The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1874-12-11

every civilized nation VIII be represented.
The rules adopted 20 improve the civil SER
vice of the government have been adhered to
as closely as has been practicable. with the
opDostlon with which they meet. Their effect
has been beneficial on the whole and has
tended TO the elevation of the service but il
is imprdcticable 90 maintain them without the
direct and positive support OF Congress. Cen
erally the support which this reform receives
is from those who give it their support only
TO find fault when the rules are apparently
departed from. Removals from office with
ont preferrng charges against parties re-
moved are frequently cited as departures
from the rules adopted, and the retention of
those against whom charges are made by ir-
reasonable persons and without good grounds
ia also often condemned as violation OF
them Under these circumstances, therefore,
announce that if Congress adjourns without
positive legislation on the subject of civil
Service Reform" will regard such action az
a disapproyal OF the system, and will abandon
IT, EXcept so far az to require examinations
for certain appointees TO determine their fit
ness, competitive examinations VIII be ADAM
doned.
The gentlemen who have given their
services without compensation as members OF
the board 10 devise rules and regulations for
the government OF the countrys civil service
have shown much zeal and earnestness in their
work, and 10 them, rs we'll as to myself, il will
be a source OF modification il it is to be
sible to carry this sytem To a successful issue
without general approval and assistance, and
positive law to support it.
| have stated that the elements of
the prosperity of the nations capital
labor. skilled and unskilled, and pro-
ducts Of the soil-still remain with us. TO
direct the employment of these is a problem
deserving the most serious attention OF Con-
gress II employment can be given to all
labor offering itself, prosperity necessarily
follows.
have expressed the opinion, and repeat it
here, that the first requisite to the accomplish
ment of this end is the substitution of sound
currency in place OF one Of tluctuating value.
This secured, there are many interests that
might be fostered to the great profit of both
labor aud capital How to induce capital to
employ labor is the question.
The subject of cheap transportation has
occupied the attention OF Congress
New light this question will, with
out doubt, be given to the committee
appointed by the last Congress to investigate
and report upon this subject
revival of chip building, and particularly
of iron steamship building, is of vast i'm
portance to orr national prosperity. The
United States is now paying over 81 ,000 900
per annum for freights and passage on
foreign ships, to be carried abroad and
expended in tho employment and support Of
other peoples beyond fair percentage Of
what should go to foreign vessels, estimating
on the tonnage aud travelo each respectively.
1t is to be regretted that the disparity in the
carrying trade exists and to correct II would
he willing to see great departure from the
usual course OF the government III support
ing what might usually be termed private on
terprise. would not suggest as a remedy
direct subsidy to the American steamship
lines but would suggest the direct offer OF
ample compensation for carrying the mails
between the Atlantic seaboard cities and the
Afna mad and Anna MO
built steamers and would extend this liberal
ity to vessels carrying the mails to the South
American States, and to Central America and
Mexico and would pursue the same policy
from our Pacific seaports to foreign seaports
on the Pacific. II might DO demanded that
vessels built for this service should come up
to a standard fixed by legislation in tonnage,
speed and all other qualities looking to the
possibility of the government requiring them
at some time for war purposes; the right also
of taking possession OF them In such an
emergency should be guarded.
| refer these suggestions, believing them
worthy of consideration, in all seriousness,
affecting all sections and all interests alike.
If anything better can be done to direct the
country into a course OF general prosperity,
no one viii be more ready than to second
the plan.
Forwarded herewith will be found the
report Of the commissioners appointed
under sn act Of Congress approved June 20,
1874, TO wind up the affairs OF the District gov
eminent. 1t will be seen from the report
that the total debt of the District OF CO.
lumbia. less securities on hand and
available, is The bonded debt issued
prior TO July lat 1874, 1888, $40. 43 !;
1865 bonds authorized by act of Con-
gress June 20, 1874, S2,0SS, 1878; certificates
of the Board of Audit, 81, 770, 55S.45; total,
SIS, 742, SCI. 81 less special improvement as
sessments chargeabe TO private property, in
excess OF any demand against such ASSESS
ment, 81 6l4, 054.37; less Chesapeake and
Ohio canal bonds, SIS, 600, and Washington
and Alexandra railroad bonds, 5000; IN
the hands OF the Commissioners of the Sink
ing Fund, 81, 748, 054.37; leaving the actual
debt, less sand assets, S13,99i, 6l3,24
In addition TO this there are
claims preferred against the govern
ment of the district amounting in
the aggregate, reported by the Board OF
Audit to So I47 7S7 As of which the greater
part VIII probably be rejected. This sum can
with no more propriety be included in the
debt of the District government than can
the thousands of claims agar the general
government be included as a portion of the
national debt; but the aggre gate sum thus
stated includes something more than the
funded debt charged exclusively to the Dis
trct of Columbia. The act of Congress of
November 20, 1874, contemplates an appor-
tionment between the United States govern
ment and the District of Columbia in respect
10 the payment OF tne prlnclpal ana IN
terest of the 1855 bonds therefore, in
computing with precision the bonded
debt OF the District of the aggregate
sums above stated as respects the 65 bonds
now issued the outstanding certificates of
the Board Of Audit and the unadjusted
claims pending before that board should be
reduced TO the extent of the amount to be ap-
portioned TO the United States government
in the manner indicated in the act of Con-
gress of June 20. 1874. l especially invite
your attention to the recommendation of the
Commissioners Of the Sinking Fund relative
to the ambiguity of the act of June 20, 1874,
the interest on the District bonds and the
consolidation Of the indebtedness to the dis
trct. feel much Indebted to the gentlemen
who consented TO leave their private affairs
and come from a distance to attend to the
business of this District and for the able and
satisfactory manner in which it has been con-
Quoted, ] am cure their services will be
equally sppr6 ciated by the entire country.
It Will be seen from the accompanying full
report of the Board Of Health that the sani-
tary condition of the District is very satisfac-
tory. In my opinion the District Of Coumbis
should be regarded as the grounds of the ma
tional capital, in which the entire people are
interested 1 do not allude to this to urge
generous appropriations to the District, but
to draw tho attention Of Congress, in framing
a law for the government OF the District tC