Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-03

Der of years attracted more and
more Of public attention 10 general. II
has become the opinion that the methods
admission to il, the conditions Of remaining
tn It, are unsound that both great oliticsl
parties have agreed 10 the most explicit
declarations Of the necessity of reform, and
in the mos: emphatic demands for it. l
have full considered the declarations and
demands to be expressions of sincere con-
viction of the intelligent measures Of the
people Oh the subject. and that they should
be recognized and followed by earnest and
prompt action on the part OF the legislative
and executive department Of the government
in pursuance Of the purpose indicated.
Before my accession to Office ! endeavored
to have my own views distinctly understood.
and upon my inauguration, my accord with
the public opinion was stated in terms be-
lieved to be plain and unambiguous. My
experience in the ex ecutive duties has
strongly confirmed the belief in the great ad
vantage that the country would find in OBJ
serving strictly the plan Of the constitution,
which imposes on the executive the sole
duty and responsibility of the selection of
those federal officer who by Law are appoint
ed, not elected, and which in like manner
assigns to the senate complete right to ad-
wise and consent to or to reject the nomina.
tions so made, without the house of repre-
sentatives stand as public censor of the
performance of official duties with the pre-.
rogative of investigation. The blemishes
and imperfections in the civil servic. may.
as think, be traced in most cases to q prac
tical confusion of the duties assign. d to the
several departments Of the government.
My purpose in this respect has been to re-
turn to the system established by the
fundamental law, and to do this with the
heartiest cooperation and most cordial un-
derstanding with the senate and house of
representatives the political Difficult les in
the selection of the numerous officers for
posts widely varied responsibility and du-
ties are acknowledged to be very
great No system can be expected
to secure absolute freedom from the begin.
ming of any attempted change of custom it
is quite likely to be more embarrassed in
this respect than in any subsequent
period. 1t is here that the constitu-
tion seems to most prove it's claim
to the gre 1t wisdom accorded to it. 1t gives
the executive assistance of the knowledge
and experience Of the senate, which, when
acting upon the nominations as to which
they may be disinterested and important
judges seems as strong guarantee of free
dom Of errors, of importance, ae is, perhaps,
possible in human affairs. In addition to
this, recognize the public a vantage of
making all nominations as nearly as possible
impersonal, in the sense of being free
from mere caprice or favo,
in which special training is of greatly in.
l ioro.aal ho1sovo o,,oh v,0> a.
tenure Of Office should obtain as may be an
to cause officials to apply themselves in.
dustriou.ly to the task Of becoming proficient
Bearing these things in mind have en-.
deavored to reduce the number of changes
in subordinate places usually made on the
change the general administration and
} shall most heartily cooperate with congress
in better system of such method
and rules of admission to tn,
public service and of the promotion
within it as may promise TO be the mos
successful in making thorough competency
efficiency and character, the decisive test
in these matters. l ask renewed attention
Of congress to what has already been don,
, BY the civil service commission, appointed
in pursuance OF an act of congress, by m,
predecessor, to prepare and revise the civi
service rules in regard TO the machinery O
| the department; the service especially a
, Washington. 1t may be difficult to organic
better system than that which has thus beef
! provided, and it is being used to consider
bale extent Under my direction the com
mission has still legal existence, although
for several years no appropriation has beer
made for deiraying its expenses. Belisvin,
that this commission has rendered valuable
service and will be most unusual agenc,
in Improving the administration Of tn,
civil service respectfully recommend
, suitable appropriation to be lmmediatel
;. made to enable it to continue its services
I 1t is my purpose TO transmit t
= congress, as early as practicabl
, report by the chairman Of the commission
and TO ask your attention to such measure
. upon this subject, as in my opinion vii
= civil service.
have continued to maintain peaceful rel,
: tions with foreign powers. The outbrea
. of the war beween Russia and Turke,
/ though at one time attended by grave az
prehcnsions as to its effect on other Euro
pean nations, has had no tendency to dis
turb the amicsble relations existing bt
, tween the United States and the ruler
t of the two contendlng power
an attitude Of just and impartial neu,ralit
:. has been preserved and l am grati6ed I
: state that in the midst of their hostiliti,
both the Russian and Turkish governmen
have shown an earnest desire to adhere
8 the obligations of all treaties with Ii
United States, and give due regards to Ii
. rights Of American citizens.
+ This is all of the ms age received U
: TO six O'Clock p. m. The balance will |
. given o-morrow-EDs