River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1877-12-06

hundred million Of dollars before the bonds
can be fully paid.
In adapting the new silver coinage TO the
ordinary usages OF currency, In the every day
of life and prescribing the quality
OF legal tender to be assigned to it a eensid-
Grafton Of frat importance should be 70 10 adj
Just the ratio between the silver and gold
coinage which now constitutes our specie cur
rency as TO accomplish the desired end of
the relative values Of the two
metallic currencies and keeping up theyolume
of the two precious metals.
As 10 onr intrinsic money, 1t - a mixed
question for scientific reasoning and historical
experience TO determine how far and by what
methods a practicable equilibrium can be
maintained, which will keep both metals in
circulation, in their appropriate spheres Of
common use. An absolute equality OF COM
mercial value free from disturbing fuctua-
tions is hardly attainable, and without il an
unlimited legal tender for private transactions
assgned to both metals would tend To drive
out Of circulation the dearest coinage and
dsappoint the principal object proposed by
the legislation in view. | apprehend. there
fore. that the two conditions Of q near ap-
between the gold and silver coinage OF the
same denomination and of a Limitation of
the amounts for which silver coinage Is 10
be legal tender, are essential 10 maintaining
both in circulation. II these conditions can
be successfully observed the issue from the
mint of silver dollars would afford material
assistance 10 the community, in the transition
TO redeemablc paper money, and would faeili
tate the resumption of specie payments and
permanent establishment. Without these
conditions fear that only mischief and mis-
fortune would follow from coinage OF silver
dollars with the quality of unlimited legal
tender, even in private transactions. Any ex-
pectation OF temporary ease from an Issue of
silver coinage to pass as Lego tender at a
rate materially above its commercial value is,
am persuaded, delusion.
Nor can think that there Is any substanti
al distinction between an original issue OF
silver dollars at O nominal value mate rally
above their commercial value and the restor-
alton of the silver dollar al rate which was
once, but has ceased 10 be its commercial
value. Certainly the issue Of onr gold coin
age reduced In weight materially below its
a debasement of the coinage by reason Of its
equsling or even exceeding In weight gold
coinage which at some past
time has been commercially
useful at the legal tender value assign
ed TO the new issue In recommending that the
legislation on any silver coinage which may
be authorized by Congress should observe
these conditions of commercial value and
limited legal tender, am governed by the
feeling that every possible increase should be
given 10 the volume of metallic money which
can be kept in circulation and thereby every
possible aid afforded To the people in the pro-
cess Of resuming specie payments II is in the
exercise of my conviction that disregard of
this condition would Illustrate the good re-
suits which are desired from tue new
coinage and embarrass with new elements OF
confusion and uncertainty the business of the
country, that urge upon your attention these
considerations.
respectfully recommend to Congress that
in any legislation providing for silver coin
age and mparting TO il the quality Of Legal
tender there be impressed in the measure
firm provision exempting the public debt here
tofore issued and now outstanding from pay
ment either principal or interest, in any coin
age of less value than the present gold coin
age OF the country.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The organization of the civil service OF the
country has for number OF years attracted
more and more of public attention. So gen
eral has become the opinion that the methods
of admission TO it and the conditions OF re-
maining in il are unsound, that both the great
political parties have agreed on the most eX,
plicit declarations of the necessity OF reform,
and inthe mostemphatie demands for ii. have
fully considered these declarations and de-
mands to be the expressions ofthe sincere con-
victions of the intelligent masses OF the people
upon the subject, and that they should be re-
cogniZed by earnest and prompt action on the
part of the legislative and executive
departments Of the government. In pursu-
ance OF the purpose indicated before my sue
cession to Office endeavored to have my own
views distinctly understood and upon my in-
auguration my accord with the public opinion
was stated in terms believed to be plain and
Advantageous. My experience In the execu-
tive duties has strongly confirmed the belief
in the great advantage the country would
lind In observing strictly the plan OF the
constitution which imposes upon the execu-
tive the sole duty and responsibility of
the selection ofthose federaI officers who by
law are appointed, not elected, and which in
like manner assigns to the Senate the
complete right to advise and consent to or
reject the nominations so made, whilst
the House of Representatives stands the
public censor of the performance OF official
duties with the prerogatiye OF investigation
and proceeding IN all cases OF derelictlon. The
blemshes and inperfections OF the civil service
may, as think, be traced in most cases TO
practical confusion Of the duties assigned
10 the several departments Of the govern
ment. My purpose in this respect has been
to return TO the system established by the
law and TO do this with the
heartiest cooperation and most cordial under
standing with the Senate and House of Rep
resentatiyes.
The practical difficulties in the selection
Of numerous officers for posts OF widely
varying responsibilities are acknowledged To
be very great No system can be expected
to secure absolute freedom from mistakes.
The beginning Of any attempted change OF
custom is quite likely to be more embarrassed
in this respect than any subsequent period.
1t is here that the constitution seems TO most
prove its claim to the great wisdom accorded
to it. IL gives to the executive the assist
ance OF the knowledge and experience Of
the Senate, which when acting upon
as 10 which they may be disin-
ODD iu1n 0rfi al
strong guarantee Of freedom OF errors Of
Importance IA is perhaps possible in human
affairs. In addition TO this / recognize the
public advantage Of making all nominations
az nearly as possible impersonal in the sense
Of being free from mere caprice or favor.
In those directions and in those offices
where special training is of greatly increased
value | believe such a rule as 10 the tenure of
office should obtain rs may induce persons of
proper qualifications TO apply themselves in
tustriously To the task of becoming profiei-
ents.
Bearing these things in mind have en-
icavOred TO reduce the number Of the
changes in subordinate places usually
made upon the change of the general adj
and shall most heartily co-ope-
rate with Congress In the hest systematiZing
Of such methods and rules of admission to
he public service and of promotion within |
I as may promise to be most successful In |
making thorough competency, efficiency
and character the decisive tests In these |
matters.
| ask the renewed attention of Congress to |
what has already been done by the civil serv- |
ce commission appointed in pursuance of an |
lct OF Congress, by my predecessor to pre- |
pare and revise the civil service rules. In re- |
gard TO much of the department service |
specially at Washington. II may be difficult |
20 organize better system than |
hat which has thus been provided and |
5 now being used to a considerable |
,xtent under my direction. The commission |
has still legal existence, although for several |
Tears no appropriations hiss been made for de- |
raging its expenses. Believing that the com
mission has rendered valuable service, and /
viii be a most unusual agency in improving |
he administration of the civil service, | /
recommend that a suitable /
be made immediately to enable |
t to continue It's services. IL is my purpose /
o transmit to Congress as early as practicable /
report by the chairman of the commission, l
md to ask your attention to such measures on
he suhiect IA will. in my ODiniOU further prO-