Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-12-04

nisiss III Washington and IN q number of the
custom houses and postotiices of the principal
| cities OF the country, with q view to further
/ test their effects, ami in every instance they
| have been found to be rs sanitary rs they are
stated 10 have been under the administration
| of my predecessor | think the economy
! purity and efficiency OF the public service
| would be greatly promoted by their systematic
| introduction, wherever practicable, throughout
| 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
nisster in the city of New York, where such
examinations have been some time ON trial,
aud also from the Collector OF the Port, the
! Nsval Officer and the Surveyor in that city,
| and from the Postnasters and Collectors in
| several of the other large cities, shcw that the
competitive system, where spilled, has in
various ways contributed to improve the
pubic service. The reports show that the
results have been salutary in a marked
| degree, and that the general application II
similar rules cannot fail to be Ut decided benett
| to the service. The reports of the Government
officers in the city of New York especially
bear decided testimony to the utility of
| open competitive examinations in their respect
| i've offices, showing that those examinations.
and the excellent qualifications of those admit
! ted to the service through them, have had a
marked incidental effect upon the persons pre-
viously in the service, and particularly upon
those aspiring to promotion There has been
on the part of those latter all increased inter-
est in the work, and desire TO extend acquaint
| ance with it 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 al opportunity to thor
| moderate compensation to persons III the pub
lie service who may perform extra labor upon
or under the commission az the Executive may
direct | am convinced that If just and
detiits test OF merit is enforced for
admission TO the public service, and in
making promotions, such abuses removal
without good cause and partisan and Off
cial interference with the proper exercise of
the appointing power will in large measure
disappear, There other admin stratiye
abuses to which the attention OF Congress
should DO asked In this connection Mere
partisan appointment and the constant peril OF
removal without cause very naturally lead to
| an absorbing and mischievous political activity
on the part OF those thus appointed, which not
only iuterieres with the due discharge Of Off
ciai duty, but is Incompatible with the freedom
or elections. Not without warrant in the view
of several OF my predecessors i'll the Presiden-
tial Office directly in accordance with the law Of
1871 already cited, endeavored, by regulation
made on the 22d of June, 1877, TO put some
reasonable limits to such abuses. 1t may
not be easy, aud 1t may never, perhaps be
|
limit of political action on the part of Federal
officers But, while their right TO 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 the authority of their Office to
enforce their own opinions, or to coerce the
political acton OF those who hold different
opinions Reasons OF justice and public policy
quite analogous to those which forbid the use
of official power 70, the oppression OF the pri-
vate citizen impose upon the Government the
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 demorali2ing TO the public
service and discredItable to the country
Though an officer should be as free any other
citizen 10 give his money IN aid Of his opinions
or his party, he should also be ~ free AZ any
Other citizen to refuse TO make such gifts. If
salaries are but fair compensation for tho
time and labor OF the officers, 1t .s gross ipju
tce to levy tax upon Thorn. If they are mace
excessive IN order that they may bear the tax,
the excess is an indirect robbery of the public
funds | recommend, therefore, such 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 III its service.
Foreign Relations.
Our relations with foreign cou = have
continued peaceful. With Great Br .taiI there
are still unsettled questions, glowing out OF the
local laws OF the maritime provinces, and the
action OF provincial authorities deemed To be IN
derogaton OF rights secured by treaty TO Amer
lean fishermen. The United States Minister IN
London has besn instructed to present de-
mand FOR SlO5, 3p5 O2 in view Of the damages
received by American citizens at Fortune bay
81. ,tax, =
has been taken into consideration by the Brit
ish Government and an early reply lis an
| uclpaed. Upon the completion OF
the necessary preliminary examina-
ton, the subject 81 our participation
in the provincial ,hcres, rs regulated by
treaty, will at once - brought to the attention
of the British Govern nent with view to al,
early ana permanent settlement OF the whole
question, which was only temporarily adjusted
by the treaty of Washington. Efforts have
been made 20 obtain the removal OF restrictions
found injurious 10 the expectation OF cattle 10
tue United Kingdom. Some correspondence
has also occurred with regard to the rescue and
saving OF life and property upoL the lake,,
which has resulted in important notifications
Of the previous regulations OF the Dominion
Government on tho subject, In the interest OF
humanity and commerce
In accordance with tho joint resolution OF
the last session Of Congress, Commissioners
were appointed to represent the United States at
the two International Exhibitions in Australia,
one OF which is now 10 progress at Sydney
and the other to be held next year at Moi
bourne. "a desire has oeen expressed by jur
merchants and manufacturers interested in the
important and growing trade with Australia
that an increased provision should be made by
Congress for the representation Of our indus
trie4 at the Milbourne Exhibition Of next year,
and the subject is respectfully submitted "a
your favorable consideration
The assent OF the Government has been given
to the landing on the coast Of Massachusetts Of
new aud independent Transatlantic cable be-
tween France by way OF the French Island
of st. Pierre and this country, subject TO any
| f,tura ln1,islati OF lnnrraaa ON tn IN hlnnt