The Abbeville press and banner. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, December 10, 1879, Image 1
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ABBEVILLE PRESS & BANNER J
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BY HUGH WILSON AND W. C. BENET. ABBEVILLE, S. C., WEDNESDAY, DECEMBEK 10, 1879. * NO. 27. VOLUME XXV. ||
FARM, GARDEN AND HOUSEHOLD
Selecting Poultry.
I send the following which I have observed
for some years in purchasing
poultry, and which raaybeofusetosome
of your readers who may not be famiiiar '
with the age of poultry:
Fetf housekeepers, and fewer cooks,
are as good judges of the age of poultry I
as they ought to be. We all know when j
? .? poulti7 comes upon the table, whether ;
it is tender or tough; and there should i,
be no difficulty in knowing just as cer- I
tainly whether a chicken, duck, goose or I;
turkey is old or younff, when it is offered I
for sale. Now the following is offered 1 j
as a rule.by which poultry can be safely
judged, which if read ovf-r for a few
times and then laid away for ready j
reference when needed, no person need
purchase old, tough poultry unless trom '
choice.
If a lien's spur is bard, and the scales '
on the legs rough, she is old, whether J
yon see her head or not, but the head 1
^ will corroborate your observation. If j
^ the under bill is so stiff that you cannot :
bend it down, and the comb thick and j
rough lerve her, no matter how fat and
plump, for some one less particular. A *
young hen has only the rudiments of ?
spurs; thescaleson the leg3 are smooth, j
glossy and fresh-colored, whatever the *
color may be; the claws tender and (]
short, the nails sharp, the under bill *
soft, and the comb thin and smooth. \
The old hen turkey has rough scales on
the legs, callosities on the soles of the ?
feet and long, strong claws; a young
one is the reverse of all these marks. J
When the feathers are on and the old ^
.turkey-cock has a long tuft or beard, a ?
young one has but a sproutless one; and ?
f when they ar<* off the smooth scales on ^
the kg* decide the point, besides the ,
difference in size of the wattles of the *
B^ck and the elastic shoot upon the
nose. r
^ An old goose when alive is known by J
, i the rough legs, the strength of the wings, _
particularly at the pinions, the thickness
and strength of the bill, and the I
fineness of the feathers; and when ! :
plucked, by (he legs, the tenderness o .
, ! ?i'l the skin undor the wings, by the pinions |.
and the bill and the coarseness of the
skin. ~
Ducks are distinguished by the same i =
means, but there is this difference?th--1*. S
a duckling's bill is much longer in pr ? ;,
C!* portion to the breadth of its head than
the old duck. A young pigeon is distinguished
by its pale colors, smooth J
scafes, tender, collapsed feet, and the j
yellow long down interspersed among
its feathers. A pigeon that can flv lias .
always red-colored legs and no down, ?
and is then too old for use.?Germantown
Telegraph. 1
Feeding Piss. * .
A Yorksnire iarmer in Enzland savs fi
"'of different food for piss: "After trying: s
- nearly all the different kinds of cereals, fi
and weighing'my pigs once in fourteen e
days, I hava conic to the conclusion that h
if you want to gain weight fast, give h
i \ s plenty of barley-meal and milk. Corn- r
> ' meal may be substituted for the barley." I
* ' Indian corn," says Dr. Voelcker, an t
* eminent authority, " is richer in fat- s
forming matters than almost any other -v
description of food. The ready-made ii
fat in corn amounts to from five and a
half tosix per cent. But animals should c
m bo fed exclusively on Indian meal, j C
because the flo6l?-forming matter in it is . Ii
snmll. Bean meal (or pea-meal) sup-! h
plies the deficiency." Five pounds of i o
Indian corn-meal to one pound of pea- '1
m?u is ,ai mixtutp which contains the .<
proportion of fl?jhfcforming and fattening q
matters nicely balanced. If the farmer li
has not the pea-meal to mix with the ' r
com he may use oat-meal as a substi- I r
tute. A very common food for hogs is i c
boiled apples and potatoes, mixed while 11
hot with corn meal. This is a goad I c
a . food, but Jacki in the nitrogenous eie- a
1 - / ment, which should be supplied either y
; ; by the addition ofcottonseed meal, bran, j a
pea meal or oat meal. If cotton seed r
raeal is used, only one part to ten of corn 11
meal would bo about tnc right propor- ] f
. . tion, while one part of the other kinds j t]
to five of corn meal might be used. Any i
one who has had any experience in toed- a
ing piLrs must have noticed the differ- t
ence thorp is in the readiness and cheap- t
ness witli which some can be fattened as 1
compared with others. In Lawes' and i
Gilbert's experiments two piirs in eating t
one hundred pounds of corn guinea
three pounds, while one pig, which ate 1
one hundred pounds of corn during the I
same time gained nineteen and one quar- <
ter pounds. It is readily seen that it is
highly important to secure the right t
kind of pigs if the feeding of them is to t
bo made the most profitable possible. 11
With a judicious selection of pigs and | j
the right kind of feeding and general 11
management, there is money to be made j i
on our farms in pork-raising, notwit!:- j1
standing the gloomy picture of the busi- j i
i -i' ness presented to the public during the : t
political campaign by Solon Chase.? 11
Tjeuriston Journal ?
? V?5?ci?lto Apply manure. I
X The common practice among farmers *
is to make a general clearing of the yards ^
and barn cellars once a year, either in j(
the spring or fall. Either practice makes '*
a heavy draft upon the teams, and it has *
its disadvantages. If this work is done
in the spring, it is when the ground is .
wet and other work is exceedingly pressing.
If the manure is drawn out in the
1^" hill and dropped in heaps upon the held
. ^ .. to be cultivated next season, there is
more or less waste by leaching and by
evaporation. There is a growing dispo- i
sition among our intelligent farmers to j
apply manure directly to growing crops, i
or as near the time of planting and sow- i
ing as possible. It is felt that the sooner |
manure is put within reach of the roots i
of plants the better for the crops and
their owner. Manure is so much capital
invested and bears interest only as it
is consumed in the soil.
The barn cellar may be so managed as
to manufacture and turn out fertilizers <
tlevery month in the year, so that the
. fanner may suit his convenience in ap- !
UIJIIJ^ U1UIU L\7 III*." OWlIt IV iiuu UliUlULV
is not wanted for cultivated crops, it is
always safe to apply it to the grass crop, j
cither in pasture or upon meadows after
mowing. Top dressing is growing in J
favor with our intelligent farmers. Grass ]
i pays better than almost any farm crop i
in the older States, and the spreading of !
compost saves the necessity of frequent j
plowing and seeding. By "top dressing 11
at any convenient season of the year
fields may be kept protitablv in grass for i
an indefinite time.?Rural Sun.
, , ' < > ' ''
A Good Japanese Story.
A very economical fellow named 11
Kisaburo took lodgings near a shop to
which the elite of the epicures of Yedo .
111 " resorted daily for the delicacy of eels <
. fried in aoy. The appetizing odor was
wafted inft> his quarters, and Kisaburo
being a man of Jfcrong imagination,
daily enjoyed a fragal meal of boiled
rice by his palate, and the savory smoke'
of eels through his olfactories, and thus ,
saved the usual expense of fish and
vegetables. .
K> The eel-frier on discovering this,
made up his mind to charge his stingy ,
neiffhbor for the smell of his eels, and
paid him a visit with his bitl made out.
k io.iKnvrv fuVm n? it in orrtoH hiimnr
called his wife, who brought the cash
box. After jingling the box of money,
he touched it on the bill and replacing
it ia the box under lock, ordered his
wifo to return it to its place. The eelman,
amazed at such financiering, cried. ;
out. "Well, are you not going to pay
me?" "Oh no,"said Kisaburo, " You
have charged me fur the smell of your
eels; I have paid you back with the
sound of my monev."
?
A house too closely haded by trees
will be apt to suffer from dampness. In
building, let the living and sleeping j
rooms, as far as possible, face toward
. the south, and thus gain the advantage
of t he sunshine. The bur is a great power
of health.
Industries of Atlanta.
