The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-12-04

As . consequence, it follows that their
tenure Of Office should not depend on the pre-
valence Of any policy or the supremacy of any
party, but should be determined by their ca
Pacity to serve the psoFts most usefully quite
irrespective Of partisen interests. The same
consideration that should govern the tenure
should also prevail IN the appointnent, dis
cipline and removal Of these subordinates. The
authority Of appointment and removal is not 4
perquisite which may BE- used TO aid o friend or
remove a partisan; but is. a trust 10 be exer-
cissd in the public interest under all
the sanctions which attend the obligation
to apply the public funds only for
public purposes. Every citizen has an equal
right to the honor and profit Of entering the
public service of his country.
Ifit is the right of the worthiest claimant to
gain the appointment, and the interest of the
people to bestow it upon him, it would seem
clear that q wise and just method of ascertain
ing personal fitness for Office must needs be an
important and permanent function Of every just
and wise Government.
1t has long since become impossible
In the great Offices Of those having
the duty of nomination and appointment to
personally examine into the individual quail
fcatons of more than a small proportion of
those seeking ONCE, and with the enlargement
of the Civil Service that proportion must con-
tinue to become less. In the ezrier years of
the Government the subordinate Offices were so
few in number that it was quite easy for those
making appointments and promotions to per-
sonally ascertain the merits of candidates.
Party managers and methods had not then be-
como powerful agencies of coercion, hostils-to
the free and just exercise Of the appointing
poWsr. NJ EEAAA ~ -
A large and responsible part Of the duty Of
restoring the Civil Service to the desired purity
and efficiency rests on the President, and it has
been my purpose to do what il within my
power to advance such prudent and frugal
measures of reform as will most surely and
rapidly bring about that radical change Of
system essential to make our administra-
tive's methods satisfactory to q free and
intelligent people. By proper exercise of
authority il is in the power of the Execu-
tive to do much to promote such . reform. But
it can not be too clearly understood that
nothing adequate can be accomplished without
cooperation on the part of Congress, and con-
siderable and intelligent support among the
people. EWe@
Reforms which challenge the generally ae-
cepted theories of parties, and demand changes
in the methods Of Departments, are not the
work Of day. Their permanent foundations
must be laid on sound principles, and in an
experience which demonstrates their wisdom
and exposes the errors of their adversaries.
PARTISAN BLAcKMAM.
There are other Administration abuses to
which the attention of Congress should be
asked in this connection. Mere partisan ap-
pointments and the constant peril of removal
without cause very naturally lead to an alb
sorbing and mischievous political activity en-
the part of those thus appointed, which not
only interferes with the due discharge of
official duty, but is incompatible with tho
| freedom of elections. Not without warrant in
the views of several of my predecessors in the
Presidential office, and directly within the law
of 1871 already cited, endeavored by regula-
tions made on the ed day of June, 1877, to
| put some reasonable limits to such abuses. 1t
may not be easy, and it may never perhaps be
necessary, to define with precisios the proper
limit Of political action On the part Of Federal
officers hut while their right b hold and freely
express their opinions can not be Questioned, i
is very plain that they should neither be al
lowed to devote 10 other subjects the time
needed for the proper discharge of their official
to enforce their own opinions, or % coerce the
political action of those who hold different
| opinions.
In whatever aspect considered, the practice
OF making levies. for party purpose upon the
salaries of officers is highly demoralizing to the
| public service, and discreditable to the coun-
] try. Though an officer should be as free as any
other citizen to give his own money in aid Of
his own opinions or his party, he should asc
be as free as any other citizen to refuse t.
make such gifts. If salaries are but fail
compensation for the time and labor of tn,
officers, it is gross injustice to levy o tax upor
them. If they are made excessive in ordel
that they may bear the tax, the excess in ar
inderect robbery of the public funds. I recon
mend, therefore, such revision and extension
of present statutes as shall secure to those il
every grade of official life or public employment
the protection with which great and enlight
cned Nation shall guard those who are faithful
in its service.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Have continued peaceful. With Great Britain
there are still unsettled questions, growing ou
of the laws Of the maritime provinces and tn
action of Provincial authorities deemed to b.
in derogation of rights secured by treaty t.
American fisherman. The United States Min
lister in London has been Instructed to presen
demand for $105, ,S05.02, in view of the dam
ages received by American citizens at Forum
Bay on the 9th day of January
1878. The subject has been take
into consideration by the British Gov
ernment, and an early reply is anticipate
upon the completion of the necessary prelimi
nary examinations. The subject of our par
|. ticipation in the Provincial fisheries as regu
lated by treaty. will at once be brought to tn
attention Of the British Government, with
view to an early and permanent settlement
the whole question:, which was only temper
ariiy adjusted by the Treaty of Washington
Efforts have been made to obtain the removs
of restrictions found injurious to the exporta
tion of cattle to the United Kingdom. Som
correspondence has also occurred with regar
to the rescue and saving of life and propert
upon the lakes, which has resulted in import
ant notifications of the previous regulation
of the Dominion Government on the subje
in the interest Of humanity and commerce.
THE French CABLE.
The assent, of the Government has bee
given to landing on the coast of Massachuset
of a new and independent Transatlantic cab
between France, by way of the French Isan
St. Pierre, and this country, subject to an
future legislation of Congress on the subjec
The conditions imposed, before allowing tn
; connection with our shores to be establishes
are such as to secure its competition with ar
existing or future lines marine cable, ar
preclude amalgamation Herewith to provit
! for entire equality Of rights to our Governmel
and people with those Of France in the use
the cable, and prevent any exclusive possessit
: | of the privilege accorded by France to Il
disadvantage of sfny future cable communic
ton between France and the United State
: which may be projected and accomplished l
our citizens. I respectfully submit to yo
consideration tho importance of Congression
action in this matter.
MINOR FOkklGN hATTERS
The questions Of grave Importance wi
/, Spain, growing out Of the incidents of Il
Cuban insurrection, have been, for the mo
part, happily and honorably settled. 1t mi
reasonably be anticipated that the Commissi
!. y now sitting in Washington, for the decision
y private cases in this connection, will soon
J. able TO bring its labors to q conclusion.
. Some questions with Switserland in rera
to pauper and convict emigrants have arise
u but it is not doubtful that they will be a
ranged upon just and satisfactory basis.
s With the German Empire frequeat que
tions arise in connection with the subjects
. naturalization and expatriation, but the Ii
Q perial Government has constantly manifested
u desire TO strictly maintain and comply with
n treaty stipulations in regard to them.
!. Relations with Austria, Russia, Italy, Port
y gal, Turkey and Belgium continue amical
y and marked BY no incident Of special impo
/ ance.
i A~lc Al - I.-1 of thA II