The National tribune., 1889-12-05

It Ia gratifying Co be able to state that by ths
adoption of new and better methods in tho War
Department the calls of the Pension Office for infor
nation rs to the military and hospital records of
pension claimants are nowpromptIy answered, and
| the injurious and vexatious delays that have here
| tofore occurred are entirely avoided. This will
| greatly facilitate the adjustment Of all pending
elnims.
The advent of four new States is spoken
of rs an event "as unexampled as it is in
teresting." Upon careful examination the
constitutions of the several Territories were
found to be republican in form and conform
ing to the Constitution of the United States,
and proclamations were accordingly issued
declaring them States. Each of them has
within it resources the development of
which will employ the energies of and yield
comfortable subsistence to great popu-
lation.
Congress should pass legislation clothing
the Interstate Commerce Commission with
power for better protection of lives and limbs
of those engaged on the great interstate
yardmen and brakemen. During the year
ending June 30, 1888, more than 1000 rail-
way employees were killed and more than
10000 injured. The President thinks 1t is
competent for Congress to make such regula-
tons as will materially diminish this re-
proach to our civilization.
The elevation of the Bureau of Agricul-
ture to an Executive Department was wise
| and timely, but much more remains to be
done to make it what il should be to realize
the expectations of the agricultural class.
The Weather Bureau should be transferred
from the War Department to that Of Agri-
culture, leaving the Signal Service with the
War Department..
The laws in the District of Columbia
should be revised in the direction of greater
stringency in the limitation and control of
the sale of intoxicating liquors.
Public confidence has been somewhat
shaken by investigations into the impair
TALLY of the selections by the Civil Service
Commission for appointment. 1t Ia neces-
sary that the laws governing this should
be revised, and that it DO the Presidents
pleasure as well as duty, to see that they
are executed with firmness and impartality.
The growth of the country and the great
in ha f.yfI saA kur
the Executive an enormous burden in the
matter of appointments; but ID does not fol-
low that incumbency is conclusive argu-
ment for continuance in Office. Impartial
ity, moderation, fidelity to public duty and
good attainment In its discharge must be
added TO complete the argument" The
President believes that both in and out of
classified service great benefit would accrue
from the adoption of some system by which
an officer would receive the distinction and
benefit that in all private employments
comes from exceptional faiihfulnea and
efficiency in the performance of duty; and
which faithfnlness and efficiency shall
be rated, and this rating be regarded in
making promotions.
The unsettled state of land titles In New
Mexico and Arizona has greatly retarded
the development of those Territories This
should be remedied by law
Ii Ia strongly urged that the Natisn
should lend It's aid to popular education
The lately emancipated colored people of
the South should receive special consid-
Grafton in legislation to this end. The
eolored people did not intrude themselves
upon us, but were brought here in chains.
They have made remarkable advances in
education and acquisition Of property, and
shown themselves friendly and faithful to-
ward the white race under temptations of
tremendous strength. They fought courage
ously in the war, and have their full share
OF representation in the National Cemeteries.
They are now the toiiers in their commune
ties and make their fun contribution to the
widening streams of prosperity. Their sud.
den withdrawal would stop production and
bring disorder in the household as we'll as
in the shop, and their employers would re-
sent the interference of the emigration agents
who would seek 10 lure them to leave their
homes but in spite of this they are in many
parts of the country deprived of their POI
litical rights, and many Of their civil
rights. This wrong does not hurt them
alone, but every constituency in the Union.
The attention of Congress is invoked
to the consideration ofsuch measures, within
its constitutional powers, as will secure to all
our people the free exercise of the right of
suffrage and every civil right under the Con-
stitution and laws of the United States.
The power to take the whole direction
and control Of the election of members
Of the House of Representatives Is clearly
given 10 the General Government In the
Presidents opinion this law may be so
strengthened and extended as to secure, on
the whole, the protection of the colored
voter in the South.
The decay of our merchant marine Ia
lamented and subsidies recommended for
ocean mail service in American steamships
between our ports and those OF Central
and South America, China, Japan, and the
important islands of both the great oceans.
Provision should also be made for a naval
reserve, to consist of merchant ships of
American construction, which can be made
use Of by the Government in case of need as
armed cruisers. IL will be misuse of the
term ec0nomv to make IL desrriha n ,,olicy