Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

pEorEcrroN OF rnnys-,

PROTECTION OF Foaysrs
In my las. annual message | Gale,
attention to the necessity OF protec in,
by suitable legislation the forests stu
ated upon the pnblic domain. Ia man,
portions Of the West the pursuit of gen
eral agriculture IS only made profita bl,
by resort 70 irrigation. while such u4efu
irrigation would be impossible wItbol
the aid afforded by forests ia contrib
utinT to the regularity and coustanev oi
such = supply Of water. During tht
past Year severe ssfferIn. and greet los.
oi property have been oceasioned BIZ ye
rIods Of unusually low water in many o.
the great rivers Of the country. These
irregularities are IL great .aeaSnr4
caused by the removal from about the
sources of the streams in question Of
the timber by which the water supply
has been uourish-d and protected. Ina
preservation Of sueh portion 0f the for
csts Ou tue national domain - essen
titl 70 contribute 20 the eqI bic tiJx
Of Important water courses. aud is of
nigR consequence. Important trlbu-
'acles of the Miss 1url, the Columbia
and the Saskatchewan rise IN the mu1n-
tains of Montana, near the northern
pbAtt4A8f va ttlt i tEGlEJEf. ID ~ ts.t ttltf
B!ACkfOot nd fiathead Indian reserva-
tions. Ibis region - unsuitable for set
tlement, but upon the rivers which flow
from 1t depends the future agricultural
development OF vast tract OF country
Tho attention OF Congress is called To
the necessity of Withdrawing from pub
lie sale this part of the public dom in
and establishing them for pre- serves.
INDUSTRIAL ExHIBITIoNs.
The industrial exhibitions which have
boon held III the United States duriug
the Present year have attracted atten-
tiOn III many foreign countries. where
the announcement of those enterprises
had been made public through the for
eiga agencies of this Government. The
industrial Exhibition AZ Boston and the
Southern Exhibition at Loulsville were
largely attended by the exhibitors of
foreign countries Notwithstanding the
absence OF any professional character
IN those undertakings. The Centennial
Exposition 10 be held next year at New
Orleans ia com mslemoratlOn of the cen
tury of the first shipment of cotton
from "a port of the nited States bids
far 10 meet with like gratifying success.
I nder the Act of Congress- of the 10th
of February, 1883, declaring that Expo
sitIon 10 be National and International
III its character, foreign Governments
with which the United States have
relations, have been invited
To participate. The promoters of this
important undertaking have already re-
ceived assurances of tHe lively interest
which Is excited abroad.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The report of the CommisslC ner of
the District OF Columbia Is herewith
ak for it your careful
attention, especially for those portions
which relate To assessments, arrears of
taxes and water supply.
TIE CIyIL SERVICE.
the Commissioners who were ap-
pointed under the act of January IL,
lSo3, entitled An act to reInlate and
improve the civil services of the United
States entered promptly upon the dis
charge of these duties. A series of
rules framed III accordance with the
spirit of the statute WAS approved and
by the President In
some particulars wherein they seemed
defective these rules we're subsequently
amend d. 1t will provide that they dis
any political or religious
ests for admission TO the offices in the
public service to which the statute re-
ates. The act Is ifrulted in its original |
relation 10 the classified Cletk5hlps In |
ne executive departments at Washing |
on. numbering abent 300, and Ia simi- |
ar positions in customs districts and |
post offices where as many as fifty per |
sons are employed. 4 classification Of |
hese positions analogous to that exist
ng in the Washington offices was duly |
made before tue law went into effect |
Eleven customs districts and twenty |
.hree post offices were thus brought |
lnder the immediate operation of the
statute. The annual repo of the |
ivil Service Commission, which will
soon be submitted to Congress will af
ford the means of a more deHuIte
Judgment than | am now prepared to
X press, as To the merits of the new
~ sstem | AN persuaded that its effect
awe TINS far proven beneficial, Its
methods appear To be adequate
'or tue ends propo 'ed, and there have
peen no serious difficulties in carrying
.ham iato effect. Since the 10th of
aware has bson appointed To the public
service in the classified portions thereof
a any of the departments or an7 of
he post offices or cuStoms districts
above named, except those certified by
.he commission Ia be more competent
III the basis ot the examination held in
with the rules.
VACANCY IN rus EXECUTIVE OFFICE.
At the time when the present Execu
i've entered upon his office, his death,
resignation or inability to dis
oharge his duties would have left the gov
s-umeIIt without u constitutional head.
II il possible of course that similar con
Iiugeucy may arise unless the action of
Congress shall provide against its reour
renee. The Senate. ut Its last session,
tfter consideration. passed an Act re
iating t. this subject, which will now.
trust, commend itself 10 the approval
If both Houses of Congress. The
clauses of the Constitution Oh which
must depend any law regulating the
Presidential succession present also fer
solution other questions of paramount
These questions relate to
the proper Interpretation of the phrase,
&" Unable 60 discharge the powers and
duties of said Office" q r organic law.
that when the President shall
suffer from such inability the Presi-
dental office shall devolve upon the
Vice President. VINO was himself under
like circumstances to give place 10 such
officer as Congress may by law appoint
10 act as President. | will not set forth
the numerous interesting inquiries
.h.t ara zrtYuaSfad hy these words of the
Constitution. They were fully stated
III nv first communication To Congress;
aud aave been the subject of frequent
discussion in that body. Ii Is greatly
TO be hoped that these momentous ques-
tions will find speedy solution. lest An
emergency may arise, when long delay
will be impossible, and aay determine
tion. albert the wisest, may furnish cause
for anxiety and alarm.
A DISCRETIONARY WHO rowEB.