Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1889-03-08

tinction of race. il needed for their defense
as well M for his own. do not doubt that
IL those men in the south, who now accept
the tariff views of Clay aud the constitu-
tional expositions Of Webster, would cour-
ageously avow and defend their real con
victions, they would not find it difficult. by
friendly instruction and cooperation, 10
make the black man Their efficient and safe
ally, not only in establishing
correct principles in our nation
al administration, but In preserving, for
their local communities, the benefits OF
social order and economical and honest
government. AT least until the good Offices
of kindness and education have been fairly
tried, the contrary conclusion cannot be
plausibly urged.
have altogether rejected the suggestion
OF special executive policy for any sec
tion of our country. IL Is the duty OF the
executive to administer aud enforce, in the
methods and by the instrumentalities point
ed out and provided by the constitution, all
tho laws enacted by congress. These laws
are general and their administration should
be uniform and equal. As citizen may
not elect what laws he will obey. neither
may the executive elect which he will en-
force. The duty TO obey and to execute EN-.
braces the constitution in its entirety and
the whole code OF laws enacted under II.
CORPORATE BREAKING OF THE LAWS.
The evil example Of permitting individu-
ais, corporations or communities to nullify
the laws because they cross some selfish or
local interests or preiudices, is full OF
danger, not only to the nation at large but
much more to. those who use this PERM
cious expedient to escape their Just obliga-
tons or to obtain an unjust advantage over
others. They will presently themselves be
compelled TO appeal TO the law for protec-
ton, and those who would use the law as
a defense must not deny that use of il TO
others. IL our great corporations would
more scrupulously observe the legal limit
atoms and duties they would have less
cause to complain of the unlawful limita-
tons OF their rights or Of violent interior
ence with their operations. The communi
" that by concert, open or secret among
its citizens denies to portion Of it's mem
bers their plain rights under the law, has
severed the only safe bond Of social order
and prosperity.
THE NATURALIZAT1oN LAWS.
Our naturalization laws should be so
amended as TO make the inquiry into the
character and good disposition Of persons
who apply for citizen ship more careful ma
searching. Our existing laws have been in
their administration an unimpressive and
often an unintelligible form. We accept a
man as a citizen without any knowledge as
To his fitness, and he assumes the duties of
citizenship without any knowledge as to
what they are. The privileges of American
citizenship are so great and its duties so
grave that we may well insist upon a good
knowledge OF every person applying for cit
izenship and a good knowledge by him
Of our institutions. We should not cease 10
be hospitable TO immigration. but we should
case TO be careless as TO the character Of it
AS TO IsrnMUs CANVASS.
1t Is ~ manifestly incompatible with pre-
cautions to our peace and safety which all
the great powers habitually observe and
enforce in matters affecting them, that a
shorter waterway between our eastern and
western seaboards should be dominated by
any European government, that we may
confidently expect that such purpose
will not be entertained by any friendly
power.
REFERRING TO SAMOA AND THE LIKE.
Our citizens domiciled for purposes OF
trade IN all countries and many Of the is
lands OF the sea, demand and will have our
adequate care in their personal and
commercial rights. The necessities of our
navy require convenient coaling stations
and dock and harbor privileges. These and
other trading privileges we will feel free 10
obtain only by means that do not in any de
gree partake of coercion, however feeble
the government from which we ask such
concessions. But having fairly obtained
them by methods and for purposes entirely
consistent with the most friendly DISPOSE
ton toward all other powers, our consen
will be necessary for any modification or
impairment Of the concession,
THE civil. SERVICE LAW.
have a right think, to insist that those
who volunteer and are invited TO give al
vice as to appointments shall exercise con
sideration and fidelity. Honorable party
service will certainly not be esteemed by
me disqualification for public office, but
il will in no case be allowed TO stand as a
shield of official negligence, incompetency
or delinquency. II is entirely creditable To
seek public Office by proper methods and
with proper motives, and all applicants will
be treated with consideration. But shall
need, and the heads Of departments will
need, time for inquiry and deliberation.
Persistent importantly will not, therefore,
be the best support Of an application for
Office.
Heads of departments, bureaus and al
other public officers, having any duty con
nected Herewith will be expected 10 en-
! force the civil service law fully and with
| out evasion. Beyond this obvious duty,
hope to do something more to advance the
reform VI the civil service The ideal, oil
even my IDEAL / shall probably not attain
Retrospect will be safer basis Of iudg
| mcnt than promises. We shall not, how
| ever, / am sure, be able 10 put civil service
| upon q non partisan basis until we have Sc
cured an incumbency that fair minded mer
| ity and integrity. AS the number Of sucf
/ in the civil list is increased, removals from
| office will diminish.
| THE SURPLUS.
While treasury surplus is not the great
| est evil, IL is q serious evil. Our revenue
! should be ample TO meet the ordinary an
nual demands upon our treasury with
sufiic ent margin for those eXtrdordinar!
\ but carcely less imperative demands which
arise now and then. Expenditure should
always be made with economy and only up
on public necessity. Wastefulness, pro
fiigacy and favoritism in public expendi
lures are criminal. But there is nothing
in the condition Of our people TO sugges
that anything presently necessary u
the public prosperity, security o.
honor should be unduly postponed. IL viii
be the ddty OF congress wholly TO forecast
and estD ate these extraordinary demands
and. having added them TO our ordinar,
expenditures to so adjust our revenue law,
that no considerable annual surplus viii
remain. We will fortunately be able 4
apply TO the redemption of the public deb
any small or unforeseen excess OF revenue
This Is better than 10 reduce our moons
below our necessary expenditures with Tn
| resulting choice between another chr nge o
| Our revenue laws and an increase of tn