The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-04

the public debt heretofore issued, and
now outstanding, from payment, either
of principal or interest, in any coinage
of less value than the present gold coin
age of the country.
The organization of
THE CIVIL SERVICE
of the country has for number of years
attracted more and more of the public
attention. So general has become the
opinion that the methods of admission
to it and the conditions of remaining III
it are unsound. that both the great polit-
ical parties have agreed in the most
explicit declarations on the necessity of
reform and in the most emphatic de-
mands for it. I have fully considered
the declarations and demands to
be the expressions of sincere
convictions of the intelligent masses of
people upon the subject, and that they
should be recognized and followed by
earnest and prompt action on the part
of the legislative and executive depart
ments of the government. In pursuance
of the purpose Indicated before my ac-
cession to Office, l cndeayored to have
my own views distinctly understood and
npon my Inauguration my accord with
the public opinion was stated in terms
believed to be plain and unambiguous.
My experience in the executive duties
has strongly confirmed the belief in the
great advantage the country would find
in observing strictly the plan of
the constitution which imposes mp
on the executive the sole duty
and responsibility of the selec-
tion Of those Federal officers which
, by law are appointed, not elected,
which in like manner assigns to the
Senate the complete right to advise and
consent to or to reject the nominations
so made, while the House of Represent
atives stands as the public censor of the
performance of official duties, with the
prerogative of Investigation and provid-
ing in all cases of derehction. The
blemishes and imperfections in the civil
service may, as / think, be traced in
most cases to practical confusion of
the duties assigned to the several de-
partments of the government. My pur-
pose in this respect has been to return
to the system established by the funda-
mental law, and to do this with the
heartiest cooperation and most cordial
understanding with the Senate and
House of Representatives The prac-
teal difficulties in the selection of nu
merous officers for posts of widely vary
ing responsibilities and duties are ac
knowledged to be very great. No sys
tenn can be expected to secure absolute
freedom from mistakes, and the begin
ming of any attempted change of custom
is quite likely to be more embarrassed
: in this respect than any subsequen
period. 1t is here that the Constitution
I seems to most prove of its claim tn
4 great wisdom accorded to it. It gives t,
the executive the assistance of tn
knowledge and experience of the Sea
ate, which when acting upon nomina
:. ton as to which they may be disinter
ested and impartial judges, secures a
strong guaranty of freedom of error
of Importance as is perhaps possible il
human affairs. In addition to this
: recognize the public advantage of max
ing all nominations, as nearly as pos
e sible, imper sonal, in the sense of being
I free from mere caprice or favor. Il
these directions and in those Office
J. which special training is of greatly in
! creased value, l believe such rule as t,
: the term as to
THE TENURE OF OFFICE
o should obtain as may induce men O
! proper qualifications to apply them
4 selves industriously to the task of he
coming profcients. Bearing thes
things in mind / have endeavored to re
duce the number of changes in subol
q dinate places usually made upon tn
Il change of the general administration
and shall most heartily cooperate witt
g Congress in better system. establishing
such methods and rules of admission t.
the public service, and of promotion
II within it as may promise to be mos
:, successful in making thorough compel
IS ency, efficiency and character the de
l. cisive tests in these matters. / ask til
; renewed attention of Congress to whf
has already been done by the civil SCI
+ vice commission appointed in pursuanc
/ of an act of Congress by my predece
n sor, to prepare and revise civil serve
It rules. In regard to much of the depart
mental service, especially at Wasl
e ington, it may be difficult to organize
l. better system than that which has thu
q been provided and it is now being use
IS to a considerable extent under my d
rection. The commission has still
l. legal existence although for sever
+ years no appropriation has been mad
e for defraying its expenses. Believin
rs that this commission has rendered va
10 liable service and will be most valu
n bic agency in improving the administr
J. ton of the civil service, l respectful
IL recommend that suitable appropriate
n. be Immediately made to enable it
s. continue its service. 1t is my purpos
to transmit to Congress as early
lie practicable, report by the chairma
III of the commission and to ask your q
N tention to such measures upon this sui
n iect as in my opinion will further pr
a mote the Improvement of the civil sc
al vice.
OF During the past year the Unite
al States has continued to maintain peac
OF full
no RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN POWERS.
he The outbreak of war between Russ
oh and Turkey, though at one time atten
ed ed by grave apprehensions as to j
ly effect upon other European nations, h
ed had no tendency to disturb the annie
n BILE relations existing between Il
a United States and each of the two co
BY tending powers. An attitude of just al
ng> impartial neutrality has been preserve
ne and I am gratifed to state that in Il
oI ,,,idsf of fhair hacfiIifsas both fbo Pr