The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1880-12-14

'SNoAi w So
question, the new military office, and
he disposition of our timber and agricultural
ands will meet an opposition that will not
De confined altogether to his political oppo-
lents. He thinks that the coinage of the
present silver dollar Of 412aa grains should
be discontinued and that new silver dollars
Of Gan equivalent proportionate value as bull
lion is to gold dollars be issued in their
stead. This is Sherman's view Of the matter.
It is based upon the hypothesis that silver
bears only a speculative value in the markets
Of the world that gold is the only metal
that has an intrinsic value and that the value
of silver, like any other marketable commod-
ity, should be measured by 1t. 1t is probably
needless to add that should any change be
made in the present fixed legal tender value
of our silver coin We know not to what ex-
tent the mono-metalists may in the future
reduce it. Our silver producing states and
territories will present a solid front against
any measure looking to the sinking in value
of our present coin dollar.
Schurz crops out in that portion of the
LlCoodSC INdt IClCIo " IIC 'Idplu ILL lluio-
criminate destruction of our forests" and
that which urges the necessity of legislation
Gin view of the lawless character of the dep
relations committed, and the disastrous con-
sequences which will inevitably follow their
continuance Here the western states and
territories are squarely hit again. Ii is with
in the range of probabilities that new life
will be infused in the old ~"stumpage" law,
that was once put in force against us, if for
no other purpose than to find easy positions
for a small army of deputies to collect a wood
tax which consumers must in the end pay.
In his presentation of the southern question
the President but echoes the cry of his parti-
sans. He mildly waves the "blsody shirt in
charging the south with deposition to the
full and free enjoyment of the rights of citi-
zenship conferred upon colored people by the
recent amendments to the constitution" 1t
is strange that we hear nothing of these al
legged great wrongs which are said to be quad
riennially pracLiced upon the colored people
of the south only through republican chan
nels. These are stale charges that have
served their purposes during the late campaign
and are unworthy to be %recounted in the
message OF the Chief Magistrate to an en-
lightened people. His libel on the southern
people should have been left to be uttered by
those who may justly enter the plea OF ignor-
ance to receive the pardon of an outraged
community. This portion of the Presidents
message will greatly weaken it in the estima-
ton of a large portion of American citizens.
Passing to the consideration of the civil
service, Mr.. Hayes suggests that an appropri-
alton of $4,000 be made by congress to meet
the expenses of a commission whose duty it
shall be to subject applicants for positions in
the several Federal departments to competi'
tive examinations, with the view to determine
and select those best qualified to fill their
This, in theory, is the proper course to pur
sue, but whether it could be reduced to prac
tical value would depend, in a great measure
upon the absence of political prejudice in the
minds of the members of the commission
We think that we can safely assert there vii
be no civil service reform measure perfected
so long as parties adhere to the present polit
ical dogma, that "to the victors belong tn
spoils." When our best men are chosen tt
fill all official stations of honor, trust or prof
it. the millennium will have come. Unit
then we may expect to see men crowd an'
scramble for office as long as there is none,
in it.
The President is afflicted with his part,
mania to find a suitable place in which to re
r tire General Grant. He recommends "tha
congress authorize the appointment of a cap
! tain general of the army, with suitable pro
visions relating to compensation &c. ]
: must appear to the outside world that tn
> United States drew an elephant when it st
: duced Grant from his retirement at Galcns
> The problem of the day that overshadows a
others-includinC the ChineSc-is what to d
with Grant. If the suggestions of the Pres
: dent be favorably acted uponi it will be SOLVED
to the great relief, no doubt, of Conklin!
Blaine, Sherman aud a host OF otherprospec
: i've Candidates for the republican nolninatio
! .or the presidency in 1884.
. In the discussion of the Mormon questlo
y the president suggests measures for the SUI
: preston of polygamv that will meet tn
n hearty concurrence Of the people of II
I civilized world. He recommends the REQ
= ganization of the government of the territol
+. of Utah, or if that is not deemed best, b
urges 'that the right to vote, to hold offic
and to sit on juries in the United States, }
L confined to those who neither practice nor NJ
= hold p~olygamy." While neither course ma
not entirely suppress the practice of this or.
. ing evil, it may possibly contime lis operatio
to the more f~anatical ones aud furnish a loo
hole for escape for the younger saints WI
nrefar tn cniov he rinhIs of A citizen rath,