West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1883-12-07
6g, 3, slight and temporary loss to the revenues

Of tho Post once
POSTAL TELEGRAPH.
Inc postmaster General dcvOtcs much of his
/ report 10 the consideration I'm It's various AS
poets, OF the relations OF the Government 20 tho
/ telegraph. such reflection as have been able
| 10 give 70 this subject since my last annual
! message has not led mo - change tho view
Whlch mere oppressed In dissenting from the
IrCpunihehdatlon OF the then PDstmastef ten-
! Graf that tho Government assume the same
l control over the telegraph which IL has always
exercised ONrr tho mail.
Admitting that it, authority In the premi-
/ SOS ~ "a ample as has ever been claimed for
| n, IL would not, I'm my Judgment be "A wise use
| OF that authority 20 purchase or assume the
| control Of existing telegraph lines or 20 con-
struct others, with view OF entering I'm o gen.
objections which may be justly urged aSainst
! clhcr OF those projects, and indeed against
/ any system which would require an enormous
| Increase I'm the civil Service listed do not,
however, apply 10 some OF tho plans which
| nave lately provoked public comment and dis
! II has been claimed. for example. that
| congress might wisely authorize the Post
! master General 20 contract with some private
persons or corporation for the remission OF
messages at specified rates, and under Gov
| eminent supervision. Various such schemes
! OF the same general nature. but widely differ
/ ing In their special characteristics have been
| suggested IN the public prints. and tho argu-
| m"nts 10y which they have been supported and
| opposed have doubtless attracted your attcn-
! ton. II is likely that the whole subject viii
| DC considered 10y you AZ the present session.
| In the nature OF things Il involves SO many
| questions of detail that your deliberations
Would probably bC aided slightly, III at all, 10y
/ any particular suggestions which might now
| submit. avow my belief, however. that the
Government should be authorized by law 20
! exercise some sort of supervision over Inter
/ state telegraph communication, and express
the hope that for attaining that end some
| measure may be devised which will well re-
! cciNc your appreciation.
rIiE MoRMoN QUESTION.
am convinced that ,polygamy has
| OF Utah that Il is prontlcss TO attack il with
| any but the stoutcst weapons winch Consttu-
iional legislation can fashion. fauor,
| therefore, the repeal OF the act upon which the
! existing government dcpends-thc assumption
| by the national legislature OF the entire po-
litical control OF the Territory, and the cstah-
! lishmcnt OF Il Commission with such powers
and duties as shall be delegated to 1t by law,
AGRICULTURAL INTERESTS.
The Department of Agriculture is accom-
plishing much I'm the direction of the agricul-
tuinl development of the country, and the
report of the Commissioner, giving the results
of his Investigations and experiments, will bc
found interesting and valuable AT his In
stance a convention was lately held at Chi
CagO. The prevalence of plCurO pneumonia
ana other contagious diseases of animals was
ono of the chief topics of discussion
Committee of the Convention will invite
your cooperation in investigating the cause of
these diseases and providing methods for their
prevention and cure.
PROJECTIONS or FORESTS
I'm my last annual message / called alton
non 10 the necessity OF protecting by suitable
| legislation the forests situated upon the public
domain.
In many portions of the West the pursuit of
general agricultural only made practicable
| 10y resort to irrigation. While successful irri-
cation would be impossible without the aid af-
tordcd by forests i'm contributing to the rcgII-
larity and cOnstuucy of supply of water
During the past year severe suffering ana
gicut loss OF property have been OCcasioncd
/ 10y profusc Hoods, followed 10y periods of I'M
usually low water in many of the great rivers
OF the country.
These Irregularities were in great measure
caused by the removal from about the
sources of the streams I'm question of the tim
her by which the water supply had been nour-
| III. nf
such portion of the forests on the national do
main as essentially contribute to the cnunbIc
now OF important water courses of the high
cIvIL SERVICE COMMISSION.
i am persuaded that the effects of the Civil
| Service Bill have thus far proved beneficial.
It's practical methods appear to he adequate
Tor the ends proposed, and there has been no
serious difficulties in carrying them into effect.
Since the 18th of July last no person, as far ~
am aware, has been appointed to
the public service i'm the classified portions
thcreof-at any of the dcpartmcnts-or mt any
OF the post Offices and custom districts above
named except those certified hy the Commits
sion to he the most competent on the basis of
rules.
SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY.
At the time when the present Executive en-
tered upon his Office his death, removal. resig-
nation, or inability to discharge his duties
would have left the Government without n
/ constitutional head. II is possible. of course
uI1I Slhlihr contingency may again arise,
unless the wisdom OF Congress shall provide
against its recurrence.
Ihc senate AT it's last session, after fun con-
sidcration, passed an act relating To this sub
1cCt, which will now, trust, commend itself
10 the approval of both Houses OF Congress.
Ihc clause of the Constitution upou which
must depend any law regulating the Presiden-
tlal succession, presents also for solution 9TH
or questions OF paramount Importance. These
questions relate 10 the proper Interpretation
of the phrase "lnnbiiity' to discharge the
powers and duties of said Office" our organic
law providing that when the President shall
SuHer from such inability the Presidential Of
nee shail devOlvc upon the Vice President
VINO must himself under like circumstances
give place 20 such officer as Congress may nv
law appoint 20 act as President
need not here set forth the numerous and
interesting inquiries which are suggested NV
these words of the Constitutions They were
iuliy stated i'm my first communication TO Con
grcss, ana have since been the subject OF fire.
qucnt deliberations in that body.
CIVIL RIGHTS.
inc Fourccnth Amendment of the COnSti-
luuOu conlcrS the right of citizenship uDou
an persons born or uuturaliZcd i'm the United
states ana subject TO the Jurisdiction thereof
~ was inc special purpose of this amendment
20 insure 10 members of the COlOrcd rnCc the
run enjoyment or civil and political rights
certain statutury prOyisOs intended to So
cure the enforcement Of those rights hayp
becn recently declared unconstitutional by
inc supreme Court. Any legislation whereby
nntccs which the Constitution affords for the
equal enjoyment 10y all the citizens of the
United states of every right, privilege and
immunity OF citizenship, viii receive my I'M
hcsiiating approval.
CHESTER \. ARTHUR.
WAsmNGToN, December 3, 1888
An Emergency.