Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-12-08
THE MESSAGE.


concealment nor ambiguity about it. Par
tisans can have no difficulty whatever in
understanding precisely the policy he ia
vors for the country. On questions, there
fore, relating in any way to the tariff, or
touching the silver debate, there is no ne
cessity for any discussion, since he reiter-
ates views which he has consistently main
tanned. These matters will quite sufficiently
absorb public attention when they are
taken up by Congress.
Very largely the message is occupied
with synoptical presentation of the facts
reported to the Executive by the several
departments. These are exposed clearly,
and the sum and substance of the most
important will thus be more widely dis
seminated among the reading public than
could be expected if the people were re-
ferred TO the extended department reports.
However much there may be of division
of sentiment upon the means proposed of
narrowing the surplus revenue, there Will
be general approval of the presentation of
the subject to the people as one of fore
most Importance. He commends the sug-
gestions of the Postmaster-G eneral for d.
rect service with the Argentine Republic
"a need that is felt keenly by our COM
mercial business for the extension of the
free-deliyery system, and that there be
pursued no mistaken policy of economy in
securing every postal need the interests of
the people and of trade demand, since
even postal outlay from which no money
return to the Department can be reasona-
bly, expected, may prove the very stimu-
liant our foreign trade most needs
He speaks good word for prison reform,
so far as United States prisoners are con-
cerned, who are now confined in nearly as
many prisons as there are States. He cor
rectly argues that reformation will be fur
thered, and prison discipline be mademore
beneficial to the prisoner and the interests
of society, and the government of the Re
public be better conserved by the segre-
CATION of the prisoners of the United States
from all other classes, and their subsection
TO uniform discipline.
The argument is strong which he pre-
sents-and which has been advanced
under previous administrations against
further recognition of the Indian tribes as
foreign powers, and in favor of bringing
the Indian under the direct operation of
the laws, and holding him amenable to the
responsibilities, as well as emitting him a
recipient of the benefits of our system, just
as rapidly as civilizing influences fit him
for snch condition. This journal has
long held that there should lie
legislation tending to the individual rec
ignition of the Indian and the abandon
ment of tribal distinction in dealings of
the Government with the remaining
aborigines, since they are now so hemmed
in by civilization that it is the hight Of
inconsistency to hold them aloof as petty
nations, rather than treat them as wards
of the Government TO be fitted into the
economy OF our system by training, educa
ton, and firm but kindly discipline in the
industrial arts of peace.
The recommendations of the Depart
ment of the Interior are approved, looking
to better protection of public lands, and
the more faithful devotion of the same to
the interests of actual settlers, as well as
guarding them from mcaepolization in
large tracts by few persons.
The President with some warmth de-
tends his course regarding special pension
Legislation, discIaiming any desire to limit
in the least just recognition of meritorious
service by the defenders, in the field, of
this great Republic. But he insists upon
Justice being done the deserving without
Welding to the claims and political infu-
enees of those who seek for unjust diserim-
nation.
The payment of the claims of the Gov
eminent against the Pacific Railroads he
advises should be secured according to
policy that viii most certainly assure the
payment of principal and interest, and to
that end the suggestions of the Secretary
Of the Interior are approved.
4 timely reminder is INTERCEPTED in the
consideration of the labor question, that
tolerant spirit should be cultivated by both
capital and labor, and the antagonism that
cripples them be avoided, by the cultiva-
ton of the true American sentiment that
recognizes the brotherhood and equality of
American citizenship, and lives to highest
purpose in loyalty to our institutions.