Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-12-12
NUMBER 10.

Bureaus and officials holding positions of re
: sponsbility, and requiring ability and characte
to I'LL properly, is one to which your attention
J is invited. But few of the officials receive
compensation equal to the respectable supper
, OF family, while their duties are such as Il
J involve millions of interest. In private Tiff
services demand compensation equal to the ser
wees rendered, and wise economy would dictate
the same rule In the government service.
have not given the estimate for the support Of
government for the edsuing year, nor the com.
paratve statement between the expenditures
for the year just passed and the one Just pre-
ceding, because all these figures are contained
In the accompanying reports, or in those pre-
sented directly to Congress. These estimates
have my approval.
More than six years having elapsed since the
last hostile gun was fired between the armies
then arrayed against each other-one for the
perpetuatlon, the other for the destruction of
the Union-it may well be considered whether
It Is not now time that the disabilities imposed
by the XIVth amendment should be removed.
That amendment does not exclude the ballot.
but only imposes the disability to hold offices
upon certain classes. When the purity of the
ballot IS secure, majorities are sure to elect of
| hcers rejecting the views of the majority.
do not see the advantage or propriety of ex-
Guiding men from Office, merely because they
were, before the rebellion, of standing and char
aeter sufficient to be elected to positions requir-
Ing them to take 0aths to support the consti-
tuition, and admitting to eligibility those enter
tanning precisely the same views, but of less
standing in their communities
| lt may be said that the former violated an
oath, while the latter did not. The latter did
not have the power to do so. If they had ta-
ken this oath, it cannot be doubted they would
| have broken it as did the former class. If
there are any great criminals distinguished a.
boVe all others, for the part they took In opposi-
tion to the government, they might in the judg-
ment OF Congress, be excluded from such an
| amnesty. This subject is submitted for your
careful consideration.
The condition of the Southern States is, un-
happily, not such as all true patriotic citizens
would like to see. Social ostracism for opin-
ions sake, personal violence, or threats to
wards persons entertaining political views op-
posed to those entertained by the majority of
the old citizens, prevents immigration and the
How OF much-needed capital into the States
lately IN rebellion. 1t will be a happy condi-
ton OF the country when the old citizens of
these States will take an interest In public af-
fairs, promulgate ideas honestly entertained,
vote for men representing their views and tol-
| crate the same freedom of expression and bal
LOT in those entertaining different political con-
victions.
Under the provisions Of the act of Congress
approved February 2lst, 1871, a territorial
government was organized in the District of
Columbia. Its results have thus far fully re-
| alized the expectations of its advocates. Un-
der the direction of the territorial officers a
system OF improvement has been inaugurated
by means OF which Washington is rapidly be-
coming city worthy of the nation capital
The citizens of the District have voluntarily
taxed themselves to large amount for the
purpose OF contributing to the adornment of
the seat OF government. | recommend liberal
appropriations on the part of Congress, in or
der that the government may bear its just share
of the expense of carrying out judicious sys-
TEN OF Improvements
By the great fire in Chicago, the most i'm
portant OF the government buildings in that
city were consumed. Those burned had al
ready become inadequate to the wants of the
government IN that growing city, and, looking
to the near future, were totally inadequate. /
| recommend, therefore, that an appropriation
be made Immediately to purchase the remain
der or the square on which the burned build
ings stood, provided it can be purchased at a
fair valuation, or provided that the Legislature
OF Illinois will pass law authorizing its con-
demnatlon for government purposes; and also
an appropriation Of as much money as can
properly be expended towards the erection of
new buildings during the next fiscal year.
The number oil Immigrants, ignorant of our
| laws, habits, &c-, coming into our country an
nusily, has become so great, and the imposi-
| tions praciiced upon them so numerous and fla
grant, that | suggest Congressional action for
| their protection. 1t seems to me fair subject
of legislation by Congress. | cannot now state
| as fully as [ desire the nature of the COM
| plants made by immigrants of the treatment
they receive, but will endeavor to do so during
the session of Congress-, particularly if the sub
| ject should receive your attention.
1t has been the aim of the administration to
enforce honesty and efficiency in all public Off
ces. Every public servant who has violated
the trust placed in him, has been proceeded
| against with all the rigor Of the law. If bad
men have secured places, it has been the fault
OF the system established by law and custom
| for making appointments, or the fault of those
who recommend for government positions per-
sons not sufficiently we'll known TO them per-
sonally, or who give letters endorsing the char
| acters Of office-seekers, without proper sense
of the grave responsibility which such course
! devolves upon them. A civil service reform,
| which can correct this abuse is much desired.
| In mercantile pursuits the business man who
| gives letter of recommendation to friend to
enable him to obtain credit fr IN stranger, is
regarded as morally responsible for the integri-
/ ty of his friend and his ability to meet his OBJ
| URattOuS. n FGIOEIudtOfJ law NuiCu HOuiu Gu
force this principle against all endorsers of per-
sons for public place would insure great eau
| tion in making recommendations. A saintary
| lesson has been taught the careless and the
| dishonest public servant in the great number
of prosecutions aud convictions OF the last two
| years.
| 1t is gratifying to notice the favorable change
which is taking place throughout the country
| in bringing to punishment those who have
proven recreant to the trusts conided to them,
and in elevating to public Office none but those
who possess the confidence of the honest and
the virtuous, who, it will always be found, COM
prise the majority of the community In which
they live.
In my message to Congress one year ago, |
urgently recommended reform In the civil
service of the country. In conformity with
that recommendation. Congress, in the ninth
section of IAN act making appropriations for
| sundry civil expenses OF the government and
for other purposes, approved March Sd, 1871,
gave the necessary authority to the Executive
to inaugurate civil service reform, and placed
upon HIM the power of doing so. Under the
authority of said act / convened board OF
gentlemen, eminently qualified Tor the work,
to devise rules and regulations to effect the
needed reform. Their iabors arc not yet COM
plete, but it is believed that they will succeed
in devising plan which can be adopted to the
great reliei OF the Executive, the heads OF de-
partments and Members OF Congress, ana
which will rebound to the true interests OF the
public service. At all events the experiment
shall have a lair trial. | have thus hastily
.....ol - - = onerations of the government