Omaha Daily Bee Newspaper, December 7, 1881, Page 2

2 v and the majority on their reserva wsome have escaped of the tribe are now n. THE ORLOHOMA INVASION There is need of legislation to pre. wvent intrusion upon the lands set apart for the Indians, A large mili tary force at great expense is now re «quired to patrol the boundary line b tween Kansas ard the Inaian terri tory; the only punishment that can at present be inflicted is the furcible re moval of the intrader and the imposi tion of a pecuniary fine, which in wmost cases it is impossible to collect There should be a penalty by impris onment in such cases. THE 810 VAL SERVICE The separate organization of the signal service is advised by the secre tary of war, and a full statement of the adyantages of such a permanent organizat s presented in the report of the chief signal officer. A detailed statement of the usual work perfrmed by the signal corps and the weather bureau is aleo given in that report. THE SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT, 1 ask attention to the statements of the secretary of war regarding the requisitions frequently made by the Tndian bur upon the subsistence department of the army for the casual support of bands or tribes of Indinus for which appropriations aro ex- hausted. The war departments should not he loft, by reason of inadequate provision for the Indian bu- reau, to contribute for the maintenance of Indians. RIVERS AND HAJ The report of the chief engineer furnishes a detailed account of oper- ations for the improvement of riv and harbors. 1 commend to your at- tontion the suggestions contained in this report, in regard to the condi- tion of our fortifications, especially our const defences, and recommend an increase of the strength of the engin- eer battalion by which the efficiency of our torpedo system would be improv- T also call your attention to the re- marks upon the improvement of the south pass of the Mississippr river, the proposed free bridge over the Po- tomac river at Georgetown, the im- portance of completing at an early y the north wing of the department building, and other recommendations of the secrétary of war which appears in his report. The ACTUAL EXPENDITURES of this department for tho flscal year ending June 30, 1881, were $42,122,- 201.39. The appropriations for the year 1882 were $44,889,726. The estimates for 1883 are §44,5641,206,91. NAVY DEPARTMENT. EASED EFFECTIVENESS NECESSARY, The report of the secrotary of the navy exhibits the condition ~of that branch of the service and presents valuable suggestions for its improve- ment. 1 call your especial attention, also, to the appended report of the ad: visory board, which he convened to ORS, IN - devise suitablo measures for increas- ng the cfliciency of the navy, and particulurly to report as to the acter and number of vessels necessary to placo it upon a footing commensu- Tate with the necessities of the gov- ernment. I cannot too strongly urge upon you my conviction that every consideration of national safety, economy and honor imperatively de- mands a thorough rehabilitation of our navy, with a full appreciation of the fact that compliance with the sug- gestions of the head of the depart- ment and of the advisory board must involve a large expendituro of the public moneys. 1 earnestly recom- amend such appropriations as will ac- complish that which seems to be de- sirable. Nothing can be more incon- sistent with true public economy than withholding the means necessary to accomplish the objects intrusted by the constitution to the national legis- lature. One of the objects, and one which is of paramount importance, is defined by our fundamental law to be the provision for the ‘‘common de- fence.” Surcly nothing is more ossential to the defence of the United States and of all our people than the efticiency of our mnavy. We bave formany years main- tained with foreign governments the relations of honorable peace, and that such relations may be permanont is desired by every patriotic citizen of the republic. But if we read the teaching of history we shall not forget that in the life of every nation emer- gencys may arise when a resort to arms ¢an only save it from dishonor. No danger from abroad now threatens this people, nor have we any cause to distrust the friendly professions of other governments, but for avoiding, as well as for repelling, dangers that may threaten in the futnre, we must be prepared to enforce any policy which we think wise to adopt. We anust be ready to defend our harbors against aggression, to protect by dis- tribution of our ships of wa highways of commere in- terests of our foreign trade and the person and property of our citizens abroad, to maintain everywhere the honor of our flag and the distingush- ed position which we may rightfully claim among the nations of the world, POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT, RECEIPTS AND EXPENDITURES, The report of the postmaster general is a gratifying exhibit of the growth and cfticiency of the the postal service, The receipts from postages and other ordinary sources during the past fiscal year were $36,480 810, D8; the receipts from the money order business were $24 ; making a total of §36,785, The ¢x- penditures for’ the fiscal year were 69,257,786, 46; the deficit supplied out of the genoral treasury was 82,480, 120,356, or 63 per cent. of thy smount, The receipts were $5,409,918 