It was in 1865 that the citizens and
merchants came back to their desolate (
homes at Atlanta, Ga. Only one build- j
ing, of all the commercial part of the i
town, had survived the flames. Busi- <
ness had to be built up from the very ]
foundation again, and the energy with i
which this task was attempted shows j
the strong faith Atlanta men feel in (
their lively town. One of the first to ]
return was the present president of the <
board of trade. He secured a cellar i
under the sole remaining building (on f
Alabama street,) paying ?150 a month i
for its use, and began the produce and i
groceries trade, increasing his income
by renting ground privileges of a few f
feet square off his sidewalk of ?20 a j
month each. Soon the owner of a cor- i
ner on Whitehall street built a brick i
building containing two store-rooms, t
As soon a9 these were ready, our mer- c
jhant and another moved in. paying c
*3,000 a year rent each, and giving half j
r i? J * ~ ? - J xU.
n 11 in advance, iu urtier uu jiiu inc r
jroprietor to go on with his construc- r
;ion. (The accommodations for which
hat $6,000 a year was paid now rent <3
or Si,500) Thus by mutual help and c
interprise. together with a vast amount t
>f personal labor, the ruins were re- j
>laced by substantial business edifices, t
lew hotels ot magnificent proportions r
vere erected, churches more lofty in t
:a jle and spire arose upon the sites of I
hose destroyed, and the vacant streets i:
vere refilled with people. Atlanta be- J
ame at once the distributing point for n
vestern products, and now finds trib- t
itary to her a wide range of country, n
>he handles a large portion of all the
;rain of Tennessee arid Kentucky, be- b
ides much from the Upper Missssippi '
ralley Much of the flour of tlie north- I
western mills comos into her warelouses,
and thence finds its way south- rard
and eastward. The same is true i]
>f the canned meats of Chicago, St. t
vouis and Cincinnati packing houses; s
his is a very important item of her i ]j
wholesale business. The provision men fi
iatura!!y were the first to obtain lootlold
in the new town. After them came S
he dry-goods people. Most of them c
legan in' a very modest way?brought C
linir onnrl<j t.iprl nn in <1 filankpfc almost 1
-yet "now the jobbing trade in di*y- \ 0
;oods alone amounts to some millions ii
>f dollars annually. No tobacco can $
ie. grown in the vicinity of Atlanta, t<
lencesheis without tobacco factories; r
lutsfce.used to handle an enormous v
uantity d? it, and there are half a c
iozen firms who deal wholly in it now, k
t was found that Atlanta's dry, equable fi
limate, consequent upon her great alitude,
made this point the safest place f(
0 keep stores ot the grateful plant; it cl
eould not mould, as it is liable to do in H
1 damp atmosphere. A few years ago, a
he revenue regulations were not as el- t<
ective as at present. The practice of h
tencil-plating packages of tobacco af- ^
orded easy means of evading the pay- n
cent of outy, and great warehouses h
lere were stored with "blockade" to- if
acco, from which Uncle Sam had de- ft
ived very little, if any, pocket-money.
Snormous profits accrued, but the inroduction
of the stamp system put a h
top to this, though Atlanta Was left a a
ery large legitimate business in stor- n
ng and selling tobacco at wholesale. ti
Another source of prosperity to the _
ity is cotton. The 44 cotton belt" of o
Georgia is a strip of country between 0
lere and Augusta. Years ago the land ?
tecame exhausted, and the cultivation js
f cotton came to be of small account. ^
?hen followed the discovery of the <j
uano islands of Peru, and the subse- b
uent invention of artificial fertilizers
laving similar qualities to the natural h
nanure. These superphosphates are C(
uanufactured mainly in Boston, and t<
ost the farmer about forty dollars a ton. g
t was proved that by their use the worn- C]
put cotton-belt could be made to produce d
is bountifnl crops in a series of five a
'ears as the Mississippi bottoms did; '?
.nd, moreover, that cotton could be n
aised as far north as the foot of the tj
rennessce mountains. Atlantii, there- p
ore, lias come to be not only a great
lepot of supply for this ?uano, furnish- i,
ng its vicinage a h undred thousand tons fl
l year,but also the entrepot of all the cot- d
on produced within a circie of nearly v\
wo'hundred milPs.fThis cotton is bought 0
nainly for foreign export, and is shipped ](
inder through bills of lading to foreign t]
)orts, thus (lodging the factors at New p
krorfc, Savannah, and other coast cities. s
rhe business is not done on commission, c
>ut by buying and selling on a margin h
)fprofit. f,
There are other extensive business in- t!
erests. Iron is mined near by, and ex- p
;ensive founderies and rolling mills ^
nanufacture it. Great crops of corn ]j
ind grain are raised throughout tliecen- r
:ral part of the State, which find their c
ivay into Atlanta distilleries, while her jj
(vine-merchants are many and rich. 'v
She can make the best of brick, and has t
i whole mountain of solid granite close v
ay, with other building material acces- a
;ible and cheap. She sighs for only one c
nore commercial advantage,! namely, a ^
ailway to the coal regions of Alabama, fj
Sow her coal is largely supplied from p
;x-Governor Brown's mines in the ex- t
;reme northwestern corner of the State. s
-Harper's M)wazine. 0
?? 0
Napoleon's Parents. v
The family of Bonapartes were of pure ti
Italian race; there was not a drop of a
French blood in any of them. Their ii
mcestors had come from the mainland
r? +l\o oorltr hiotnrtr nf Pnroioo on/1 flinit*
lames are found in the remote annals i
>f Ajaccio. Carlo Bonaparte was a poor s;
;entieman, of excellent breeding and ] (
character, who married in his youth a j S
young and romantic girl named Letizia I n
rtamolino, who followed him in his e
;ampais?ns up to the moment of the ! tl
airth of Napoleon. It is impossible to e
>ay how much the history of Europe i<
>wes to the high heart and indomitable J
spirit of this soldiery woman. She t<
lever relinquished her authority in her t<
:amily. When all her children were tl
princes and potentates, she was still the a
severe, stern Madam More. The beauty 1
md grace of Josephine Beauharnais tl
sever conquered her; the sweet Tyro- e
iese prettiness of Maria Louisa won v
from her oniy a sort of contemptuous r
indulgence. When her mighty son g
ruled the continent, she was the only ii
human beinir whose eludings he re- s
yarded or endured. She was faithful in c
lier rebukes while the sun shone, and v
when calamity came, her undaunted t
3pirit was still true and devoted to the i:
fallen. Her Drovincial habit of economv ?
stood her "in good stead in her vigorous t
old age; she was rich when the empire 1
had passed away, and her erandchiJoren h
needed her aid. It must have beentrom p
her that Napoleon took his extraordin- \
ary character, for Carlo Bonaparte, s
though a brave soldier and an ardent c
patriot in his youth, was of an easy and c
genial temper, inclined to take tlie ?
world as ho found it. and not to insist a
too much on having it go in his especial 1
way. After the cause of Corsican lib- 1;
erty was lost by the success of the t
Frencli arras, he accepted t lie situation c
without regret, and becoming intimate ;i
with the conquerors, he placed as many J
of his family as possible on the French \
pension list. His sons Napoleon and \
Louis were given scholarships at Brienne t
and at Autun, and his eldest daughter, /.
Elise, entered the royal institution at c
St. Cyr. While yet in the prime of life, 4
he died of the same deadlv disease a
which was to finish Napoleon's days at t
St. Helena: and the heroic mother, her t
- ? i. :?
n?SponSlDlllnes r?cuimus sun ucavici r
by tliis blow, lived tor eight years 1
longer amid the confusion and civil r
tumult which had become chronic in ]
Corsica; and then, after the capture of ?
the island by the English in 1793, she
made her escape with her children to
Marseilles, where she lived several *
years in great penury.?Harpers Maga- i
sine. <
? <
All that the American navy needs is \
some boats. It has plenty of water.- 1
U^wlceye. ;
X
Teaching: Children to Cook.
It is generally supposed that smj
children, from their volatile temper
ments and forgetfulness, can not 1
taught or trusted with cookery. Mi
Dorson has proved quite the contrar
Last year she had a class of childre
from the New York Home for- Soldiei
families; this year ten of them do tl
mtire cooking for the inmates, at lea
[50, in that institution- In all tl
;lasses of the New York cooking schoi
:o pupils are more industrious, neipiu
md intelligent than the little childrc
rom the mission schools and eharitab
nstitulions.
