Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-12-13
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
Continued from First Page.

a territorial government was organi-
zed in the District of Columbia. Its
results have thus far fully realized the
expectations of the advocates. IN
der the direction of the territory's Off
GERS a system of improvements have
been inaugurated. by means Of which
Washington is rapidly becoming a
city worthy Of the nationals capital
The citizens Of the district, having
voluntarily taxed themselves to large
amount for the purpose of contribu-
ting to the adornment Of the seat Of
government, | recommend liberal ap-
preparations on the part Of congress
in order that the government may
bear its ust share of the expense of
carrying out a judicious system of i'm
prove By the great fire in
Chicago the most important of the
government buildings in the city were
consumed. Those burned has already
become inadequate to the wants of the
government in the growing city, and,
looking to the near future, were total
ly inadequate. | recommend, there
fore, that an appropriation be made
immediately to purchase the remain
der of the square on which the burn
ed buildings stood, provided it can be
purchased at a far valuation, or pro-
vided that the legislature Of Illinois
will pas; i law authorizing It's con-
demnation for government purposes,
and also an appropriation Of as much
money as can properly be expended
toward the erection of buildings
During this fiscal year, the number OF
Immigrants ignorant of our laws, BIB
its, etc, coming into our country an
nually, has become so great and the
impos tlons practised upon them so
numerous and fragrant that | suggest
congressional action for their protec-
ton. 1t seems to ne Il fair subject of
legislation by congress. ! cannot now
state fully as | desire the nature of
the complaints made by emigrants of
the treatment they receive, but will
endeavor to 10 50 during the session
oi congress, PARTICULARLY if the sub
je"ts should receive your attention.
1t has been the aim of the admins
tration to enforce honesty and efficien-
cy III aii public Offices. Every public
servant who has violated the trust
placed in him has been proceeded
against with all the vigor Of the law.
If bad men have secured places it has
b cn the fault Of the system establish
ed by law and custom for making ap-
pointmeAts, or the fault of those who
reco MN md for government positions
persons not sufficiently well known to
them personally, or who give letters
indor,ug the characters Of office seek
crs witao-t 4 proper sense Of the
grave responsibilities with such a
course devolveS upon them. 4 civil
service reform which can correct this
abuse Is much needed. In mcrcan-
tile pursuits the business man who
gives a letter Of recommendation to 4
friend to enable him TO obtain credit
from a stranger Is regarded as moral
ly responsible for the integrity Of his
friend, and his ability to meet his OBJ
legations. 4 retormatory law which
woIld enforce this principle against
all cndorsers Of persons for public
place, would insure great caution in
making recommendations A salute
ry lessen has been taught the careless
and the dishonest public servants 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 thorugh-
out the country in bringing to punish
ment those who have proven recreant
10 the trusts confided to them, and in
elevating to public Office none but
those who possess the confidence of,
the honest and virtuous, who, it viii
always be found, comprise the MAORI
" Of the community in which they
live.
In my message 10 congress one year
ago | urgently recommended a reform
in the civil service Of tho country
In conformity with that recommended
ton congress, in the ninth section of
an act making appropriations for sum
dry civil expenses Of the government
and for other purposes, approved
March 3, 1871, gave the necessary
authority to the executive TO inaucur-
ate civil service reform, and placed
upon him the responsibility of doing
50. Under authority of said act, l
convened a board Of gentlemen, en-
inently qualified for the work, to 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 adapted to the great re-
lief of the executive, he heads of de-
partments and members of congress,
and which will rebound to the true in
terest Of the public service. AT all
events, the experiment shall have a
fair trial.
| have thus hastily summed up the
operations Of the government during
the laft year, and made such sugges-
tons as occurred to ME to be proper
for your consideration, and submit
them with a confidence that your COM
bined action Will be wise statemanlike
and in the best interest Of the whole
country.
(Signed.) [. GRANT.
Executive Mansion, Dec. 4, 1871.