The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1871-12-09

number % fixed, that the vacansy nav h filed
By promotion from the grs6e below. I ALSO
Isooaneud that When the ONCE OF chief of
oorps becomes vacant, the place may b fillsd bv
selection from the corps In which the vacancy
exists.
The report Of the Secretary of tho Navy shovs
an improvement in the number and efficiency of
the naval force, without material increase in the
expense of supporting it. This 10 due to the
policy which has been adopted, and is being e1-
tended 20 fast - our material will admit, of
using smaller vessels % cruisers on the several
stations. By these means We have been enabled
to occupy at once Q larger extent of cruising
ground, to visit more frequently the posts where
the presence of our Gag is desirable, and gener.
ally to DISCHARGE more efficiently the appropriate
duties Of the navy in time Of peace.
1t has been the aim Of the Administration to
enforce honesty and efficiency in all public af.
fairs. Every public servant 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, il has been the fault of
the system established BY Law and custom for
making appointments, or the fault OF those Who
recommended for Government positions persons
not sufficiently known to them personally or Who
give letters endorsing the character of Office
seekers, without proper sense OF the grave re-
probabilities which such course devolPes upon
them. A Civil Service Reform which can cor.
rect this abuse 10 much desired. In mercantile
pursuits the business man who gives letter OF
recommendation to friend to enable him to Oh.
tain credit from = stranger. is regarded as
morally responsible for the integrity of his
friend, and his ability to meet his obligations.
A reformation which would enforce this princi.
pie against all endorsers Of persons for public
place, would insure greet cxutiea in making
recommendations. A sslutary lesson hsa been
taught the careless and the dishonest servants in
the great number of prosecutions and convic.
tions Of the last two years. 1t is gratifying to
notice tho favorable change which il taking
place throughout the country In bringing 70
punishment those who have proved rscresut to
the trusts csnfided 70 them. and in elevating to
public Office mono but those who possess the con.
fdence of the honest and virtuous, who, it will
always be found, comprise the msjority of the
community in which they live. In my Message
to Congress, one year ago, urgently recommen-
ded reform in the civil service of the coun.
try. In conformity with that recommendation,
Congress, in the ninth section of an act making
appropriations for sundry civil expenses Of the
Government and for other purposes, approved
March 3, 1871, gave the necessary authority TO
tie Executive to iraugrate q civil service re-
form, and placed upon him the responsibility of
doing 90. Under authority of said act, con-
vened board Of gentlemen eminently qualified
for the work, to devise rules and regulations to
effect the needed reform. Their labors are not
yet completed, but it is believed tina, they will
succeed in devsing O. plan which can be adopted,
to the great relief Of tie Executive the heads of
Departments and members Of Congress, and
which will rebound to the true in,eres. Of the
public service. At all events the experiment.
shall have fair trial.
Under the provisions Of the &C. of Congress,
Eot,
ernment was organized in the District Of Col.
lumbls. It's results have thus r fully realized
the expectations of its advocates. Under the di.
recton Of the territorial officers, system Of i'm.
provements has been inauguratod, by which
Washington is rapidly becoming city worthy
OF the national capital the citizens Of the d.tric,
having Voluntarily taxed tbemselye. to ID large
amount, for the purpose of contributing to the
advancement Of The seat Of Government re-
commend liberal appropriation. on the part Of
Congress in order that the Government may be1r
its just share OF the expense Of Carrying out the
various systems Of improvement.
By the great fire in Chic 60 me mos, impor.
tant of the Government buildings in that oity
were consumed. These burned had .lrerdy be.
came Inadequate 80 the want, Of the Government
In that growing city, aud, looking 10 tine near
future, were totally Inadequate. | recommend,
therefore, tina. an appropriation be made imme.
diHtely to purchase tho m,iudcr OF the square
on which the burned buildings stood, provided
1t Can be purchased at fair valuation, and pro.
yided the Legislature OF 1llin-is will pass law
authorizing lis condemnation for Gnvernneu.
PURPOSES, and also nm appropriation of Us much
money as Can properly be expended towards the
erection of new buildings this fiscal year
1 have thus hastily summed up the operations
OF the Government during the last year, and
made such suggestions occurs to NE to be
proper for your consideration. submit them,
with confidence that your combined action
will be wise, slatesmanlike and in the best
interest of the whole country.
y. S. GRANT. President.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 4. 1871.