The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1871-12-07

of Congress, be excluded from such an am.
nesty. This subject is submitted for your
careful consideration. The condition of
the Southern States is unhappily not such
as all true patriotic citizens would like to
see. Ostracism for opinions sake, threats
Of personal violence toward persons enter
tanning political views opposed to those
entertained by the majority Of the old
citizens, prevents immigration and the
flow of much needed capital into the States
lately in rebellion. 1t will be happy
condition of the country when the old cit
izens of these States will take an interest
in public affairs, promulgate ideas horestly
entertained, vote for men representing
their views, and tolerate the same freedom
of expression and ballot in those enter
tanning different political convictions.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Under the provisions of the act of Con-
gress, approved February 81, 1871, a ter
ntorial government was organized in the
District of Columbia Its results have
thus far fully realized the expectations of
its advocates. Under the direction of the
territorial officers, q system of improve
ments has Feen inaugurated, by means
of which Washington is rapidly be-
coming city worthy of the nations cap
ital. The citizens of the District having
voluntarily taxed themselves to a large
amount for the purpose of contributing to
the arrangement of the seat of govern
ment | recommend several appropria-
tions on the part of Congress, IN order
that the government may bear its lust
share of the expense Of carrying out ju-
dlcious system of Impro eement.
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS IN CHICAGO.
By the great fire in Chicago the most
! important of the government buildings
of that city were consumed. Those burn
/ ed had already become inadequate to the
wants of the government in that growing
city, and, looking to the near future, were
| totally inadequate. l recommend there
fore, that an appropriation be maoa i'm
mediately to purchase the remainder of
the square on which the burned buildings
stood, provided it can be purchased at
fair valuation, or provided that the Legis-
, lature of Illinois can pass law authoriz-
ing its condemnation for government pur-
poses; aud also an appropriation Of as
much money as can properly be expended
toward the erection of new buildings dur
ing this fiscal year.
PROTECTION OF IMMIGRANTS.
The number of immigrants ignorant OF
our laws, habits, &C., coming into our
country annually has become so great
and the impositions practiced upon them
so numerous and hagrant, that l suggest
Congressional action for their protection
1t seems to me fair subject of legisla-
ton by Congress. l cannot now state a:
fully as desire the natnre of the COM
plants made By immigrants of the treat
ment they receive but will endeavor to
do so during the session of Congress, par
ticularly if the subject should receiv,
your attention.
HONESTY AND EFFICIENCY IN PUB LIZ
OFFICES.
It has been the aim of the administra
tion to enforce honesty and efficiency il
all public offices. Every public servan
who has violated the trust placed in hin
has been proceeded against with all tn,
vigor of the law. If bad men have Sc
cured places, it has been the fault of tn
system established by law, the custom o
making appointments, or the fault Q
those who recommend for government DO
sltions persons not sufficiently well known
to them personally, or who give letter
indorslng the character of otfice-seeker
without a proper sense of the grave re
, sponsibility which such a course devolve
upon them. A civil service reform, whic
can correct this abuse, is much desired
. In mercantile pursuits, the business ma
who gives a letter of recommendation /
q friend to enable him to obtain credi
from stranger, is regarded as morally re
, sponsihle for the integrity of his frien
and his ability to meet his obligation,
A reform2tory law, which would enforc
| oil ,f
! sons for putllc place, would insure grea
, caution in making recommendations.
: salutary lesson mas been taught the care
i, less and the dishonest public servant i
, the great number of prosecutions and con
+ vlcuons of the last two years. 1t Is graf
+ flying to notice the favorable chang
which is taking place throughout th
country IN bringing to punishment thes
. who have proven recreant TO the trus
, confded to them. and IN elevaUIng To pub
I lie Office hone but those who possess tn
confidence of the honest and virtuou
who will always be found to comprise th
) majority Of the community In which the
live,
2 THE CIVIL SERVICE BoAEr.
: In my message TO Congress one yea
= ago. l urgently recommended reform i
t the civil service of the country In con
= formity with that recommendation Cor
? gress, in the ninth section of an act nah
f ing appropriations for sundry civil ez
penSes of the Government and for othe
= purposes. approved March Sd, 1871, CAV
i the necessary authority to the Executiv
E to inaugurate civil service reform, an
h placed upon him the responsibility of doin
E so. Under the authority of said act
= convened board of gentlemen eminentl
r qualified for the work, to devise rules an
regulations to effect the needed reform
Their labors are not yet completed, but
is believed that they will succeed tn devils
\ ing a plan which can be adopted to th
= great relief of the Executive, the heads
: departments and members of Congress
: and which will rebound to the true inter
= est of the public service. At al! event
! the experiment shall have fair trial.
have thus hastily summed the opera
tions of the Government during the lai
year, and made such suggestions as occr
= to me to be proper for your consideration
= l submit them with confidence that you
: combined action will be wise, statesman
! like, and in the best interests of the whol
= country q. S. GRANT.
e Executive MANsIOx December 4, 1871
j.
AoD C.KNGRFSR-9n SEESInN