Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1885-12-17

In the equality Of her justice. The uations per-
Hence, ss far 80 practicable. the plan adopted
in the dtspoeal Of the public lands should have
in view the original policy, which encouraged
discouraged the massitg Of large areas.
Exclusive Of Alaska, about three-hfths
OF the national domain has been
OF the remaining two-hfths a considerable por-
tion Is either mountain or desert. rHptdly
increasing population creates growing demand
for homes, and accumulation Of wealth inspires
an eager competition to obtain the public land
for speculative purposes. In the future this
collision of interests will be moro marked than
in the past, and the execution OF the nations
trust in behalf Of our settlers will be more diff
cult. ] therefore commend to your attention
the recommendations contained in the report OF
the Secretary Of the Interior with reference TO
the repeal and modification Of certain OF our
land laws.
PoLYGAMY.
In the Territory of Utah the law OF tho United
States passed for the suppression Of poiygamy
has been energetically aud faithfully executed
during the past year with measurably good re-
suits A number Of convictions have been Sc
cured for unlawful cohabitation, and In somo
cases pleas OF guilty have been entered and
slight punishment imposed upon promise by the
against the law, nor advise, counsel aid, or
abet in any way its violation by others.
The Utah Commissioners express tne opinion
based upon such information as they are able TO
obtain, that but few polygamous marriages have
taken place IN the Territory during the last
cannot be found upon the registration lists OF
voters the name OF a man actually guilty OF
polygamy, and while none OF that class are
holding office, yet, ut the last election In the
Territory all the officers elected except in one
county were men who, though not actually living
in the practice Of polygamy, subscribed 70 the
revelation and law unto all, higher
and more binding upon tho conscience
than any human law local or national.
munity protected by a republican form OF gov
ernment to which they owe allegiance, sustain
ing by their suffrages principle ana penet
which sets at naught that obligation OF absolute
obedience TO the law which lies at the founda~
ton Of republican institutions The strength,
the perpetuity, and the destiny OF the nation
rest upon our homes established by the law OF
God, guarded by parental care regulated by pa
rental authority, and sanctihed by parental love-
These are not the homes OF polygamy. The
mothers Of our land who rule the nation as they
would the characters, and guide the actions OF
their sons, hv according to Gods molly oruin-
ance and each, pure and happy in the excinsiye %
love of the father Of her children, sheds
the warm light of true womanhood,
unperverted and unpolluted, upon all with
in her pure and wholesome family circle.
These are not the cheerless. crushed, ana un-
womanly mothers OF polygamy. -,
The fathers Of our families are the best citi-
zens OF the Republic; wife and children are the
sources OF patriotism, and conjugal and parental
affection beget devotion to country. The man
who, undefled with plural marriage, Is sur
rounded in his single home me with his heb Tls ana n
spires him with respect for its laws and courage
for their defense. These are not the fathers OF
polygamous families. There IL no feature OF
this practice or the system which sanctions 1t
which is not opposed TO all that ID OF value IN
our institutions
Tbero should be no relaxation In the firm but
just execution OF the law now in operation, and
| should be glad to approve such further dis-
Greet legislation as will rid this country OF this
plot upon its fair fame; Since 1he peopre sTe
forced by immigration from other lands, i rec
omnend that law be passed to prevent the
importation OF Mormons into the country.
CrvII-sERvICE REFORM.
che report Of the Civil-Service Commission,
which will be submitted, contains an account OF
the manner in which the Civil-Service law has
been executed during the last year and much
valuable information on this important SUBJECT
am inclined to think that there is no senti-
ness OF the prffc1pIes upon -wrraf diiec asw--ssa
forcing civil service reform is based.
In its present condition the. law regulates
only part of the subordinate public po-
sitions throughout the country. 1t ap-
plies tests of fitness to applicants for these
places by means OF a competitive examination
and gives large discretion to the commissioners
as to the character of the examination and many
other matters connected with its execution.
Thus the rules and regulations adopted by the
commission have much to do with the
WITH vii GGtinal ma usefulness Of the statute and
The people may well trust the u
execute the law with perfect fairness and with
as little irritation as Is possible. But OF course
it and no weakening Of the safeguards which
surround it can be expected. Experience in its
administration will probably suggest an amend
ment of the methods OF its execution. but vent
ure to hope that we never shall again be remit
ted to the system which distributes public post
tions purely rewards for partisan service,
Doubts may well be entertained whether our
Government could survive the strain Of n con-
tinuance of this system, which, upon every
change of administration, inspires an immense
army Of claimants for Office to lay siege to the
nat n Government.
the time Of public officers with their impoftun-
tiles, spreading abroad the contagion OF
with the tumult of their discomfort.
The allurements of an immense number OF
Offices and places exhibited to tho voters OF the
recognition of partisan activity, debauch the
suffrage and rob political action OF It's
thoughtful and deiberative character. Ihe
evil would increase with the multiplication
of offices consequent upon our extension,
and the mania for oftice-holding, growing
from its indulgence, would pervade our popu-
lation so generally that patriotic purpose, the
desire for the public good and solicitude for the
nations welfare, would be nearly banished from
the activity Of our party contests and cause
them to degenerate into ignoble, selfish and dis
graceful struggles for the possession OF office
and public place.
Civil-service reform, enforced by law, came
not too soon to check the progress of demoraliza-
tion. One of its effects, not enough regarded, is
the freedom It brings to the political action OF
those conservative and sober men who, in fear
of the confusion and risk attending an arbitrary
and sudden change In all the public offices with
change Of party rule, cast their ballots against
such n change.
Parties seem to be necessary, and will con-
tinue to exist. Nor can 1t be now denied that
there are legitimate advantages not disconnected
with oficeholding which follow party supremacy.
While partisanship continues bitter and pro-
nounced, and supplies 80 much Of motive to sem
timent and action, it is not fair to hold public
officials, in charge of important trusts RESPONSE
BILE for the best results In the performance of
their duties and yet insist that they shall rely in
confidential and important places, upon the work
Of those not only opposed to them in political
affiliation, but SO stepped in partisan preju-
dice and rancor that they have no loyalty
to their chiefs and no desire for their sue
cess. Civil service reform does not exact
this, nor does it require, that those In subor-
dinate position who fail n Fielding their
best service, who are laSsI-petent, should
be restrained simply because they arc in place
The whining OF a clerk discharged for Incidence
or incompetency, who, though he gained his
place by the worst possible operation OF the
spols system, suddenly discovers that he is
entitled to protection under the sanction of
civil service reform represents an idea no less
absurd than the clamor of the applicant who
claims the vacant position as his compensation
for the most questionable party work.
I recommend that the salaries of the Civil
Service Commissioners be increased to n sum
more nearly commensurate with their important
THE PRESIDENTIAL. SUCCESSION.
The present condition Of the law relating to
the succession to the Presidency in the event Of
tho the s disability sna Vice Or % SSs
as TO require immediate amendment
This subject has repeatedly been con.
sidsreS been Tse recent Ss
death of the Vice President and the vacancies
at the same time I'm all other Offices, the incum-
functions OF the Presidential Office, has caused
public anxiety and a Just demand that recur-
renee Of such condition Of affairs should not be
4 corcr rraro1