In point of fact, the children's class
ire the most charming and useful an
mportant, for the wholesome effect th(
vill liave on the strata of society the
epresent. The artisan course of instru
ion for these little folks and elder gir
:omprises [the preparation and cookir
>f simple dishes, setting the table, brinj
ng in the dinner, waiting at table, r<
noving and washing soiled dishes, an
emulating the kitchen and dining-roor
jAJt us go and take a peep at the ohi
Iren. A little flock, under the guidanc
if a kindly matron, is passing down I
he basement: we enter with then
low merrily they babble as they divei
hemselves of hats and shawls! What
ipple and trill of childish laughter j
hey [strive for the first rows of seat!
listen; a sudden hush, a settling dow
n seats, and a smoothing of aprons, f
iliss Corson appears, and, oofting toi
iet and cloak, takes her position behin
he table, with a cheery 44 Good aftei
oon, children."
The lesson of the day, says the blacl
44 TTSiCPSlloto nf
'Uitl U, 13 JCliCU 1' UICIO VI JL juuuwvi ,
I Maitre d'Hotel Butter," " Grilled Fis
Jones." and "Caramel Custards."
Two or three girls are usually chose
-different ones at each lesson?to assii
ti making the dishes; so when the mi
erial was laid on the table, and the lei
on announced, Miss Corson said," W hi
ittle girl is anxious to help me cut tli
diets??some one with strong hands."
A dozen hands were held up at onci
lelecting one of the eldest girb, wh
amc around and stood by her side, Mii
Jorson, taking up a sharp, thin-blade
nife, deftly cut off the whole side piec
r fillet of the fish entire, and then hanc
ng the knife to the Watchful girl at h<
iae, gave minute directions from tin:
0 time, which were followed so acci
ately that the remaining three fillet
fere soon lying, skin side'down, on tli
ounter. Miss Corson, then taking tli
nife, showed the class how to cut tl;
llets clean from the skin.
Meanwhi le another little trirl is calle
)r tojmake the breading. With flushe
tieeks and an air o importance, a >ve
ttle thing steps ufp, seizes the rolle
nd vigorously rolls the bread crumf
) powder, beats an egg up with a spoor
II of water, and re tires. The elder gir
riio by th is time has prepared the r<
laining fillets, breads them, dips thei
1 the egg, and in the bread again, an
ij'S them on a dish, in readiness to b
*ipd a delicate brown in smokir.g-hc
trd.
" Nowj children, you observe that w
ave a nice bone left; shall we throw i
wnv nr lien it? T think it would h
ice grilled. We will take some mus
ird, salt, pepper, salad-oil, and vinega
-make a paste of them, and spread i
ver the hone. Then let us boil it on a
ilod gridiron, and afterward serve i
rith sprigs of parsley or slices of lemon
low, besides the fillets from the fiel:
re have this, making two deliciou
ishes where peopl? commonly mak
ut one."
The children looked very wise, a littl
ungry for the "oming feast, and ex
eedingly interested. An unusual flui
?r took place, however, when two litil
iris were called for to make 44 krao
ustards," and one to make 44 Maitr
'Hotel Butter." All the hands went u
t once at the mere mention of custards
"he fortunate girls who were chose:
larched around behind the counter, an
lie resigned remainder subsided int
lacid attention.
One of the little maids beat the eg?
istily, while the other, sweetening ari'
avoring a quart of milk according t
ireetion, set it on the lire to boil, stir
ing it carefully; then a sievo was hel
ver tne neaten eggs, tne rniiK witn it
imon rincl and sugar strained thereto
ben poured into cups, which wer
laced in a baking-pan with hot wata
urroundinglliem. The little girl the;
autiously slid the pan into trie oven
er face aglow with pride in the safe per
jrmance of her task. Meanwhile th
hird little damsel had chopped he
arsley, mixed it with an ounce of but
er, a teaspoonful of lemon juice, and
ittle salt and pepper, after which sh
etired to her seat, and another sraa!
laid came forward to drop the fillet
11 the snicking lard. All the cJas
raited for the lemon custards, ca^tin
roubled glances at the clock. As the
fere slowly drawn forth from the ove:
.nd placed upon the table, the lesso;
oncluded, the children crowded aroun
0 taste and receive their shares of th
mished results of the lesson. Little ti:
ails popped up mysteriously to recciv
he well-earned dainties. Hats am
hawls were hastily donned, the littl
ues hurried out of doors, and pausin
n the pavement, cooed and nuttere
ritli satisfaction over the contents c
heir little pails like so many doves i:
dovecote pecking com.?F. E. Fry all
1 Harper's Magazine.
Story of a Wreat Inundation.
One of Russia's gloomiest anniver
aries is the nineteenth of November
the 7tli by her reckoning.) on whicl
t. Petersburg was overwhelmed by th
lost devastating flood which it ha
ver known, that of 1824. During th
liree previous days, a very strong west
rly wind had forced back the iioatin,
:e of the gulf (into the mouth of th
leva in such quantities 'as complete!;
d block the river, at that time swollei
d an unprecedented height by one v
hose sudden thaws which often oc.cu
t the beginning of the Russian winter
'lie water continued to rise so rapid 1;
liat during the whole night or th
ighteenth (6th, old style,) watchmei
rere stationed along the bank, while th
inging of bells and liie firing of alarm
uns was unceasing. Many of the irihah
tants, fearing the worst, got togethe
uch of their belongings as they couli
arry off, and fled for tneir lives. The;
rere not an hour too soon. Early oi
he following morning the river burs
ts banks, the canals overflowed at th
ame time, and within a few hours two
birds oi the main city was under watei
?he houses upon the' low-lying island
>eyond the river'were even more com
iletely submerged, and the air was filiei
nth the crash of falling buildings, th
hrieks of women and children, the in
essant booming of signal guns from th
litadcl, and the roar of the surgin
vaters. which, as they deepened, whirle
Jong wagons, barges, sentry-boxes
oads of hay and the corpses of men an
leasts. Toward afternoon, boats bega
o ply through the streets, in order to ret
:ue the inrnateB of the threatened houses
ind the reigning Czar, Alexander I., wn
limself among the foremost in the goo
vork. Butnotwithstand all efforts, n
veil as the rapid subsiding of the floo
oward nightlall, the havoc was ver
jreat. Upward of 13,000 buildings wei
icauuyeu in 01. iruMJisuui^ iuuuf, *u
>80 lives lost, without reckoning tli
cores wtyo, having taken refuge upon tli
rees in the Admiralty-square, escape
he flood only to perish miserably by tli
nerciless frost of the succeeding nigh
Hie height ot the inundation is sti
narked by a red line painted on tli
louses which flank the river, with tb
significant date, " November 7th, 1824
The Choctaw nation, which numbei
ibout 17,000 people, has forty schoo
ind two academies. It also pays for tl
college education of twenty-two sti
lents in the States. The office of supe
mtendent of education is elective, an
has been held by a Choctaw for foi
years.
3-' | mischief, and so perhaps does his love, noi
n j ?Norristoum Herald. of
18 | A maiden lady of our acquaintance
3" has resolved to change her name to Jjhe
" " Conclusions," having heard that men de(
r" sometimes jump that way. J
The bureau of engraving hasn't a sin?
gle ten-dollar bill in its reserve stock, J
1, and the Rockland Courier wakes up and
11 yells, "Neither hav *fe."
n i A deaf man can get out of a crowd as otli
st soon as any one wlien a collection is to Th
v. be takeD up, and yet the fact has always ma
3. puzzled philosophers. ? Detroit Free haJ
it Press. oui
10 j The fact that little Norway has the fro
second largest commercial fleet in the the
2. -world is alleged to be due to the fact the
o that villages pool their savings to build the
s or buy a ship, instead of, as here, put- fyii
d ting them in banks. " Th
;e Thpv wpre out drivinir. Said Theo
, dore: " What tree, Angelina, bears the
' most precious fruit?'\ Angelina?'"Oh, <jel:
. Dory, I can't teli, unless it's a cherry e_t
Z tree." Theodore looked unutterable am
e sweetness as he trazed into Angelina's ^el
ie eyes and said, " The axle-tree darling."
[C When two young people, with a sin- sur
glennss of purpose and doubleness of noi
d affection, sit up with each other, and mu
d when the clock strikes twelve, he says: 1
e I " Is it possible?" and she says, " Why, ma
r, I didn't know it was so late?" you may $7?
