Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-04

criminals except such as offend against certain
customs, comme1ee and navigation acts
The resources OF Alaska, especially in fur, mines,
and lumber, considerable in extent and capable
OF large development, while its geographical stua-
The promptfngs OF interest, therefore, as well as
| considerations OF honor and good faith, demand
the immediate Establishment ofciyn government In
| that Territory.
| INTERSTATE TRAFFIC.
| Complaints have lately been numerous and
| urgent that certain corporations controlling In
whole or in part the facilities for the interstate
| carriage OF persons and merchandise over the
great railroads Of the country, have resorted in
their dealings with the public to divers measures
| unjust and oppressive In their character.
In some instances the State governments have
attacked and suppressed these evils but in others
they have been unable to afford adequate relief be-
cause OF the jurisdictional limitations which are
The question how far the National Government
may lawfully interfere In the premises and what,
II any supervision or control it ought to exercise
| Is one Which merits your careful consideration.
| While we cannot fail to recognize the Importance
OF the vast Railway systems of the country and
their great and benefcent influences upon the de
Velopnent OF our material wealth, we should. on
| the other hand, remember that no individual and
no corporation ought to be invested with absolute
power over the interest OF any other citizen class
OF citizens The right OF these railway corporations
to fair and profitable return upon their invest
mentS, and to reasonable freedom in their regula-
lions, must be recognized; but it seems only Just
tntt, so lar as its constitutional authority will per
MT congress should protect the people at large in
which the State governments are powerless to pre-
vent
| In my last annual message called attention to
me necessity OF protecting by suitable legislation
| the forests situated upon the public domain In
many portions Of the West the pursuit OF general
agriculture Is only made practicable by resort to
irrigation, While successful irrigation would itself
be impossible without the aid afforded by forests in
10 the regularity and constancy OF the
D. During the past year severe suffering and great
| loss OF property have been occaSiOned by prOfuSe
Hoods followed by periods OF unusually low water in
mary S OF the great rivers OF the country.
these irregularities were in great measure caused
10y te from about the sources OF the streams
in question OF the timber by which the water supply
| nad been nOuriShed and protected.
| The preservation OF such portions of the forests
on the national domain as essentially contribute
10 the eluable flow OF important water-courses is
OF the highest consequence
Important tributaries OF the Missouri, the Column
Ola, the saskatchewan rise in the mount ain region
OF Montana, near the northern boundary of the
nmtea states between the Blackfeet and Flathead
for settlement, but upon the rivers which flow from
II depends the future agricultural development OF
IS called to the necessity of Withdrawing from public
sale this part of the public domain and establish
| Ing tnere forest preserve
The Industrial exhibitions which have been held
IN the United States during the present year at
tIacted attention In many foreign countries where
lne announcement OF those enterprises had been
made public through the foreign agencies of this
government. The Industrial exhibition at Boston
|
largely attended by the exhibitors of foreign cou-
trles, Notwithstanding the absence of any profess
SEQ national character in those undertakings.
Inc centennial Exposition to be held next year
| at new orleans, In cOmmemOratiOn of the GEN.
tsnary OF the first shipment of cotton from a port
gratifying success. Under the act Of Congress of
Inc 10Th OF February, 1888, declaring that eXposi-
lon 10 De national and international In its char
acter. all foreign governments with which the
thled states maintain relations have been invited
| TO participate.
no
have already received assurances of the lively in
| teIest which 1t has excited abroad.
80 Inc report OF the commissioners of the District
| OF columbia Is herewith transmitted. ask for 1t
your careful attention, especially for those pOr-
lions which relate TO assessments arrears OF taxes
| ana increase OF water supply.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The Commissioners who were appointed under
the act Of January 49, 1883, entitled San act to reg
ulae and improve the civil service Of the United
| States" entered promptly upon the discharge of
| their duties.
A series OF rules, framed in accordance with the
spirit OF the statute approved and promulgated
| by the President.
| tive those rules were subsequently amended. 1t
VIII be perceived that they diScountenance any po-
nlcai or religious tests for admission OthOSe offices
OF the pubic service to which the statute relates
~, me act Is limited In its original application to
inc ciassed clerkShip5 In the several Executive
5000, and 10 similar positions in customs districts
ana post-o1iices Where many fifty persons are
! employed
A classification OF these positions analogous to
| that existing in the Washington Offices was duly
| made before the law went into effect.
| Eleven customs districts and twenty-three post
Offices were thus brought under the immediate OPP
| GRAFTON OF the statute.
The annual report OF the Civil Service Commits
sion which VIII soon he submitted to Congress will
doubtless afford the means OF more definite judg-
merits OF the new system. I am ne T IA led
| thai Its effects have thus far proved bene-
fetal Its practical methods appear to be adequate
for the ends proposed, and there has been no ser-
Gus difficulty In carrying them into effect Since
the 10th OF July last no person, so far as am
aware has been appointed to the public service in
the classified portions thereof at any OF the Depart
ments, or at any OF the post Offices and customs
npoNe n az H Except those esrsd by
basis OF the examination held in conformity to the
| rules.
upon his Office his death, removal resignation or
inability to discharge 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 cOnSidera-
will now, trust, commend itself to the approval
| of both houses of Congress.
The clause OF the Constitution upon which must
depend any law regulating the Presidential sue
cession presents also for solution other questions Of
These questions relate to the proper interpreted
son OF the phrase nabity to discharge the pow
| CTS anu VI our organic law pro-
vid1ng that, when the President shall suffer from
such inability, the Presidential Office shall devOlve
upon the Vice-President who must himself under
like circumstances give place to such officer as Con
| greSs may by law appoint to act as President.
need not here set forth the numerous and inter-
| eSting inquiries which are suggested by these
| words of the Constitution. They were fully stated
| in my first communication to Congress, and have
since been the subject Of frequent deliberations in
| that body.
| 1t is greatly to be hoped that these momentous
questions will find speedy solution lest emergencies
may arise when longer delay will be impossible and
any determination, albeit the wiseSt may furnish
cause for anxiety and alarm.
For the reasons fully stated in my last annual
message l repeat my recommendation that Con-
greSS propose an amendment to that provision Of the
Constitution which prescribes the fOlmalitieS for
for the appropriation Of public moneys the Execu-
tive may be enabled, While giving his approval to
particular items to 1nterpOSe his veto as to such
Others as do not commend themselves to his tudg-
ment.
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The Fourteenth Amendment OF the Constitution
confers the rights OF citizenship upon all persons
born or naturaZed in the United States and subject
to the jurisdiction thereof 1t was the special pur-
pose OF this amendment to insure to members of
the cOlored race the full enjoyment OF civil and
| political rights.
Certain statutory provisions intended to secure
the enforcement OF those rights have been recently
declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.
ANY legislation whereby Congress may lawfully
| supplement the guarantees which the Constitution
affords for the equal enjoyment by all the citizens
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