The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-12-05

men An amnesty. The condi-
t;ou of the South is not such %
ali patriotic citizens could desire.
II will be a happy condition OF the
.orntrv when the old citizens Of these
States will take an interest in public
Affairs promulgate their views honest.
- vote for men to represent
their views, and permit the same
freedom of expression and the oaiio: 70
those entertaining different poiiticai
convictions.
THE TERRITORY OF COLUMBIA.
Under the provisions Of an act ag,,
nroyed February 81, 1871, q territorial
government was organized in the Dis
trict of Columbia. Its results have
TINS far fully realized the expectations
of it's advocates. Under direction OF
territorial officers system OF improve
ment has been inaugurated by means OF
which Washington is rapidly becoming
a CITY worthy of the Nations Capital.
The citizens of the District have volun-
tarily taxed themselves to a large
amount for the purpose Of contributing
TO the advancement OF the seat OF gov
ernment. recommend liberal appro-
priation from Congress in order thst the
Government may pay its Just snare OF
the expenses of carrying out q Judlcious
system of improvement.
By THE GREAT FIRE
in Chicago the most important OF the
Governm ent buildings in that city were
consumed. Those burned had already
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 immedi'
ately to purchase the remainder of the
square on which the burned buildings
stood, provided it can be purchased at q
fair valuation, and provided the Legls-
lature of Illinois will pass law author.
izing its condemnation for Government
purposes; and also an appropriation OF
as much money as can properly be ex-
pended toward the erection OF new build
ings during this fiscal year.
The number Of immigrants ignorant
of our laws and habits coming into our
country annually has become 90 great
and the i'm positions practiced upon them
so numerous and fragrant that / suggest
Congress should take action for their
protection. 1t seems to me q fair sub
ject of legislation by Congress. l can
not now state as fully as | desire the
nature of the complaints made by immi-
grants Of the treatment they receive,
but will endeavor to do 80 during the
session of Congress, particularly If the
subject should receive your attention.
HONESTY AND EFFICIENCY.
1t has been the aim of the admins
tration to enforce honesty and efficiency
in all public offices, and every public
servant who has violated the trust
placed in him has been proceeded
against with all the vigor Of the law.
II bad men have secured places it has
been the fault. Of the system estab.
lihed by law, and the custom Of making
appointments; the fault of those who
recommend for government positions
persons not sufficiently we'll known TO
them personally, or who give letters
endorsing the characters Of office
seekers, without a proper sense OF the
grave responsibility which such q
course devolves upon them. Civil
service reform, which can correct these
abuses, is much desired. In mercantile
pursuits, the business man who gives
letter of recommendation to friend to
enable him 10 obtain credit from
stranger, is regarded as morally respon.
sible for the integrity of his friend, and
his ability to meet his obligation. A
reformation which could enforce this
principle against all indorsers of per.
sons for public place would insure
great caution in making recommends
tons. A salutary lesson has been
taught the careless and the dishonest
servants in the great number of prose
cutions and convictions of the last two
years. 1t is gratifying to notice the
favorable change which is taking place
throughout the couLtry in bringing to
punishment those who have proved
recreant to the trusts confided to
them, and in elevating to public
Office none but those who possess
the confidence Of the honest and virtu
GUS who, it will always be found, CON-
prise the majority OF the community in
which they live. In my message to
Congress one year ago urgently rec
commended reform in the civil service
of the country. In conformity with |
that recommendation Congress, in the |
ninth section of an act making appro- |
priations for sundry civil expenses OF
the government, and for other purposes,
approved March 3, 1871, gave the nee
essary authority to the Executive to
inaugurate civil service reform and |
placed upon him the responsibility OF
doing 30. Under the authority of said |
law, convened board of gentlemen |
eminently qualified Ior the work, 10 de-
wise rules and regulations to effect the
needed reform. Their labors are not |
yet completed, but it is believed that
they will succeed in devising a plan |
which can be adopted, to the great relief
Of the Executive, the Heads OF Depart
ments and the members Of Congress,
and which will rebound to the true
interests Of the public service. At all |
events, the experiment shall have a |
fair trial
CONCLUSION.
l have thus hastily summed up the
operations of the Government during the |
last year and made such suggestions as
occur to me to be proper for your con-
sideration. / submit them with a con-
fidence that your combined actions will
be wise, statesmanlike, and for the best
interests OF the whole country.
U. S. GRANT, President