63 in ex- cess of those of the previous year and $4,675,397.97 in excess of the esti- mate made two years ago before the resent period of business prosperity Knd lnirrye begun, The whole nuwm. ber of letters mailed in this country in the Just fiscal year excecded 1,- 07.07 ,000, THE REGISTEY 3YATEM is reported to bo in excellent condi- tion, having been remodeled during the past four years with good results, The amount of registration foes col- lected during the last fiscal year was 12,882.20, an increase over the ear ending June 30, 1877, of $345, .40, The eutire number of Jetters and packages registerod during the year was 8,338 019, of which only 2,061 were destroyed or lost in transit, The operations of THE MONEY ORDER SYSTEM ate multiplying yearly under the im. pulse of nmmigration and the rapid development of the newer states and territories, and the consequent de- mand for additional means of inter- communication and exchange. Dur. ing the past year338 additional money order offices have been established, making a total number of 5,499 in operation at the date of this report. During the y the domestic money A ted in value £105,075,- A modification of the sys | tem is suggested, reducing the feestor money ordoers not exceeding from 10 cents to & conts and making the maximum limit §100 in place of $00. slation for the disposition of un- claimed money orders in the posscs- sion of the postoffice department is recommended in view of the fast that their total value exceeds £1,000,000. BANKS, g POSTAL SAVING The attentien of congress is again pointed to the subject of establishing a system of savings depositories in connection with the postoflice depart ment, The statistics of MAIL TRANSPORTATION show that during the past year rail road routes have been increased in length 6,249 miles and in cost §114, 382, while stédamboat routes have been decreascd in length 2,182 miles and in cost 134,064, The so ealled star routes have been decreased in Jength 8,949 miles and in cost $364,- 149, Nearly all of the more expen- sive routes have been ruperseded by railroad service. The cost of the star service must therefore rapidly de- crease in the western atatos and terii tories. The postmaster general, how- ever, calls attention to the constant- ly increasing cost of the railway mail service as a serious difficulty in the way of making the department self- sustaining. Our postal INTERCOURSE WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES has kept pace with the growth of the domestic service, Within tho past year several countries and colonies have declared their adnesion to the postal union. It now includes all those which have an organized postal service, except Bolivia, Costa Rica, New Zealand and the British colonies in Australia. THE STAR ROUTE FRAUDS, As has been already stated, great reductions have recently been made in the expenses of the star route vice. The investigations of the de- partment of justice and the postoftico department have resulted in tho pre- sentation of indictments against per sons formerly connected with the vice, accusing them of offenses against the United States. T have enjoined upon the officials who are charged with the conduct of the cases on the part of the government and upon the ement counsel who before my ac- cession to the presidency were called to their assistance, the duty of prose- cuting with the utmost vigor of the Jaw all persons who may be found chargeable with frauds upon the postal seryice. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. OVERBURDENED COURTS. The acting attorney general calls at- tention to the necessity of modifying the present system of the courts of the United States—a necessity due to the large increase of business, especially in the Supreme Court. Litigation in our federal tribunals became greatly expanded after the close of the late war. So long as that expansion might be attributable to the abnormal condi- tion in which the community found itself immediately after the return of peace, prudence required that no change be made in the constitution of our judicial tribunals. But it has now become apparent that an im- mense increase of litigation has di- rectly resulted from the wonderful growth and development of the coun- try. There is no ground for belief that the business of the United States Courts will ever he less in volume than at present. Indeed, that it is likely to be much greater is generally recognized by the bench and bar. TIn view of the fact that congress has al- ready given much consideration to this subject, I make no suggestion as to detail, but express the hope that your deliberations may result in such legis- lation as will give early relief to our overburdened courts. LAWLESS INCURSIONS TO MEXTCO. The acting attorney general also calls attention to the disturbance of the public tranquility during the past year in the territory of Arizona. A band of armed desperadoes known as “‘cow boys,” probably numbering from fifty to one hundred men, have been engaged for wmonths in committing acts of lawlessness and brutality, which the local authorities have been unable to ropr The depredations of these “‘cow -boys” have also been extended into Mexico, which the mavauders reach from the Arizona frontier. With every disposition to meot the exigencies of the case, I am ombarrassed by lack of authority to deal with them effectually. The pun- ishment of crimes committed within Arizona should ordinarily, of course, be left to the tervitorial authorities, but it is worthy of consideration whether acts which necessanly tend to embroil the Umted States with neighboring governments should not be declared crimes against the United States. Some of the incursions al- luded to may, perbaps, be within the acope of the i Statutes, section 0,200, forbidding wilitary ox pedition or enterprises against friendly Atates,—-but in view of the speedy assembling of your body, I have pre- ferred to await such legislation as in your wisdom the occasion may seomn to demand. 