The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1879-12-04

Ger and the surveyor i'm that city, and
from the pOstmasters and collectors in
several Of the other large cities, show
that the cOmpetitivesystem, where ap.
piled, has, in various ways, contributed
to improve the public service
The reports show that the results
have been salutary in u marked de.
gree, and that the general application
of similar rules cOnnot fail to be of de.
cided benefit to the service.
There are other administrative abus.
es to which the attention of Congress
should be asked i'm this connection.
Mere partisan appointments, and the
constant peril Of removal without
cause, very naturally lead to an alb
sOrbing and mischevious political ac-
tivity, on the part Of those thus ap-
pointed, which not only interferes
with the due discharge of official duty,
but is incompatible with the freedom
of elections. Not without warrant, i'm
the view of several of my predecessors
in the Presidential Office, and directly
within the laws of 1871. already cited,
endeavored. by regulation, made on
the I'D 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
precision the proper limit of political
action on the part of Federal officers.
But while their right to hold and
freely express their opinions cannot he
questioned, it is very plain that they
should neither he 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 ofjustice and public policy,
quste analogous to those which forbid
US to use official power for the OPP
preston of the private citizen, impose
upon the Government the duty of pro-
tecting its officers and agents from ar
bitrary exactiOns. In whatever aspect
considered, the practice of making lev
les, for party purposes upon the salar-
les Of officers is highly demoralizing
to the public service and discreditable
to the country. Though an officer
should be as free as any other citizen
to give his own money in aid of his
opinions or his party, he should also
Ike as free as any other citizen to re-
fuse to make such gifts. If salaries
are but fair compensation for the
time and labor of the officer, it isgrOss
injustice to levy q tax upon them. If
they are made excessive in order that
they may bear the tax the excess is an
indirect robbery of the public funds.
recommend therefore, such q re-
vision and extension of present statu-
ties a. shall secure to those in every
grade of official life or public employ
ment the protection with which q
great and enlightened Nation should
guard those who are faithful in its ser
vice.
Our relations with foreign countries
remain peaceful, yet there are num-
Der of unsettled differences between
the United States and some of the
other powers.
Therei is a gratifying increase Of trade
with nearly all European and Ameri-
can countries, and it is believed that
with judiciOus action i'm regard to its
1t can and will be still
more enhanced, and that American
products and manufacturers will find
new and expanding markets. The re-
ports Of diplomatic and consular Off
cers upon this subject, under the sys-
tenn now adopted, have resulted i'm OBJ
much valuable information,
which has been and will continue to be
laid before Congress and the public
from time to time.
He calls the attention of Congress to
the annual report of the public finan-
ces, from which we CLEAN the follow
ing facts
The ordinary revenues from all
sources for the fiscal year ended June
30, 1870, were SIT, S27 lSi 46 the Ordi-
nary expenditures for the same period
were SOS, 947 $3.50 leaving n surplus
revenue for the year of 81. s79, 3OO.93.
The receipts for the present fiscal
year, ending June 80, 1850, actual and
are as follows: Actual re-
ceipts for the first quarter commence
ing July l, 1879, S97, S42. 1881 esti-
mated receipts for the remaining three
quarters of the year, S2SS. l56, 337. 80
total receipts for the current fiscal year
actual and estsmated, S2ss, OOO,O
The expenditures for the same peri
cd will be actual and estimated, rs fol-
lows: For the quarter commencing
July I, 1879, actual expenditures, S9l,-
jS3 ,3S5. 10; and for the remaining
of the year the eXpendi-
lures are estimated at Sl72, 3l6, 6l4.9O-
the total expenditures S264,-
DO, 900, and leaving an estimated sur
plus revenue for the year ending June
30, 1880, of S24,O0J,0D0. The total re-
reipts during the next fiscal year end
ing June 50, 1851, estimated according
tO existing laws, will he SIS, OO0, 900 -;
and the estimated ordinary eXpendi-
lures for the same period will be S21S,-
D7 S64.39-leaving Il surplus of 81, G2,-
1856 for that year.
The large amount expended for ar
rears of pensions during the last and
the present fiscal year, amounting to
s2l IA 1886 has prevented the APP
plicatiOh of the full amount required
BY law to the sinking-fund for the cur
rent year; but these arrears having
been substantially paid, il is believed
without any change of ex-
sting law.
In his discussion of Indian affairs,
ne says:
The history of the out break on the
he White River Ute reservation in
Western Colorado has become SO fam
liar by elaborate reports in the public |!
press, that its remarkable incidents |
need not be stated here i'm detail. 1t |
Is expected that the settlement of this !
difficulty will lead to such arrange
ments as will prevent further hostile
contact between the Indians and the
border settlements in western Colo |
rado.
The other disturbance occurred mt |
he MescalerO agency, I'm New Next |
70, where Victoria, the head Of a small |
band of marauders, after committing |
many atrocities, being vigorously chas- |
ri BY military force, made his way
.crOss the Mexican border and now on
foreign soil.
While these occurrences, i'm which |
. comparatively small number of In
iians were engaged, are most deplora- |
bic, vast majority Of our Indian pop
llation have fully justified the expect
atoms of those who believed that BY
humane and peaceful influences the
Indian can be led to abandon the hab-
Is Of savage life and to develop ca
pacity for useful and civilized occupa-
lions. What they have already accom- |
plished in the pursuit Of agricultural
and mechanical work, and the remark
able success which has attended the
Of employing as freighters
4 class Of Indians heretofore counted
among theVfftiest and most iutracta-