Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-07

Die hlu hnOrueu 10 lne ptpple w lht pioOtn'
of resuming specie payments. II il because
of my conviction that a disregard of these
conditions would Illustrate the good results
which are desired from the proposed coinage
aud embarrass with new elements of confu-
sion and uncertainty the business of the coun-
try, that l urge upon your attention these con-
sderations. | respectfully recommend to
Congress that in any legislation providing for
n silver coinage and mpartng TO it the quality
of legal tender, there be impressed on the
measure n firm provision cXempting the pub
lie debt heretofore issued and now outstand-
ing from payment, either of principal or inter-
est in any coinage Of less value than the pres
ent gold coinage of the country.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The organization of the civil service of the
country has for n number of years attracted
more and more public attention So general
has become the opinion that the methods of
admission to it and the conditions of remain-
ing in it are unsound, that both the great po
litical parties have agreed in the most explicit
declarations of the necessity of reform, and i'll
the most emphatic demands for it. | have
fully believed these declarations and demands
to be the expression of n sincere conviction oil
the intelligent masses of the 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
Departments of the Government in pursuance
of the purpose indicated. Before my Access
sion to office ! endeavored to have my own
views distinctly understood, and upon my i'll
augaration my accord with the public opinion
was stated in terms believed to he plain and
unambiguous My experience in the ENccu-
tive duties has strongly confirmed the belief
in the great advantage the country would find
in observing strictly the plan of the Constitu-
ton which imposes upon the Executive the
sole duty and responsibility of the selection OF
those officers who by law are appointed not
elected and which III like manner assigns to
the Senate the complete right TO advise and
consent to, or to reject. the nominations so
made whil. the House of Representatives
stands rs the public censor of the performance
of official duties with the prerogativo of inVes-
tigation and pro, ccution in all cases of dcrc-
LECTION. The bl.mishes and imperfections in
the civil strvic, may, l think, be traced in
most cases to II practical confusion OF the du-
| ties assigned to the several departments OF the
| Government My purpose, i'll this respect
| has been to return to the system established
| by the fundamental law and to do this with
! the heartiest corporation and most cordial
understanding with the Senate and House OF
| Representatives
The practical difficulties in tn" selection Of
| numerous officers for posts of widely varying
responsibilities and duties are Acknowledged
to be very great, No system can be expected
| to secure absolute freedom from mistakes,
and the beginning of any attempted change
| of custom is quite likely to he more cmbar-
msSed i'll this respect than any subsequent
period 1t is here that the constitution seems
TO me 10 prove lts cIllih 10 tlt great "isuoili
| accorded To II. II gives the EeAeutlNt the as
slstance OF the knowledge OF the Neha'r'
winch when actihS upon nominations IL "
a.. 4, 4
Which they may DC ulsillereS''" una IN
tlal Judges secures as strong Bu'r"n'! "'
freedom rom errors ot importance H. - p'r
haps possible III human "nairN. IN "uu4H"l
to this ! recognize the public advantage "i
making all nominations, rs nt"iIy ~ p'NSilh''
lmpersonal III the sehst ol h'!"E Tree ron
mere caprice or favor III the s,IrV'oA' anu u
those oihces III winch sPeeHh running II V'
greatly increased value otneNt sutI u r'u'
rs TO the tenure OF ONCE should oot"lh ~
may induce men oil proper IualihcH.on7 ''
apply themselves lhdustrlously TO tht TASK o.
becoming prohciehts. hearing ines, 'AilS
IN mind ! have endeayor' d 10 reduce 'he mum nun.
Der OF changes III suOoi innate PAGES uSuai!
istrotion and shall most heartily co-operat,
with Congress III the better systelnatlHnE o
such methods ana rules ol admission 10 IN
public service and OF promotion Witilh II IL
may promise to be most successful IN mnklnl
thorough competency EMERGENCY ana char"C
ter the DECISIVE tests IL these matters. asl
the renewed afentoh oi congress 10 VIVA
has already been done by the civil SerNc
Commission appointed IN pursuance OF act o
Congress 10y my predecessor to prepare AM
revise civil service rules In regard To niue
of the departmental service. tspeclaily Il
J Washington, 1t may he dlincult 10 organize
better system thah thal whlch mas thuS nee
J provided ana Is now being USED 10 Cohsluei
e able extent under my direction Inc Con
2 mission has stlll legal existence a'houS
Tor several Years no appropriation ma, pee
made Tor defrayIng lts expenses heheNil
that tins commission has rendered N"luaol
service and Will he most useful agency
improving the administration OF the cNll SCI
n vice, respectfully recommend that sultaol
appropriation 10 De lihmeulH'tly u'Alauit
{ made to enable II TO continue It's hhors' IL
T my purpose to transmit TO congress as edll
o as practicable report by the Chairman
u the Commission, and 10 ask your attention
J. such measures on inns subject rs III my oph
b ION wlll further promote thr Improvements
the clNll service.
o ,,,,,,,.,, ,,,., ,r,,,,.
Il During the past year the United Stat,
: have continued to MAINTAIN peaceful relatlul
: with foreign powers. Inc outbreak Oh va
Il between Russla ana turkey, thonGh III Oh
e time attended by grave apprehension as to /
Il effect upon other European ha'uhs' mas IA
/ no tendency to disturb the amhcable reiHuol
+ existing between the United states ana eAc
& OF the two contendlng powers An a'u'u'
Is of Just and impartial neutrality has h'cn pr
y served, and am gratihed to htat' that III II
= midst OF Their hostlhtleS both the I'u'''Ah III
= Turkish governments have shown al ,arne
n desire to adhere TO the Obligations OF an Urea
,' les with the tnited States and to give que r
l. | gard TO the rights of American citizens. L