The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1879-12-05

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preventing as we'll As publishing this crime be
| p,Osided. IL necessary to secure obedience TO
the law, the enjoyment aud exercise of the
rights aud privileges of citizenship in the
Territories OF the United States may be with
held or Withdrawn from those who violate or
oppose the enforcement OF the law on this
subject
Popular Rights.
The 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 OF the deep interest
which the great body of citizens take
more general and complete establish
ment, at whatever cost OF universal
security and freedom in the exercise of the
elective franchise. While mauy topics Of
| political concern demand great attention from
our people, both in the sphere of National and
State authority, find no reason to qualify the
| opinion l expressed in my last annual message
| that no temporary or administrative interests
! OF Government however urgent or weighty
will ever destroy the zeal of our people in do
fense OF the primary rights of citizenship, and
that the power of public opinion will over
ride all political prejudices and all sectional
aud State attachments in demanding that all
| over our wide territory the name and character
of citizens of the United States shall mean one
80 y
lenged security and respect. Earnestly appeal
to the intelligence 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 existing 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 it is within its power to
remedy l again invoke the cooperation OF
fl.0 nd olot;x Al
States in this great purpose. l am fully con-
WINGED that If the public mind can be set at
rest on this paramount question of popular
rights, no serious object will thwart or delay
the complete pacifcation of the country, or re-
tard the general diffusion of prosperity.
CiviI-Service Reform.
In former message invited the attention
Of Congress to the subject Of the reformation
of the civil service OF the Government, and
expressed the intention Of transmitting to Con-
gress as early as practicable, q report upon
this subject by the Chairman of the Civil Serv-
ice Commission. In view of the fact that
during considerable period the Government
Of Great Britain has been dealing with
administrative problems and abuses in
various particulars analogous to those present
ed in this country and that, in recent years,
the measures adopted were understood to have
been effective and in every respect highly sat
a
information upon the subject, and accordingly
requested the Chairman of the Civi, Service
Commission to make a thorough investigation
for this purpose. The result has beer al elab-
crate and comprehensive report The report
sets forth the history of the partisan spoils sys-
tenn in Great Britain, and of the rise and fall of
the Parliamentary patronage and of Of
fetal interference with the freedom of
elections. 1t shows that, after long
trials of various kinds of examina-
tons, those which are competitive and
open on equal terms to all, and which are car
RED on under the superintendent of single
commission, have with great advantage been
established as conditions of admission to almost
every Official place in the subordinate admins
tration of that country and Of British India.
The completion OF the report owing to the ex-
tent of the labor involved in its PREPARATION and
the omission OF Congress to make any provis-
Ion either for the compensation or the expenses
OF the commits sion, has been postponed until
the present time. 1t is herewith transmitted
To Congress. While the measures of another
Government are of no authority for us, they
are entitled to influence to the extent 10 which
their lntr nsc wisdom and their adaptation to
our institutions and social life may commend
the m To our consideration. The views / have
heretofore expressed concerning the defects
ana abuses IN our civil administration remain
unchanged, except in 80 far an enlarged ex-
perlence has opened my sense OF the duty both
of officers and Of the people themselves
TO cooperate for their removal The grave
evils and perlls OF partisan-spoils system ofap-
polntnent TO Office and office tenure are now
generally recognized. In the resolutions of the
great parties, i'll toe reports of depa tments, in
the debates and proceedings of Congress, III the
messages of Executives, the gravity of these
evils has been pointed out, and the need OF their
reform has been admitted To command the
necessary support, every measure of reform
must be based on common right and justice,
ana must be compatible with the healthy
existence Of great parties, which are inevitable
and essential in free state. When tho
people have approved policy at O.
national election, confidence on the part Of
tho officers they have selected, and OF the al
vlsers who, in accordance with our politicsl
institutions should be consulted in the policy
which it is their duty to carry into effect,
Is Indispensable. IL is eminently proper that
they should explain it before the people, as
well as illustrate its spirit in The performances
OF their official duties lie hardly need be
pointed oui that very different considerations
apply to the greater number of those who
I'LL the subordinate places in the civil service
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 involved, and their best pub |
lie service consists in the discharge of their
functions irrespective of partisan politics.
Their duties are the same whatever party is in
power, and whatever policy prevails. AS
it follows that their tenure of
office should not depend upon the prevalence
OF any policy or tho supremacy of any party,
but should be determined by their capacity TO
serve the people most usefnlly, quite
irrespective OF partisan interests The
same consideration that should govern
the tenure should also prevail in the ap-
pointment, discipline, and removal of these
The authority OF appointment
and removal is not perqusite which may be
used to aid friend or reward partisan, but
8 a trust to be exercised in the public inter est,
lnder all the sanctions which attend the
obligation to apply the public funds only for
public purposes. Every citizen has an equal
light 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 recog-
llzed principles, as upon the theory of pen
ions, Offices and promotions are bestowed as
ewards OF past services, their bestowal upon
my theory which disregards personal merit is
N act of injustice to the citizen, as well as a
'reach Of that trust subject to which the ap-
'olnung power is held. In the light of these
principles 1t becomes of great importance to
'rovide Just aud adequate NEAR 8, especially for
very department and large administrative Of
Ice, where personal Discrimination on the part
4 Its head is not practicable for ascertaining
hose qualifications to which appointing
md removals abould bava co,,oa