The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1879-12-12

erni ana complete establishment, M what
ever cost. ~ universal security and FREQ
wh - nm n M
great attention from our people. both In the
sphere ~ National and State authority. ind
40 reason 20 qualify the opinion expressed
In my last annual message, that no temporary
or administrative interests ~ Government.
however urgent % wcighty. will ever destroy
oe zeal OF our people in defense OF 'he
primary rights Of citizenship, and that the
power ~ public opinion win override All
political preJudlccs and all sectional and
State attachments In demanding that al over
citizen " the United states shall mean one
and the same thing. and carry with them un-
challenged security and respect. ! earnestly
appeal 10 the intelligence and patriotism Of
ali good citizens ~ every part 81 the country,
however much they may he divided In npin-
Ions on other political subjects. 20 unite in
compelling obedience ~ existing laws aimed
at the protection of the right Of suffrage
| respectfully urge upon Congress 10 supply
any defects IN these laws which experience
has shown. and which IL Is within its power 20
remedy. | again invoke the cooperation ~
the Executive aud Legislative authorities Of
the States I'm this great purpose. ] nm fully
convinced that n the public mind can be set
M rest on this paramount question OF
popular rights. no serious obstacle will thwart
or delay the complete pacshcation ~ the
country. or rctnrd the general diffusion Of
prosperity.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
In n former message | invifed the attention
OF Congress ~ the subject ~ the reformation
OF the Clvil Service ~ the Government. aud
expressed the intention II transmitting 20
Congress, ~ early AZ practicable report upon
this subject ~ the Chairman 81 the CIVIL
during considerable period tho Government
Of Great Britain hns been dealing with
administrative problems and abuses In
various particulars analogous To those pre-
scnied In this country. and that. IN recent
years the measures adopted were understood
IL have been effective and In every respect
highly satisfactory, thought II desirable 20
have fuller information upon rho subject, and
Ciyii ssr,1c Commission to make
thorough investigation for this pur-
pose. The result has been an clah-
crate and comprehensive report. The report
sets forth the history of the partisan spOils
system in Great Britain, and of the rise and
fall ~ the Parliamentary patronage, and q
cfncial Interference with the freedom ~ cleo
tions. II shows that after long trials "a va
ripns kinds Of examinations. those which nre
competitive nnd open On equal terms ~ all.
and which are cnrris u on under the supcrin-
fendence Of a single commission. have
with great advantage been established rs
conditions Of admission 10 almost every
oiiciai place IN the subordinate admins
traiion II that counfr. and ~ British India.
The completion 81 the report, owing ~ the
extent ~ the labor involved In lis prcpnra-
ton. and the omission ~ Congress - make
any provision either for the compensation
or the expenses ~ the Commission, his been
postponed until the present. time. IL - here
with transmitted 20 Congress-. While the re-
form measures Of another Government are ~
no authority for rs. they are entitled ~ In
fiucnce 20 the extent 10 which heir intrinsic
wisdom and fheirndaptatinn 10 our inst ifutlvns
our consideration. The views have hereto
fore expressed concerning the defects and
abuses In our civil administration remain un-
changed. except IN ~ FAR NJ IN enlarged ex-
perience has .ieepcned my sense OF the duty
hOihnf officers and a the people themselves to
cooperate for their removal. The grave evils
and pcrils ~ partisan spoils system OF APP
pninfnent 10 Oiiice and ufiicc tenure are
now generally recognized In the resolu-
finns ~ the great parties. in the reports
~ Depart ments sin the debates and proceedings
OF Congress, IN the messages ~ Executives,
the gravity ~ these evil. has been pointed
out. ard the need ~ their reform mas pccn nd
mitted. To command the necessary support.
every measure u reform must be based on
compatible with the healthy existence
OF great parties. which are inevitable and
essential in FREQ state. when the
hs eee,a apps9 enaenec pe''sSS AZ o
GERS they have selected. Hnd the nd
viscrs who. In accordance with our political in
stitutinns, should be consulted N the policy
which IL y their duty ~ carry into effect, y in
disprnSablc. II Is cnineniiy proper that they
should explain II before the people, ~ well as
Illustrate ifH spirit IN tho performance ~ their
ostciAl duties. II hardly need b. rrinted out
that very different considcrat lon apply 20 tho
greater number OF thoscs who I'LL tho
subordinate places in the civil service.
ors in niiicinl position. II Is their duty 10
obey TIE legal Instructions ~ those upon
whum that authority y dcyolvcd, and thc!rbcst
public service consists IN tho discharge OF
their functions Irrespective OF partisan pol
titles. Their duties are the same whntcycr
party Is in power. and whmtcvcr policy pre-
walls As consequences. Il follows. that their
prevalence ~ any policy or tho supremacy ~
any party. but should 10 determined by their
capacryt n crycihc people most uscfIills quito
cons dcra'ons tpat should ' sycrn inc tenure
should also prevail in the appointment. dis
ciplinc and removal OF these subordinatce.
The authority ~ appointments and removal Is
not n pcrluisitc which may he used 70 AID
friend or reward partisan. but Is a trust 70
be exercised IN the public interest, under all
the sanctions which attend the obligation 70
apply the r.uhlic funds only Ter public pur
poses. Every citizen has mn equal right 70 the
honor and profit 81 entering the public service
~ III rnuntry. The only Jus, ground Of dis
examination " the measure 81 character and
capacity hc has 70 make that service most use
ful 20 the people.
nzcd principles. rs upon the theory ~ PEN
siofs. of.iccs and promotions are bestowed hs
rewards for past services. their bcstowal upon
any theory which disrcgaris personal merit Is
an act ~ injustice 90 the citizen, a. well rs q
breach ~ that trust subject 10 which the np-
pointing power IL held. In the light - these
principles II becomes ~ grcnt importance 10
provide just AMI adequate means. especially
Tor every department and large administrative
Office. where personal discrimination on the
part ~ lis head IL not practicable for ascer.
iaining those qualifications 90 which nppoint-
ments and removals should have reference.
To fail 10 provide such means IL not only
70 deny the opportunity Of nsccrtnining the
facts upon which the most righteous chin 70
ONCE depends. hut on necessity 20 discourage
oil worthy nsplrants by handing over APP
point menfs and removals ~ mere influence
and favOrifism. III II IL the right ~ tho
worfhirst claimant ~ gain the appointment,
and the interest " the people 20 bcstow Il
upon him. Ii would seem clear that wiso
and inst method ~ ascertaining per-
eonni fitness for ofHcc must needs 10
an important and permanent function
Of every Just ana wise Government. II has
long since become impossible IN the grcat Of
nces for those having the duty 81 nomination
and appointment ~ personally examine istu
the Individual qualifications ~ more than z
small proportion ~ those seeking office. and