The Delaware farmer., 1883-12-14
THE TRADE DOLLAR.

/ consent their circulation in domestic
1 trade has now ceased, and they have
/ thus become disturbing element. They
should not be longer permitted to en-
/ barrass our currency system. 1 recon-
mend that provision be made for their
reception by the Treasury and the mints
as bullion, at small percentage above
the current market price of silver OF like
ineness.
THE MORMON QUESTION.
I am convinced, says the President,
that polygamy has become so strongly
intrenched in the Territory of Utah that
it is profitless to attack it with any but
the stoutest weapons which constitu-
tional legislation can fashion. I favor
therefore the repeal of the act upon
which the existing Government depends,
the assumption by the National Legisla-
ture of the entire political control of the
Territory, and the establishment of a
commission with such powers and duties
as shall be delegated to it by law.
PROTECTING TIE FORESTS.
In my last annual message I called
attention to the necessity of protecting
by suitable legislation the forests stu
ated upon the public domain. In many
portions of the West the pursuit of gen.
eral agriculture is only made practicable
by resort to irrigation, while successful
irrigation would itself be impossible
without the aid afforded by forests in
contributing to the regularity and con-
stancy of the supply of water.
AMERICAN PORK IN FRANCE.
The legislation of France against the
importation of prepared swine products
from the United States has been re-
pealed. That result is due no less to the
friendly representations of this Govern
ment than to a growing conviction in
France that the restriction was not de-
manded by any real danger to health.
Germany still prohibits the introduction
of all swine products from America.
I extended to the Imperial Govern
ment friendly invitation to send exports
to the United States to inquire whether
the use of those products was dangerous
to health. This invitation was declined.
1 have believed it of such importance,
however, that the exact facts should be
ascertained and promulgated that have
appointed competent Commission to
make thorough investigation of the
subject.
Its members have shown their public
spirit by accepting their trust without
pledge or compensation, but trust that
Congress will see in the national and
international bearing of the matter q
sufficient motive for providing at least
for reimbursement of such expenses as
they may necessarily incur.
THE CATTLE INDUSTRY.
At the instance of the Commissioner
of Agriculture a convention of those in
terested in the cattle industry of the
country was lately held at Chicago. The
prevalence of pleuro-pneumonia and
other contagious diseases of animals was
one of the chief topics of discussion. A
Committee of the Convention will invite
YOUR cooperation in investigating the
causes of these diseases and providing
methods for their prevention and cure.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The annual report of the Civil Service
Commission, which will soon be sub
mitted to Congress, will doubtless afford
the means of a more definite Judgment,
than I am now prepared to express
rs to the merits of the new sys-
TEN. I am persuaded that its
effects have thus far proved ben
eficial. It's practical methods appear
to be adequate Tor the ends proposed,
and there has been no serious difficulty
in carrying them into effect. Since the
10Th of July last, no person, so far as l
am aware, has been appointed to the
public service in the classified portions
thereof at any of the departments, or at
any of the post-offices and customs dis
tricts above named. except those certified
bv the Commission to be the most COM
uetent on the basis of examinations held
in conformity to the rules.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
At the time when the present Execu-
tive entered upon his office, his death,
removal, resignation, or inability to dis
charge his duties would have left the
Government without a constitutional
head.
1t is possible, of course, that similar
contingency may again arise, unless the
wisdom of Congress shall provide against
its recurrence. The Senate at its last
session, after full consideration, passed
an act relating to this subject which will
now, trust, commend itself to the ap-
proval of both Houses of Congress.
The clause of the Constitution upon
which must depend any law regulating
the Presidential succession, presents also
for solution other questions of para
mount Importance.
These questions relate to the proper
Interpretation of the phrase ''inability
to discharge the powers and duties OF
said office" our organic law providing
that. when the President shall suffer
from such inability, the Presidential
office shall devolve upon the Vice-Presi-
dent. who must himself, under like
circumstances, give place to such officer
nr Nnnorrass NAV hy law annoint to act