The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-08
TIE CIVIL SERVICE

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position with which thty meet. The ef-
feet. believe. has been beneficial ON the
Whole, and has tended to elevation of the
service hut II is impraclicabe to maintain
them without direct aud positive support
oi congress. Generally the support which
this reform receives Is from those WhO give
II Their support Oply to find fault where its
rul,s are apparently departed from re-
muFal, from Office without prelcrrinQ
charges against parties received, are FREE
qucnly cited rs departures from rules
adopted and the detention of those against
whom charges are made by irresponsible
persons, and without good grounds is also
often condemned as a violation of them.
Under these circumstances, ! announce
that if congress ad journs without positive
legislation Of the subject of civil service re-
form, will regard such actions as dis
approval Of the system and will abandon it
except so far AS TO require examinations
for certain appointments, and to determine
their fitness. Competitive examinations
will be abandonded. Gentlemen who have
gwen their services without compensation
as members of the board 10 devise rules
and regulations for the government of the
civil service of the country have shown
much zeal and earnestness in their work.
and to them, as well as to myself, it will
be source of modification if it is to be
thrust aside. But repeat that it is i'm
possible to carry this system to success
full issue without the general approval and
assistance, and positive law to support it.
| have stated
THREE ELEMENTS OF PROSPERITY
to the nation, capital, labor-slSilled and
unskiled-and the products of the soil
still remain with us. To direct employ
ment of these is a problem deserving of
the most serious attention of congress. If
employment can be given to all labor of
fering itself, prosperity necessarily follows.
| have expressed the opinion, and repeat
it, that the first requisite to the accomplish
ment of this end is the substitution of
sound currency in place of one of fuctua-
ting value. This secured there are many
interests that might be fostered to the great
profit of both labor and capital. How to
induce capital to employ labor is the ques
ton. The subject of
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION
has occupied the attention of congress.
Much new light on this question will with
out doubt be given by the committees APP
| pointed by the last congress to investigate
and report upon this subject. revival of
ship building and particularly of iron ship
!
tiOnal prosperity. The United States is
now paying over 500, 600, GOO per annum
for freights and passage on foreign ships
to he carried abroad and expended on
employment and support of other peoples
beyond fair percentage Of what should
90 to foreign vessels, estimating on tonnage
and travel of each respectively. 1t is to
be regretted that this disparity in the car
rying trade exists, and to correct it
would be willing to see great departure
from the usual course of the government in
supporting what might usually be termed
private enterprise. | would not suggest rs
remedy direct subsidy to American
steamship lines, but | would suggest The
direct offer OF ample compensation for car
rylng mails between the Atlantic scabOari
cities and the continent on Ame.ic, II owned
and American built steamers, and wuulo
extend this literally to vessels carrying
mails to South American states and I,
Mexico, and would pursue the same polio,
from our Pacific seaports to foreign sea
ports on the Pacific. II might be-
demanded that vessels built fni
tins service come up to q stand
ard fixed by legislation ON tonnage.
speed and all other qualities looking I,
the possibility of the government requiring
them at some time for war purposes. Tho
right also, of taking possession of them in
such an emergency should be guarded.
offer these suggestions believing them
worthy OF consideration in all seriousness
affecting to all sections and all interest,"
alike. If anything can be done to direct
inc country into course of general pros
peri,y no one Will he more rca,iy than 4,
second the plan. Forwarded herewith
will be found the report of the commits.
sloners appointed under act of congress
approved June 90, 1874, to wind up
AFFAIRS OF THE DISTRICT GOVERNMENT.
1t will he seen from the rehort the
net debt of the District of Columms less
securities on hand and available is Bonded
debt issued prior to July /, 1874, $780,
$40. 43 365 bonds act of congress June 90
1874, S2,0SS, 1878 certificates of board
of audit, $4,770, 55S. As total, $15, re.
661Gl less special improvement assess.
ments chargeable to private property in eX-
cess of any demand against such assess.
ments, 1,614, 054.37; less Chesapeake ant
Ohio canal bonds, S15, 600 and Washington
and Alexandria railroad bonds $50 COO
In the hands of the commissioners of the
sinking fund, S1,14S, 064 81 leaving the
actual debt less said assets, Sl3,994. 6l3. "a
In addition to this there are claims preferred
against the government of the dstric,
amounting, in the estimated aggregate as
reported by the board of audit, to SO, 147,.
} 7S7.4S, of which the greater part will prob
ably be rejected. This sum can with Nc
more propriety be included in that ac
count of the district government
than can thousands of claims against
the general government be included
as portion of the national debt. But the
aggregate sum thus stated includes some.
thing more than the funded debt, charge
able exclusively to the District of Colum,
bin. The act of Congress of June %, 1874
contemplates the apportionment between
the United States government and the Dis
trict OF Columbia in respect of the payment
of the principal and interest of $3.50 bonds
Therefore in computing with precision Tho
bonded debt of the district the aggregat,
sums above stated as respects tie 3-Gt
bonds now issued, the outstanding certifi
Gates of the board of audit, and the unad
iusted claims pending before the board
should be deduced to the extent of tho
amount TO be apportioned TO the United
States government as indicated i'll the ac
of congress of June 90, 1874. l especially
invite your attention to the recommenda
tons of the commissioners of the SINKING
fund relative to the ambiguity of the act o
June 90. The interest on district bond
|
of the district. ! feel much indebted (,
the gentlemen who consented to leave thei
private affairs and come from distance
to attend to the business of this district
and for the able and satisfactory name
IN which it has been conducted. | am sur
their services will be equally appreciate,
by the entire country. 1t will be seen from
the accompanying full
= ,,ruo,,, -, -, -.
that .4e sanitary condition OF the District
Is very satisfactory. In my opinion tho
District of Columbia should be regarded as
the grounds of the national capital in
which the entire people are interested
, do not allude to this TO urge generous al'-
preparations to this District. But TO draw
tue attention OF congress in framing laws
!, for the government of the district, to the
magnificent scale on which the city was
, L.. ,Lo fnun1ara of thn rnvarn-