Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1881-12-07
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Continued from seeond PAGE. J

odious crime have been conSemptuously
violated ever since their enactment. In
deed the law has been very rarely enforced,
and is practically dead letter. The Nor
mons have been recently peopling Idaho III
large numbers, as we'll as other western ter
ritories. He calls attention to the difficulty
under Mormon usages of making proof of
polygamy, and suggests modification of
the law of evidence, SO that wife may tes-
tify against her husband. He also recon-
mends the passage of an act providing that
in territories of the United States, the fact
that woman who has been married to a
person charged with tisamy shall not dis
qualify her as witness upon his
trial. He also recommends that law be
passed requiring any person who solemnizes
the rites of matrimony in any of the Terri
tories. under heavy penalties, to file GER
tifcate of such marriage in the Supreme
Court of the Territory. His discussion of
the subject is earnest, practical and vigor-
Gus.
The question of general education is dis
cussed and the policy of devoting the pro-
ceeds of the public domain to that purpose
favorably mentioned If any fund is raised
for educational purposes, he suggests that
it be divided among the States according to
the ratio of illiteracy.
PENSIONS
Ho calls attention to the large number of
pension claims pending, and to the number
that have been allowed, and the number re-
jected since 1860. He calls attention to the
inadequacy of the present clerical force IN
the Office of the Com missioners, with which
it is estimated that six years will be required
to adjudicate the cases now pending. He
recommends an increase of the force.
Speaking of the arrears of pension act, he
says that sum SO ENORMOUS must be ex-
pended by the Government under it, that it
should admonish Congress and the Execu-
tive to give cautious consideration to any
similar projects in the future. He advises
special appropriation for the prevention of
frauds in these claims He expresses
himself in favor of internal i'm
provements and makes special men-
ton of the Mississippi river in this connec-
ton.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
He calls attention to his letter accepting
the nomination of the Vice-PresideIey, in
which he said that no man should be the
incumbent of an Office, tn. duties of which
he is from any cause unfit. Opinion has
been widely divided upon the wisdom and
practicability of the various reformatory
measures which have been suggested and of
certain proposed regulations governing ap
pointments to public Office. That efficiency
of appointments should be based upon tit-
ness is not open to dispute, but
how such fitness is to be ascer-
tanned is the question which excites discus
sion He alludes to competitive examina-
tions and mentions objections to the British
system. These objections are enumerated
but he says that he would feel bound to
approve statute that would incorporate the
essential features of the British system.
He is impressed with the grave evils inhe-
rent in the present methods of appointment.
There are very many characteristics which
90 to make model civil servants. Prominent
among them are probity, industry, good
sense, good habits, order, courtesy, tact,
self-rsliance and manly Difference to supe-
rior officers consideration for inferior
officers. The observance of these traits is
not supplied by wide knowledge of books, OF
by promptude in answering questions,
or by any other quality likely to be brought
to light by competitive examinations. He
makes other observations on this subject,
pithy, pointed and practical He closes this
part of his message by paying high tribute
to the efficiency and integrity of great
majority of those who are now employed in
the civil service of this country.
He deplores the continual decline of the
merchant marine of this country, and sug
gests that no question can engage the atten-
tion of Congress, which is of greater magni-
tude or far reaching importance. He recon-
| mends an appropriation for the erection of
a building for the Congressional library, and
suggests the improvement of the Potomac,
malaria breeding marshes in the District of
Columbia