1t may perhaps bo thought proper to provide that the setting on foot within our own territory of brigandage and armed marauding ox- peditions against friendly nations, and their citizens shall be punishable as an offonse aguinst the United States. T will add thatin the event of a roquest from the territorial goy- ernment for protection by the United Statea against “domestic violence, this government would be powerless to render assistance. The act of 1705, chapter 86, passed at a time when torritorial governments received littlo attention teom con- gross, enforced thisduty of the United Btates only as to stato gove and the act of 1807, chapter plied also to territorics. secms to have remained in force until i | tho revision of the statutes, when the provision for the territories was dropped. Tam not advised whether this alteration was intentional or cidental; but as it seems to me that the territorios should be offered the protection which is accorded to_statos hy the constitution, I suggest legisla tion to that end. Tt seems to meo that whatever views may provail as to the pol of recent legislation by which the army has ceased to bo a part of the posse comitatus, an excep- tion might wi be made for permitting the military to assist the civil territorial authoritica in en forcing the laws of the United States This use of the army would not scem to be within the alleged evil against which that legislation was aimed. From sparsencss of population and ather circumstances it is often quite impracticable to snmmons a civil posse in places where ofticers of justice re- quire assistance and where a military force 18 within casy reach, INTERIOR DEPARTMENT. THE INDIAN PROBLEM. The report of the scerctary of the interior, with accom ing docu ments, presents an elaborate account of the business of that department. A summary of it would bo too ex- tended for” this place. T ask your careful attention to the report iteelf. Prominent among the matter which challenges the attention of congress at its present session is the management of our Indian affairs, While this question has been a cause of trouble and embarrassment from the infancy of the government, ivis but recemly that any etforts have beenimade for its solution, at once serious, determined and consistent, and promising success. It has been casier to resort to con- venient makeshifts for tiding over the temporary difficulties than to grapole with the great permanent problem, and accordingly the easier course has almost invariably been pursued. It was natural at a time when the na- tional territory seemed almost illim- itable and contained many mil- lions of acres far beyond the bounds of civilized ~ sot- tlements, that a poiicy should have been initiated which more than aught elso bas been the fruitful source of our Indian compli- cations. 1 refer, of course, to the policy of dealing with the various In- dian tribes as separate nationalitics, of regnlating them by treaty stipula: tions, to the occupancy of immense reservations in the west, and of en- couraging tiiem to live undisturbed by any carnest and well directed offorts to bring them under the influences of civilization, The unsatistactory re- sults ich have sprung from this policy are becoming apparent to all. As the whitesettlements have crowded the borders of the reservations, the Indians, some times contentedly and some times aganst theic will, have been transferrod to other hunt ing grounds, from which they huve agai+ been dislodged whenever their new found homes have been de- sired by the adventurous settlers. These removals and the advent of ronticr colonists by whom they have often been succeeded, have led to fre- quent and disastrous conflicts between the races. Itis profitless to discuss here which of them have beeu chictly respontible for the disturbances whose recital occupies 8o large a space in the progress of our history. We have to detail with the appalling fact that thousands of lives have been sacrificed and hundreds of millions of dollars ex- pended in the attempt to solve the Indian problem, 1t had until within the past few years seemed scarcely nearer asolution thanfit was half a cen- tury ago; but the government has of late been cautiously but steadily feol- ing its way to the adoption of a policy which has already produced gratify- ing results, and which in my judgment is likely, if congress and the executive are in accord in its support to relieve us ere long from the difliculties which have hitherto beset us. For the suc- cess of the efforts now making to in- troduce among the Indians the cus- toms and pursuits of civilized life, and grndun]ly to absorb them into the mass of our citizens, sharing their rights and holding to the respoasibili- tios, there is imperative need for leg- islative action, My suggestions in that respect will be chiefly such as have been already callod to the atton- tion of congress and have received to some extent its consideration, First. 