The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1880-12-10
The Presidents Message.

WHICH N'S nCHI W SOISltSS VII v, IL u
remarkably long,winded document. He
probably felt like taking advantage of the
last opportunity he may ever have of spread
ing his views before the country through the
medium of Presidential message.
The message opens with congratulations to
Congress on the continued and increasing
prosperity of the country, which he rightly
attributes to the favor of Divine Providence,
by which we have been blessed during the
past year with health, with abundant har-
vests, with profitable employment for all our
people, and with contentment at home, and
with peace and friendship with other ma
tions.
He refers to the general acquiescence in
the results of the late election, and argues
therefrom the stability and permanency of
our republican form of government.
He declaresi that the colored people in GER
tain Southern States are still prevented the
full enjoyment of the rights of citizenship,
and asserts that while there were no acts ofv Vi
olcnce or intimidation, the colored people
were prevented from voting by fraudulent
practices. Probably this was inserted to please
the stalwarts, or to furnish an excuse to the
next Congress to Cypress the South again.
Mr., Hayes, it seems to us, should be the
last man in the country to speak of fraudu-
lent practices in connection with elections,
seeing that he is himself the beneficiary of
the greatest fraud ever perpetrated on the
people of this country.
President Hayes recommends universal ed
ucation and the granting of public lands to
supplement local funds for the purpose.
His views on civil service reform have UNI
dcrgone no modification. 1t is unfortunate
for his admirable theories that his practice
has not conformed to them. The open dis
regard of civil service reform was plain in
the recent election, and so far as we have
heard President Hayes never interposed any
objection to the wrong, but apparently sane
tionedi it. He advocates competitive exami-
nations for appointments in the public SER
vice, and recommends the appropriation of
$4,000 by Congress for the purpose of inau-
gurating suitable system. He is opposed to
allowing members of Congress to make nom.
nations for office. 1t is therefore very like
ly that his recommendations in this paIticu-
lar will fall on insensiblc ears Congressman
will be averse to giving up any of the pa
tronage that pertains by custom to their Of
flee, although the public might be benefited
thereby.
On the subject of poygamy in Utah the
President recognizes the fact that local ac-
ton is totally inefficient to check the evil and
recommends the organization of new gov
eminent there, in which the Mormons shall
be deprived of the right to vote, hold office
or sit on juries.
He adyerts to the fact that we are at peace
with all the world and mentions various
treaties concluded or in course of settlement
with foreign nations.
He asks Congress to enact measures calcu
lated to develop our foreign commerce and
make the United States once more great
maritime power.
Our financial condition is reported to be
satisfactory, the national debt which is now
$780, 9,504.65, having been greatly reduc
ed during the last year. The difficulty of
getting the silver dollar into circulation is ad-
verted to. Congress is reminded that the
average market value of the silver dollar dur
ing the last fiscal year has been but eighty
eight cents, and as the constitution recognizes
gold and silver as the only true legaltender
money, he suggests that they should be of
equivalent value
Some practical recommendations in rela-
ton to the War Department are also made,
and President Hayes urges the passage of an
act appointing ex-President Grant Captain
General of the army, with suitable compensa-
ton. We can see no necessity for this. Gener-
al Grant has received honors and emoluments
sufficient to reward him for all his services to
the country; and since the army is already
overburdened with officers, and the list is
constantly increasing by graduations from
West Point, there is no necessity of charging
the number in the way President Hayes pro-
poses.
On the Indian question, the establishment
of Indian schools and the allotment of lands
to the Indians in severalty are recommended
The hope of the commissioner of agriculture
in relation to the home production of sugar
ON an extensive scale, and also of tea, is al
luded to and the attention of Congress is
called to the prevalence of plcuro- pneumonia
among our cattle The message winds I'M
with some recommendations in regard to the
District of Columbia, and closes by urging
the reclamation of the marshes of the Poto-
mac adjacent to the capital
The message in the main is sensible al.
thoughnot particularly brilliant production
and many of Mr. Hayes recommendations
will meet with the approval of all parties
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