New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-12-05

ing as tmuch money ~ can be expended
toward the erection Of new buildings dur
| ring this fiscal year.
The number of immigrants ignorant of
our laws, habits, etc, coming into our
country annually has become SO great, and
impositions practiced upon them SO numcr-
GUS and fragrant that | suggest Congress
sienal action for their protection. 1t seems
to me fair subject Of legislation by Con-
| gress. / can not now state as fully as
desire the nature Of the complaints by i'm
migrants OF the treatment they receive, but
viii endeavor to do 50 during the session Of
| Congress particularly if the subject should
| receive your attention. 1t has has been the
aim OF the administration to enforce
| honesty and efficiency in all public
offices, Every public servant who has vio-
lated the trust placed in him has been pro-
ceeded against with all the rigor Of the
law. If tad men have secured places, it
has been the fault Of the system established
by custom tor making appointments. or the
fault OF those who recommend for govern
nient positions persons not sufficiently we'll
known 70 be personally responsible, or who
have .et:ers indorsing the characters OF
office seekers without proper sense of the
grave responsibility which such "a course
devolves upon them. A civil service reform
WHICH can correct these abuses IS much de-
sired in mercantile pursuits. The business
man who gives letter OF recommendation
to ii friend to enable him to obtain credit
from a stranger is regarded as morally re-
sponslble tor the integrity Of his friend, and
his ability 10 meet his obligations. 4 re-
formation law which would enforce this
principle against all indorsers of persons
for public place would insure great caution
III making recommendations
: sanitary lesson has been taught the
careless and dishonest public servant in the
n
ions OF th'. last two years. 1t is gratifying
10 notice the favorable change which is
taking place throughout the country in
bringing 70 punishment those who have
prAven rcc:eaut to the trusts contided to
them. AID IN eievating to public office none
ttit those " no possess the confidence of the
honest and the virtuous, who it will ALWAYS
be found comprise the majority OF the coin
MuniIT III which they live. In my message
70 Congress one year ago, urgently recon-
mended reform i'll the civil service OF the
country: in conformity with that RECON-
Meditation Congress, III the ninth section of
an act making appropriations for the civil
expenses OF the government, and for other
purposes. approved March j. 1871, gave the
necessary authority to the executive
70 inansurate civil service re-
form and placed upon him the response
blitT OF dung 80 under authority OF said
act. convened a board of gentlemen emf
nently qualified for the work to devise rules
and regulations to effect the needed reform
iheir labors are not yet complete, but it is
believed that they will succeed in devisins
pan which can be adapted to the great
reIlet OF TIE executive. the heads of depart
utnts ana members of Congress, and which
VIII redounu TO the true interest of the pub
lac service. At all events, the experiment
snail have a fair trial.
lave thus hastily summed up the opera
tons OF the government dnring the past
year, and made such suggestions as occur
10 me to be proper Tor your consideration.
submit herewith a confidence that your
combined action will he most stateSnlaniike,
and IL the best interests Of the whole coun-
III. L. 5. GRANT.
Executive Mansion December L. 1871.