The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-12-04

ment. it should be firmly and effect
iyely executed. If not sufficiently
stringent in its provisions it should be
amended, and, in aid Of this view, l
recommend that more comprehensive
and more searching methods for pre-
venting as well as punishing tins crime
be provided. If necessary to secure
obedience to the law, the enjoyment
and exercise of the rights and prlvi-
leges of citizenship in the Territories of
the United States may be withheld or
withdrawn from those who violate or
oppose the enforcement of the law on
this subject.
The People and the Laws.
The elections of the past year, though
occupied only with State offices, have
not failed to elicit in the political dis
cussions which attended them all over
the country, new and decisive evidence
of the deep interest which the great
body of citizens take in the progress OF
the country towards more general and
complete establishment, at whatever
cost, of universal security and freedom
in the exercise of the elective franchise.
While many topics Of political concern
demand great attention from our peO-
pie, both in the sphere of National and
State authority, | find no reason to quail
ify the opinion ! expressed in my last
annual message, that no temporary or
administrative interests of government,
however urgent or weighty, will ever
displace the zeal Of our people in de-
fence of the primaryrights of citizen
ship, and that the power Of public opin-
ion will override all political prejudices,
and all sectional and State attach
ments, in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character
of citizen of the United States shall
mean one and the same thing, and carry
with them unchallenged security and
respect. earnestly appeal to the III
telligence and patriotism OF all good
citizens Of every part Of the country,
however much they may be divided in
opinions on other political subjects, to
unite in compelling obedience to exist
ing laws aimed at the protection OF the
right of suffrage. respectfully urge
upon Congress to supply any defects in
these laws which experience has shown
and which is within its power to rem
edy. | again invoke the cooperation OF
the executive and legislative authori-
ties of the States in this great purpose.
am fully convinced that if the public
mind can be set at rest on this para
mount question of popular rights, no
serious obstacle will thwart or delay
the complete pacifcatiOn Of the country
or retard the general diffusion of pros
perity.
Reforming the Civil Service.
In former message | invited the at
tention of Congress to the subject of
the reformation of the civil service of
the Government, and expressed the
intention of transmitting to Congress
as early as practicable IA report upon
this subject by the chairman Of the
Civil-Service Commission.
The views | have heretofore expressed
concerning the defects and abuses in
our civil administration remain un-
changed, except IN so far as an enlarged
experienced has deepened my sense OF
the duty both of the officers and of the
people themselves to cooperate for
their removal. The grave evils and
perils of a partisan-spoils system OF APP
pointment to office and of Office tenure,
are now generally recognized. In the
resolutions of the great parties, in the
reports of Departments, IN the debates
and proceedings of Congress, in the
messages of Executives, the gravity of
these evils has been pointed out and
the need of their reform has been ad-
mitted.
To command the necessary support
every measure of reform must be based
on common right and justice, and must
be compatible with the healthy exist
ence of great parties, which are inevita-
BILE and essential in free State.
When the people have approved a
policy at National election, confidence
on the part of the officers they have
selected, and of the advisers who, in
accordance with our political institu-
tions, should be consulted, in the policy
which it is their duty to carry into
effect, is indispensable. 1t is eminently
proper that they should explain it be-
fore the people, as well as illustrate its
spirit in the performance Of their
official duties.
Very different considerations apply
to the greater number of those who fill
the subordinate places in the civil ser
vice. Their responsibility is to their
superiors in official position. 1t is their
duty to obey the legal instructions of
those upon whom that authority is de-
volved, and their best public service
consists in the discharge Of their func-
tions irrespective Of partisan politics.
Their duties are the same, whatever
party is in power and whatever policy
prevails. AS a consequence, 1t follows
that their tenure of Office should not
depend on the prevalence of any policy
or the supremacy of any party, but
should be determined by their capacity
to serve the people most usefullN quite
irrespective of partisan interests. The
same considerations that should govern
he tenure, should also prevail in the
appointment, discipline, and removal
of these subordinates. The authority
Of appointment and removal is
not perquisite, which may be used to
aid friend or reward a partisan, but is
a trust to be exercised in the public in
terest, under all the sanctions which
attend the obligation to apply the pub
lie funds only for the public purposes.
Every citizen has an equal right to
the honor and profit of entering the
public service of his country. The only
just ground of discrimination, is the
measure Of character and capacity he
has to make that service most useful TO
the people. Except in cases where,
upon just and recognized principles, as
upon the theory of pensions, offices and
promotions are bestowed as rewards for
past services, their bestowal upon any
theory which disregards personalmerit,
is an act of injustice to the citizen, as
well as a breach of that trust subjectto
which the appointing power is held.
Methods Of Examination.
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