). draw your conclusions that if the busi- int<
4g ness boom continues, a unified couple ant
1, will be hunting a house to rent in the per
?. psrine.?Sleubcnville Herald. pai
n A young man not more than twenty- ?y
d two years old, a Pon of one of our best
e families, says the Burlington Hawkeyc, wil
>t came into this office yesterday and oflered c*13
us three dollrrs to print a paragraph T?
e stating that a young girl had been
t fatally poisoned, dying in indescribable fur
e agony, from eating oysters at a church it i
i- sociable. We have enough mercy on
r the young man to refrain from publish "
t ing his name, but the next time any man
n tries to save seventy-five dollars by a yea
it' tiiree dollar paragraph in goes his whole B1"
i. pedigree. act
' At the principal railroad stations in
8 India the native pasrengers are served ^
e with water by a Brahmin, from whom, Sg
being the highest caste, all persons may
e take without defilement. lie goes along t"
the train with his brass vessels; a sudra, TT?
- ! --I - ?. Un
ior Jow-caste uiun, atuups, imu jii ma bm .
e open hands placed'together ?nd raised _
n to the level of his mouth, reetives the ? ,
(! precious liquid. The vessel of the V
P Brahmin is not touched, else he tvou)^ tu
' be defiled. A Brahmin asks water, ana t:0,
U is served with it in the smaller vessels,
d from which he drinks, there being no _:j
0 defilement between Brahmin and Brah1
min.?Nineteenth Century. ? aw,
? Getting Satisfaction.
Half an hour before the morning train Coi
d over the Canada Southern road was to the
5 leave yesterday, a pompous, fat man, the
, with several bundles in his arms, entered pre
e the depot with a great rush and made a oft
r bee-line for a Grand TAnk train. When lar*
q Halted at me gaic ana asiceu wum tr;uu gun
l( he wanted to take, he replied: to t
I "I am going to Toledo, and if you if b
c make me miss the train I'll sue you lor ohe
r damages." wil
" But this isn't the train for Toledo." con
a "Why isn't it, sir; why in the old thu
0 Harry isn't this train for Toledo?" a c
11 loudly demanded the fat man. wh
s " Because the train for Toledo stands dol!
s over on that track there." ' rec<
g "Then why didn't you tell me so in reti
y the first place? I'm a good mind to re- Sta
J, port you to your superiors, sir!" ten<
n "You'll find the superintendent up- be 1
d stairs," humbly replied the gate-keeper, and
e "And I'll lodge complaint against you acc<
n' ?yes. I will! Travelers have rights, and gov
e those rights must be maintained!" of t
C1 The fat man rushed half way up-stairs thai
e and the whistle of a yard engine made moi
cr him lialt and turn and rush down again, ity <
fj Reaching the gates of the Canada South- etn(
,f ern train, he called out: Cor
" It is vour business to give warning fina
[ at least three minutes before the train Sta
leaves!" wit
"And I'm going to do it," replied the twt
gate-keeper; " it is over twenty minutes tho
_ yet before train time. Please show your the
. ticket." circ
? "Show my ticket! Do you suppose a moi
e man in my position means to steal a ride afte
s on the hind trucks?" waj
e " The rule is for all passengers to sbow of
r their tickets." issu
? "I don't believe it, and I want your tior
e name! I'll eo up to the superintendent the
y and see it travelers have any rights in ent
u this depot. Your name, sir!" for
,f "My name is Bumps, sir, and I'm a icy
r poor widower with seven children to tofi
support." has
y "I don't care a cent if you've pot tior
p seventeen children to support. I'll in t
3 bump Bumps 'till he'll never darcsass the;
e another traveler!" of j
The fat man rushed up stairs ^gain, this
_ and was heard galloping the numerous pon
r halls and passages ana calling for the the
\ superintendent. The janitors passed su."
y him along until he came down the out- wit
? side stairs on the public street. " a
t "Have a hack, sir!" yelled about taxi
e forty drivers in chorus. gres
' "No, sir?no, sir!" he screamed in re- 'las
-1- tea
? plj,
s " This is all a put-up job to make me ^,e
i. miBS the train! Where do I go into the *U!I
j depot?" l?on
e "Have a wagon?" howled twenty expressmen
in his ears.
e "Never! Never! I want to get into T
? the depot! If I miss that train Til sue ***
3 the whole city!" j.'Tue
S( He was shown the public entrance, Uta
and he made a rush for a Flint and Pere the
n Marquette train just making up. polj
"That isn't the train for Toledo!" of
,. called several voices, and he. hurried erni
^ over to where Humps was standing and pop
(j said: - to i
jg "I'll fix you for this, sir! Let me oral
d through this gate!" the
y " ricket, pledge." ton
e " Yts: I'll show you my ticket, and as "to
(j soon as I reach Toledo I'll make an afli- ?po
ie davit of this affair and send it back to ihi
ie the superintendent!" . eve]
j He passed through and entered a the
ie coach. A woman was saying that she ble
t feiired her trunk had not come down on con
jj the baggage wagon, and he dumped his civi
ie parcels into a seat and said: woi
"I hope it hasn't! It will serve you this
'? just right to miss it! A person wiio nirr
hasn't got spunk enough to stand rielit teei
"s up to these railroad folks and let rem rec<
Is know what's what ought to lose her Utn
le trunk! They tried to bluff me around ties
a- just now, and when they found they opi
r- couldn't do it they couldn't be too hum- citi
id ble and obliging! Go out and blast .ion
lr them, madam?blast their eyes till they eua
can't rest I"?Detroit Free Press. ject
"Thanksgiving."
ill Only a song ol praise irom earth to heaven,
a- A keynote through the chord of time,
ae Which marks another year. ?
99 Only heart thanks for bounteous blessings (
in I eiven>
g1 I One stanza more in life's sweet rhyme,
ie For all -which makes lile dear. rp.
St
ie 0 s ly a fond embrace of heart to heart, ,ul
al An hour of bliss in childhood's homo ' \
ll, With " father," " mother " there, BU1
Only a germ of all that makes a part no
Of " giving thanks " in life to come, wl
e Is our" Thanksgiving" here. 8lE
>'? "I TT gT(
r? i rtUH* q
>y aff
'y ITEMS OF INTEREST coi
c- th<
Joseph Abair, of Winooski, Vt., is the
'S father of a boy six years old that weighs J
5" one hundred and five pounds. ?t?
"The music at a marriage procession,"
n says Heine, always reminds me of the
j. music of soldiers entering upon a battle."