1 recommend the passage of an act making the laws of the various states and territories applicablo to the Indian reservations within their bord- crs and extending the laws of the state of Arkansas to the portion of In- dian territory not ocoupied by the five civilized tribes. Tne Indian should receive the protection of the la He should be allowed to maintain in court his rights of person and proper- ty. He repeatedly begged for this priviloge. Its exercise would be very valuable in his progress toward civilization. Second, Of the measure which has boen frequently recommended by my prodecessors in oftice, and in the - fur- therance of which several bills have been from time to time introduced in both houses of congress. The enaet- ment of a general law permitting the allotment in severalty, to such Indians at least as desire it, of a reasonable quantity of land secared to them by patent and for their own protection and made alienable for from twenty or twenty-fivo years, is demanded " for their present welfare and their per- manent advancemént. In return for such considorate action on the vart of the government, there is reason to believe that the Indians in large numbors would be persuaded to sever their tribal relations and to engage at onco in - wgricultural pursuits, They would fsce that their roaming days were over, and that it is now for their best interests to conform their mander of life to the new order of thin; By no greater inducement than the assurance of permanent title of the soil can_they be led to engago in the occupation of tilling it. The well attested reports of their inereas. ing interest in husbandry justify the hope and beliof that the enactment of such a statuto as I recommend would be at once attended with tifying results, A resort to the allotment system would have a direct and powerful iofluence in disolving the tribal baud, which is a prominent feature of BAVAYgo life and which tends s0 strongly to perpetuate thom. I advise a liberal appropriation for the support of In- dian schools, because of my confident that such a course is consistent belief with the wisest economy. Even among the most uncultured Indian tribes, there is reported to be eral desire on the part of th and older members for the e Atic of their.children. Tt is unfortunat in view of this fact, that during the past years the means which have been at the command of the interior de partment for the purpose ot Indian instruction have proved to be utterly inadequate. The success of the schools which are in operation at Hampton, Carlisle, and Forest Grove should not only encourage a more generous provision for the sup port of these insututions, but should prompt the establishment of others of similar character. They are doubt- lees much more potent for good than the day schools upon the reservations, a8 the pupils ure altogether separated from the surroundings of the rough life, and brought into constant con tact with civilization. There are many other phases of this subject which are of great interest, but which cannot be included within the becom- ing limits of this communication. They are discussed ably in the reports of the secretary of the interior and of the commissioner of Tndian affairs THE MORMON QUESTION. For many years the exscutive in his annual message to congress has suggested the necessity ot stringent legislation for the suppression of po- Ivzamy in the territories, especially in Utah. 1 isting statute for the punishment of this odious crime, so revolting to the moral and reliziovs sense of christianity, has been persis tently and contemptuously violated ever since its enactment. Indeed, in spite of commendable efforts on the part of the authorities who represent the United States in that territory, the law has, in very rare. instances, been enforced, and for a cause to which reference will presently be made, is practically a dead letter. The fact that adherents of the Mor- mon church, which rests upon polyga- my as its corner stone, haye recently been peopling in large numbers, Ida- ho, Arizona and other’of our western territories, is well calculated to excite the liveliest interest and apprehension. It imposcs upon congress and the ex- ecutive the duty of using ngainst this barbarous system all the power which under the constitution and the law they can wield for its destruction. Reference has alrendy been made to the obstacles the United States ofticers have encountered in their efiorts to punish violators of the law. Promi- nent among the obstacles 18 the diffi- culty of procuring legal evidence sufli- cient to warrant a couviction even in the case of the most notori- ous offenders. Your attention is called to the report of the supreme court of the United States, explaining its judgment of re- versal in the case of Miles, who had been convicted of bigamy in Utah. The court refers to the fact that the secrecy attending the celebration of marriages in that territory makes that part of polygamy very difficult, and the propricty is suggested of modify- ing that law of evidence which now makes a wife incompetent to testify against her husband. This suggestion is approved. I recommend also the passing of an act providing that in the territories ot the United States, the fact that a woman has been married to a person