Year: 1879

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Utah in very considerable number uphold a
practice which Is condemned as "A crime by
the laws of all civilized communities through
out the world The law for the suppression
of this offense was enacted with great unani-
nifty by Congress more than seventeen years
ago, but has remained until recently dead
letter in the Territory of Utah, because OF
the peculiar difficulties attending its enforce
ment. The opinion widely prevailed among
the citizens of Utah that the law was in con-
travention of the constitutional guarantee of
religious freedom. This objection is now
removed. The Supreme Court of the United
States has decided the law to be within the
legislative power of Congress, and binding
as a rule of action for all who reside within
the Territories. There is no longer any rea-
son for delay or hesitation in its enforcement.
1t should be firmly and effectively executed.
If not sufficiently stringent in its provisions
it should be amended, and in aid of the pur-
pose in view, | recommend that more com
prehensive and more searching methods for
preventing as well as Furnishing this crime
be provided. If necessary, to secure obedience
to the law, the enjoyment and exercise of the
rights and privileges of citizenship in the
Territories of the United States may be with
held or withdrawn from those who violate or
oppose the enforcement of the law on this
subject.


The elections of the past year, though oc-
cupied only with State offices, have not
failed to elicit in the political discussions
which attended them all over the country,
new and decisive evidence of the deep inter-
est which the great body of citizens take in
the progress of the country towards more
general and complete establishment, at what
ever cost, of universal security and freedom
in the exercise of the elective franchise.
While many topics of political concern de-
mand great attention from our people, both
in the sphere of national and State authority,
find no reason to qualify the opinion ! ex-
pressed in my last annual message, that no
temporary or administrative interests of gov
ernment, however urgent or weighty, will
ever displace the zeal of our people in de-
fence of the primary rights of citizenship, and
that the power of public opinion will
override all political prejudices and all sec
tional and State attachments, in demanding
that all over our wide territory the name and
character of a citizen of the United States
shall mean one and the same thing, and carry
with them uncha!!enged security and respect.
earnestly appeal to the intelligence and
patriotism of all good citizens of every part
of the country, however much they may be
divided in opinions on other political sub
jects, to unite in compelling obedience to ex-


stiag laws aimed at the protection of the
right of suffrage.


l respectfully urge upon Congress to sup
ply any defects in these laws which experience
has shown and which it is within its power
to remedy. again invoke the cooperation of
the executive and legislative authorities of the
Staten this great purpose. am fully con-
vinced that if the public mind can be set at rest
on this paramount question Of popular rights,
no serious obstacle will thwart or delay the coK,-
plete pacifcation of the CT untry or retard the
general diffusion of prosperity.


In a former message, invited the attention of
Congress to the subject ofGhe reformation of the
civil service of government, and expressed
the intention of transmitting to Congress AS
early as practicable report upon this SUBJ
ject by the Chairman of the Civil Service
Commission. In view of the facts that during
a considerable period the Government of
Great Britain has been dealing with admins
trative problems and abuses in various par
ticulars analogous to those presented In this
country, and that in recent years the measures
adopted were understood to have been effect
i've, and in every respect highly satisfactory,
thought it desirable to have fuller informa-
ton upon the subject, and accordingly
reqested The Chairman of the Civil Service
Commission to make a thorough investiga-
ton for this purpose. The result has been
an elaborate and comprehensive report. The
report sets forth the history of the partisan
spOils system in Great Britain, and of the
rise and fall of parliamentary patronage and
ofOfficial interference with the freedom of elec-
tions. 1t shows that after long trials of vari-
Gus kinds of examinations, those which are
competitive and open on equal terms to all,
and which are carried on under the superin-
tendence of single commission, have, with
great advantage, been established as condi-
tons of admission to almost every official
place in the subordinate administration of that
country and Of British India.


The completion of the report, owing to the
extent of the labor involved in its preparation,
and the omission of Congress to make any
provision either for the compensation or the ex-
penses of the commission, has been postponed
until the present time. 1t is herewith trans
mitted to Congress.


While the reform measures of another gov
ernment are ofno authority for us, they are en-
titled to influence to the extent to which their
intrinsic wisdom and their adaptation to our
institutions and social life may commend
them to our consideration.


The views have heretofore expressed con-
cerning the defects and abuses in our civil
administration remain unchanged, except in
so far as an enlarged experience has deepened
my sense of the duty both of officers and of
the people themselves to cooperate for their
removal. The grave evils and perils Of a
partisan-spoils system of appointment to Of
flee and of Office tenure, are now generally
recognized. In the resolutions of the great
parties, in the reports of Departments, in the
debates and proceedings of Congress, IN the
messages of Executives, the gravity of these
evils has been pointed out and the need of
their reform has been admitted


To command the necessary support, every
measure of reform must be based on common
right and justice, and must be compatible
with the healthy existence of great parties,
which are inevitable and essential in free
State.


When the people have approved policy at
a National election, confidence on the part of
the officers they have selected, and of the ad-


visers who, in accordance with our political


institutions, should be consulted, in the poll
cy which it is their duty to carry into effect,
is indispensable. 1t is eminently proper that


they should explain it before the people, as


well as illustrate its spirit in the performance
of their official duties.


Yer, different considerations apply to the


greater number of those who fill the subordi-


nate places in the civil service. Their re-


sponsibiity is to their superiors in official po-