Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1886-12-09

operations Of the Pension Bureau during the
last fiscal year, and to pension matters gener-
! justice of any system for the distribution Of
pensions depends upon the equality and uni
formity OF its operation: and as long as we ad-
here to the principle of granting pensions for
service and disability the result of the serv-
ice, the allowance of pensions should be re-
stricted to cases presenting these features.
every patriotic heart" he says, responds
to a tender consideration for those who, having
served their country long and WELL are reduced
to restitution and dependence not as an incl
dent of their service, but with advancing age or
misfortune. We are all tempted by the CON
and are often impatient Of the limitations
of public duty. Yielding to no one
in the desire to indulge this feeling OF consider
alton, 1 can not rid myself of the conviction
that il these exsoldiers are to be relieved they
and their cause are entitled to the beneht OF
claimed as a right and that such relief may be
granted under the sanction, not the INVASION,
Objects Of care all equally entitled. be RENTED
to the unequal operation of sympathy, or tine
tender mercies of social and political influence
with their unjust discrimination.
OF the Pacific railroad debt extension propo-
sition, he says, that in considering the plan
Endorsed by the board of Government directors,
the sole matters which should be taken into
account are: 1.-The situation of the Govern
ment as a creditor and the Surest way to Sc
cure the payment of the principal and interest
on its debt
OF interstate commerce, he says that by
recent decision of the Supreme Court OF the
United States it has been adludged that the
laws of the several States are imperative to
regulate rates of transportation upon railroads,
If such regulation interferes with the rate of
carriage from one State into another This I'M
portant field of control ana regulation having
been left thus unoccupied, the eXpediency of
Federal action upon the subject is worthy OF
consideration.
of the relations of labor to capital the Presi-
dent these differences
tween employer and employed reach such
stage to result IN the interruption OF com.
merce between the States, the application of
arbitration by the General Government might
be regarded as entirely within its constitutional
hone that such arbitrators if carefully selected,
and if entitled to the confidence or the parties
to be affected. would be voluntarily called to
the settlement OF controversies OF less extent
and not necessarily within the domain of Fed
eral regulation.
The President recommends, as plain duty
on the part of the Government, the payment of
a million and a quarter dollars still due 20 the
Freedman's Savings Bank depositors.
Civil-Service reform is the last important topic
discussed in the message. The continued
operation of the CivilService law he asserts.
has added the most convincing proof of its
necessity and usefulness Every PUBLIC
his duty to the people testities to the value of
this reform. Its staunchest friends are found
warmest supporters are those who are re-
strained and protected by its requirements.
The meaning of such restraint and protection
is not appreciated by those who want places
under the Government, regardless of merit and
efficiency nor by those who insist that the Sc
lection for such places should rest upon
proper credental showing active PARTISAN
work They mean to public officers II not,
their lives the only opportunity afforded them
to attend the public business, and they mean
to the good of the country the better perform
ance of the work of their Government. 1t is
exceedingly strange, the President thinks, that
the scope and nature of this reform are so little
understood. and that so many things not in
cluded within its plan are called by its name
When cavil yields more fully to examination,
the system will have large additions to the
number of its friends.
Our Civil-Service reform, the President says,
may be imperfect in some of its details: it may
be misunderstood and opposed, it may not al
ways be faithfully applied: it's designs may
sometimes miScarry through mistake or wllful
intent; it may sometimes tremble under the as
the misguided zeal OF impracticable
submit to the Punishment of its underlying
principle from the operation of their Govern
ment, they will abandon the surest guarantee
of the safety and success OF American lnstltu-
TONS
In conclusion, he invokes for this reform the
cheerful and ungrudging support of Congress,
urges an increase of the salaries of the Com
mssioners. and expresses the hope that such
reasonable appropriations may be made as Will
enable them to increase the usefulness OF the
cause they have in charge.
opening scenes In the senate ana House OF
Representatives.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6.-The scenes usually
incident to the assembling of Congress at
the beginning of a session were early in
augurated at the capitol this morning By
ten o'clock people began to flock into the
galleries of the House, the favorite re-
sort whenever there are general and uni
form proceedings of interest in Congress.
At II a. m the galleries were half full and
,r,41
wore away they were filled to overflow
ing.
Members focked into the hall of the
House of Representatives very slowly,
and stood around with their arms akimbo,
explaining to friends and correspondents
how they ''made it, or .'got Left in the
recent campaign and election. The stories
were interesting, and at times thrilling, as
the narratives branched off into ''boodle,'
violence and romance. But good humor
abounded. Those who were defeated de-
clared that they were glad to retire from
public life, and those reelected were
thanking friends for ther congratulations.
The Senate Chamber presented SOM
Der appearance, with its heavy
crepe drapery about the gallery
ratings in memory of the late Senator
Pike and ex-President Arthur. A much
smaller crowd of visitors fingered there
than in the House, where the buster and
amusement occurred.
Only one committee has been in session
this morning, besides the House commit
tee on appropriations, and that was the
joint conference on the Interstate Com
merce bill The conferees hope to get
their bill ready to report by the middle of
the week. They adjourned at half-pasG
eleven o'clock to Wednesday morning,
when the only point of Importance not
determined will be settled-that of court
jurisdiction. If it is ascertained that suits
against Interstate roads can be brought
in State courts, they will be given juris-
diction; otherwise only Federal courts
will have jurisdiction.
Chairman Curtin will have a meeting of
his committee on the Southwestern rail
road strike tomorrow, when some formal
plan for drawing up their report will be
agreed upon.
-
Committeeman at Work.
WAsUIyGTON Dec 6-The suh-commit-