;e England has waged forty-nine wars th(
to since 1300; France, thirty-eight; Russia, eqi
i. twenty-two; Austria, twelve, andPrus- th<
st sia, eight. chi
ft A new song is entitled ' My Love She coi
is is a Kitten." Kittens scratch like the dei
IE PRESIDENT'S MESSAG1
llow-cilizrns of the Senate and Hott
yf Jlepresenlatives :
The I members of rthe Forty-six
ngress have assembled in their fii
rular session under circumstances ca
; for mutual congratulations ai
iteful acknowledgment to the Giver
good for the large and unusual me
re of national prosperity which ^
w enjoy. The most interesting even
lich have occurred in our public affai
ice my last annual message to Co
2ss are connected with the finanei
erations of the government direct
eeting the business interest of tl
in try. I congratulate Congress <
i successful execution of the Resum
n act. At the time fixed and in tl
inner contemplated by law, Unit
ites notes began tobe redeemed incoi
ice the first of January last they ha1
:n promptly redeemed on presentati*
i in all business transactions, publ
i private, in all parts of the countr
jy are received and paid out as tl
livalent of coin. The demand upc
i treasury for gold and silver in e:
mge for United States notes has be<
nparatively small, and the voluntai
sosit of coin bullion in exchange f(
Ces haa been very large. The exce
the precious metals deposited or e:
mged for United States notes, ov
; amount ot United States notes r
;med is about $40,000,0u0
Che resumption of specie paymen
3 been followed by a very great r
ral of business. With a current
livalent in value to the money of tl
u ,
nmerciai worm, we mc cuauicu i
?r upon an equal competition wil
ler nations in trade ana productioi
e increasing foreign demand for 01
nufactures and agricultural produc
Y caused a large Balance of trade i
: favor, which has been paid in go
m the first of July last toc'^Tov. 15,1
i amount of about $59,000,000. Sim
i resumption of specie gaymen
ire has also been a marked and grat
ng improvement of the public credi
e bonds of the government, bearir
v four per cent, interest, have bee
a at cr above par, sufficient i
ount to payoff all of the nation:
)t which was redeemable under pre
; laws. The amount of interest save
lually bv the process of refunding tl
)t since March 1, 1877, is $14,297,17
e bonds sold were largely* in sma
ns, and the number of our citizei
v holding the public securities
ich greater than ever before,
'he amount of the national debt whic
tures within less than two years
12,121,700, of which $500,000,000 bei
erest at the rate of five per cent
1 the balance is in bonds bearing si
cent, interest. Itisbelievedthatth
t of the public debt can be refunde
the issue of four per cent, bond;
I by the reduction of interest wnie
1 thus be effected, about $11,000,OC
i he annually saved to the treasury
secure this important redaction <
Brest to be paid Dy the United State;
ther legislation is required, whicl
8 hoped, will be provided by Coi
as during its present session,
'he coinage of gold by the mints <
United States during the Inst fisci
x was $10,986,912. The coinage <
rer dollars since the passage of ti
for that purpose up to November
9, was $45,000,850, of which $12,700
have been issued from the treasur
1 are now in circulation, and $32,300
are still in the possession of the go\
ment. The pendency of the propos
a for unity of action between tfc
ited States and the principal con
rcial nations of Europe, to effect
manent system for the equality <
d and silver in the recognized mone
the world, leads me to recommen
t Congress refrain from new legish
i on the general subject. The gra
ival of trade, internal and foreigi
1 supply, during the coming year, il
n instructions, which may well b
lited before attempting lurther ei
imental measures with the coinage,
aid; however, strongly, ur?e upo
. /.nc tlin imnnrlnnr'n nf unt.nnrizin
Jgl COO UUU lUi^V&VMl>Vv ? ~
secretary of the treasury to suspen
coinage of silver dollars upon tli
sent legal ratio. The market valu
he silver dollar being uniformly an
;ely less than the market value of th
[I dollar, it is obviously iropracticabl
naintain them at par with each otlu
oth are coined without limit. If th
aper coin is forcod into circulation :
1, if coined without limit, soon b(
le the sole'standard of value, an
s defeat the desired object, which j
jurrency of both gold and silvei
ich shall be of equivalent valu<
lar for dollar, with the universall
ignized money of the world. Th
rement from circulation of Unite
tes notes, with the capacity of legi
^er in private contracts, is a step t
Laken in our progress towai d a sal
stable ^currency, which should b
epted as the policy and duty of th
ernment.and the interest and securit
he people. It is my firm convictio
t the issue of legal tender papei
aey, based wholly upon the author
of the government, except in extrem
srgency, is without wan-ant in th
istitution and a violation of soun
.ncial principles. The issue of Unite
tes notes during the late civil wai
h the capacity of legal tender b(
ien private individuals, was not at]
rized, except as a means of rescuin
country from imminent peril. Th
:uliition of these notes as pape
aey for any protracted period of tim
r tlifi acRnmnlishment of this purpos
i not contemplated by the framei
the law under which they wer
led. They anticipated the rederap
i and withdrawal of these notes a
earliest practicable period, consist
with the attainment of the objec
which they were provided. The pol
of the United States, steadily adhere
rom the adoption of the Constiutior
been to avoid the creation of a na
lal debt, and when, from necessity
,ime of war, debts have been created
y have bsen paid off on the retur:
jeace as rapidly as possible. Wit!
i view, and for this purpose, it is re
lmended that the existing laws fo
accumulation of a sinking fun<
icient to extinguish the public deb
Inn a limited period be maintained
ny change of the objects or rates c
ition is deemed necessary by Con
)s. it is suggested that experienc
shown that a duty can be placed oi
and coffee, which will not enhanc
price of those articles to the con
ler, and which will add several mil
9 of dollars annually to tne treasury
THE SUITKESSION OF POLYGAMY.
he continued deliberate violation b
rge number of the prominent and in
ntial citizens of the Territory c
h of the laws of the United States fo
prosecution and punishment c
fgamy, demands the attentioi
every department of the gov
tnent. This Territory has
ulation sufficient to entitle i
admission as a State, and the gen
interests of the nation, as well a
welfare of the citizens of the Terri
f, require its advance from the ter
rial form of government to the re
nsibilities and privileges of a State
s important change will not, how
r, be approved by the country whih
citizens of Utah, in very considers
number, uphold a practice which i
demned as a crime by the laws of al
lized communities throughout th
Id. The law for the suppression o
offence was enacted with great una
litv by Congress more than seven
x years ago, but has remained unt:
rntlv a dead letter in the Territory c
ih, because of the peculiar difficu
i attending its enforcement. Tb
nion widely prevailed among tli
zen3 of Utah that the law was i
travention of the constitution.'
tranteeof religious freedom. This oh
.ion is now removed. The suprem
E court of the United State3 has i
? the law to be within the leg
power of Congress, and bindin,
rule of action, lor all who resided
w the Territories. There is no lonj
reason for delay or hesitation in
forcement. It should be firmly
th fectively executed. If not suff
st stringent in its provisions, it sh<
"" amended, and, in aid of the pur
1(j view, I recommend that more c
?* hensive and more searching metb
preventing, as well as punishir
crime be provided. If necessary
ts cure obedience to the law, the
rs ment and exercise of the righ
n* privileges of citizenship in the T(
^ les of the United States'may be w
y or withdrawn from those who
"e or oppose the enforcement of the
)D this'subject.
P" The elections of the past year,
10 j :?.u
-- oecupieu uiuy wiwu olulc uiuce
2,1 not failed to elicit, in the politic
n* cussions which attended them a
ve the conntry, new and decisive e'
5.n of the deep interest which th<
10 body of citizens take in the pro/
y? the country toward a more genei
ie complete establishment, at wl
m cost, of universal security and f
x" in the exercise of the elective fra
5n While many topics of political <
7 demand great attention frjm our
3r both in the sphere of national an
?s authority, I hnd no reason to qua
K' opinion I expressed in my last
er message, that no temporary or a<
e" trative interests of government
ever urgent or weighty, will e*
^ play the zeal of our people in defi
e" the primary rights of citizenshi
;y that the power ol public opini<
ie override all political prejudices
to sectional atd State attachments,
manding that all over our wide te
the name and character of citizer
?r United States shall mean one i
ts same thing, and carry with th<
[j} challenged security and respect.
d nestly appeal to the intelligen
^ patriotism of all good citizens, ol
26 nor!-. n( flip nntinfrv. linwnvpr
to they may be divided in opini<
l" other political subjects, to unite i
pellingobedience to existing laws
at the protection of the right <
!n frage. I respectfully urge upo:
ir* gress to supply any defects ir
laws which experience has show
9* which it is within its power to ri
ld I again invoke the co-operation
ie executive and legislative author:
7 the States in this great purpose.
" fully convinced that if the public
can be set at rest on this para
question of popular rights, no i
,, object will thwart or delay the co
pacification of the country, or ret
I? general diffusion of prosperity.
REFORMING THE CIVIL SEKVIC
M
x In a former message I invited
is tention of Congress to the subject
d reformation of the civil service
s? government, and expressed the inl
h of transmitting to Congress, as e
X) practicabli, a report upon this sub
f- the chairman of the civil servici
^ mission. In view of the facts thi
s. ing a considerable period the g
1. ment of Great Britain has been c
1- with administrative problems
abuses, in various particulars ana
>1 to those presented in this counti
that, in recent years, the mc
adopted were understood to hav
effective and in every respect
I, satisfactory, I thought it desir;
have fuller information upon.tli
y ject. and accordingly requestc
chairman oi the civil service comi]
to make a thorough investignti
i- this purpose. Tlie result has b
elaborate and comprehensive i
i- The report sets forth the lr'st
a the partisan spoils system in
>f Britain and of the rise an
Y of the parliamentary patronage,
d official interference with the freec
i- elections. 11 shows that after Ion,
it of various kinds of examinations
i. which are competitive and open or
ts terms to all, and which are carr
>e under the superintendence of a
> commission, have with Jgreat adv
I been established as conditions of i
n sion to almost every official place
J subordinate administration of thai
try and of British India. The c<
ie tion of the report, owing to the
ie of the labor involved in its preps
d. and the omission of Congress tc
ie any provision either for the comper
Ie or the expenses of the commissic
-T been postponed until the present
ie It is herewith transmitted to
it gress. While the reform measu
-* another government are of no aut
for us, they are entitled to influf
18 the extent to which their intrinsi
!;? dom and their adaptation to our ii
tions and social life may comment
y to our consideration.
