The daily gazette., 1883-01-16

duty Of the citizen. The great ,olitical rev
oluiion that has just swept over so many
OF the large and populous States of the
Union will be standing menace, | hope
to dangerous men and factions, for all com.
ins time, and warning, that cl'ques OF
combinations, unsupported by armed torees
cannot stlfle or overcome the honest will OF
the masses. Certainly, the oft repeated ex-
preston of "a government by the people
for the people, and of the people," 10 now a
fixed fact--and what State, Of all In this
great country, has, in the long, and, al
times, dark and perilous days Of the Repub-
lie, as well as trying periods In our own his
tory, set a better example of good and pure
local self government and home rule than
our own loved Delaware Surely, continued
confidence Of her own voters, as expressed
10 these many years. is the best attestation oi
the merit and worth of her government.
The last campaign in this State was, II
may be truly affirmed, almost exclusively
one Of examination and trial of our own
State administrations, and but little atten-
ton paid to the consideration of questions
| pertaining to Federal affairs. Hence, as
your Chief Executive officer, shall not feel
| called upon TO discuss the relations of State
and Federal government, except In few In
| stances; but, under the powers and duties
vested In ne by the constitution of the State,
Will indicate my views by way of sugges
tion, for your guidance and the contInued
good government and prosperity of our
people.
Before attending to matters of purely
State interest, will refer to qestions OF
national concern, In which the people of
Delaware have deep, practical interest,
namely Tariff and Civil Service Reform.
TARIFF REFORM.
l congratulate all asses of our citizeus.
and especially that large majority who are
engaged In agricultural occupations and the
pursuits closely connected Herewith, upon
the hopeful promise of a reformation In the
present unwise, antiquated and ill-arranged
system OF tariff taxation, which has long
since ceased TO protect even those indus
tries especially selected to receive its bene-
hts, while 1t has produced those periodical
stoppages and stagnatiOns in production,
which are so ruinous and distressing TO
operatives, and increase the cost of living to
the laboring classes.
The public demand for relief and reform.
In this quarter, has been SO unmistakably
expressed In the late Congressional elections
that 1t is to be hoped that measures Of
moderate and wise reform, SO long delayed,
will soon be enacted by Congress.
The people in this State are so extensively
both of iron and wood, and the amount OF
capital, labor, and skill, which are invested
In the construction aud navigation OF vessels
Of every class, is so large, that it is highl,
important that our commerce and exchanges
with other nations should be freed from the
shackles and restrictions which have SO
nearly destroyed, and have certainly seriously
diminished, our merchant marine and the
important Industries so closely CONNECTED
with it's welfare.
Our State has good supply of ship tim
Der, and In naval architecture and mechani
cal skill our shipwrights are exeelled by
none, so that the removal of the excessive
burdens of direct and indirect taxation, a.
well as the useless and annoying fees and
charges upon shippers, which prevent the
employment OF American vessels in tn,
foreign trade, enhances the cost of their
materials, iorbids the employment OF our
mechanics and adds to the cost of their liv
ing, is greatly to be desired.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The overthrow of the present false and
vicious system, by which the official service
of the country has been so long filed and
controlled, solely in the interest of the dom
tnant political party, and the time and
money which should have been devoted u
public service have been perverted to parti-
san purposes, is consummation devoutly
to be wished.
A system of civil service, which will sub
stitute the test of fitness and capacity for
the performance of public duty IN place OF
heated and unscrupulous advocacy Of mere
party success, is surely to be preferred by
all thoughtful men. One desirable feature
of such reform W II be an equitable distri-
button of the offices Of the Federal Govern
ment, as near as may be, among the citizens
of the several States, so that the honor and
privilege of being represented In the public
service shall be equally open to the citizens
of every section and State, and that a COM
petent and faithful clerical service may b.
measurably secure from the fitful and un-
certain ebb and flow of party ascendancy,
and official interference with the freedom OF
elections no longer tolerated.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS.
Believing that the time has arrived In the |
history aud growth of the State, when |
by way of amendment, should be
made in the organic law, as embodied in |
our constitution, recommend that what |
ever notifications be deemed necessary and |
proper should be proposed through legis- |
lative enactments From the general public |
sentiment manifested, 1t seems to be con.
ceded that important changes should be |
In the General Assembly aud in the |
judiciary system of the State.
! woul1 advise that there be an increase |
In both branches OF the General Assembly, |
so that the House shall not consist of more |
than thirty members, the same to be dis |
Iributed fairly and equitably between the
several counties, aud the Senate not TO con-
sist of more than fifteen members, each
county having an equal number thereof
that the Senate should more pro-
perly be considered the representative Of
territory, rather than population, aud in its
organization designed for the better prolec-
lion of the interests of minorltles. The
growth and Importance of the city of Will
mington, upon which we all look with pride
md admiration, as the metropolis of our
State, should claim especial attention In the
distribution of the proposed increased rep
'esentation.
gentlemen, should you approve of my
suggestions in reference to the increase o
The membership of the General Assembly,
hen would recommend a further amend
nent, limiting the sessions thereof TO the
period OF sixty days, which, In my judg
nent, would afford ample time Tor the trans-
action of all necessary business, and avoid,
% great extent, unnecessary legislation,
md, ut the same time, no additional ex-
Dense will be incurred by reason of increased
representation.
In the matter of reform of the judiciary
'ystem, would advise that, in this impor-
,aut subject, you be governed by the sug
gestions of the legal minds OF the State.
These uueRtinR SO vital to the whole