charged with bigamy shall not digqualify hapas a witness upon his trial for thut’offense. I further recommend legislation by which any person solemnizing a marriage in any of the territories shall be required under stringent penalties for neglect or refusal to file a certificate of such marriage in the supreme court of the territory, unless congress make or devise other practicable measures for obviating the difticulties which have hitherto attended the efforts to sup- press this iniquity. I assure you of ny determined purpose to co-operate with you in any lawful and discreet measures which may be proposed to that end. BDUCATIONAL, Although our system of gevernment should provide or support a system for the education of our people, no measures calculated to promote that general intelligence and _virtue upon which the perpetuity of our institu- tions so greatly depends, have ever been regarded with indifterence by congress or the executive. A large portion of the public domain has been from time to time devoted to the pro- motion of education. There is now especial occasion why, by setting t the proceeds of its sales of pub- lic lands or by some other course, the government should aid the work of education, Many who now excreise the right of sulfrage are unable to read the bullot .which they st. Upon many who had just cmerged from a condition of slavery where suadenly devolved the responsibilities of citi- zenship in that portion of the country most impoverished by war, 1 have been pleased to learn from the report of the commissioner of education that there has been latoly a commendable increase of interest and effort for their instruction; but all that can be done by local legislation and private gen erosity should be supplemented by such aid as can be constitutionally atforded by the national government. T would suggest that 1f ‘any fund be dedicated to this purpose, it may be wisely distributed in the different states according to the ratio of illiter- acy, as by this means those locations which aro most in need of such assist ance will reap its separate benefits, AGRICULTURAL, The report of the commissioner of agriculture exhibits results of the ex- l riments in which that department has been engaged during the past year, and makes nuportant suggestions in referonce to the agricultural develop- ment of the country. ‘he steady in- se of our population, and the con- sequent addition to the numbers of those engaged in the pursuit of hus- bandry are giving to Jn- department a growing dignity and importance. The commissioner’s suggestions touch- ing its capacity for greater usefulness deserve attention, as it more and more commends itself to the nterest which it was ereated to promote. THE PENSION BUREAU, It appears from the report of the commissioner of pensions that since 1860, 780,063 original pension clai have boon filed; 450,949 of these have been allowed and inscribed on the pension roll; 72,039 have been re- does not contemplate that the nation or integrity which a proper adminis- TTHE OMAHA DAILY BEE: W' DNFSDAY, DACEMBER 7, 1881, jected and abandoned, being 13 plus per cent of the whole number of clums settled, There are now pend ing for sottlement 5 original pesion claims, 22,704 of which were filed prior to July 1, 1880, These, when allowed, will invoke the pay ment of arrears from the of dis charge in the case of an invalid, and from the date of death or termination lof a prior right in all other cases From all the data obtainable it is es d that 15 per cent of the num of claims now pending will be re ted or abandoned. This would| show the probable rejection of 34,040 cases and the probable addi tion of 193,000 cliime, all of which involves the pay- ment of arrearsZof pension. With the present force einployed the num- { ber of adjudications remaining the eame and no new business interven ing, this number of claims (193,000 could be acted upon in a period of six years, and taking January 1, 1834, as a near period from which to estimate |in each e an average amount of arrears, it is found that every case allowed would require for the first payment upon it the sum of £1,350. Multiplying this amount by the whole nuamber of probable admissions gives 70,000,000 as the sum required for the tirst payments, This represents the sum which must be paid upon claims which were filed before July 1, 1880, and are now pending and enti- tled to the benefits of the arrears act. From this amount (8250,000,000) may be deducted from £10,000,000 to $15,000,000 for cases where the claim ant dying there is no person who, un- der the law, would be entitled to such pension, leaving £235,000,000 as the probable amount to be paid. In these estim: account has been taken of the cases filed since June 30, 1880, and now pend- ing, which must receive attention. It is current business but does not in- volve payment of any acrears beyond the date of the filing of the cleim. Of this number it is estimated that 86 per cent. will be allowed and as has been stated with the present force of the pension burcau (675 clerks) it is estimated that it will take six years to dispose of the claims now pending. It is stated by the Commissioner of Pensions that by an addition of 250 clerks (increasing the adjudicary force rather than the mechanical)® double the amount of work could be accom- plished, so that these cases could be acted upon within three years. Aside from the