The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1879-12-11

attachments in demanding that all over our
wide territory the name and character OF citizen
thing, and carry with them unchallenged security
and respect earnestly appea! to the intelli-
gcnce and patriotism OF all good citizens Of every
part OF the country, however much they may be
divided In opinions on other political Subjects
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 hes shown
and which it is within its power to remedy. I
and legislative authorizes OF the states in this
great purpose. I am fully convinced that If the
public mind can be set at rest on this paramount
question of popular rights no serious obstacle
will thwart or delay the complete paciacation of
| the country, Or retard the general diffusion OF
prosperity.
CIVIL SERVICE.
In former message invited the attention Of
civil service of the government. and expressed
the intention of transmitting to congress early
40 practicable report upon this subject by the
In view Of the facts that, during considerable
period. the government of Great Britain has been
dealing with administrative problems and
abuses, in vaioI:s particulars analogous to those
presented IN this country, and that in recent
years the measures adopted were understood to
and II hgh
information upon the subject. and accordingly re-
q,!ested the chairman Of the civil service com
this purpose. The result has been an elaborate
! and comprehensive report.
The report sets forth the history Of the PARTISAN
| spois system in Great Britain, and Of the rice
| and fall Of the parliamentary patronage, and of
official interference with the freedom of elections.
1t shows that after long trials of various kinds of
examinations, those which arc competitive and
| open On equal terms to ALL and which carried
on under the superintc ndence of q single commits
sion, have. with great advantage, been establish
ed as conditions OF admission to almost every
official place in the subordinate administration OF
that country and of British India. The compile
ton of the report owing TO the extent OF the labor
involved in its preparation. and the omission of
congress to make any provision either for the
compensation or the expense Of the commission,
has been postponed until the present time. 1t is
herewith transmitted to congress.
While the reform measures " y'nother govern.
ment are of no authority for US. ,ney entitled
to influence to the extent to which their Intrinsic
wisdom and their adaptation to our institutions
and social life may commend them to OAR consid-
Grafton.
The views have here toore EXPRESSED concern
ing the defects and abuses in civil administra-
ton remain unchanged, except in 80 far as IN
| enlarged experience has deepened my sense of
the duty both of officers and OF the people them
selves to cooperate for their removal. The grave
pointment to office and Of Office tenure, are now
generally recognized. In the resolutions Of the
great parties, in the reports OF departments the
sages 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 Meas
ure Of reform must be based on common right and
justice, and muet be compatible with the healthy
existence Of great parties, which are inevitable
and essential to a great and free state.
When the people have approved policy at
national election. confidence, on the part of the
officers they have selected, and Of the advisers
who in accordance with political institutions,
should be consulted. in the policy which it is their
duty to carry into effect, is Indispensable. Il is
fore the people, asl we'll illustrate its spirit in
the performance Of their official duties.
Very different considerations apply to the
greatcr number of those w!." Nil the subordinate
Is to their superers s in E: Vi position: It is
their duty to obey the leg Il functions Of those
upon whom that authorjt: 'ievolved, and their
best public service conS the discharge Of
their functrons irrespec'.. Of partisan politics,
their duties are the sam 'ateyer party is in
power snd =. whatever hat; Pc walls: AS con-
should not depend on" t., prevalence of any
po'icy or the supremacy of any party, but should
be determined by Their capacity to serve the
san interests The same considerations that
should govern the tenure. should also prevail in
these subordinates. The authority Of appoint.
mcnt and removal is not perquisite, which may
be used 10 aid a friend or reward Il partisan, but
under all the sanctions which attend the obi ga-
ton to apply the public funds only forpublic
Every citizen has an equal right to the honor
and profit OF entering the public service OF his
country. The only just ground 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
services, their bestowal upon any theory which
dlsregards personal merit. is an act Of injustice
to the citizens as well as q breach Of that trust
subject to which the appointing power fs held
In the light of these principles, it becomes Of
great Importance to provide just and adequate
means, especially for every department. and large
ton on the part of its head is not practicable for
ascertaining those qualifications to which ap-
70 fail to provide such means is not only to deny
the opportunity. Of ascertaining the facts upon
but, of necessity, to discourage oil worthy aspi-
| rants, by handing over appointments and remov-
ais, to mere influence and favoritsm. II it is the
! right of the worthiest claimant to gain the APP
pointment, and the interest of the people to be.
stow it upon him, it would seem clear that wise
and just method of ascertaining personal fitness
has long since become impossible in the great Of
fees, for those having the duty of nomination and
| dividual qualifications of more than small pro-
portion Of those seeking office; and, with the en-
! largement of the civil SERVICE that proportion
must continue to become less
so e%
| quite easy for those making appointments and
| promotions to personally ascertain the merits of
Ca1u!uatcs. IdrIy mAnaSerS ana mcCnOOS naO
not then become powerful agencies of coercion,
hostile to the free. and just exercise of the ap,
pointing power
A large and responsible part Of the duty of res
torng the civil service to the desired purity and
efficiency rests With the president, and it is my
vance such prudent and gradual measures Of re.
form as will most surely and rapidly bring about
| that radical change of system essential to make
! and intelligent people. BY q proper exercise Of
authority it is in the power of the executive TO do
much to promote such a REFORM But it cannot
| be too clearly understood that nothing adequate
can be accomplished without cooperation on the
part of congress and considerate and intelligent
support among the people. Reforms which chal.
| lonVo tho Oan 11v Of ar