The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-12-11

more difficult. I therefore commend to your
attention the recommendations contained ID
the report of the Secretary of the Interior
with reference to the repeal and modification
of certain of our Land laws
THE PENSION ROLLS.
While there is no expenditure of the public
funds which the people more cheerfully ap-
prove than that made in recognition of the
services OF our soldiers living and dead. the
sentiment underlying the subject should not
be vtiated By the Introduction of any fraud
nlent practices. Therefore, it is fully as i'm
poFtant that the rolls should be cleaused of
all those who, by fraud, have secured place
thereon, so that meritoFious claims should be
speedily examined and adjusted. The re-
forms in the methods of doing the business
of this bureau which have lately been in
augurated promise better results in both these
directions.
In the Territory of Utah, the law of the
United States passed for the suppression of
poygamy has been energetically and faith
fully executed during the past year, with
measurably good results A number of con-
victions have been secured for unlawful
cohabitation, and in some cases pleas of
guilty have been entered and slight punish
that they would not again offend against the
law, nor advise, counsel, aid or abet
in any way its violation by others. The
Utah Commission express the opinion,
based upon such information as they
are able to obtain, that but few polyga-
nous marriages have taken place in the
1GEcttOry uuf4DS the idSL year. lnCY IucGlef
report that, while there can not be found
uDon the registration lists of voters the name
of q man actually guilty OF polygamy, and
while none of that class are holding Office,
yet at 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 pofygamy. subscribe to the doc
trine of polygamous marriages as Divine
revelation and 8 law unto all. higher and
more binding upon the conscience than any
human law, local or national 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 parental authority and sanctihed by pa
rental love These are not the homes of po-
bgamy. There is no feature of this practice
or the system VIII CHI sanctions it. which is not
opposed to ali that is of value in our ,institu-
tons There should be no relaxation in the
firm but just execution of the law now in OPP
Grafton, aud should be glad to approve such
further discreet legislation as will rid this
country of this blot upon its fair fame. Since
the people UNFOLDING polygamv in our Terri
tories are reinforced by immigration from
other lands. / recommend that law be passed
to prevent the importation of Mormons into
the country.
AGRICULTURE.
The agricultural interest of the country de-
mands lust recognition and liberal encour-
agement 1t susta rs with certainty and I'M
failing strength our Nations prosperity by
the products of its steady toll, and bears its
fun share of the burden of taxation without
complaint. The instrumentality established
in aid of the farmers of the land should not
only be well equipped for the accomplishment
of it's purpose, but those for whose benefit it
has been adopted should be encouraged to
avail themselves fully of its advantages.
CIyIL-SERyICE REFORM.
/ am inclined to think that there is no SEN
tment more general in the minds of the
people of our country than a conviction of
the correctness of the principles upon which
the law enforc ng CVitserVice reform is
based. Experience in its administration will
pethods of its execution, but / venture to
hope that we never shall again be RENTED to
the system which distributes public positions
purely as rewards for partisan service
Doubts may well be entertained whether
our Government could survive the strain of
continuance of this system, which, upon
every change of Administration, inspires an
immense army of claimants for Office to lay
siege to the patronage of the Government en-
crossing the time of public officers with their
opportunities, spreading abroad the con-
tagion OF their disappointment, and filling the
air with the tumult of their discomfort Civil
service reform. enforced by law, came not too
soon to check the progress of decentralization.
One OF its effects, not enough regarded,
is the freedom it brings to the po-
litical 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 a
change. While parttzanship continues bitter
and pronounced, and supplies so much of
LlObiN0 10 SGuttIIGllG dCbIOI, IL Is uOL IhlG
to hold public officials in charge of important
trusts responsible for the best results in the
performance of their duties and yet ms st
that they shall rely, in confidential and inn
portant places upon the work of those not
only opposed to them in political utilization
but so STEPPED IN partizan prejudice
and rancor that they have no loyalty
to their chiefs and no desire for their success
CiVil-SerVice reform does not exact this nor
does it require that those in subordinate pc
siton who fail in yielding their best service
or who are incompetent should be retained
simply because they are in place. The whining
of clerk, discharged for Incidence or neon
peteney, who though he gained his place BY
the worst possible operation of the spoils
system, suddenly discovers that he is en-
titled 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 rs his cOmpensa-
ton for the most questionable party work
The Cfvilservice law does not prevent the
discharge of the indolent or incompetent
clerk, but it does prevent supplying his place
with the unfit party-worker
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
The present condition of the law relating to
the succession to the Presidency in the event
of the death. disability or removal of both the
President and Vjce-President is such as to re-
quire immediate amendment.
CONCLUSION.
In conclusion, commend to the wise care
and thoughtful attention of Congress the
needs, the welfare and the asp rat ons, of
an intelligent and a generous Nation. To
subordinate these to The narrow advantages
of partisanship or the accomplishment of
selfish aims is to violate the people trust
and betray the peoples interest But
an Individual sense of responsibility on the
part of each of us, and stern determination
to perform our duty well, must give us place
among those who have added, in their day
and generation to the glory and prosperity
of our beloved land.
(Signed) GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON. December 8, 1885.