The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-12-19
PREsEDENr.s MESSAGE.
His m ost I'm portant Recommen.
datIons Condensed for the
General Reader.

President Cleveland's first mes
sage was sent to Congress last week.
1t makes thirteen columns and is
sound, solid, sensible and statesman
like. We quote what he says on
some of the most interesting topics:
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 Vice President, is
such as to require immediate amend
ment. This subject has repeatedly
been considered by Congress, but no
result has been reached. The recent
lamentable death of the Vice Presi-
dent and the vacancies at the same
time in all other offices, the incum-
bents of which might Immediately
exercise the functions of the Presi-
Dental Office, has caused public anx-
iety and a just demand that a recur-
renee of such a condition of affairs
should not be permitted.
REDUCTION OF THE TARIFF.
Justice and fairness dictate that
in any modification of our present
laws relating to revenue the indus
tries and interests which have been
encouraged by such laws, and in
which our citizens have large invest
ments, should not be injured or de-
stroyed. We should also deal with
the subject in such manner as to
protect the interests of American la
Dor, which is the capital of our work
ingmen. Its stability and proper
remuneration furnish the most jus
tifiable pretext for protective poll
CIV. Within these limitations a GER
tain reduction should be made in
our customs revenue. The amount
of such reduction having been de-
termined, the inquiry follows, Where
can it best be RENTED, and what ar
ticles can best be released from du-
ty, in the interest of our citizens?
| think the reduction should be
made in the revenue derived from a
tax upon the imported necessaries of
life. We thus directly lessen the
cost of living in every family of the
land and release to the people in ev-
cry humble home a larger measure
of the rewards of frugal industry.
THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
The report of the Civil Service
Commission, which will be submit.
ted, contains an account of the man
ner in which the civil service law has
been executed during the last year
and much valuable information on
this subject. l am inclined to think
that there is no sentiment more gen
eral in the minds of the people OF
our country than conviction of the
correctness of the principle upon
which the law enforcing civil service
reform is based. In it's present con.
dition the law regulates only part Of
the subordinate public positions
throughout the country. 1t applies
the test of fitness to applicants fol
these places by competitive exam
ination and gives large discretion tc
the Commissioners as to the charac
ter of the examination and many
other matters connected with its ex
ecution. Thus the rules and regu
lations adopted by the commission
have much to do with the practica
usefulness of the statute and witt
the results of it's application. The
people may well trust the commits
sion to execute the law with perfect
fairness and with as little irritation
as possible. But, of course, no relax
alton of the principle which under
lies it, and no weakening of the safe
guards which surround it, can b.
expected. Experience in its admin
istration will probably suggest
amendment of the methods of its ex
ecution, but l venture to hope tina
we shall never again be RENTED t.
the system which distributes public
positions purely as rewards for par
tisan service.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
An international copyright con
ference was held at Berne in Sep
TENDER on the invitation of tn,
Swiss Government The envoy o
the United States attended as a del
egate, but refrained from commit
ting this Government to the results
even by signing the recommendation.
protocol adopted. The interestin.
and important subject of interna
tional copyright has been before yo'
for several years. Action is Ger
tainly desirable to effect the objec
in view, and while there may b
questions as to the relative advan
tage of treating it by legislation o
by specific treaty, the natures
views of the Berne conference canno
fail TO aid your consideration of tn
subject.
MORMoNIsM.
There should be no relaxation il
the firm but just execution of tn
law now in operation, and woul'
be glad to approve such further dis
Greet legislation as will rid tn
country of the blot upon its fai
name. Since the people upholdini
polygamy in our Territories are re
enforced by immigration from othe
lands, 1 recommend that a law b
passed to prevent the importation G
Mormons into the country.
DUTY ON ART WORKS.
Past Congresses have had unde
consideration the advisability Q
abolishing the discrimination mad
by the tariff laws in favor of tn
works of American artists. TIL
action of the policy which subject
to a high rate of duty the painting
of foreign artists, and exempts tn
production of American artists n
siding abroad, who receive gratu
tously advantage and instructions
visited upon our citizens engaged i
art culture in Europe, and ha
caused them with practical unanin
ity to favor the abolition Of such a
ungrateful distinction in their intel
est and for other obvious reasons