Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1889-12-05

There are some manifest inequalities In
the existing law that should be remedied-
To some of these the Secretary OF Interior
has called attention.
It is gratifying to be able to state that by
the adoption of new and better methods in
the War Department. the calls of the pension
Office for information as to the military and
hospital records of pension claimants are
now promptly answered and the injurious
and vexatiOus delays that NV Atretofore
occurred are entirely avv,!.-.. .his will
greatly facilitate the ADJUSTING. II all pend
ing claims.
The advent of four new states, South Da-
kota, North Dakota, Montana and Washing
ton, into the Union under the Constitution,
in the same month, and the admission OF
their duly chosen representatives in our
National Congress at the same session, is an
event as unexampled as it is interesting.
THE WORLDS FAIR
The proposition to observe the tooth ami
verSary of the discovery of America by the
opening of Worlds Fair or Exposition i'm
some one of our great cities will be present
ed for the con: liberation OF Congress. The
value and interest of such an Exposition
may well claim the promotion OF the General
Government.
CIVIL SERVICE.
On the 4th of March last the Civil-SerVice
Commission held but a single nlt mber. The
vacancies were filed on the eth day of May,
and since then the Commissioners have been
industriously, though with an inadequate
force, engaged in executing the law.
They were assured by me that a cordial
support would be given them in the faithful
and impartial enforcement of the statutes
and of the rules and regulations adopted in
aid of it.
The reform of the eivil-service will make
no safe or satisfactory advance until the
present law and its equal administration are
well established in the confidence of the peo-
pie.
1t will be my pleasure, rs it Is my duty, to
see that the law is executed with firm.
ness and impartiality. II some OF
its provisions have been fraudulently
eyaded by appointing officers our re-
sentiment should not suggest the repeal
of the law, but reform in its administration.
We should have one view of the matter and
hold it with a sincerity that is not affected by
the consideration that the party to which we
belong is for time in power.
THE NEGRO QUESTION.
The cOlOred people did not intrude them
selves upon us; they were brought here in
chains and held in the communities where
they are now chiefly found by cruel slave
code. Happily for both races, they are now
free. They have, from Il standpoint of ignor-
ance and poverty, which was our shame, nos
theirs, made remarkable advances in educa.
ton and in the acquisition of property.
They have rs people shown them,
selves TO be friendly and faithful toward the
white race under temptations of tremendous
strength. They have their representatives
in the National cemeteries where a grateful
Government has gathered tine ashes of those
who died in its defense. They have fur
niShed to our regular army regiments that
have won high praise for their commanding
officers for their courage and soldierly qua
Titles and for fidelity the enlistment oath.
They do not desire to quit their homes and
their employers resent the interference OF
the emigration agents who seek to stimulate
such desire. But notwithstanding all this.
in many parts of our country where the col.
Ored population is large, the people OF that
race are, by various devices, deprived OF any
effective exercise of their political rights
and of many of their civil rights.
The wrong does not eXpUnd itself upon
those whose votes are suppressed. Every
constituency in the Union is wronged. Il
has been the hope of every patriot that a
sense OF justice and of respect for the law
would ork gradual cure of these fragrant
evils. Surely no one SuppOSes that the pres
ent can be accepted rs 4 permanent cOndi-
ton.
1t is said that these communities must
work out this problem for themselves. We
have a right to ask whether they are at work
upon il. DO they suggest any solution?
When and under what conditions Is the
black man TO have Il free ballot: When Is he,
in fact, to have those full civil rights which
have so long been his in law? When Is that
equality OF influence which our Government
was intended to secure to the electors to be
restored:
/ earnestly invoke the attcItiOn of Con-
gress to the consideration of such measures
within its well defined Constitutional pow
ers as will secure to all our people free
exercise of their rights of suffrage and every
other civil right of the Constitution and laws
of the United states.
STEAMSHIP SUBSIDIES.
recommend that such appropriations be
made for ocean mail service in American
steamships between our ports and those OF
Central and South America, Japan and
the important islands in both of the
great oceans as will be literally re-
muneTatiYe for the service rendered
as will encourage the establishment,
and in some fair degree. equalize the chances
OF American steamship lines in the competi.
tons which they must meet.
That the AMERICAN states lying south OF
us will cordially cooperate In establishing
and maintaining such lines Of steamships to
their principal ports, do not doubt.
We should also make provision for a naval
reserve to consist OF such merchant ships OF
American construction and OF a specified
L
sent to place at the use of the Government in
case of need as armed cruisers. England
has adopted this policy and, as result,
can now, upon necessity, at once place upon
her naval list some of the fastest steamships
in the world. a proper supervision Of the
construction of such vessels would make
their conversion into effective ships of was
very easy.
1 am an advocate of economy in our
National expenditure for the purpose OF
extending our foreign commerce. The en-.
largemept and development of our mer'
chant marine, the development of a sufficient
body of trained, veteran seamen, the
promotion OF rapid and regular mail conn.,
tnunicatiOn between the ports of other eppn:
tries and our own and the adoption of large
and swift American merchant steamships 70
naval uses in time of war are public put
poses of the highest concern.
The enlarged participation OF our people
in the carrying trade, the new and increased
markets that will be opened for the products
of our farmers and factories, the full
er and better employment Of our
mechanics which will result from
liberal promotion of our for
eign commerce, insure the widest POSI-
BILE diffusion of benefit to all the States and
to all our people. Every thing is most pro-
pitious for the present inauguration of a lib
eraI and progressive policy upon this sub
feet and we should enter upon It with
and decision ~