Year: 1879

/
our finances, and in making such sugges-
tions and recommendations Us in the judg-
ment of the Executive are essential to the
future welfare of the Nation. In the treat
ment of this question the views of the
President and theSecretary of the Treasury
are in strict harmony, the principal recon-
mcndations being that the legal tender act
shall be repealed and that the Secretary OF
the Treasury shall have discretionary pow
ers as to the volume of silver coinage. On
these two points we apprehend the Presi-
dent will not find himself in strict accord
with his party, though in presenting them
he is consistent with himself


There is growing feeling among the
people that our currency is the best in his
tory, and that there is more or less peril in
any endeavor to subject it to change at
the present time. The repeal of the legal
tender act as is recommended, would involve
n curtailment of the volume of our circula-
| ting medium nearly fifty millions of dollars
unless there shall he some provision for
an issue Of greenbacks equal to the amount
thus withdrawn from circulation. An at
tempt to crcumscrbe the volume of our
money circulation at this junciure and to
this extent, is liable to provoke return of
hard times from which the business interests
of the people are just emerging. 1t is to be
hoped, therefore, that Congress will make
haste slowly in the advocacy and enactment
of any measures which in any degree may
jeopardize the steady advancement of the
people in prosperity.


The President makes an effort to awaken
Congress TO sense of active duty in ex-
pellipg the institution of polygumy from
Utah, us condition precedent to its admis-
sion rs a State. The recommendation,
however, in view OF past history, will have
very little effect, from the fact that such on
end can only be reached by expelling the
Mormon sect from that Territory. Polyg-
amy and Mormonism thus far appear to be
inseparable, and all laws relating thereto
are dead letters.


A portion of the message is devoted to
the discussion of civl-service reform, which
in the abstract is well enough, perhaps, but


in the concrete, thus far, has prof led moth
ing to the public service, and never will
except MS its principles are strictly reduced


to practice by the appointing power. The
point of success in civl-service reform rests
with that power under the Constitution,
and all new agencies and contrivances
relating thereto are as unnecessary
as the fifth wheel to coach. The
President, with the consent of the
Senate, can appoint whomsoever he
pleases, while the heads of the sew
oral departments are not even trammelled
by Senatorial interference. A wise aud ju-
dicious exercise of the appointing power
conferred by the Constitution will bring q


salutary Civil-Service Reform without re.


sort TO new laws and contrivances, and will


put the Civil Service of the Nation upon the
most healthy basis possible.


The various subjects grouped in the mes


sage are treated with candor, and, as q


whole, the document reflects credit upon


the author. Itrepresents the Nation at peace


with all mankind, except the murderers ol


THoRNBURGH's command and the agent
and his subordinates at the White River
agency. 1t presents the general condition
of the Nation as most auspicious. The mes
sage makes an urgent appeal to Congress tc
provide the ways and means for transform


ing the unsightly broken column known as


the Washington Monument into n perfect
} and completed shaft that will represent in
: some proper degree the Nations respect anC
gratitude for the Father of his Country.
The concludingparagraphs Of the message
are devoted to the interests of the Distrf
of Columbia, and the suggestions and recon
mendations in relation thereto evince sin
cere friendship for the welfare Of the Ma
tional Capital The question of improving
the sanitary condition of the City of Wash
ington by reclaiming the malariOus loy
, lands that to some extent form our rive
front and the Eastern branch is presente,


urgently to the attention of Congress an,


in wise and humane spirit. 1t remind
e Congress of the fact that, as the COnsttu
= tion invests it with supreme and exclusiv
Q jurisdiction over the District of Columbia


its citizens must, Of necessity look to
alone for all needlul legislation aflectin
their interests, and as the territory of tn


District is the common property of the pee


pie of the United States, who equally wit


the resident citizens, are interested in til


prosperity Of the National Capital, the Pre-
ident expresses the confident belief that Cor


gress will be amply sustained by the generl
=. voice of the country in any measures it ma
= adopt for this purpose. Attention is ais


urgently called to the wants of educatio
= in the District, with the suggestion thl
> many of the school buildings are inadequat
= to the wants of the schools, and the II


minder that the cause of popular eduCatio


in the District of Columbia is surely el
I titled to the same consideration at I'll
= hands of the National Government as in IL


several States and Territories to which mt
: niGcent grants of the public lands are mad
= for the endowment of schOoa and uniye


stiles.


10 PLUNDERING PUBLIC DOCUMENTS,
IF Having published an exhaustive abstra
10 of the message which was furnished fro