The Opelousas courier. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1852-1910, 1885-12-19

ucECeSlLJ VI IL utN GHtfdultlOn treaty
with England, the appointment of II
fish commissioner To confer with the
Canadian government as to fishing in
Canadian waters. the establishments ST
boundary line between Alaska and
the United States, the French xpnli,l-
ton claims, the French ordinance
against the importation of pork. and
the treaty with Cores, etc.
There are no very striking points 10
his reference to the Land, Patent and
Pension Offices. He approves the sug-
gestion of Secretary Lamar in reference
to the reaeal and Modification of Ger
tain of our land laws, and proposes to
call the railroads 10 account for the
honest administration Of the large land
grants made them for the purpose OF
building their lines.
On The subjects of the Mormons, how
ever, his message is vigorous and EN-
phatic, more so than that of any OF his
predecessors, and he not only declares
that polygamy and the opposition to
the laws of the country must be c.usll-
ed, hut points out how this can be
done The Utah Commission has ac-
complished much good, he says, aud
plural marriages are becoming very in
frequent in Utah, yet the country still
remains in the hands of the Mormons,
sustaining by their votes belief which
sets at naught the law of the land.
There must be no relaxation in the
orm, but just executian of the law
against poiygamy; and he promises to
approve any further discreet legislation,
such as will rid this country of the blot
on its name In this connection the
President approves proposition made
first BY The Times-Democrat, and al
ways warmly urged BY this paper, and
recommends that Congress pass law
preventing the importation of Mormons
into this country. This we certainly
have as much right to do as to pro.
hibit the importation of criminals and
paupers
The President wants to extend the
influence aud operations of the De-
partment of Agriculture, aud would
have it teach progressive farming, the
valas. and usefulness of new seeds and
plauts. and distribute such dis are cul-
tigahe and profitable amoDg our farm
ers.
On the Indian question, again his
recommendations are etninentiy wise
aud fully III accord with the views
urged by The Times -DemocEat ip this
matter. He believes that tie govern
meut, instead of leaving the Indians
alone, should attempt to civilize and
improve them, but as the conditions
among the different tribes vary greatly,
he would not have uniform rule for
ali but suggests i. special commission
TO visit the various reservations, inves-
tigate the Indians resident on them,
and suggest what is necessary to i'm
prove their condition and to civilize
them. He recommends that many of
the Indian reservations being much too
large, should be cut down and the
snptrfuous land sold.
In respect to the Department OF JUS
tice. his only suggestions are the pay
ment of the United States marshals and
district attorneys fixed salary instead
of one dependent on their fees and an
enlargement of the jurisdiction of
United States commissioners, SO as to
relieve the district courts Of many petty
cases.
The subject Of civil service, which
Mr.. Cleveland has made one Of the
central figures of his policy, has evi-
IDENTIFY received bis most careful atteu-
ton and consideration. He declares
that lie intends to continue the enforce
inent of the civil service reform
throughout the administration He
believes that experience will suggest
amendments to the present law nn this
subject, but hopes that 1--WE will never
again be reInitted TO the system which
distributes public positions as rewards
for partisan sci vice. = His remarks on
this subject are quite lengthy, and are
evidently meant as Il defense of Ills
policy against party complaint.
Mr.. Cleveland practically indorses
the tariff plank of the Chicago conven-
ton, which was deemed satisfactory to
the business and manufacturing inter-
csts of Tie country, and there is conse-
quentiy, nothing to fear on the sub
ject.
The message is such a lengthy one,
touching on 80 muny other topics of
public interest, that it is impossible to
consider OF review it in full, coming
.in as it did al 50 late an hour last
night.