Year: 1871

sidered whether it is not now time that the
disabilities imposed by the 18th Amendment
should be removed. That amendment
does not exclude the ballot, but only requires
the disability to hold office of certain classes.
When the purity of the ballot and secure
majorities are sure TO elect officers reflect
ing the views of the majority, do not see
the advantage or propriety of excluding
men from office merely because they were
before the rebellion, Of standing and charac-
ter sufficient to be elected to positions
requiring them 10 take the oath TO sup
port the constitution, and admitting
to eligibility those entertaining precisely the
same views, but of less standing in the
communities. 1t may be said the former
violated an oath while the latter did not.
The latter did not have it in their power to
do so. If they had taken this oath, it can
not be doubted they would have broken it
as did the former class. If there are any
greas criminals distinguished above all 9TH
ers for the part they took in opposition to
the Government, they might in the judg-
ment cf Congress be excluded from such
amnesty. This subject is submitted for
your careful consideration.


The condition Of the Southern States is
unhappily not such as all true, patriotic cit
izens would like to see. Social Ostracism
for oropiniOn's sake, personal violence or threats


The Temper of the South


towards persons entertaining political views
opposed to those entertained by the majori-
ty of the old citizens prevents immigration
and the flow Of much needed capital into
the States lately in rebellion. It viii be a
happy condition of the country when the
old citizens of these States take an interest
in public affairs, promulgste ideas honestly
entertained, vote for men representing their
views, and permit the same freedom Of eX-
preston and ballot to those entertaining
different political convictions.


The Territory of Columbia


Under the provisions of the act of Con-
gress approved July q, 1871, a territorial
government was organized in the District
of Columbia. Its results have thus far full
ly realized the expectations of its advocates.
Under the direction of territorial officers a
system of Improvements have been inaugu-
rated by means of which Washington is
rapidly becoming city worthy of the ma
TONS capital. The citizens of the District
of Columbia having voluntarily taxed them
selves to large amount for the purpose OF
contributing to the advancement Of the seat
ofgovernment,I i recommend liberal appropri-
atiOns on the part of Congress in order that
the government may bear its just share ofthe
expense of carrying out judiciOus system
of Improvements.


Chicago.


By the fire in Chicago the most important
Of the government buildings in that city
were consumed. Those burned had al
ready become inadeqate to the wants of the
government in that growing city, and look
ing to the near future were totally INSULT
cient. l recommend, therefore, that an ap-
preparation be made Immediately TO pur-
chase the remainder Of the square on which
the building stood, provided it can be pur-
chased at fair valuation, and providing the
Legislature of Illinois viii pass a law author
izing its construction for government pur-
pose, and also an offer of as much money
as can properly be expended towards the
erection of new buildings during this fiscal
year.


Immigrants.


The number of immigrants ignorant OF
our laws and habits and coming into our
country annually have become so great and
the impositions practiced upon them SO
numerous and flagrant that suggest Con-
gressional action for their protection. 1t
seems to me the affair is a subject of legis-
lation by Congress. l cannot now state as
fully as l desire the nature of the complaints
made by emigrants Of the treatment they
receive, but will endeavOr to do so during
| the session of Congress, particularly if the
subject should receive your attention.
Civil Service Reform.


1t has been the aim of the administration
to enforce honesty and efficiency in all pub
lie offices. Every public servant who has
violated the trust placed in him, has been
proceeded against with all the vigor of the
law. If bad men have secured places, it
has been the fault of the system established
by law, and the custom Of making appoint
ments, or the fault of those who recon-
mended for government positions, persons
not sufficiently well known to them person
ally, or who give letters indOrsing the char
acter of Office-seekers, without proper
sense of the grave responsibility which such
a course devolve upon them. A civil SER
vice reform which can correct this abuse is
much needed.


In mercantile pursuits the business man
who gives a letter of recommendation to a
friend to enable him to obtain credit from
a stranger is regarded as morally response
BILE for the integrity of his friend and his
ability to meet his obligations. a reforma-
tory law which would enforce this principle
against all endOrsers of persons for public
place would insure great caution in making
recommendations. A salutary lesson has
been taught the careless and the dishonest
servant in the great number of prosecutions
and convictions of the last two years. 1t
is gratifying to notice the favorable change
which is taking place throughout the coun-
try in bringing to punishment those who
have proved recreant to the trusts cOnfded
to them, and in elevating to public Office
none but those who possess the confidence
of the honest and virtuous, who it viii al
ways be found comprise the majority of the
community in which they live.


In my message to Congress one year ago
I urgently recommended a reform in the
civil service of the country. In conformity
with that recommendation Congress in the
ninth section of an act making appropria-
ton for sundry civil expenses of the Gov
ernment and for other purposes, approved
March 8, 1871, gave the necessary authority
to the Executive to inaugurate civil service
reform. and placed upon him the response
bility of doing so. Under the authority OF
SAID law convened board of gentlemen
eminently qualified for the work, to devise
rules and regulations to effect the needed
reform. Their labors are not yet complete,
but it is believed that they will succeed in
devising plan which can be adopted to the
great relief of the Executive, the heads of
Departments and members of Congress,
and which will rebound to the true interest
of the public service. At all events the
experiment shall have fair trial.


Conclusion.


have thus hastily summed up the opera
tions of the Government during the last
year, and made such suggestions as occur
TO me to be proper for yeur consideration.
7 submit them with a confidence that your
combined action viii be wise and statesman
like, and in the best interest Of the whole
country, q. S. GRANT, President.


RxRsUTrvE MANSION, Dee. 4, 1871.