Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-03-05


cupied on the financial question during
my long service in Congress and to say
that time and experience have strength
ened the opinions have so often ex-
pressed on these subjects. The finances
OF the Government shall suffer no detri.
ment which it may be possible ior nv
administration TO prevent.
The Int rests Of griculure
deserve more attention iroM the gov
ernment than they have yet received.
The farms of the United States afford
homes and employment for more than
one.half OF our people, and furnish
much the largest part of our exports.
AS the government lights our coasts for
the protection OF mariners and the ben
eft OF commerce, so it shall give TO the
tillers OF the soil the lights OF practical
science and experience.
Our Manufactures are Rapidly Making
Us 1ndustrIally Independent,
and are opening to capital and labor
new and profitable fields OF employ
ment. This steady and healthy growth
should still be maintained. Our iacili-
ties for transportation should be pro
NOTED by the continued improvement
OF our harbors and great interior water
ways, and by an increase OF our tonnage
on the ocean. The development OF the
worlds commerce has led to an urgent
demand for shortening the great sea
voyage around Cape Horn by construct.
ing
Ship Canals or Railways
across the lsthmus which unites the
two continents. Various plans to this
end have been suggested, and will need
consideration, but none OF them have
been sufficiently matured TO warrant the
United States IN extending peCunisry
aid. The subject is one which will inn
mediately engage the attention OF the
Government, with view to the thor
ough protection OF American interests.
We will urge no narrow policy nor seek
peculiar and exclusive privileges in any
commercial route, but in the language
OF my predecessors, believe it to be
the right and duty OF the United States
to assert and maintain such supervision
and authority over any inter.oceanic
canal across the isthmus that connects
North and South America, as will pro.
tect our national interests.
\ Hit at Po!ygamy.
The constitution guarantees absolute
religious freedom, and Congress is pro.
hibited from making any laws respect.
ing the establishment OF religion or pro
hibiting the free exercise thereof. The
Territories OF the United States are
subject to the direct legislative author.
ity OF Congress, and the House OF the
general government is responsible Tor
any violation OF the constitution in any
OF them. 1t is, therefore, a reprOaCh to
the government that in the most pOpu.
lous Of the Territories he cOnstitional
guarantee is not enjoyed by the people
and the authority Of Congress i
set at naught The Mormon church
not only Utlends the mora sense oi man
kind by sanctioning pClvgamy, but pre-
vents the administration Oi justice
through the ordinary instrumentalities
OF the law. In my judgment il is the
duty OF Congress-, while respecting to
the uttermost the conscientious con.
vinctions and religious scruples OF every
citizen, to prohibit within its jurisdlc.
tons all criminal practices, especially OF
that class which destroy family relations
and endanger social order. Nor can
any ecclesiastical organization be safely
permitted To usurp i'm the smallest de-
gree the functions and powers OF the
National Government.
The Civil Service
can never be placed on satisfactory
basis until it is regulated 10y law for the
good OF the service itself for the protect.
ton OF those who are entrusted with the
appointing power, against waste
time and obstruction II public business
caused by the inurdinatc pressure for
the place and for the protection OF in.
cumbents against the intrigue and
wrong. shall at n proper time ask
Congress 20 fix the terms OF minor
offices OF the several executive
departments and prescribe the grounds
upon which the incumbents have been
appointed. Finally, acting always with
in the authority and limitations OF the
Constitution, invading neither the
rights Of the States, nor the reserved
rights OF the people, it will be the pur-
pose oil my administration to MAINTAIN
the authority, and in all places within
It's jurisdiction, to
Enforce Obedience to All the Laws
OF the Union in the interests Of the
people; TO demand rigid economy IN all
the expenditures OF the Government,
and 10 require honest and faithful ser
vice OF all the executive ofliCer-, remem.
bering that the offices were created not
for the benefit Of the inCumbents or
their suppOrters,but for the sell
vice of the Government. And
now, nv fellow citizens, ] am
about to assume the great trust which
you have committed to my hands. !
appeal to YOU for that earnest and
thoughtful support which makes this
Government. In fact, as il is in law a
Government OF the people, shall great
" rely upon the wisdom and patriotism
OF Congress and OF those who may
share with the responsibilities and duties
Of administration, and upon our efforts
TO promote the welfare OF this people
and their Governments, reverenily in
woke the support and blessings OF the
almighty God.