Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-12-05
expense of carrying out judicious system O
improvements.
By the
'he GREAT FIRE IN CHICAGO.

expense OF carrying out ludlclous system OF
improvements.
GREAT FIRE IN CHICAGO,
the most important OF the government
burned had already become inadequate TO
the wants of the government in thas gtow-
in Z CITY, and looking 20 the near future were
fore that an appropriation be msds imme-
diatelY TO purchase the remainder OF the
squsre on which the burned buildings stood,
provided Il can be purchas ased at q fair va1ua-
lion, and provided the legislature of Illinois
will psss law authorizing its condemnation
for government purpose, and also an appro-
Be expended toward the erection OF new
bindings during this fiscal year.
The number OF
IHMIGRANrs,
ignorant of our laws and habits, and coming
into our country annually has become so
great and the imposiItOns prRcticed upon
them so numerous and nagrant that aug
gest congreEsi anal action for their protection.
Il seems that such affairs are subjects OF leg.
iElatiOn by congress. cannCt now state as
freely as desire the nature of the complaints
made by immigrants Of the treatment they
receive, but will endeavor to do so during the
session OF congress, particularly II the sub
ject should receive your attention.
It has been the aim Of the administration 70
enforce honesty and efficiency in all
PUBLIC OFFICES.
Every public servant VINO has violated the
trust repOsed in him has been proceeded against
with all the vigor OF the law. II bad men have
secured places, il has been the fault Of the sys-
tem established by law and cusLom for making
appointments, or the fault of those who re-
commended for government positions persons
not sufficiently well known 10 them person.
ally, or who give letters iudorsing the charac-
ter Of ofiice-seekers withouta a proper sense of
the grave responsibility which such course
deyolves upon them A
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
which car correct this abuse, is mich desired.
In mercantile pursuits, the business man who
gives letter OF recommendation to a friend
to enable him 10 obtain credit from stranger,
is regarded as morally responsible for the in
tegrity OF his friend and his ability to meet his
obligations. A reformRtory law which would
enforce this principle against all indorsers OF
persons for public place. would insure great
caution in making recommendations. A salu-
tary lesson has been taught the careless and
the dishonest servant, in the great number Of
year. 1t is gratifying TO notice the faS orable
change whicn is taking place throughout The
those who have Proved recreant to
the trusts conhded 10 them, and in eIevating
to public Office none but those who possess the
confidence OF the honest and Virtuous, who II
will always be found comprise the majority OF
the community in which they live.
In my message TO congress enc year ago, l
rscompas yded reform in the
PV CIVIL SERVICE
OF the country In conformity with that
recommendation, congress, in Lhe ninth sec
tton OF 81 act making appropriations fOl
fundIy CIVIL expenhes OF the government
and for other puI poses, approved ARrch 3,
Ill, gave the necessary authority to the sx-
ocuIiVs to inauguTsts c,yiI seTVics reform,
AM placed upon him tE..sTespOnBiblLity o.
Going so. Under the authority OF ESid law
L cd q board OF gentlemsn, emtnently
qualified IOr the WorA, to devise rules al q
regulations to elect the needed refor m.
Their lasors are not yet complete, bu,
1t ts believed that they viii sue
Sed in devAing q plan which can be
adapted to the Sraaf relief OF toe executive
the heads Of departments and members Of
congress; and which will rebound 70 the true
interest OF the public service. Al all events the
shall have q fair trial. l have
thus hastily summed up the operations Of the
government during the last year, and made
such suggestions occur TO me 10 be proper
for your consideration. l submit them with
confidence that your combined aston Will
be WISE ststesmanlike and in tbs best inter
est of the whole country.
[Signedl U. s. GRANT, President.
EXKcUTIYR MANSION, December 4, 1871.