9 The views I have heretofore exf
j concerning the defects and abuses
11 civil administration remain unch
? except in so far as an enlarged e
e ence has opened my sense of the
,e both of officers and the people
e selves, to co-operate for their rer
y The grave evils and perils of a pai
P spoils system of appointment to
and of office tenure are now get
recognized. In the resolutions i
e great parties, in the reports of d
? ments, in the debates and proceedi
Congress, in the messages of execi
" the gravity of these evils, has
[ pointed out, and the nei'd of their j
' has been admitted. To commai
l" necessary support, every measure
B form must be based on common
e and justice, and must be comp
r with" the healthy existence of
e parties,- which are inevitable a
e sentialin afreeState. When the
3 have approved a policy at a na
e election, confidence on the part
oflicers they have selected and
1 advisers who, in accordance wii
r political institutions, Bhould be
suited in the policy which it is
duty to carry into effect is indis
d ble. It is eminently proper tha
' should explain it before the peo
r well as illustrate its spirit in th
formanoe of their official duties.
' It hardly need be pointed ou
" very different considerations ap]
f1 the greater number of those who 1
subordinate places in the civil se
I Their responsibility is to their
riors in official position. It is thei
1 to obey the legal instructions of
*. upon whom that authority is dev
and their best public service cons
the discharge of their functions
c epective of partisan politics. Th<
a ties are the same whatever part
e power, and whatever policy pn
" As a consequence, it follows tha
tenure of office should not depend
the prevalence of any policy, or t
premucy of any party, but should
termined by their capacity to ser
V nonmlc mnef- licpfilllv. nilitfi irTPST]
_ J J r
if of partisan interests. The same e<
r erations that should govern the I
should also prevail in the appoint
a discipline, and removal of tlicse i
. dinates. The authority of appoin
n and removal is not a perq
t which may be used to a
. friend or reward a partisan, bu
3 trust to be exercised in the public
. est under all the sanctions which !
.. the obligation to apply the public
. only for public purposes. Every c
, has an equal right to the hono
[>rofit of entering the public sen
lis country. The only just grot
discrimination is the measure of cl
g ter and capacity he has to mak<
j service most usetul to the people.
cept in cases where, upon just a
< cognized principles, as upon the t
. of pensions, offices and promotioi
bestowed as rewards for past sei
i"j their bestowal upon any theory
disregards personal merit is an act
l_ justice to the citizen, as well as a 1
c of that trust subject to which t
nAinfinnr ? "lTrror \a llfiM
g JiVJUUlUg px'UVi AO liV.U.
11 rnOPER METHODS OF EXA3IINAT
il In the light of these principles,
i- comes of great importance to pi
e just and adequate means, especia
decided every department and -large adminisislative
Jrative office where personal discriminag,
as a tion on the part of its head is not prac1
within ticable, for ascertaining those qualifica?er
any tions to which appointments and refits
en- movals should have reference. To fail
and ef- to provide such means is not only to
Iciently deny the opportunity of ascertaining the
)uld be facts upon which the most righteous
pose in claim to office depends, but of necesompre
sity to discourage all worthy asodsfoi
pirants by handing over appointtg,
this nients andremovals to mere inf
to se- fluence and favoritism. If it is the
enjoy- 'right of the worthiest claimant to
ts and gain the appointment, and the
srritor- interest of th? people to bestow it upon
ithheld bim, it would seem clear that a wise
violate find just method of ascertaining personal
law on fitness for office must needs be an imoortant
and .permanent function of
though every just anawise government. It has
9, have long since become impossible, in the
jal dis- great offices, for those having the duty
.11 over of nomination and appointment to perridence
sonally examine into the individual
2 great qualifications of more than a small pro
yess of portion ol t&ose seeking office, and with
ml and the enlargement of civil service that
mtever proportion must continue to become
reedom leas. In the earlier years of the govnchise.
ernment, the subordinate offices were
:oncevn so few in number that it was easy for
people, those making appointments and prornoa
State tions to personally ascertain the merits
lify the of the candidates. Party managers and
annual methods had not then become powerIminis
ful agencies of coercion hostile to
, how- the free and just exercise of theappoint'er
dis- ing power.
ince of A large and responsible part of the
ip, and duty of restoring the civil service to the
jn will desired purity and efficiency rests upon
and all the President, and it has been my purin
de- po^p to do what is in my power to adrritory'
vance such prudent and gradual measl
of the ures of reform as will most surely and
ind the rapidly bring about that radical change
?m un- of system essential to make our adminI
ear- istration methods satisfactory to a free
ce and and intelligent people. By a proper ex:
every ercise of authority it-is in the power of
much the executive to do much to promote
jns on such a reform. But it cannot be too
n com- clearly understood that nothing ade
i aimed qua.lb can dc accompiisnea witnouc coof
suf- operation on the part of Congress, and
n Con- considerate and intelligent support
i these anions: the people. Reforms which
rn, and challenge the generally-accepted theosmedy.
ries of parties, and demand changes in
of the %the methods of departments, are not the
ities of work of a day. Their permanent
I am foundations must be laid in sound prinmind
ciples, and in an experience which
imount demonstrate their wisdom and exooses
seriou3 '^e errors 01 their adversaries. Every
mplete wort;hy officer desires to make his ofara
the ac^011 a Rain and an honor to his
country, but the people themselves, far
more than their officers in public sta:E*
tion, are interested in a pure, economitbe
at- cal, and vigorous administration.
of the By laws enacted in 1853 and 1855, and
of the now in substance incorporated in the
tention revised statutes, the practice of arbitrary
arly as appointments to the several subordinate
jectby grades in the great departments was
e com- condemned, and examinations as to
fit dur- capacity, to be conducted by departovern
mental boards of examiners, were prolealing
vided for and made "conditions of adi
and mission to the public service. Those
lnnrAiio 1?n- ? it.-i
3Uk*Ul/C0 ttl'C ? UTOiOlUU Uy VUIIglCZS} UJ .h
y, and examinations of some sort as to attain asures
menta and -capacity are essential to tho
e been well-being ot the public service. The
highly important questions since the enactment
ible to of these laws have been as to the characic
sub- ter of these examinations and whether
:d the official favor and partisan influence or
nission common right and merit were to control
on lor the access to tho examinations. In
ieen an practice, these examinations have not
report, always been open to worthy persons
orv of generally who might wiifh to be examGreat
ined; official favoritism and partisan ind
fall flnence, as a rule, appear to have desigand
of nated those who alone were permitted
lom of to go before the examining boards, subK
trials jeoting oven the examiners to a pressure
, those from tho friends of the candidates very
1 equal difficult to resist. As a consequence,
iea on tho standard of admission fell besingle
low that which the public interest
antuge demanded. It was almost ineviddmis
table that a. system which provided
in the for various separate boards of examint
coun- ers, with no common supervision or
jmple- uniform method of procedure, should reextent
suit in confusion, inconsistency, and inLration
adeanate tests of c&rauritv. hicrhlv detri
? make mental to the public interest. A furisation
ther and more radical change was ob>n,
has vioasly required. In the annnal mes;
time, sage of December, 1870, my predecessor
Con- declared that 44 there is no duty which
res of so much embarasses the Executive and
hority heads of departments as that of appoint>nce
to ments, nor is there any such arduous
c wis- and thankless labor imposed on Sonators
nstitu- and Representatives as that of finding
I them places for constituents. The present system
does not secure the best men, and
tressed often not even fit men, for the public
in our places. The elevation and purification
langed of the civil service of the government
xperi- will be hailed with approval by the
duty, whole people of the United States."
them- Congress accordingly passed theact. apnoval.
proved March 3,1871. 44 to regulate the
rtisan- civil service of the United States and
office promote the efficiency thereof." giving
lerally th. necessary authority to the Executive
of the to institute a civil service reform.
epart- woitic of tiie commission.
ings of Acting under this statute, which was
II! ' interpreted as intended to secure a sys pform
lem of just and effectual examinations,
id the un(^er uniform supervision, a number of
of p eminently competent- persons were
riVht se^ected for the "purpose, who entered
iahKIp zea^ upon l*ie discharge of their
' irmif duties, prepared with an intefligent*apnd
p?I preciation of the requirements of the
pnnlp scrvice regulations contemplated,
Prop , and took charge of the examinations,
ft) ^nd who, in their capacity as a board,
OI. r|ie have been known as the 44 Civil Service
oi tne Commission." Congress for two years
in our appr0priated the money needed for the
1 compensation and for the expense of
i tneir on the work of the commission.