considerations of justice which may be urged fora speedy settlement of the claims now on the files of the pension office, it is no less important on the score of cconomy, inasmuch as fally one-third of the clerical force of the office is now wholly oceupied in giving atten- tion to correspondence with the thou- sands of claimants, whose cases have been on file for the past eighteen years, The fact that a sum so eno mous may be expended by the gov- ment,fin paying for arrears of pen- sions 13 an admonition to congress and the executive to give cautious consideration to any similar project in the future. The great temptation to the presentation of fictitious claims afforded, by the fact the avers obtained upon each application is $1,300, leads to the suggestion of the propriety of making some special ap- propriation for the prevention of fraud. INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS, 1 advise appropriation for such in- ternal improvements as in the wisdom of congress may seem to be of public importance, The necessity of im- proving the navigation of the Missis- sippi river justifies a special allusion to that subject. T suggest the adop- tion of some measure for the removal of obstructions which now impede the navigation of that great channel of commerce. THE CIVIL SERVICE, Inmy letter accepting the nomina- tion for vice president, I stated that in my judgment ‘‘no man should be in- cumbent of office, the duties of which he is for any cause unfit to perform; who 18 lacking in the ability, fidelity tration of such office demands. This sentiment would doubtless meet with general acquiescence, but opinion has been widely divided upon the wisdom and practicability of the. various re- formatory schemes which have been suggested, and _of certain proposed regulation governing the appointment to public office. The efliciency of such regulations has been distrusted mainly because they have secmed to oxalt tho mero educational and abstract tests above a general business capacity and even special fitness for the particular work in hand. It scems to me that the management of the public service may operly contorm in the main to such as regulate the condition of successful kprivate business. Original appoint- ments should be based upon ascertain- ed fitness. The tenure of offico stould Do stable; positions of responsibility should be filled by the promotion of worthy and eflicient officers. The in- vestigation of all complaints and the punishment of all fi wmiscoonduct, should be prompt and thorough.” The views expressed in the foregoing lotter aro those which will govern my adminis- tration of the exccutive oftice. They are doubtless shared by all intelligent and patriotic citizens, however diverg- ent in their opinion as to the best methods of putting them into practiecal operation, For exam- ple, the assertion that un original appointment should be based upon ascertained fitness is not open to dispute, but the question as to how in practice such fitness can be most effectually ascertained 1s one| which has for years excited irterest {and discussion. The 1casure which, with slight variations in its details, has lately beon urged upon the atten- tion of congress and the executive 'has for its principal feature tho scheme of competitive examination, With certain exceptions, which need net hero bo specitied, this plan would allow admission to the service only at its lowest gradeand would aceordingly demand that all cies in higher ns should be filled by promo- one, In those particulars it is uformity with the existing civil service system of Great Britain, and indeed the success which has attend that system 1 the country of its birth is the strongest argument which has been urged for its adoption here. Tho fact should not, however, be have not generally heon received with favor in this country, even among t foremost advocates of eivil service re- form. Among them are (1,) a tenure of office which is substantially a life tenure a limitation of the maximum age at which an_applicant can enter the service, whereby all men in muddle life or under are with some exceptions, rigidly excluded; (3, a retiring allowance upon going out of office. These three elements are as mnportant factors of the problem as any of the others. To eliminate them from the English system would effect a most radical change in its theory and_practice. The avowsd purpost of that system is to induce educated young men of the country to devote their lives to public employment by having once entered upon it they need never leave it, and that after voluntary retirement they shall be recipieuts of an wn- nual pension. That this system a1 an_ entirety has proved very successful in Great Britain scems to be generally conceded by those who onea opposed its adoption, Tts adpata tion to a state which should incorpo rate all its essential features, 1 should- focl bound to give my approval; but whether it would be for the best in- terests of the public to tix upon an expedient tor immediate and exten- sive application, which embraces cer- tain features of the English system, but excludes or ignores others of equal importance, may be seriously doubted even by those impressed, as T am my- self, with the grave importance of cer- recting the evils which are in the present methods of appointment. If, for example, the English rule which shuts out persons above the age of years from a large number of