The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1879-12-05

for the purpose, who entered with zeal upon III,
dscharge OF their duties, prepared with an in
teligent appreciation OF the requirements Of the
s,rVlce, the regulations contemplated, aud took
charge of the examinations, aud who, In their
capacity ~ board, have been knoSn as the
Owl service Commission. Congress for two
years Appropriated the money needed for the
compensation and for the expense Of carrying
on the work Of the commission. Ii appears
from tho report Of the commission, submitted
10 tine President in April, 1874, that examma.
lions had been held III various sections Of the
country, and that an appropriation Of about
$4,000 would be required to meet the annual
diseharglng the duties Of the commits
sion. The report was transmitted 10
Congress by special message OF April IS
1874 with the following favorable comment
upon the lsbors of the commission: If sus-
tanned by Congress, ] have no doubt the rul 9
and enforced a. TO still more materially benefit
the public service. and relieve the Executive,
members OF Congress, and the heads Of d.
partments from influences prejudieial to good
administration. The rules, as they have hith-
erto been enforced, have resulted beneficially,
IS is shown by the opinions Of the members Of
the Cabinet and their subordinates IL
the departments, and In that opinion !
concur And in the annual message OF
December Of the same year similar views art
expressed, and an appropriation for continuing
the work Of the commission again advice l.
The appropriation was not made, and, - q con
sequence, the active work Of the commission
Was suspended, leaving the commission itsel'
still in existence without the means therefore of
causing qualifications 10 be tested In any sys-
tematic manner, or securing for the public ser
vice the advantages or competition upon any
extensive plan. recommended In my annual
message OF December 1877, the making Of Cd
an ia n h.
work Of the commission In the meantime,
however, connective examinations, under
many embarrassnents, have been conducted
within limited spheres In the executive depart
mens IN Washington, and ina number of the
custom houses and postoffices OF the principal
cities OF the country, with view TO further
test their effects, ana in every instance they
have been found TO be IS salutary rs they are
stated to have been under the administration
Of my predecessor. I think the economy
purity and efficiency Of the public service
would be greatly promoted by their systemati
introduction, wherever practicable, throughou
the entire civil service OF the Government,
together with ample provision for their general
supervision, in order TO secure consistency and
uniform justice.
Reports from the Secretary Of the Interior,
from the Postmaster General from the Post
msster in the city Of New York, where sucI
examinations have been some time on trial,
and also from the Collector OF the Port, the
Naval Officer and the surveyor in that city,
and from the POstnasters and Collectors in
several Of the other large cities, show that tn,
competitive system, where applied, has in
various ways contributed to improve the
pubic service. The reports show that thu
results have been salutary in Q marked
degree, and that the general application q
to the service The reports Of the Government
officers in the city Of New York especially
bear decided testimony to tho utility Of
open competitive examinations in their respect
i've Offices, showing that these examinations,
and the excellent qualifications Of those admit
ted TO the service through them, have had
marked incidental effect upon the persons pre-
yiousIy in the service, and particularly upon
those aspiring to promotion. There has beer
on the part Of those latter an increased inter-
est in the work, and . desire to extend Gcquaint-
ance with 1t beyond particular desk, and thus
the morale Of the entire force has been raised
The examinations have been attended by many
citizens, who have had an opportunity TO thor
moderate COMPENSATION TO persons III the pub
lie service who may perform extra labor upon
or under the commission as the Executive may
direct ] am convinced that if just and
defiite test OF merit is enforced for
admission 70 the public service, and IN
making promotions, such abuses As removal
without good cause and partisan and Off
clai interference with the proper exercise of
the appointing power will in large measure
disappear. There are other admin strative
abuses TO which the attention of Congress
should DO asked in this connection Mere
partisan appointment and the constant peril OF
removal without eSuse very naturally lead 10
sn absorbing and misehieyous political ACTIVITY
on the part Of those thus appoinseG, which not
only interieres with the due discharge OF Off
cial duty, but Is incompatible with the freedom
OF elections. Not without warrant IN the view
Of several Of my predecessors in the Presiden-
tisl Office directly in accordance with the law Of
1871 already cited, endeavored. by regulation
made on the I'D Of June, 1877, to put some
reasonable limits to such abuses. 1t may
necessary 10 defne with precision the proper
limit Of political action on the part Of Federal
officers. But, while their right 70 hold and
freely express their opinions cannot be ques-
toned, it is very plain that they should neither
be allowed to devote to other subjects the time
needed for the proper discharge Of their official
duties, nor to use the authority Of their Office to
enforce their own opinions, or to coerce the
Political action Of those who hold different
OpiniOns Reasons Of justice and public policy
quite analogous to those which forbid the use
Of official power for the oppression Of the prI-
duty Of protecting its officers and agents from
arbitrary exactiOns. In whatever aspect con-
sidered, the practice Of making levies for
party purposes upon the salaries of
officers Is highly demoralizing to the public
service and discreditable to the country.
Though an officer should be as free any other
citizen 20 give his money IN aid Of his opinions
or his party he should also be as free as any
Other citizen to refuse to make such gifts. II
salaries are but q fair compensation for the
time and labor Of the officers, it Is gross Injus
tce to levy tax upon them. II they are made
excessive In order that they may bean the tax,
the excess Ii an indirect robbery Of the public
funds ! recommend, therefore, such Q re-
vision and extension Of the present statutes as
shall secure to those In every grade of official
life o. public employment the protection with
which . great and enlightened nation shall
guard those who are faithful in its service.
Foreign Relations.
Our relations with foreign countries have
continued peaceful With Great Britain there
are still unsettled questions, q owing Oui OF the
local laws OF the maritime provinces, and the
action OF provincial authorities deemed to be in
derogation Of rights secured by treaty to Amer
lean fishermen. The United States Minister IL
London has been instructed to present de-
mand for SlO5, 35 OF in view of the damages
received by American citizens ct Fortune bay
on the 9th day OF January, 1873 The subject
has been taken into consideration by the Brit
ism Government, and an early reply is an-
ticipsted. Upon the completion OF
the necessary preliminary e1amina
ton, the subject OF our participation
in the provincial fisheries, as regulated by
treaty, viii at once be brought to the attention
OF the British Government with view to Ill
early and permanent settlement OF the whole
question, which was only temporarily adjusted
by the treaty of Washington Efforts have
been made to obtain the removal Of restrictions
found injurious to the expectation Of cattle to
tue Uniied Kingdom Somt correspondence
has also occurred with regard to the rescue and
saving, Of life and property upoL the lakes.
oh haa i'm SrfNr ko1f
Of the previous regulations Of the Dominion
Government on the subject, in the interest OF
humanity and commerce.
In accordance with the joint resolution OF
the last session Of Congress, Commissioners
were appointed 10 represent the United States OF
the two International Exhibitions In Australia
ore OF which Is now III progress at Sydney
and the other to be held next year at Mel
bourne. desire has been oppressed by ur
merchants and manufacturers interested in the
important and growing trade with Australia
that an increased provision should be made by
tries at the Melbourne Exhibition of next year,
and the subject is respectfully submitted 70
your favorable consideration.
The assent Of the Government has been given
10 the landing on the coast of Massachusetts Of
Q new and independent transatlantic cable be-
tween France, by way Of the French Island
Of st. Pierre and this country, subject to any
future Legislation OF Congress on the subject.
The conditions imposed, before allowing the
connection with our shore 10 be established,
are such rs 10 secure its competition with any
existing or future lines of marine cable, and
preclude amalgamation Herewith TO provide
For entire equality Of rights to our Gov
eminent and people with those Of France
in the uss Of the cable, and prevent any
exclusive possession Of the privilege as &C
corded by France to the disadvantage OF any
future cable communication between France
and the United states which may be projected
and accomplished by our citIzens. An i'm
pOrtant reduction OF the present rates OF
communication with Europe, felt to be too bur
densome 10 the interests Of our commerce,
rnnat nacesaa rilu Anz frnrn tha eaka hliahmani