The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-12-04

unlimited legal-tender for private trans
actions assigned to both metals would
irresistibly tend to drive out OF circulation
the dearer coinage and disappoint the prin-
cipal object proposed by the legislation In
view. / apprehend, therefore, that the two
conditions OF near approach to equality
OF commercial value between the gold and
silver coinage OF the same denomination,
and OF Limitation OF the amount for which
the silver coinage is to; be legal-tender,
are essential to maintaining both in circH-
lation. II these conditions can be success
fully observed, the issue from the mint OF
silver dollars would afford material assist
ance to the community in the transition to
rcdeemable paper money, and would facili-
tate the resumption OF specie-payment and
its permanent establishment. Without
these conditions I fear that only mischief
and misfortune would flow from coinage
OF silver dollars with the quality OF unim-
tied legal-tender, even in private transac-
tions.
Any expectation OF temporary ease from
an issue OF silver coinage to pass as legal
tender at rate materially above its COM
mercia value is, am persuaded, delrl-
sion. Nor can think that there is any sub
stantial distinction between an original
SSuC vi SllfSI uplldtS aU a. TuiaS Aiia
terally above their commercial value and
the restoration of the silver dollar at rate
which once was, but has ceased to be, its
commercial value. Certainly the issue Of
gold coinage, reduced in weight materially
below its legal-tender value, would not be
any the less 4 present debasement OF the
coinage, by reason Of its equalling or even
exceeding in weight gold coinage which,
at some past time, had been commercially
equal to the legal-tender value assigned to
the new issue.
In recommending that the regulation OF
any silver coinage which may be authorized
by Congress should observe these condi-
tons of commercial value and limited legal
tender, am governed by the feeling that
every possible increase should be given to
the volume of metallic money which can be
kent in circulation, and thereby every pos
siblc aid afforded to the people in the pro-
cess OF resumiDg speoic-payncnts. 1t is
because OF my firm conviction that disrc-
gard OF these conditions would Illustrate
the good results which are desired from
the proposed coinage, and embarrass with
new elements OF confusion and uncertainty
the business OF the country, that l urge
upon your attention these considerations.
I respectfully recommend to Congress
that in my legislation providing for silver
coinage, and imparting TO 1t the quality OF
legal-tender. there be impressed upon the
measure firm provision eXempting the
public debt heretofore issued and now out
standing from payment, either Of principal
or interest, in any coinage OF less CONNER
cial value than the present gold coinage OF
the country.
The organization OF the civil service OF
the country has for Il number OF years at.
tractcd more and more OF the public atten.
ton. So general has become the opinion
that the methods OF admission to it and the
conditions OF remaining in it are unsound
that both the great political parties have
agreed in the most explicit declarations OF the
necessity OF reform, and in the most en-
phatic demands for it. I have fully bc-
licvcd these declarations and demands to be
the expression OF 4 sincere conviction OF
the intelligent masses oil the people upon
the subject, and that they should be rccog'
nized and followed by earnest and prompt
action on the part OF the legislative and cN-
ecutiYe departments OF the Government, in
pursuance OF the purpose indicated.
Before my accession TO office endcavorcd
to have my own views distinctly understood
and upon my Inauguration my accord with
lUc puDllC v W an stUtSN III lSiIho DS'
licycd to be plain and unambiguous. My cX.
perience in the Executive duties has strong.
" confirmed the belief in the great advan.
tagc the country would find in observing
strictly the plan OF the Constitution, which
imposes upon the Executive the sole duty
and responsibility of the selection OF those
Federal officers who, by law, are appointed
not elected; and which. in like manner, as.
60 OF tho l-Inrbt n o1-
wise and consent to, or to reject, the nomi.
nations so made; whilst the House Of Rep.
resentatives stands as the public censor OF
the performance of official duties, with the
prerogative Of investigation and prosecu
ton in all cases of derciction. The blem
ish and impcrfection in the civil service
may, as I think, be traced in most cases tC
a practical confusion OF the duties assigned
TO the several departments Of the Govern.
ment. My purpose ia this respect has been
10 return 10 the system established by the
fundamental law. and to do this with the
hearticst cooperation and most cordial un.
dcrstanding with the Senate and House OF
Representatives. g..
The practical difficulties in the 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 be more embarrassed in this respect
than any subsequent period. 1t Is here
that the Constitution seems to me TO prove
its claim to the great wisdom accorded to
it: it gives to the Executive the assistance
of the knowledge and experience OF the
Senate, which, when acting upon nomlna-
TONS to which they may be disinterested
and impartial judges, secures as strong a
guaranty OF freedom from errors OF import
ance as is perhaps possible in human AFFAIRS.
In addition to this recognize the public
advantage OF making all nominations, as
nearly as possible, imperSonal, in the sense
Of being free from mere caprice or favor in
the selection; and in those offices in which
special training is OF greatly-incrcased value
I believe such 4 rule. as to the tenure OF
office should obtain as may induce men OF
proper qualifications to apply themselves
industriously to the task Of becoming pro-
ficients. Bearing these things in mind, l
have endeavored to reduce the number Of
changes in subordinate places usually made
upon the change OF the general Administra-
ton, and shall most heartily cooperate with
Congress in the better systematizing OF such
methods and rules Of admission to the pub
lie service, and of promotion within it, as
NAV 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
Service Commission, appointed In pursu-
ance Of an act Of Congress by my predeces-
sar. to prepare and revise ciyil-service rules.
In regard to much Of the departmental SER
vice, especially at Washington, it may be
difficult to organize better system than