The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-12-08

future, were totally Inadequate. rec
ommend, therefore that an appropria-
ton be made Immediately to purchase
the remainder OF the square in which
the burned buildings stood, provided
it can be purchased at q fair valuation,
and provided the legislature of Illinois
viii pass law authorizing its condem-
nation for government purposes, and
also an appropriation of as much money
as can properly be expended, towards
the erectian of new buildings.
IMPOSITION UPON IMMIGRANTS.
During the fiscal year, the number of
immigrants, ignorant of our laws and
habits, coming into our country annu-
ally, has become so great, and the i'm
positions practiced upon them so i'm
mense and fragrant, that I suggest con-
grsssional action for their protection.
1t seems to me fair subject of legisla-
ton by congress. / cannot now esti-
mate as fully as desire, the nature of
the complaints made by immigrants of
the treatment they receive, but will en-
deavor to do SO during the session of
congress, particularly of the subjects
which should receive attention.
THE CIVIL sERAIcE
1t has been the aim OF the administra-
ton to enforce honesty and efficiency
in all Offices. Every subject who has
violated the trust placed in him has been
proceeded against with all the vigor of
the law. If bad men have secured pIa-
ces, it has been the fault of the system
established by law and customs for
making assessments on the persons of
those who recommend for government
positions, persons not sufficiently well
known to them personally, or who give
letters endorsing the character of Office
seekers without a proper sense of the
grave responsibility which devolVes up
on them. A civil service reform which
can correct this abuse is much desired.
In mercantile pursuits, the business
man who gives letter of recommends
ton to friend to enable him to OBJ
tain credit from stranger, is regarded
as nominally responsible for the integ-
rity of his friend and his ability to meet
his obligations. A reformatory law
which would enforce this principle
against ali endorsers of persons for
public place, would insure greater eau
| ton in making recommendations. A
salutarY lesson has been taught the
| careless and the dishonest 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 to punish
ment those who have proved recreant
| to the trust eonfided to them, and in ell
evating to public office those who ex-
| press the confidence of the honest and
Virtuous, who, it will always be found
comprise the majority of the commu-
nifty in which they live. In my message
to congress one year ago, 1 recommend
ed the ninth section of an act making
appropriations for sundry civil expenses
| of the government and for other pur.
poses, approved March 3, 1871, to give
the necessary authority to the executive
to inaugurate civil service reform and
place upon him the responsibility to dc
so. Uunder the authority of said law,
l convened board of gentlemen fiji
| for the work, to devise rules and
regulations to effect the needed reform,
Their labors are not yet complete, but
deVising plan which can be adopted
to the great relief of the executive, the
heads of departments, and members OF
congress, and which will rebound to
the interest of the public service. All
the experiments shall have fair trial
| 1 have thus hastily summed up the
operations of the government during
the last year, and made such sugges.
your consideration. / submit there
| with a confidence that your combined
action will be wise, statesman-like and
in the best interest eff the whole country
| [Signed,1 U. S. GRANT,
President.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 4, 1871.