pensa- jt appCftr3 from the report of the eom,
^ mission, submitted to the President in
p !lf April, 1874. that examinations had been
e Per" held in various sections of the country,
. , and that an appropriation of about $25,t,
lD!u 000 would bo required to meet the an^ii
th nUa* exPenses- including salaries, in111.
volved in discharging the duties of the
"!"' ommission.
l if rePor' was transmitted to ConCTess
by special message of April 18,
olvpfl the following favorable com Qta
iM ment uPon t'ie labors of the commis1
i~ _ sion: " If sustained by Congress, I have
"7?" no doubt the rules can, after the experiin
cnce ga>ned? be so improved and enforced
as to still more materially benefit
t flip r 'be public service and relieve the execuI
linnn tive, members of Congress,and the heads
ho 9ii- departments from influences prejuhc
Hp- dieial to good administration. The
"p 11 " rules, as they have hitherto been enpotivp
forced, have resulted beneficially, as is
shown by the opinions of the members
irnsic- of the cabinet and their subordinates in
tenure the departments, and in that opinion I
ment, concur." And in the annual message of
jubor- December of the same year, similar
tmcnt views are expressed, and an appropria
[Uisite tion lor continuing tne worfc oi tne corald
a mission again advised. The appropriat
is a tion was not made, and, as a conseinter
quence, the active work of the comittend
mission w&s suspended, leaving
funds the commission itself in existence,
iitizen without the means, therefore, of
ir ancl causing qualifications to be tested
rice of jn any systematic manner, or of
inf|( 01 securing for the public service the
lar.'tC- n/^TTonfo n?oa nf nnm nnfifiAw htvam
. im T V/* vviupvwiwiuu upuu ttJJ V
e that extensive plan. I recommended in my
^x" annual message of December, 1877, the
na re- making of an appropriation for the re-heory
sumption of the work of the commission,
as are jQ t^e meantime, however, competitive
*V? h examinations, under many embarass- |
whlpD ments, have been conducted, within I
'011 nr limited spheres, in the executive departjreacu
mentg Washington, and in a number
he ap- the custom houses and postofllces of
the principal cities of the country, with
ion. a yiew to further test their effects, and
it be- in every instance- they have been found j
rovide to be aa salutary as they are stated to |
Uyior htyyfl been under the Admyilsftatjon of
my predecessor.- I think the econS&y,
purity and efficicncy of the public scr- waa
vice would bo greatly promoted by their
systematic introduction, wherever prae- wh<
ticable, throughout the entire civil ser- 1
vice of the government, together with ber
ample provision for their general super- y?tt
vision, in order to secure consistency
AM J t?n?(Uim\ aa Aiavm iV>/\ X,
auu UliJIUllii jiumu;. HC^UII/0 UUUi tuc ...
secretary of the interior, from the
postmaster-general, from the post- ~
master in the city' of New York, *?!:
where such examinations have been
some time on trial, and also HI"*
from the collector of the port the naval v"
officer and the surveyor in that city,
and from the postmasters and collectors 2,?"
in several of the other large cities, show fjr
that the competitive system, where ap- "r.
piied, has in. various ways contributed ?H5V
to improve the public service. The re
ports show that the results have been
salutary in a marked degree, ami that *
the general application of similar rules
cannot fail to be of decided benefit to
the service. The report"? of the government
officers in the city of New York
especially, bear decided testimony to the
utility of open competitive examinations
in tneir respective offices, showing that ?
" these examinations, and the excellent
qualifications of those admitted to the
service through them, have- had a RfJ
marked incidental effect upon the per- 3
SAdfl (ivantAtialtf ikrt J 8&11I
oyuj^iCTiuiuij iU UlC 9CI Y ll/C| cVUU pat*
'ticularlv upon tbose aspiring to promo- ???J
tion. Thero has been, on the part ol clwl
these latter, an increased interest in the
work, and a desire to extend acquaint- eny
ance with it beyond a particular desk, c^?1
and thus the morale of the entire force ^
has been raised. The examinations 'uej
have been attended by many citizens, gUbj
who have had an. opportunity to tj01j
thoroughly investigate the scope and
character of the tests and the method of maj
determining the results, and those visi- 8tjDI
tors have, without exception approved ^
the modes employed, and several of them non
have publicly attested their favorable re r
opinion upon such considerations." I
deem it my duty to renew the recom- ;B
mendalion contained in my annual mes- mur
sage of December, 1877, requesting Congress
to make the necessary appropriation
for the resumption of the work of
the civil service commission. Economy port
will be promoted bj authorizing a mod- .
erate compensation to persons in the
public service who may perform extra ~?;
labor upon or under the commission, as E,~?
the executive may direct. fwj
I am convinced that if a just and defi- zL J"
nite test of merit is enforced for adniie- Sf?
sion to the public service and in making .
promotions, such abuses as removal 15 ]
wiuiouc gooa cause ana partisan ana rv"
official intjrference with the proper ex- . v
ercise of the appointing power, will, in
a large measure, disappear. There arc
other administrative abuses to which *
the attention ofCongre^s should be asked
in this connection. Mere partisan appointmerit
and the constant peril of re- J'1"?
moval without cause very naturally lead rpV
to an absorbing and mischievous politi- j
cal activity on the part of those thus rrp.|
appointed, which not only interferes "*1 *
with the due discharge of official duty,
but is incompatible with the freedom of IKr,
elections. Not without warran;, in the
view of several of my predecessors in d
the presidential office, and directly in j"l
accordance with the lawofl87l, already
cited, I endeavored, by regulation made
on the twenty-second of .Tune, 1877. to ? j
put some reasonable limits to such f?in?
abuse*.' * X
It may hot be easy, and it may never, t? *
perhaps, be necessary, to define with j
precision the proper limit of political junction
on the part of federal officers. h 1 '
But while tl.eir right to hold and freely gj_nj
express their opinions cannot be ques- * ,
tioned, it Is very plain that they should J*
neither be allowed to devote to other f,
subjects the time needed for the proper mcaj
discharge of their official duties, nor to rjOU{
use the authority of their office to rn- >T<hc
force their own opinions, or to o.orr< e Itn^
the political action of those who hold *ues
different opinions. Reasons of justice IJn(j <
and public policy quite analogous to ^
those which forbid the use of ofticial raeaa
power for the oppression of the private reafjj
citizen impose up*m the govern- tjiei;
ment the duty of protecting its mutl
officers and agents from arbitrary praC|
exactions. In whatever aspect considered,
the practice of making levies lor
party purposes upon the salaries of noun
officers is highly demoralizing to the enerf
public service and discreditable to the mHI1(
country. Though an officer should be side <
as free as any other citizen to give his struc
own money in aid of his opinions or his nient
party, he should also be as free as any gr?at
other citizen to refuse to make such whei
gifts. Tf salaries are but a fair compen- now
sation for the time and labor of the offi- this :
cers, it is gross injustice to levy a tax pecta
upon them. If they are made excessive previ
in qrder that they may bear the tax, the soon
excess is an indirect robbery of the pub- a m,
lie funds. I recommend, therefore, such 0
a revision and extension of present cross
statutes as shall secure to those in every
grade of official life or public employ- J? ?
ment the protection with which a great ?ri.e
and enlightened nation should guard a?rfljn
those who are faithful in its service. :
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES -~J,
Our relntions with foreign countries P?1.? 1
have continued peaceful. With Great DU"?
