The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1886-12-10

equality and uniformity OF its OPP rations
and ~ long as we adhere TO the principle OIL
granting pensions for service and disability
~ the result OF tho service, the allowances
OF pensions should DO restricted to case,
pres,nting these features
EVERY patriotic heart" he says, IRE
spends to tender consideration for thos
who having served hsir country long and
we'll, are reduced to destitution and depend
ence, not a. an incident OF their service, but
with advancing age or misfortune. We are
all tempted by the contemplation OF such
o tonditiOn to supply relief, and are often
impatit mt Of the limitations Of public duty.
Yielding to no ons in the desire to indulge
this feeling OF consideration, cannot rid
myself of the conviction that II these OK.
soldiers are to he relieved they and their
Gauss are entitled to the ben tit OF an enact
mant under which relief may Reclaimed as
right, and that such reli-f should be
granted under the sanction Ut law, not in
evasion of II; nor should such worthy oh
jects of care, Ill equally entitled, be re-
United to the unequal operation OF sym
athy or the tender mercies Of social and
olltical influence with their unjust dis
trlinination."
ARMY AND NAVY.
OF coast defences and Notifications the
president says the defenssless condition Of
our sea coast and lake frontier is perfectly
capable, and the work laid out by the board
"a Notifications, is delayed in default Of
congressional action. The absolute neces
sity of our preparation for eiftctual re-
sistance against armed ships and steel guns
which may threat. IN U.S. is so apparent that
he hopes effective steps will be taken in
that direction at once. The condition of
our navy as shown by the secretary of that
department. should challcng. the earn st at
t.ntion of congress. The production in
the United States-of armor and gun steel
it seems necessary to settle at
an early day, if the armed war vessels are
to be completed with these materials of
home manufacture. In the event that the
present invitation of the department for bids
authorized, shall fail to induce domestic
manufacturers to undertake the large ex-
penditure required to prepare for this new
manufacture, and no other steps are taken
by congress at its coming session, the secre-
tary contempates with dissatisfaction the
necessity of obtaining abroad the armor and
gun-steel for the authorized ships.
1t would seem desirable, the president
adds, that the wants of the army and navy
in this regard should be reasonably met,
and that in making their contracts such
inducements might be offered as would re-
suit in securing the domestication of these
interests.
PACIFIC RAILROAD DEBT.
OF the Pacific railroad debt extension pro
position. he says, congress is considering the
plan suggested by the secretary of the in
terror and endorsed by the board Of gov
eminent directors. The sole matters which
should +, taken into account are 1.-THE situa-
ton of the government as creditor and
the surest way to secure the payment O.
the principal and interest Of the debt"
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
OF inter state commerce, he says, that by
q rece t decision of the supreme court of tn,
United States, it has been adiudged that
the laws of the several states are mop
erative to regulate rates of transportation
upon railroads, if such regulation INT -rAeres
with ths rate Of carriage from one stat
into another. This important field OF con
troll and regulation having been thus lef'
1fno .cupisd, the expedie9ey OF Federal AZ
ton upon the subject is worthy OF con,ider-
alton.
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
OF the relations of labor to capital the
president thinks that when these differences
between employers and employed reach sucl
a stage as to result in the int Eruption o.
commerce between the states, the appiica
ton of arbitration by the general govern
ment might be regarded as entirely within
its cons lJutional powers, and he thinks W.
might reasonably hope that such arbitra
tors, if carefully selected ami If entitled to
tn, confidence of the parties to be effect d,
would be voluntarily called to the settle
ment of controversies OF less extent and not
within the domain OF te era
regulation.
The president recommends as pitl.
duty on the pare of the govelnm.n t 81
of a million and "a quarter do.!ar.
still due % Freedmen's Savip.-s bank a.
positorS.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Civil service reform is the last importan
,opic discus ,ad in tne message. Tn, Goa
inu.d op .ration of the civil service law
4. asserts. has added Jle most convintilt,
proofs of its necessity and us-tuln 50.
very public officer who has just id a O.
lis uuty to the people, testities to the vaiu-
If this reform. Its stauncheSt TRENDS are
ound among Jnos. who understand 1t bst
md its warnesJ supporters are those wno
ire restrain Il ard protected by its r.
Iu.r- III hts.
H.. meaning of such restraint and pro
ection Is not appreciated by those VINO
want places undtr the government regar.-
ess of merit and ettici ncy, nor by unost
Who insist that the selection for such place
hould r. st upon proper credentlal show
NJ active partisan work They mean IT,
,uolic officers, if not their lives, tine o.lll
afforded to attend to puOl.>
business. and they mean to the good p oh1
# the country, the better performance o.
he work of their government.
1t is exceedingly strange, the pr slden'
links, that the scope and nature or this 20
orm, are SO little understood, and that SO
many things not included within It's pian
n. called by its name. When cavil yi,io.
more fully to examination, the system wll
ave large additions to the number OF its
riends.
Our civil service reform, the pres d.,
avs may b. imperfect in som o.