The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-12-15

= cutting with the utmost gigor of the law a.
% persons who may be found chargeable wit
: frauds upon the postal service.
FRONTIER.
10 1t seems to me, too, that whatever view
may prevail rs to the policy of recent legsla
y ton by which the Army has ceased to be a par
70 OF me posse comltatus, an exception NIGH
10 well be made for permitting the military to as
y sist the civil Territorial authorities in cnforc
q ing the laws of the United States This ust
70 OF the Army would not seem to be within the
Q alleged evil against which that legislation was
aimed From sparseness of population and
0 other circumstances it is often quite inpracti-
cable to summon civil posse in places where
officers OF justice require assistance, and where
military force is within easy reach.
commend the passage Of an act making
the laws OF the various States and Territories
| applicable 10 the Indian reservations within
their borders, and extending the laws of the
state OF Arkansas to the portions of the In
J dian Territory not occupied by the five civil
LIKED tribes
VI even greater importance is measure
winch has been frequently recommended by
| my predecessors in Office, and in fu,therance
OF which several bills have been from time to
time introduced in both Houses Of Congress
The enactment of a general law permitting
the allotment in severulty, TO such Indians, al
least, as desire itsof a reasonable quantity Of
land secured to them by patent, and for their
own protection made inalienable for twenty
or twenty-five years, is demanded for their
present welfare and their permanent advance
ment.
advise liberal appropriation for the sup
port OF indian schools, because of my conf
dent belief that such course is consistent
with the wisest economy.
/ POLYGAMY
Your attention is called to a recent opinion
of the Supreme Court of the United States
explaining its Judgment of reversal in the
case of Miles, who had been convicted of big
amy IN Utah. The court refers to the fact
that the secrecy attending the celebration OF
marriages in that Territory makes the proof of
polygamy very difficult; and the propriety is
suggested of modifying the law of evidence
which now makes wife incompetent to testi-
fly against her husband
Their suggestion is approved. recommend
also the passage of an act providing that in
the Territories of the United States the fact
| that a woman has been married to person
charged with bgamy shall not disqualify her
as a witness upon his trial for that offense /
further recommend legislation by which any
person solemnizing marriage in any of the |
Territories shall be required, under stringent |
penalties far neglect or refusal to file a certifi-
cate OF such marriage in the supreme court of /
the Territory
Doubtless Congress may devise other prac-
ticable measures for obviating the difficulties |
which have hitherto attended the efforts to
suppress this iniquity. assure you of my de-
termlned purpose to cooperate with you in
any lawful and discreet measures which may
be proposed to that end.
POPULAR EDUCATION
Although our system of government does
not contemplate that the nation should pro-
vide or support system for the education of
our people, no measures calculated to promote
the general intelligence and virtue upon which
the perpetuity of our institutions so generally
depend, have ever been regarded with indiff'
erence by Congress Or the Executive There
is now special reason why, by setting apart
the proceeds of its sales of public lands or
by some other course the government should
aid the work of education. Many who now
exercise the right of suffrage are unable to
read the ballot which they cast Upon many
who had just emerged from condition OF
slavery were suddenly devolyed the RESPONSE
bilities OF citizenship in that portion 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 commendable increase Of inter
est and effort for their instructions, but all
that can be done by local legislation and pri
vate generosity should be supplemented by
such aid as can be constitutionaiy afforded by
the national government would suggest
that if any fund be dedicated to this purpose
it may be wisely distributed in the different I
states, according to the PATIO of illiteracy, as
by this means those localfApes which are most
in need of sucb assistance, will reap rs special
benefits
The steady increase of our population, and
the consequent addition to the number of these I
engaging III the pursuit of husbandry, are Civ
ing to the Department OF Agriculture grew
ing dignity aud Importance. The Commits :
sioner's suggestions touching its capacity for
greater usefulness deserve attention, as it more
and more commends itself to the interests
which it W as created to promote
PENSIONS.
Aside from the considerations of justice ,
which may be urged for a speedy settlement
of the claims now on the files OF the Pension |
Offlce 1t is no less important on the score OF {
economy, inasmuch as fully one-third of the
clerical force of the Office is now wholly DC i
cupled in giving attention to correspondence
with the thousands of claimants whose cases
have been on the files for the past eighteen I
years. The fact that a sum so enormous must {
be expended by the Government to meet de- ,
mands for arrears of pensions, is an admoni
ton to Congress and the Executive to give
cautious consideration to any similar project i
in the future. The great temptation to the |
presentation of fictitious claims afforded by S
the fact that the average sum obtained upon c
each application is 81 300, leads me to suggest
the propriety of making some special appro- t
priation for the prevention of fraud.
advise appropriations for SUCH internal c
as the wisdom OF Congress i
may deem to be of public Importance The t
necessity of improving the navigation of the i
River justifes a special allusion to 8
that subject, suggest the adoption of some
measure for the removal of distractions which /
now impede the navigation of that great chan t
mel of commerce
CIVIL SERVICE.
1t seems to me that the rules which should be ap
piled To management of the public service, may I
properly conform in the main to such as regulate +
the conduct OF successful private business; !
"Original appo1n tments should be based upon as l
"The tenure Of ONCE should be stable r
'tPoStions of responsibility should so far prac a
ticable, be filled by the promotion OF worthy and
efficient officers.
."rhe Investigation of all complaints and the pun
ishment of all OFFICIAL misconduct should be prompt !
and thorough"
The views expressed In the foregoing letter are 4
those which will govern my administration of the
Executive ONCE They are doubtless shared by ali I
Intelligent and patriotic citizens, however divergent
in their opinions as to the best methods OF putting
them into practical operation.
There very many characteristics which go to |
make model civil servant. Prominent among 1
them probity, industry good sense, good habits
good temper, patience, order, courtesy, tact self
manly consideration for Interiors. The absence Of
these traits is not supplied by wide knowledge of
books or by promptitude in answering questonsor
by any other quality likely to be brought light !
by competitive examination.
To make success In such contest therefore, an J
indispensable condition OF public employment I
would very likely result in the practical exclusion
of other applicants, though they might pos !
sess qualifications far superior their younger and
more brilliant competitors.
These suggestions must not be regarded as .
evncing any spirit of opposition to the competitive
plan, which has been to some extent successfully
employed already, and which may hereafter vtnd 9
the claim Of its most earnest supporters. But
it ought be seriously considered whether the ap
plication of the educational standard to per-
Sous OF mature years and young men fresh from .
intellectual proficiency above other qualities Of
equal or greater importance.
II Congress should deem 1t advisable at the pres
session to establish competitive tests for admis
sion to the service, doubts such have been 9
suggested shall deter me from giving the measure
my earnest support.
And urgently recommend, should there be =
failure pass any other act this subject, that
an appropriation of $4,000 per year may be made
for the enforcement of section 1853 of the Revised
Statutes.
LOST SHIPPING, &C. =
The continuing decline or the merchant marine L
of the United States Is greatly to be deplored. In
view of the fact that we furnish so large proper
ton OF the freightS OF the commercial world and
that our shipments steadily and rapidly in t
ma vgation interest diminishing, but is less than
when exports and imports were not half so |
large as low, either In bulk value. There must
be some peculiar hinderance to the development of