Britain there are still unsettled questions,
growing out of the local laws of thenqari- 131001
lime provinces and the action of provin- coun.'
cial authorities, deemed to be in derogn- P^1
tion of rights secured by treaty to Amen- ^ m
can fishermen. TheUnited States minister indus
in London has been instructed to presenf ment
a demand for $ 105,305.02. in view of th try.
damages received by American citizen0 of Cc
I at Fortune Bav on the sixth day o8 legisl
January, 1878." The subject has been . Dip
taken in consideration by the British is &g
government, and an early reply is anti- of a r
cipated. Upon the completion of the ne- Unit*
cessary preliminary examination, the tun at
subject of our participation in the pro- tion
vincial fisheries, as regulated by treaty, centl;
will at once be brought to the attention aspec
of the British government, with a view theC
to an early and permanent settlement whoe
of the whole question, which was only ragui
temporarily adjusted by the treaty of trust<
Washington. Efforts have been made oi> tl
to obtain the removal of restrictions prose
found injurious to the exportation of mure
cattle to the United Kingdom. Some 9wn
correspondence has also occurred with State
regard to the rescue and saving of life iized
and property upon the lakes, which has s^?u
resulted in important modifications oi I
the previous regulations of the Do- State
minion government on the subject in for ^
the interest of humanity and commerce, the C
In accordance with the joint resolution capit
of the last session' of Congress, com- be fi
missioners were appointed to reoresent Euro
the United States at the two inter- antee
national exhibitions in Australia, one Dii
of which is now in progress at Sidney, also I
and the other to be held next year at of a
Melbourne. A desire haa been expressed war
by our merchants and manufacturers still <
interested in the important and growing not d
trad"} with Australia that an increased matt
provision should be made by Coneress govei
for the representation of our industries that
at the Melbourne exhibition of next ment
year, and the subject is respectfully sub' tion
mittcd to your favorable consideration, will 1
The assent of the government has shall
been given to the landing on the coast Cord
of Massachusetts of a new and inde- and
pendent transatlantic cable between with
France, by way of the French island of provi
St. Pierre, and this country, subject to mail
any future legislation of Congress on the betw
subject. The conditions imposed, be- the i
fore allowing this connection with our to n
shores to be established, are such as to Cong
secure its comDetition with any exist- of an
r?i. 1 r ?. .._ 1.1? J
ing or juiure lines 01 marine rame, mm | wnm
preclude amalgamation therewith. To trade
provide for entire equality of rights to has b
our government and people witfi those of a
of France and in the use of the cable, govei
and prevent any exclusive possession of recof
the privilege as accorded by France to awwj
the disadvantage of any future cable whic
communication oetweenFrance and the ofcoi
United States which may be projected h:is b
and accomplished by our citizens, an make
important reduction of the present rates privi
ol cable communication with Europe, Same
felt to be too burdensome to the interests coahi
of our commerce, must necessarily flow whic]
from the establishment of this compel- Unite
line. The attention of Congress
i drawn to the propriety'of some
;ral regulation by Congress of th?
)le subject of transuiarwe cables by * <
predecessor in his message of Decern*
7,1875, and I respectfully submit to
r consideration the importance of
rressional action in this matter.
Ee questions of grave importance
h 8pa!n, growing outof the incidents
tie Cuban insurrection, have been, for
most part, happily and honorably
Led. It may reasonably be anticipated
; the commission, now sitting in
shington, for the decision of private
is in this connection, will soon be
! to bring its labors to a conclusion,
long-standing question of East Flo.
nlflimo Via a lafoltf Kaam MnAttrA^ mm m J
* vuuuio um MVbiJ (/VVU lUlCfTVU OO A
ect of correspondence, and may pusv
require congressional action for its
I disposition.
treaty with the Netherlands, with
>ectto consular rights and privileges,
Elar to those with other powers, has
1 signed and ratified, and the ratifions
were exchanged on the thirtyof
July last, Negotiations for ex- .
ition treaties with the Netherlands
with Denmark are now in progress.
>me questions with Switzerland in
ird to pauper and conviot emigrants
e arisen, but it is not doubted that
r will be arranged upon a just and
jfactory basis. A question has also
urred with respect to an asserted,
m by Swiss municipal authorities to '
cise tutelage oyer persons and propof
S wifls citizens naturalized in this
ltry. It is possible thismay require
istment by treaty.
rith fhe German empire frequent
itions arise in connection with the
iects of naturalization and expatria,
but the imperial government has
stontly manifested a desire to strictly
ntain ana comply witn all treaty
alaticms in regard to them.
l consequence of the omission of
gress to provide for a diplomatic - V
esentative at Athens, the legation , t'
rreece has been withdrawn. There
)w no channel of diplomatic comlication
between the two countries,
>me ionuif submitted to Congress.
flat ions with Austria. Russia, Italy,
ugal, Turkey arid Belgium continue
?ble, and marked by no incident of ' v
cial importance. A change of the
onal head of the government ot ' '
pt has taken place No change, how,has
occurred inthe relations hero
Eg^pt and the United States.
action of the Egyptian government
presenting to the city of New
i one of the ancient obewhich
possess such historical
'est is highly appreciated ju
lerous mark of international regard.
rosperity should attend the enters
of its transportation across the Atc,
its erection in a conspicuous port
in the chief commercial city of the
>n will be soon accomplished.
ic treaty recently made between
m and the United States, in regard
lie revision 6f former treaties, it is
believed will be followed by similar
in on the partof other treaty powers.
attention of Congress is again inI
to the subject of tho. indemnity
s received some years since from
in and China, which with their aculated
interest, now amount to con nble
sums. If any* part of tl:eso
s is justly due to American citiicna
should receive it promptly, and
tevcr may- have been received by
government in excess of strictly just
iinds, should in some form, be reed
to the nations to whom it equitably
ngs. The government of China hat
ifiedit* willingness to considei the
Lion of the emigration of its subjects
e United States with a dispassionairness,
and to co-operate in such,
sures as may' tend to prevent injuj
conscquences to the United States,
negotiations are still proceeding
will be passed with diligence. A
tion haVing arisen between China
Japan about the Loochoo Inland*,
Jmted States government lias taken
ures to inform those powers of its
iness to extend its good offices for
oaintenance of peace, if they shall
tally deem it desirable and find it
;icable to avail themselves of the
er. '
is a gratification to be able to anec
that, through the judicious and
;etic action or the military comJcrs
of the two nations on each
of the Rio Grande, ondr>r the intions
of their respective governs,
raids and depredations have
ly decreased, aud in the localities
e formerly most destructive, have
almost wholly ceased. In view of
result, I entertain a confident Hilton
that tho continuance of the
ilence of quiet on the border will
become so assured as to justify,
odification of the present orders
ur military commnnders, ns to
ine the border, without encour
; such disturbances as would
lger the peace of the two countries,
third installment of the award
st Mexico under the claims comon
of July 4, 1868, was duly
ind has been put in course of distort
in pursuance of the act of Conproviding
for the same. This sat-f
ory situation between the two
xies leads me to anticipate an exoc
of our trade with Mexico and
creased contribution of capital and
itry by our people to the developofthe
great resources of that counI
earnestly commend to the wisdom
mgress th? provision of suitable
ation looking to this result,
ilomatic intercourse with Colombia
nin fully restored by the arrival
ninistcr from that country to the
id States. This is especially for0
in view of the lact that the quesof
an interoceanic canal has rey
assumed a new and important
:t and is now undir discussion with
entral American countries,through
te territory the canal by the Nica1
route would have to pass. It is
ed that enlightened statesmanship
ieir part will see tlxat the early
icutiod of such a work will largely
to the benefit, not only of their
citizens and those of the United
s, but of the commerce of the civiworld.
It is not doubted that
Id the work be undertaken under
>rotective auspices of the United
s, and upon satisfactory concessions
le right of way and its security by
l^ntrol Imprison irnvommflnta t.hp
:ii for its completion would readily
arnished from this country ana
pe which might, failing such guari8,
prove inaccessible.
slomatic relations with Chili have
been strengthened by the reception
minister from that country. The
between Peru, Bolivia and Chili
jontinues. The United States have
eemed it proper to interpose in the
er further than to convey to all the
rnments concerned the assurance
the friendly offices of the eovernof
the United States for the restoraof
peace upon an honorable basis
be extended, in case the belligerents
exhibit a readiness to accept them,
ial relations continue with Brazil
the Argentine Republic, and trade
those countries is improving. A
ision for regular and more frequent
communication, in our own sfips,
een the ports of this country and
lations of South America, seems
ae to deserve the attention of
ress as an essential precursor
enlargement of our commerce with
and an extension of our carrying
. A recent revolution in Venezuela
>een followed by the establishment
provisional government. This
rnment has not yet been formally
? - S- J J ! U1- A.~
7?izea, Mia it is aeemea aesirauic iu
t the proposed action of the people
I) is expected to give it the sanction
istitutional form?. A naval vessel
een sent to the Samoan islands, to
i surveys and take possession of the
leges ceded to the United States by
?a, in the harbor of Pa?o-Pago. A
ig station is to be establistiedthere,
li will be convenient and useful to
d States vessels.
Jiini tf'i/?' '?