention wisely demands
that Congress shall cooperate with
the Executive departments in placing
the civil service on better basis. Ex-
perience has proved that, with our fire.
quent changes of administration, no sys- |
tenn of reform can be made effective |
and permanent, without the aid of leg
islation. Appointments to the military |
and naval 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 the civil service. But without inva-
ding the authority or necessary discre-
ton of the Executive, Congress should |
devise method that will determine the
tenure of Office and greatly reduce the
uncertainty which makes that service |
so uncertain and unsatisfactory. With |
out depriving any officer of his rights as
a citizen, the Government should re-
quire him to discharge all official duties
with intelligence, efficiency and faith
fulnesS. To select wisely from our vast |
population those who are best fitted for |
the many offices to be filled, requires an
far bepond the range of
any one man. The Executive should
therefore seek and receive the informa-
ton and assistance of those whose
of tie communities in which
the duties are to be performed best quail
ifies them to aid in making the wiseSt
choice.
THE CHICAGO RESOLUTIONS.
The doctrines announced by the Chi
cage Convention are not the temporary
devices of party to attract votes and
carry an election. They are deliberate
convictions resulting from a careful
study of the spirit of our institutions,
the events of our history, and the best
impulses of our people. In my judg-
ment, these principles should control
the legislation and administration of the
Government. In any event they will
guide my conduct until experience
points out better way.
If elected it will be my purpose to en-
force strict obedience to the Constitu-
tiOn and the laws, and to promote, us
best l may, the interest and honor OF
the whole country, relying fer support
upon the wisdom of Congress, the intel
ligence and patriotism of the people, and
ha Of InI