Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-07

of the claim work an injustice to the brave and crippled, but poor and friendless soldier, who is entirely neglected or who must be content with the smallest sum allowed under general laws.
 There are far too many neighborhoods in which are found glaring cases of inequality of treatment in the matter of pensions; and they are largely due to yielding in the pen sion bureau to importantly on the part of those, other than the pensioner, who are es- pecially interested, or they arise from special acts passed for the benefit of individuals.
 The men who fought side by side should stand side by side when they participate in a grateful nations kind remembrance.
 Every consideration of fairness and Just- ice to our ex-soldiers, and the protection of the patriotic instinct of our citizens from perversion and violation, point to the adop- tion of a pension system broad and compre- hensive enough to cover every contingency, and which shall make unnecessary an objeo' tionable volume of special legislation.
 As long as we adhere to the principle of granting pensions for service, and disability as the result of service, the allowance of pen sions should be restricted to cases present. ing these features.
 Every patriotic heart responds to. tender consideration for those who, having served their country long and well, are reduced to destitution and dependence, not as an incl dent of their service, but with advancing age or through sickness CT misfortune. We are all tempted by the contemplation of such a condition to supply relief, and are often impatient of the limitation of public duty. Yielding to no one in the desire to indulge this feeling of consideration, I cannot rid myself of the conviction that if these ex-sol- diers are to be relieved, they and their cause are entitled to the benefit of an enactment, under which relief may be claimed as a right, and that such relief should be granted under the sanction of law, not in evasion of it; nor should such worthy objects of care, all equally entitled, be remitted to the un- equal operation of sympathy, or the tender mercies of social and political influence with their unjust discriminations.
 The discharged soldiers and sailors of the country are our fellow citizens, and interest ed with us in the passage and faithful execu- ton of wholesome laws. They cannot be swerved from their duty of citizenship by artful appeals to their spirit of brotherhood born of common peril and sufferings, nor will they exact as test of devotion to their welfare a willingness to neglect public duty in their behalf
 LABOR AND CAPITAL.
 The relations of labor and capital and of laboring men and their employers are of the utmost concern to every patriotic citizen. When these are strained and distorted, un- justi6able claims are apt to be insisted upon by both interests, and in the controversy which results, the welfare of all and the pros perjty of the country are jeopardized. Any intervention of the general government, with in the limits of it's constitutional authority, to avert such 8 condition, should be willing ly accorded.
 In special message transmitted to Congress at it's last session suggested the enlargement of our present labor bureau, and adding to it's present functions the power of arbitration in cases where differences arise between employer and employed. When these differences reach such stage as to re- suit in the interruption of commerce between the States, the application of this remedy by the general government might be regarded as entirely within it's constitutional powers. And I think that we might reasonably hope that such arbitration, if carefully selected and if entitled to the confidence of the par ties to be affected, would be voluntarily call ed to the settlement of controversies of less extent, and necessarily within the domain of federal regulation.
 I am of the opinion that this suggestion is worthy the attention of Congress.
 But after all has been done by the passage of laws, either federal or State, to relieve situation full of solicitude, much more re- mains to be accomplished by the reinstate- ment and cultivation of true American sen- ment which realizes the equality of Ameri- can citizenship. This, in the light of our traditions and in loyalty to the spirit of our institutions, would teach that hearty CO., operation on the part of all interests is the surest path to national greatness, and the happiness of all our people; ;that capital should, in reorganization of the brotherhood of our citizenship and in a spirit of American fair ness, generally accord to labor it's just com pensation and consideration, and that con- tented labor is capitals best protection and faithful ally. It would teach, too, that the diverse situations of our people are insepara- ble from our civilization; that every citizen should in his sphere be contribu tor to the general good that capital does not necessari- ly tend to the oppression of labor, and that violent disturbances and disorders alienate from their promoters true Ameri can sympa- thy and kindly feeling.
 THE CIVIL SERVICE.
 Our civil service reform may be imperfect in some of it's details; it may be misunder- stood and opposed; it may not always be faithfully applied; it's designs may some times miscarry through mistake or wilful in- tent; it may sometimes tremble under the as- misguided zeal of impracticable friends; but if the people of this country ever submit to the banishment of it's underlying principle from the operation of their government they will abandon the surest guarantee of the safety and success of American institutions.
 invoke for this reform the cheerful and ungrudging support of Congress. I re- new my recommendations made last year that the salaries of the commissioners be made equal to other officers of the govern ment having like duties and responsibilities, and hope that such reasonable appropria- tions may be made as will enable them to in- crease the usefulness of the cause they have in charge.