pub- lic employments is not made an essen- tial part of our ystem, it s questionable whether the attainment of the highest number of marks at a competitive examination shonld be the criterion by which all applications for appoint- ment should be put to test and under similar conditions it may also be questioned whether admission to the service should be strictly limited to its lowest rank. There are very many characteristics which go to make a model civil service. Prominent among them are probably industry, good sense, good habits, good temper, pa- tience, order, courtesy,. tact, self-re- liance, manly deference to superior ofticers and manly considerations for inferiors. The absence of these traits is not wupplied by wide knowledge of bocks, or by promptitude in answer- ing questions, or by any otner quality likely to be brought to = light by a competitive exammation. To make success in such a contest, therefore, an indispensable condition of public employment, would very | likely result in the practical exclusion | of the older applicante, even though they might possess qualifications far supcerior to their younger and more brilliant competitors. These sugges- tions must not be regarded as evinecing any spirit of opposition to the com- petitive plan, which has been to some extent successfully employed already and which may hereafter vindicate the claim of its earnest supporters, but it ousht to be seriously cousidered whether the application of the same edueational standard to persons of mature years and to young men fresh from school and college would not be likely to exalt mere intellectual proficiency above other qualities of equal or greator importance. Another feature of the propused system is the election for promotion of all officers of the gov- ernment above the lowest grads, ex- cept such as would fairly be regarded as exponents of the policy of the ex- ecutive and the principles of the dom- inant party. To afford encourage- ment to faithful public servants by exciting in their minds the hope of promotion if they are found to merit it, is much to be desired, but would | it be wise to adopt a rule so rigid as to permit no other mode of supplying the intermediate ranks of the service? There are many persons who fill sub- ordinate positions with great credit, but lack those qualities which are requisite for the higher posts of duty, and besides the modes of thought and action of one whose service in a govermental bureau has been long continued are often so cramped by routine procedure as almost to disqualify him from instituting the changes required by the public interests, and the infusion of new blood from time to time into the middle ranks of the service might be very beneficial in its results. The subject under discussion is one of grave importance. The evils which are complained of cannot be] eradi- cated at once, The work must be gradual. The Jpresent English system is a growth of years and was not created by a single stroke of executive or legislative actions, innings are found in an promulgated in 18 ter patient and courteous scrutiny its workiugs, that fifteen y it took its present shape. ~Five years after the issuance of the order in council, and at a time when resort had been made to competitive exum- nations a3 an experiment much more extensively than has yet been the case in this country, a select commit- tee of the house of commons made a report to that house which, declaring its approval of the competitive method, deprecated, nevertheless, any lxrm-ipimncy in its general adoption as ikely to endanger its ultimate success. During this tentative period the results of the two methods of pass examination and competitivo exami- nation was closely watched and com- pared. It may be that before wecon- fine ourselves upon this important question within the stringent bounds of statutory enactinent, we may pro- titably await the result of further in quiry and experiment, The submis- sion of a portion of the nominations to a central board of examiners selected sulely for testing the - qualifications of applicants, perhaps, without re- sort to the competitive test, put an end to the mischief which attends the present system of appointment and it may be feasible to vest in such a board a wide disc to ascertain the characte and attainments of candidates in these particulars which 1 haye already re ferred to us being no less important than mere iutellectual acquirements, If congress should deem it advisablo at the present session to establish competitive tests for admission to the overlooked that there are certain features of the English system whioh service, no doubts such as have been the measure my earnest support, and I urgently recommend, should there be a failure to pass any other upon this subject, that an appropriation of 825,000 per year be made for the enforccnent of section 1,763 of the Revised Statutes. With the aid thus afforded me I shall strive to execute the provisions of that law according to its letter and epirit, T am unwilling, in justice to the pres- ent eivil servants of the government, to dismiss this subject without declar- ing my dissent from the severe and almost indiscriminate censure with which they have been receutly sailod— that they are, as a class, indo- lent, inefticient and corrrupt. It is a statement which has been of made and widely credited, but when the tent, varioty, delicacy and importance of their