Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-11
The Presidents Message.

MS hICoouEC' ~ IL NcIy lCHBfuy
document, and perhaps the best
State paper that has yet emanated
from President Hayes. We cam
not find room for it in our col
umns, and give the main points o.
the message in the following sum-
mary from the Baltimore Gazette:
After a touching acknowledge
L1ent to Divine Providence Mr..
Hayes proceeds to speak of what
he terms the continued opposi-
ton 10 the full and free enjoyment
of the rights of citizenship, confer
red upon the colored people,"
which he declares "stiil prevails
in several of the recent slavehold-
ing States" In the next sentence,
however, he admits that ait has
not perhaps been manifested in
the recent election to any large ex.
tent in acts of violence or intimi-
dation," but "by fraudulent prac-
tees in connection with the bal
lots" which he charges have been
successful in defea ing the right of
suffrage which the constitution has
conferred upon "our ifranchised
citizens. The President devotes
considerable space to this subject
and concludes by expressing the
belief that the terrible state of af-
fairs now existing in the South sis
likely to cease altogether if firm
and well-considered action is ia
ken by Congress" In this con-
nection he says: II trust the
House of Representatives and the
Senate, which have the righa to
Judge of the election, returns and
qualifications of its own members,
will see to it that every case of vi
olation of the letter or spirit of the
fifteenth amendment is thorough
ly Investigated and that no benefit
from such violation shall accrue to
any person or party. 1t will be
the duty of the Executive, with
sufficient appropriations for the
purpose, to prosecute unsparingly
all who have been engaged in de-
priving citizens of the rights guar.
anteed to them by the constitu-
tion.' His further consideration
for the "newly enfranchised" race
is shown by his reference to popu-
lar education in the Southern
States and his hope that Congress
will supplement the local educa.
tional funds by devoting to the |
cause "grants ofpublic lands, and,
If necessary. appropriations from |
the United States treasury"
Mr.. Hayes next takes up the |
"civil service SYSTEM" with which
his name is so pleasantly associa-
ted in connection with his famous
"civil service order No. l." and |
declares that "fixed rules" are i'm.
perative for the regulation Of APP
pOintments and removals and ad-
vises competitive examinations,
which, he says, have been very
successful under his adminiStra-
ton. The subject of polygamous
practices in Utah is then taken up, |
and nowhere in his message does |
Mr. Hayes display his true good |
ness to greater extent than in
this. 1t is true that the subject is
not q new one, and that Mr..
Hayes opinions are those of the
great majority of the whole peo-
pie outside of the polygamous dis
tricts, but the President is impress
sive when he comes to consider it.
Prompt and decided measures, he
declares, are necessary, and there
should be no halfway methods in
dealing with ii. The relations of
the United States to foreign pow
ers, the message remarks, have
been those of uudisturbed peace,
and have presented no occasion
for future concern. Mr.. Hayes al
ludes TO the Fortune-bay fishery
trouble. and states that the subject
has recently been renewed by the
British government in the form of
communication, which shows
) that a friendly agreement is
manifested by recognition of our
right to an indemnity for the
transaction at Fortune bay" Mr..
Hayes next refers to the ratifica-
ton Of convention between the
United States a. France for the
settlement of claims of either coun-
! try and mentions that the conven-
ton has already begun its sessions
in Washington. The fact of our
friendly relations with the Ger
man empire and other foreign
countries is alluded TO, and the
Spanish outrages in the West In
dia waters are also touched upon.
OF the recently-concluded Chinese
treaties Mr.. Hayes simply says
tina one relates TO the introduc-
ton of Chinese into this country
| and the other to commerce. The
character of them is not indicated.
Friendly relations have been es-
| III IL IL lAlAA, l.. IL IL