Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-12-15

bilitles OF citizenship IN t1at portlOn OF the
country most impoverished by war. have
been pleased TO learn from the report Of the
Commissioner of Education that there has
lately been a considerable increase of interest
and effort for their instruction, but all that
can be done By local legislation and private
generosity should be supplemented by such aid
as can be- constitutionally afforded by the Ma
tional Government. I would suggest that if
any fund be dedicated to this purpose it may
be wisely distributed in the different States,
according to the ratio of illiteracy, as by this
means those localities which are most in need
of such assistance will reap its special bene-
fits.
Of the Agricultural Commissioner he says:
The report of the Commissioner Of Agrlcul-
ture exhibits the results of the experiments in
which that Department has been engaged
during the past year, and makes important
suggestions in reference to the agricultural
development of the country. The steady in
crease of our population, and the consequent
addition to the number Of hose engaging
in the pursuit of husbandry are giving to this
department growing dignity and impor-
tance. The Commissioner suggestions touch
ing its capacity for greater usefulness deserve
attention, as it more and more commends
promote.
The report of the Commissioner of Pensions
is discussed at length and the propriety sug-
gested of making some special provision
for the prevention of fraud in this de.
partment There are now pending for
settlement 265,575 original pension claims,
27,O4O of which were filed previous to July
l, 1880, and for the probable number Of ad.
missions of these claims, the first payment on
each of which is 81, $50, the sum of $3.50, ,000,-
900 will be required for the item of the first
payments alone.
He advises appropriations for such internal
Improvements as the wisdom of Congress
may deem to be of public importance, and
urges the necessity of improving the naviga-
ton of the Mississippi River. ~
Considerable space is devoted to discussing
and advocating civil service reform !; to the
subject of competitive examination for Office /;
and to District of Columbia affairs to
the decline of the merchant marine Of the
United States and the message closes as fol-
lows:
The importance of timely legislation with
respect to the ascertainment and declaration
of the vote for Presidential electors was sharp
ly called to the attention of the people more
than four years ago. 1t is to be hoped that
some we'll defined measure may be devised
before another National election, which will
render unnecessary resort to any expedient
of temporary character for the determine
ton Of questions upon contested returns
questions which concern the very existence of
the Government and the liberties Of the peo.
ple-were suggested by the prolonged illness
of the late President and his consequent in
capacity to perform the functions of his Of
fee. ...
1t is provided by the second article Of the
Constitution, in the fifth clause Of its first
section, that in case Of the removal of the
President from Office, or of his death, resig-
nation or inability to discharge the powers
and duties of said Office, the same shall de-
volve upon the Vice. President. What is the
intendment Of the Constitution in its speci.
6cation of inability to discharge the powers
and duties of said Office as one of the contin-
gencies which called the Vice-P President to ex.
ercise Presidential functions 2 Is the ina
bility limited in its nature to long continued
intellectual incapacity or has it broader
import What must be its extent and dura-
ticn7 How must its existence be established?
Has the President, whose inability is the sub.
ject of inquiry, any voice in determining
whether or not it exists, or is the decision of
that momentous and delicate question conf.
ded to the Vice President, or is it contempla.
ted by the Constitution that Congress should
provide by law precisely what should consti.
tute inability, and how and by what tribunal
or authority it should be ascertained If the
inability proves to be temporary in its nature
and during its continuance the Vice-Presi'
dent lawfully exercises the functions of the
Executive, by what tenure does he hold his
office Does he continue as President for the
remainder of the four years term ? Or would
the elected President, if his inability should
cease in the interval, be empowered to resume
his Office, and if, having such lawful authori.
ty, he should exercise it, would the Vice
President be thereupon empowered to resume
his powers and duties as such l cannot
doubt that these important questions will re-
ceive your early and thoughtful consideration.
Deeply impressed with the gravity of the
responsibilities which have so Unexpectedly
devolved upon me, it will be my constant
purpose to cooperate with you in such meas
ures as will promote the glory of the country
and the prosperity of its people.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, December 6, 1881.
For the YorkvlIle Enquirer.
"SOMETHING ELSE ~