Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1880-12-17
Message Supplement-.
PRESIDENT HAYES MESSAGE.

Of Diyire Providence we have been blessed, du-
ring the past year, with health, with abundant
haryeStS, with profitable employment for Ill our
people. and with c0ntentmenJ ut home ana with
peace and friendship with other nations.
The occurrence u the twenty fourth election u
chef magistrate has afforded another opportunity
70 the people of the United States 20 exhibit to
the world significant example 81 the peaceful
ana safe transmission of the power and authority
u government from the pubic servants whose
Of ,ticc abou, 10 expire, % their newly
chosen SUCCESSORS This example cannot fail 70
impress profoundly thoughtful people u other
countries with the advantages which republican
institutions afford. The immediate general and
cheerful acquieseencc Ut all good citizens. III the
result Il the election. gives gratifying assurance IL
our country and tu its friends throughou; the
world that government based on the free con-
sent OF IN intelligent and patriotic people posses,
= elements Of strength stability ana pcmnancnty
net foUud in any othcrto form o! government.
sEcroSaLI,M.
Continued opposition to The full and free enjoy
lucnt Of the rights of citizenship, conferred upon
The coored people by the recent amendments ~
The constitution, still prevails in several 1T the
late Saye-hodug states. II has. perhaps. not
been manifested in the recent tectiouto any large
extent IA acts Of violence ormtimidatiou, 1t has,
however ~ traaduent practices in connection
with ballots, with the regulations rs to the places
md manner Of 'oting, and with counting, return
E ANA CsltiNhSSlE tlc votes cast httl successful
Il defeating the exercise Of the right prcscrNatyc
all rights the right OF suffrage. which the con-
stltutou expressly eenttrs upon mr. cuirauehi>cl
citizens.
It Is the desire at the good people of the whole
c0aptry that scctionaSin as u ttttar in utW pol
tiles should disappear. They prefer that 10 Soc
ton Of the country should h. united in sound on
position 10 any other section. The disposition 10
refuse y prompt and hearty obedience q the
equal rights amendments tuthc constitution, il AL
that now stands i'll the way Of a complete ohtcr-
alton of sectional lines IN our political contests.
A. long ~ either Of these amendment, i tiagrant-
II fiulated or disregarlca II j. safe a. assume
that the people who placed them in the consttu-
zen as embudying the legitimate results oi the
war Tor the Union and who believe them ta be
wise ana necessary, will continue to act together,
and TO insist that they shall be- oheved The par
amount question still is, n to the enjoyment Of
tha right hy every American citizen who has the
requisite qualifications to freely cast his vote and
to have ii honestly counted. With this question
RIGHTLY settled the country Will be rCicNel of the
contentious Of the past; hygoneS will indeed be
bygones; and political and party issues with re-
spect TO economy and efficiency oi administration
internal improvements, the tariff. domestic taxa
hon education finance and other important sub
ieets will then receive their full share bfattru-
tiou; but resistance 10, naturalization of. tile ~
5Qlts cf tht war. will unite together IN resaUtc
purpose fer tn ir suppOcl all who maintain the
authority of the government AMI the pcptuty ot
the Union. and who adequately appreciate thu
value Of the etery achieNcd Tn, determine
ton proceeds from no hostile sentiment ~ feeling
20 any part OF the people OF our country, ar It.
.sny ot their interests. The inyiubehliity of the
amendments rest upon the fundamental prpci-
pal 1t our government. They ur" tile solemn eN
preston u the will Of the people Of the United
~.ates.
The sentiment that Tic constitutional rights 81
al our citizens must he maintained does nat grow
Nfs,,tt II 81
men: Of the country. Happily, the history Of the
late election shows that IN many parts Of the
country whore opposition to the fifteenth amend
tnent has heretofore prevailed Il is diminishing
and il likely to cease altogether. it firm and we'll
considered action Is taken by congress. trust
the house 81 representatives and the senate which
have the right to Judge Of the elections. returns
and qualifications Of Their own members, will -,
to it that every ease Of violation 1T the letter 81
spirit OF the fifteenth amendment i thoroughly
investigated, and that no benefit from such viola
ton shall accrue % any person ~ party. II will
lie the duty of the executive. with sufficient APP.
rropriatious for the purpose, To prescott mSpar-
ingly all who have been engaged in depri, ing
itiaons II the rights guaranteed 10 them hy th,
constitution.
EDrcAuaN.
il !, not however 10 be forgotten dat the b.,
md surest guarantee Of the primary rights Of
citizenship is to he found IN that capacity for self
protection which can belong only toa people who's,
right 10 universal suffrage is supported by uni
Yersal education. The means at the command o
he local and state authorities are III many eases
wholly inadequate Ia furnish tree instruction /,
III wha need il. This is especially true where
before emancipation, the education Of the ptopl,
was neglected ~ prevented IN tic interest y
slavery Firmly convinced chat the subject Of
popular education deserves the earnest attention
IT the people Of the whole country, with view +
wise and comprehensive action ~ the government
&c the United States. | respectfully rccammen,
that congress by suitable legislation and viii
proper safeguards supplement tn local cdnca
ional funds in the several states whore the gray,
duties and responsibilities Of citizenship have becl
deyolyed On unedueated people by dcyoting t'
the purpose grants Of the public lands, and II nee
essary BY appropriations from the treasury ot tn,
United States. Whatever government can fairly
10 to promote free popular education ought to b'
done. Wherever general education II found
reacs virtue and social order prevail
ana N!l md religions liberty are seeur'
CIVIL .ERucr.
II nv former annual mc..ag, hive a>kc,
rhe attention of congress 10 thu urgent necessity
# a information 1t the civ-scrvct system II th'
government. My Jews concerning the danger
patronage or appointments for personal 81
partisan considerations have been strengthens,
bv my ohseryaten aud eNperl,ne. in the eNecu
tive Office ana believe these dangers threaten
the stability of the government Abuses 20 ser
lou, in their nature cannot bc permanenty toler
ated. They tend e. become more alarming viii
tie enlargement Of administrative rsice, Ii,
Growth OF the country in population inereases tn,
aainber 81 officers and paeemen c.aployei.
IAa reasons nre imperative for TIL adoption q
dNca rules for the regulation II app intmcnts
promotion. and removals establishing q uniform
method having exclusively ii sew ~ every IN
.tancc, TIL attainment II thc lss, qualification
Tor the position in question. Suah method am,
5 consistent with the equal rights II a citizens
aud the most economical and efficient administr
lion II the public business.
COMPETITIVE examinations IN ad q impartial APP
pointment4 aud promotions. have been conducted
0r some years past In several u thc cXecut',
departments and by my direction this system ha
oser adopted in the Custom Houses and pos
5ficeS Of the larger elite, Of the country. ~ q,
aity II New J ork over two thousand positions i
the civil service haze been subject IL their ap
pontmcnts and tenure of place; 70 the operation
IL published rules for this purpose during ~
pa-t tvs years The results VI thess praetica
tria- have been very satisfactory and have con
hrmed my opinion in faver Of this .ystem 81 =.
leetion Alt arr subjected ~ THE silne tesi,, hnt
he result 1 free from prejudice VS. personal flyo
q partisan influence Il secures Tor the r7,itlnf
applied fer the best qualification. aitatnab d