The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1892-09-06

true and necessary conditions of q move
ment that has upon these lines my cordial
adheranse aud support. | am thoroughly
convinced that the free coinage of silver
at such a ratio To gold as will maintain
equality in their commercial uses of the
two coined dollars would conduce 10 the
prosperity of all the great producing ana
commercial nations of the world. The
one essential condition is that these dol
lars shall have and retain an equal ac-
cepubility and value in all commercial
transactions. Dollars Of unequa! CONNER
cial value will not circulate together
The better dollar is withdrawn and be-
comes merchandise. The monetary con
ditiOns in Europe within the last two
years have. think. tended very much to
develop sentiment in favor Of a larger
use Of silver, and / was much pleased and
encouraged by the cOrdiality, prompt
ness and unanimity with which the invi-
tation of this Government for an interna-
nOnal conference upon the subject was
aceepted by all the powers.
When the result of the conference is
known we shall then be able TO readjust
our financial relation to any new condi-
tions.
THE FORCE BILL.
In my last annual message to Con-
gress / said:
- must yet entertain the hope that it
IS possible 90 secure calm. patriotic
consideration of such constitutional or
statutory changes as may be necessary
to secure the choice of the officers of the
Government to the people by fair app0r-
tionnent and free elections. | believe il
would be possible to constitute a commits
sion, nOn-partisan in its membership and
composed of patriotic, wise and impartial
men, to whom consideration of the
questions of the evils connected with our
elections system and methods might be
committed with good prospect of secur-
ing unanimity in some plan for removing
or mitigating those evils.
The demand that the limitations OF suf-
frage shall be found in the law, and only
there is Il just demand. and no just man
should resent or resist 1t.
1t seemed to me that an apell TO our
people TO consider the question OF read
justing our legislation upon absolutely
non-p8tisan lines might find some eff
fective response. Many times have had
occasion to say that laws and election
methods designed to give lnfair ad-
vantages to the party making them would
sometimes be used to peTpetuate in power
n faction of a party against the will of
the majority of the people. This we seem
to have an illustration of In the recent
State elections in Alabama. There was
no Republican ticket in the field. The
contest was between white Demo
Gratis The Knob party say they were
refused the representation guarf nteed by
law upon the election boards; and that
when the courts by mandamus attempted
to right this wrong an appeal that could
not be heard until after he eleciOn made
he writs Intellectual.
BaliOt-bOXeS were thrown out for al
Il = 4
is asserted on behalf Of One-half at least
of the white voters of Alabama that the
officers to whom certificates have been
given were not honestly elected. The
power Of the States over the question of
the qualification of electors is ample to
protect them against the dangers of an
ignorant or deprayed suffrage, and the
demand that every man found to be
qualified under the law shall be made Sc
cure in the right to cast a free ballot and
to have that ballot honestly counted, can
not be abated. Our old Republican bat
tle-crv "A free ballot and a fair count
comes back TO Us. not only from Ala
bana. but from other States, and from
men who, differing from us widely in
opinions. have come 10 see that parties
aud political debate are but Il mOckery
if when the debate is ended the judg-
ment of honest majorities are to be re-
versed by ballOt-box frauds and tally
sheet manipulations in the interest Of
party or party faction in power.
These new political movements in the
States and the recent decisions of the
same State courts against unfair appOr-
tionment laws encourage the hope that
the arbitrary and partisan election laws
and practices which have prevailed may
be corrected by the States, the laws made
equal and nOn-partiSan, and the elections
free and honest The Republican party
would rejoice at such solution, as
healthy and patriotic local sentiment is
the best assurances of free and honest
elections. | shall again urge upon Con
gresS that provision bee made for the APP
p0intment of a nOn-partisan commission
To consider the subject of apportionments
and elections in their relation 60 the
choice of Federal officers.
CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM.
The civil service system has been ex-
tended and the law enforced with vigor
and impartiality. The system now IN
force in all the departments has for the
first time placed promotions strictly upon
the basis of merit, as ascertained by a
daily record and the efficiency of the
force thereby greatly increased.
The approval so heartily given
by the convention to all those agen-
given by the convention TO all those agen-
cies which contribute TO the education OF
the children Of the land was worthlly be-
slowed and meets my approval, as does
also the declaration as 20 liberty OF
thought and conscience and the separa-
tion of Church and State. Our interest
in free public schools open TO all children
of suitable age is supreme, and our care
for them will be Jealous and constant
The public school system, however, was
not intended to restrain the natural right
of the parent. after contributing TO the
public school fund. 10 choose other educa-
tonal agencies for his children.
After contributing TO the public school
fund to chose other educational agencies
for his children. | favored aid by the gen
eral government 10 the public schools
with a special view to the necessities of
some Of the Southern States But it is
gratifying to notice that many Of these
States are developing their school sys-
TENS and increasing their school reve-
nues 60 the great advantage OF the chill
dren of both races.
THE AGRICULTURAL oLAssFs.
The considerate attention of the farm
ers Of the whole country is invited to the |
work done through The State and Agricul- |
tural departments in the interest OF agrl-
culture. The wise legislation OF the FIFTY
first Congress, providing for the inspec-
ton and official certihcation of our meats, |
and giviig To the President power TO for
bid the introduction into this country OF |
selected products OF such countries as |
should continue to refuse our inspected
meats enabled us to open all the markets
of Europe TO our pork products. The. re-
suit has been not only to sustain prices
l., ,rovi1in, mn rk ats for oInr surplus, but |