The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1885-12-17

purchased by the government from |
benefit; what, if any, Indians may
with their consent, he removed to
other reservations with a view to their
concentration and the sale on their
hehalf of their abandoned reservations
what Indian lands now held in com
mon, should be allotted in severalty
in what manner and to what extent
the indians upon the reservations can
be placed under the protection of our
laws and suhjected to their penalties,
aud which, If any, Indians should be
invested with the right of citizenship.
He commends to the attention of
congress the recommendations of Sec
retary Lamar with reference to the
repeal and modification of certain
laws. OF polygamy he says: "TheIe
is no feature of it or the system which
sanctions it which is not opposed to-
all that is ofvalue in our Institutions.
There should be no relaxation ill the
execution of the law now in operation,
and he will gladly approve of further
discreet legislation which will rid the
country of this blot Upon its fair fame.
| OF civil service reform the president
is inclined to think there is no senIi
ment more general in the minds of
the people OF our country than con
nectlOn of the correctness of principle
upon which the law enforcing civil
service reforms is based. Iu its pres
ent condition the law regulates only y
part of the sub 'rdiUate public position
Throughout the country. 1t applies
the test OF fitness to applicants for
these places by means of a com pstitive
examination, and gives large discre-
ton to the commissioners as to the
character of the examination aud many
other matters conne cted with its exc
cution.
Thus the rules and regulations adopt
cd by the commission have much to do
with the practical usefulness of..the
statute and with the results of its ap
plication. The people may all trust
the commission to execute the law
with perfect fairness aud with as little
iuanitiop as is possible. But OF course
no relaxation of the HTincille- which
underlies II, and 40 weak eaiHg of-the
safeguards which urluuDd it can be
expected.
Experience in its administration
will probably suggest amendment oi
its execution, but he ventures the
hope that We may never again be re
mitted TO the system which distributes
public pcsittons purely as rewards fol
partisan service. The allurements O
ali immense number of offices -anC
places exhibited TO the voters of tn:
!. land. and the promise of their bestowa
in recognition of partisan activity de
bauch the suffrage aud rob polltica
! action of its thoughtful and delibera
tive character. The evil would in
crease with the multiplication of of
ices consequent upon extention anC
growth of the country. Civil servic,
reform, he says, came none too soon II
, cheek the progress of political demor
, allzatiOn.
, One of the minor but yet importan
, recommendations o. the president IL
; prompt action by congress to securl
proper accommodation and prot sctioI
} for the capitol library.
, His last commendatiOn, placed i'm
: mediately preceding the closing para
graph of his message, Is one urging
immediate amendment of the law re
, lating to the presidential succession
> His message concludes with the fol
r lowing words
In conclusion, commend to thI
; wise care and thoughtful attention O
/ congress, the needs, the welfare ant
aspirations of an intelligent and gen
erous nation. To subordinate these Il
? the narrow partisanship or the accom-
; plishment of selfish aims Is to violat
: the peoples trust and betray the peo
, pies interests. But the individua
sense of responsibility on the part O
each of Us, and stern determination
to perform our duty will, must, Civ
: US place among those who have adde
in their day and generation to To
/ glory and prosperity of our beloye
> land"