The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1885-12-18

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ton of Secretary Whituey's report devoted
to this subject to the attention of Congress,
in the hope that bis suggestions touching
the reorganization of the Navy Department
may 5e adopted as the first step toward the
reconstruction OF our Navy.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
OF postai affairs he says that the anticlpa-
TED and natural revival of postal revenues
has been oppressed and retarded by the un-
favorable business condition of the country,
of which the postal service is a faithful in
dicatOr. The gratifying fact IS shown, how
ever, by the report of the Postmaster Gener-
al that our returning prosperity is marked
by a gain of $3.50, GOO in the revenue Of the
latter half of the last year over the cores
pondiug period Of the preceding year, and
he confidently anticipates that after short
period Of re awakened prosperity BY proper
economy even the present low rates, now as
favorable as any country affords, viii be ad
equate TO sustain the cost of the service.
SUBSIDIES FOR STEAMSHIPS.
OF ocean subsidies he thinks that if 5uch
gifts of the public money are TO be made Tor
the purpose Of aiding any enterprise in the
supposed interest Of the public, the amount
to be paid and the beneficiary shOald be de
termjned 10y Congress.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The President endorses theplans suggest
ed by the Attorney General in his report for
remedial legislation to relieve the oyerbuT
dened Courts of the United States, and ia
vors paying United States Marsbals and
District Attorneys salaries instead of com
yeusatiou by fees.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
OF the Indian question, the most difficult
question in charge of the interior depart
ment, he feels satisfied That some progress
may be noted in the condition Of the Indian
There seems, he says, TO be a general con
currence in the proposition that the ultimate
object Of the treatment Of the Indian should
be their emigration and citizenship. No at
tempt should be made TO apply a fixed aud
uuyie!ding plan OF acton to their varied and
vary ing needs and circumstances.
He recommends the passage OF Jaw aU
tharlzlug the appointment Of six Commis-
siguers. three of whom shall DE detailed
from the army. TO be charged with the duty
Of q careful inspection Of ali the Indians
upon our reservations, or sGbject ty the care
and control of she Government, with view
of discovering their exact condition and
needs, and determining what steps shal be
taken on behalf of the Government TO i'm
prove their situation ih the direction OF their
self support and complete civilization; to
ascertain what, jf any, of the reservations
may he reduced in area, and what part, not
needed for Indian occupation, may be pur-
chased bv the government from the Indians
and disposed of for their benifit; what, if
any, Indians may, with their consent, be re-
moved 20 other reservations with view of
their concentration and the sale on their be
half OF their abandoned reservations what
Indian lands now held in common should ue
allotted iu aeveralty in what manner and
to what extent the Indians upon the Teser-
yatious can be placed under the protection
Of Ou- laws aud subjected to their penalties;
and which, if any, Indians should be in
vested with the right Of citizenship. lie
commeuds to the attention OF Congress the
recommendation of Secretary Larmar with
reference to the repeal and modification OF
certain land laws.
AS TO MORMON POLYCANIY.
Or p9lygauy he says: There is no feature
of it, or the system which sanctions it, which
. is not opposed TO all that is of value in ouI
Institutions. There should be no relaxation
in tie execution OF the law now in opera
Lion and he will gladly approve of further
discreet legislation, which will rid the coun
try ut tais blot upon It's fair fame.
sTEADFAsT FOR CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
OF civil service reform the president is in
cliu-d TO ihinE shat there is no sentimen
more general in the minds of the people o
our country, than a conviction of the cor
rectness of the principle upon which thu
law enforcing civil service reform Is based
In its present condition the law regulate
only part of the suboTdiuate public posi-
sions throughout the country. 1t apple
the test oC fitness to applicants for thes
places by means Of examination and give
large discretion to she commissioners as Q
the character of the examination aud man
other matters connected with its execution
Thus the rules and regulations adopted b.
the commission have much to do with th
practical usefulness of the statue and wit
the results OF its application. The peopl
may we'll trust the commission to eyecut
the law With perfect fairness ana with a
little irritation as possible. But of cours
DO relaxation OF the principle which under
lies it, and no weakening of the safeguaT
which surrounds It can be expected. E
peTience in its administration will pTobabl
suggest amendment OF the methods Of il
execution, but he ventures the hope that W
may never again be remitted to the systel
which distributes public positions purely g
rewards for partisan service. The aiiur,
meuts Of an Immense number of Offices an
places, exhibited To the voters of the Ian,
and the promise of their bestowal in rt
coguiuon Of partisan activity, debauch tf
suffrage and rob political action Of its thong
Iui and Geiiberate character. The evil woul
increase with the multiplication Of tbs ofic,
, consequent upon extension and growth
the country. Civil service reform, he say
come too soOu 90 check the progress of pol
, tical decentralization. One Of the minor bl
yet important, recommendations of Il
president, is prompt action by Congress
secure proper accommodation and prote
tion for the capitol library His last r
cOmGendatjoui placed immediately prece
ing the closing paragraph Of his message,
one urging immediate amendment of Il
law relating TO the presidential succsssiC
HOW THE MESSAGE ENDS.
His message cone. .udes with the followiI
9 words I'm conclusion, commend to Il
wise care and thoughtful attention of Co
! ggess, the needs, the welfare and the aspir
ti0ns of an intelligent and generous natio
To subordinate these to the narrow advar
ages of partlsauship, or the accomplishing
Of selfish aims, is TO violate the people
trust and Oetray the people interests. b
= an iudiy yidUai sense of responsibility on G