Year: 1879

the Supreme Court to be within the
legislative power of Congress, and
binding. az rule of action, for all who
resided within the Territories. There
is no longer any reason.for delay or
hesitation in its enforcement 1t
shall be firmly anu effectively execdbed
If not sufficiently stringent in its pro-
visions it should be amended, and, in
aid of4the purpose. in view, recon-
mend Chat more comprehensive and
more searching methods for prevent
ling. as well as furnishing, this crime
be provided. Z


The President says that the. elec-
tions Of the past year, though occupied
only with State Offices, have not failed
to elicit, in the political discussions
which attended them all over the coun-
try, new and decisive evidence of the
deep interest which the great body Of
citizens take in the progress of the
country towards more general and
complete establishment, at whatever
cost of universal security and freedom
in the exercise of the elective franchise.
He appeals to the intelligence and pa
triotism of all good citizens, of every
part of the country, however much
they may be divided in opinions on
other political subjects, to unite in
compelling obedience to existing laws
aimed at the protection of the right of
suffrage. He urges Congress to sup
ply any defects in these laws which
experience has shown, and which it is
within its power to remedy, and in
vokes the cooperation of the Execu-
tive and legislative authorities of the
States in this great purpose.


The subject of civil service reform
is next discussed, but the President
has nothing new to say. He speaks
of the grave evils and perils of q par
tisan-spoils system, and goes over the
same ground as in his message last
year. He also recommends that Con-
gress makes the necessary appropria-
tion for the resumption of the work of
the Civil Service Commission. He is
convinced that if just and definite
test of merit is enforced for admission
to the public service and in making
promotions, such abuses as removal
without good cause and partisan and
official interference with the proper ex
ercise of the appointing power, will, in
large measure, disappear.


THE FISHERIES


Our relations with foreign countries
have continued peaceful. With Great
Britain there are still unsettled ques-
tions, growing out of the local laws of
the maritime provinces and the action
of provincial authorities, deemed to be
in derogation of rights secured by
treaty to American fishermen. The
United States Minister in London has
been instructed to present demand
for $105, 30502, in view of the dam
ages received by American citizens at
Fortune Bay on the 9th day of Janu-
ary, 1878 The subject has been taken
into consideration by the British Gov
ernment, and an early reply is antici-
pated. Upon the completion of the
necessary preliminary examination the
subject of our participation in the pro-
vincial fisheries, as regulated by treaty,
will at once be brought to the attention
of the British Government, with
view to an early and permanent settle
ment of the whole question, which
was only temporarily adjusted by the
treaty of Washington. Efforts have
been made to obtain the removal of
restrictions found injurious to the ex-
portation of cattle to the United King
dom.


THE ISTHMUs CANAL.


Diplomatic intercourse with Colon
bia is again fully restored by the ar
rival of a Minister from that country
to the United States. This is especi-
ally fortunate, in view Of the fact that
the question of an interoceanic canal
has recently assumed a new and i'm
portant aspect and is now under dis
cussion with the Central American
countries, through whose territory the
canal by the Nicaragua route would
have to pass 1t is trusted that en-
lightened craftsmanship on their part
will see that the early prosecution Of
such work will largely enurc to the
benefit, not only of their own citizens
and those of the United States, but of
the commerce of the civilized world.
1t is not doubted that, should the
work be undertaken under the pro-
tective auspices Of the United States
and upon satisfactory concessions for
the right of way and its security by
the Central American Governments,
the capital for its completion would
readily be furnished from this country
and Europe which might, failing such
guarantees, prove inaccessible.


The portion of the message devoted
to the army and navy is mere sum-
mary of the reports of the Secretaries
of War and Of the Navy. The bust
ness of the Supreme Court, the Presi-
dent says, is at present largely in ar
rears. In the Courts of many of the
circuits, also, the business has increased
to such an extent that the delay of
justice will call the attention of Con-
gress to an appropriate remedy. The
remedy suggested by the Attorney
General is the appointment OF addl-
tional Circuit Judges and the creation
of an Intermediate Court of Errors
and Appeals which shall relieve the
Supreme Court of part of its juris-
diction. The President next gives the
figures published in the report of the
Postmaster General and then takes up
the report of Secretary Schurz.


THE INDIANS.


The Indian policy sketched in the
report is endorsed. It's object, which
is to make liberal provision for the ed
ucation of Indian youth, to settle the
Indians upon farm lots in severalty, to
give them title in fee to their farms,
inalcnable for q certain number Of
years, and when their wants are thus
provided for to dispose by sale of the
lands on their reservations not occu-