The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-12-15

pertaining political views opposed TO
tn0se entertained by the majority of
the old cltizans, prevents immjgration
and the flow of much needed conItaI
into the States lately in rebellion. re
will be a happy condition of the cJtin.
try when the old citizens of these States
Will take an interest In public affairs.
promulgate ideas honestly entertained.
vote for men representing their views
and tolerate the same freedom of ex-
preston and ballotin those entertaining
different political conviction.
Under the provisions of the act Of
Congress approved February 81, 1871, a
Territorial government was organized
in the District of Columbia. Its results
have thus far fully realized the expecta-
tions OF its advocates. Under the direc-
tion of the Territorial officers, q system
OF Improvement has been inaugurated,
by means Of which Washington Is rapid.
~ becoming city worthy Of the ma
tiOn's capital. The citizens of tho Dis.
trict having voluntarily taxed them.
selves 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 order that the Government
may bear it's just share of the expense
of carrying out julicious system of
improvements
BY the great fire in Chicago, the most
important Of the Government 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.
L recommend, therefore, that an ap-
propriation be made Immediately to
purchase the remainder of the square
on which the burned buildings stood,
provided it can be purchased at a fair
valuation, or provided that the Legisla.
ture of Illinois will pass law author
izlng its condemnation for Government
purposes and also an appropriation Of
as much money as can properly be ex-
buildings during this fiscal year.
The number of ofimmigrants ignorant Of
our laws, habits, &c, coming into our
country annually has become so great,
and the impositions practiced upon
them so numerous and fagrant, that l
suggest Congressional action for their
protection. 1t seems to me a fair sub
ject of legislation by Congress. l cam
not now state as fully as L desire, the
migrants, of the treatment they receive,
but will endeavor to do so during the
session of Congress, particularly If the
subject should receive your attention.
1t has been the aim of the Admins.
tration to enforce honesty and efficiency
in all public offices. Every public SER
want 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 appcintments,o or
the fault of those who recommend for
Government positions, persons not suf-
ficently well known to them personally,
or who give letters endorsing the charac.
ters of office seekers without proper
sense of the grave responsibility which
such q course devolve5 upon them.
A civil service reform which can cor
rect this abuse is much desired. In
mercantile pursuits the business man
who gives letter of recommendation
to friend, to enable him to obtain
credit from a stranger, is regarded as
morally responsible for the integrity OF
his friend and his ability to meet his
obligations. a reformatory law which
would enforce this principle against all
endorsers of persons for public place
would insure great caution in making
recommendations. A salutary lesson
has been taught the careless and the
dishonest public servant in the great
number of prosecutions and convictions
of the last two years.
1t Is gratifying to notice the favorable
change which is taking place through
out the country in bringing tn punish
mcnt 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 the virtuous, who, it will always be
| found, comprise 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
| confo'mity with that recommendation
COngI csa. in the ninth section of IAN
act making appropriations for sun.
dry civil expenses Of the Government
end for other purposes, " approved
March 81, 1871, gave the necessary
| authority to tile Executive to inaugur
ale Il civil service reform, and placed
upon him the responsibility of doing
so. Under the authority of the said
act l convened a board Oi gentlemen
eminently qualified for the work, to
devise rules and regulations to effect
the needed reform. Their labors are
not yet complete, but !, Is believed that
they will succeed in devising plan
which can he adopted to the great relief
of the Executive, the heads Of Depart
ments, and members Of Congress, and
which will rebound to the true inter
est of the public service. Atall events,
the experiment shall have II fair trial.
| have thus hastily summed up the
| operations Of the Government during
the last year, and made such suggestions
as occur to me To he proper Tor your
consideration. l submit tnem with a
confidence that your combined action
will be wise, statesmanlke, and in the
best interests Of the whole country.
". :. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION,