New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-01

manned until recently dead letter III Tue
Territory OF Utah, because OF the peculiar
d;fSrnlti.s attending its enforcement. The
opinion widely prevailed among the citizens OF
s.itnt,onal guaranteo OF religious freedom. This
objection is removed. The supreme Court OF
the United States has decided the law to be WITHIN
The legislative power Of Congress, and binding, ne
rule of action all who resided within the Ierri-
tories There il no longer any reason fer delay or
hesitation in its enforcement. IL should be hrmly
and effectively executed II not sufficiently stfin-
Qent ia US provisions, IL should he amended, ana
in aid o. Inc purpose IN view ,eb SnJs
for preventing well Furnishing. this crime 0e
provided. " necessary 10 secure obedience TO the
law the enjoyment and exercise OF the nghts ana
privileges If citizenship in The Territories of the
United States may be withheld or Withdrawn from
those who violate oppose the enforcement OF the
law Oh tins subject.
FRKE AND FAIR FLTClIoNS.
TIE elections Of the past year, though occupied
only with State Offices have not failed to elicit in
the political discussions which attended them all
over the country, new and decisive evidence ofthe
deem interest which the great body of citizens take
in the progress Of tie country toward more general
ard complete establishment at whatever cost, OF
universal security and freedom IN the exercise on
the elective franchise While MANY topics of polit-
cal concern demand great attention from our people
both IN tao sphere of National and state authority
find no reason TO qualify the opinion expressed
in nv last annual Message, thai no temporary or
administrative interests Of Government, however
urgent wcghtv. will ever display tho zeal Oh our
people in defence of the primary rights OF
Will override all political pfeludces and all
sectional and state attachments, III demanding that
all Nidc territory the naIne and character
Of citizen of the United States shall mean one and
the same thing, and carry with them unchallengcd
security and respect. Earnestly appeal Ia the m
tehgence and patriotism of all good citiz ms. OF
every part OF the country, however much they may
be divided In opinions on other political subjects,
10 unite in compelling obedience to existing laws
aimed at the protection OF the right OF suffrage i
respectfully urge upon Congress to supply any de-
fects in these laws which experience has shown
" ia ". I
invoke the cooperation of the Executive aud Legs
lative an of fhc States m this great purpose
am fully convinced that If the public nina can be
set OF rest on this paramount question of popular
rights. no serious object will thwart or delay the
complete pacihcatlon of the country, or ietafu the
general diffusion of prosperity.
Reforming THr CIVIL SERVICE.
In a former Message invited the attention q
Congress 10 the subject of the reformation of tae
civil service of the Government, and expressed the
intention Of transmitting 10 Congress. a early as
practicable report upon this subject by the Chair
man of toe Civil Service COMM ssion Ia view OF
the facts that during a considerable" period the
Government of Great Britain has been dealing with
administrative problems and abuses IN various par
tculars analogous 10 those presented IN this conn-
try and that in recent years the measures adopted
were understood TO have been effective and in
respect highly satisfactory, thought 1t desirable
10 have fuller information npon the subJect ana
accordingly requested the Chairman Of the
ough investigation for this purpose. The
result has been an elaborate ana c"inprehen.
the partisan spoIls sy stem oil Great Britain and OF
the rise aud fall of the PariameFr airy patronage,
ard of official interference with the freedom OF cleo
flonS Ii shows that, after long trials OF various
kinds of examinations, those which are competitive
and open on equal terms TO al ana whlch are car
RED on under the superintendent OF single com
mission. have with great advantage been established
as conditions OF admission 10 almost every official
place in the subordinate administration OF that
country and of British India. The completion Of
The report owing to the extent of The labor involved
in its preparations and the omission of Congress TO
q
the expenses of the commission has been posi- p0ncd
until te present time In is herewith transmitted
10 Congress. While the reform measures Of another
Government OF no authority for us. they are en-
titled TO influence TO the extent 10 which their
intrinsic wisdom and their adaptation 20 our insti-
tutions and sccia life may commend TO our cOnsm-
Grafton.
The views have heretofore expressed concerning
the defects and abuses in our civil administration
remain unchanged except III 50 far an enlarged
experience has opened my sense OF the duty, both
Of officers and Of the people themselves, to cOOper-
ate for their removal. The grave evils and perils OF
a partisen-spoils system OF appointment to office
and of Office tenure now generally recognized.
In the resolutions of the great parties. IN the re
ports of departments, in the debates and proceed
1ngs of Congress in the messages of Executives the
gravity Of these evils has been pointed out and the
need OF their reform has been admitted. To com
maBd the necessary support. every measure ~ re-
form mast 80 based on common light and justice,
and must he compatible with the healthy existence
of great parties, which inevitable and essential
in a free State. When the people haYo approved
policy al a National election confidence the part
of the officers they have selected and OF the advisers
should be consulted in tie policy which il Is their
duty TO carry into exects i ndispe9sabie' II rs
emnently proper that they should explain AZ before
the people as we'll illustrate its spirit III the per-
Torrance OF their Official duties
Ii hardly need be pointed ont that very different
considerations apply to the greater number Of those
who fill tho subordinate places III the Civil Service.
Their responsibility Is to their suPerioTs in official
poitiou IL Is their duty TO obey the legal nstruc-
tons Of those upon whom that authority is de
yolved and their best public service consists In the
discharge OF their functions irrespective oil partisan
ThQ1 iufI no ms hate
rs in power. and whatever p0ley prevails. AS a
consequence. il follows that their euure of Office
should not depend upon the prevalence OF any
policy, or the supremacy of any party, but should
be deterun, by their capacity To serve the people
most useiuly. quite irrespective OF partisan inter
ests. The same considerations that should govern
the tenure should also prevail in the appointment,
discipline, aud removal OF these subordinotes.
The authority Of appointment and removal Is not q
perqusite which may be used 10 aid friend
ward partisan. but trust TO be exercised in the
public interest under all the sanctions winch
attend the obligation 20 apply the public funds
only for public purposes. Every citizen has equal
right to The honor and profit Of entering the public
service OF bs country The only just ground OF DIS
criminaon IS the measure OF character and capacity
be has TO make that service most useful to the peo
pie Except IN cases where upon just and recognized
principles. a. upon the theory oil pensions, ofnces
and promotions are bestowed as rewards Tor past
services. their bestowal upon any theory which dis
regards personal merit is act of injustice to the
citizen, well breach OF that trust subject TO
which the appointing power Is held.
PROPER METHODS or EXAMINATION.
In the hight of these principles ii becomes Of great
Importance To provide just and adequate means
pecially Tor every department and large admins
tratiye office where personal discrimination on the
part OF its head - not practicable, for asccrtanng
those qualifications TO which appointments and IT.
movais saOald have reference. To fail to provide
such means is net only TO deny the opportunity OF
aseeTtainng the facts upon which the most right
clam once depends, but OF necessity To DIS
courage all wortny aspirsnts by handing over ap-
polntinents and removals 10 mere influence and IA
vOriiiSm. III AZ Is tae riRnt Ot the wOrthiest