duties are concidered, the ma- jority of the employes of the govern- meut are, in my judgment, descrving of commendation, THE MERCHANT MARINE, The continuing decline of the mer- chant marine of the United States is to be greatly doplored. In view of the fact that we turnish so large o proportion of the treights of the comurercinl world, and that our ship- ments are steadily and rapidly increas- ing,it is a cause ot surprise. Not only is our navigation interest diminishing, but it is less than when our exports and imports were not half so large as now, either in buik or in value. There must be a peculiar hindrance to the development of this interest, or the enterprise and energy of Ameri- can mechanics aud capitalists would have kept this country at least abreast of our rivals in the friendly contest for ocean supremacy. The substita- tion of iron for wood, and of steam for eail, haveZwrought a great rovolu- rion in the trade of the world, but these changes could not have beer adverse to Americans if we had given to the navigation interests a portion of the aid and protection which have been 8o wisely bestowed upon our manufacturers, I commend the whole subject to the wisdom of congress, with the suggestion that no question of greater magnitude or frrther reach- ing importance can engage their at- tention. IMMIGRATION. In 1875 the supreme court of the United States declared unconstitu- tional the statutes ot certuin states which imposed upon shipowners and consignees a tax of §1 50 for each pas- senger arriving from a foreign coun- try, or in lieu thereof required a bond to indemnify the state and local au- thorities against expense for the future relief or support of such passenge Since this decision the expense at- tending the care and supervision of immigrants has fallen on the states at whose ports they have landed. As a large majority of such immig immediately upon their val proceed to the mland states and the territories to seck permanent homes, it is manifestly un- Jjust to impose upon the state whose shores they first reach the burden which it now bears. For this reason, and because of the national import: ance of the subject, T recommend legislation regarding the supervision to transitory cares of immigrants in the ports of debarkati . ALASKA. T regret to state that the people of Alaska have reason to comnlain that they are as yet unprovided with any form of government by which life or property can be protected. While the extent of this population does not justify the application of the costly machinery of territorial administra- tion, there is immediate necessity for constituting such a form of govern- ment as will promote the education of the peopls and secure the ad- ministration of justice. THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY. The senate at its last session passed a bill providing for the construction of a building for the library of con- gress, but it failed to become a law. The provision of suitable protection for this great collection of books and for the copyright department connect- ed with 1t has become a subject of nationalimportance and should receive prompt attention, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, The report of the commissioners of the District of Columbia herewith transmitted will inform you fully of the condition of the affairs of the Dis- trict. The vital importance of legis- lation for the reclamation and im- provement of the marshes and for the establislment of the hurbor lines along the Potomac river fron is presented. In their presen condition these marshes seriously af- fect the health of the residents of the adjacent parts of the city and they greatly mar the general aspect of the vark in which stands the Washington monuwnent. This improvement would add to that park and the park south of the executive mansion, o large are a of valuable land, and would transform what is now believed to be a danger- ous nmsance into an attrac lund- scape extending to the river front, They recommend the removal of the steam railway lines from the surface of the streets of the city, and the loca- tion of the neceesary oepots in such places as may be convenient for the public accoramodation, They call attention to the deficiency of the water supply which seriously affects the material prosperity of the city, and the health and comfort of its inhabi- tants. I commend these subject to your favorable consideration, 'HE ELECTORAL VOTE, The importance of timely legisla- tion with respect to the ascertainment and declarations of the vote for presi- dential electors, was sharply called to the attention of the people more than four yewrs ago. It 1s to be hoped that some well.defined measure may be devised before another national election, which will render unnece: sary a resort to any expedient of a temporary character for the determin- ation of questions upon contested re turng PRESIDENTIAL Questions whieb concern the very existonce of the government and the liberties of the people were suggested prolonged illness of the lato nt and his consequent inca- ty to perform the functions of his It 18 provided by the second article of the constitution in the fifth clause of its first section, that in case of the removal of the president from oftice or of his death, assassination or inability to discharge the powers and INCAPACITY, suggested shall deter me from giving duties of said offia. the same shan 2