150 LIVES OF THE PRESIDENTS sound financial principles." He recommended a vigorous enforcement of the laws against polyg amy in the territory of Utah. He presented a strong argument in favor of civil-service reform, pointed out the successful trial of the competitive system in the interior department, the post-office department, and the post-office and custom-house in New York, and once more earnestly urged that an appropriation be made for the civil-service com mission, and that all persons in the public service be protected by law against assessments for party ends. But these recommendations remained with out effect. On February 12, 1880, President Hayes issued a second proclamation the first having been put forth in April, 1879 against the attempts made by lawless persons to possess themselves for settle ment of lands within the Indian territory and effective measures were taken to expel the invaders. On March 8, 1880, he sent to the house of repre sentatives a special message communicating corre spondence in relation to the interoceanic canal, which had passed between the American and for eign governments, and expressing his own opinion on the subject as follows: "The policy of this country is a canal under American control. The United States cannot consent to the surrender of this control to any European power, or to any com bination of European powers. If existing treaties
