Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-12-05

Oh u state. lUlS important cnanHe VIII HOT
however, be approved by the country while
the citizens of Utah, in very considerable
number. uphold practice which is con
demned as IA crime by the laws of all civilized
communities throughout the world. The law
for the suppression of this offence was enacted
with great unanmity by congress more thar
dead letter In the territory of Utah, because
of the peculiar difficulties attending its en-
folcement The opinion widely prevailed
ia contraventioirof the CONSTITUTIONAL giaran
tee of religious freedom. This objection Is
now removed. The supreme court of the Uni
ted States has decided the law to he with n the
legislative power OF congress- and binding as q
rule of action for all who reside within the ter
ritories. There Is no longer any reason for de
lay or hesitation In its enforcement. 1t should
be firmly and effe, lively executed. If not suf.
nciently stringent TN It's provisions IT. should ht
amended and In aid Of the purposes in view,
searching methods for preventing as well aS
furnishing. this crime be provided If neces-
sary to secure obedience to the law, the en- joy
ment and exercise of the rights and privi-
! leges of citizenship in the territories of the
United States may he thed or drawn from
| those who violate or oppose the enforcement
OF the law on this subject.
THE ELECTIONS.
The elections of the past year, though accu-
pied only with state officers, have not failed
| To elicit on the Jlitica discussions which at
tended them all over the countryinew and de-
cisiye evidence Of the deep interest which the
the country toward a more general and com
plete establishments at whatever cost, of unl-
versa freedom and security In the exercise 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 expressed in my last annual message
t that no temporary or administrative interests
OF government, however urgent or weighty,
VIII ever display the zeal of our people in the
defense of the primary rights of Ci iizenShip
and that the power of public opinion will over
ride all poll ical prejudices, and all sectional
ana state attachments. IN demanding that all
over our wide territory the name and charac-
ter Of citizens of the United States shall M IAN
one and the same thing, and carry with them
unchnllenged security and respect | earnestly
appeal to the intelligence and patriotism of all
gooi citizens ot every part OF the country.
however much they may b" divided in opinions
on other political subj ,cts to unite in compeli-
Ing obedience to existing laws aimed n the
protection of the right of suffrage. | respect
fully urge upon congress to supply any defects
IN these laws which experience has shown and
which II has with its power to remedy. again
invoke co operation, OF executive and legisla-
tive authoritieIof states in this great purpose,
| am fully convinced that II the public mind
can be set at re,t on this paramount qucs-
tion of popular rights, no serious objection
Will thwart or delay the complete paciication
of the country or retard the general diiru-
sion of prosperity.
REFORMING THE CIVIL SERVICE
In "A former message invited the attention
of congress To the subject of the civil service
of the government and expressed the intcn-
tion of transmitting to congress as early as
practicable ii report upon this subject by the
chairman of the civil service 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 presented in this country, and that in
recent years the methods adopted were under
stood to have been effective and in every re-
spcct highly satisfactory, thought 1t desra-
bic To have fuller Information up IN the sub
j.ct. and accordingly requested the chairman
of the civil service commission to make
thorough investi cation for this purpose. The
result has been an elaborate and comprehen-
sive report. The report sets forth the history
of the partisan spuis custom in Great Britain,
aud of the rise 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 are competitive and open on equal
terms to all, and which are carried on under
the superintcndencc of u single commission
have with great advantage been established as
conditions of admission to almost every Of
hcal place in the subordinate a lminlstration
of that country and of British India. The
completion of the report, owing to the extent
of the labor Involved in its preparation and
the omission of congress to make any provis.
ion, either for compensation or the expense of
the commission, has been postponed until the
present time. 1t Is herewith transmitted to
congress. While reform measures OF another
government are of no authority for us, they
are entitled to influence to the extent to which
their Intrinsic wisdom and their adoption to
our institutions and shci al HE may commend
them To our consideration.
COMPETITIVE EXAMINATIONS.
The views have heretofore expressed con-
cerning the defects and the abuses In our civil
administration remain unchanged, except IN
SO far rs an enlarged experience has opened
my sense OF the duty both of officers ana or
the people themselves to cooperate for their
removal. The grave evils and perils OF par
tisan spoilS system of appointment to ohice
are row generally recognized in resolu-
nf hn
departments, in the debates and proceedings
of congress and in the messages of executives:
The gravity of these evils has been pointed
ont, and the need of their reform has been
admitted. TO command the necessary sup,
port, every measure of reform must be baseu
on common right and justice and must be
compatible with the healthy existence of the
great parties which are inevitable and essen-
tial in free state When the people have APP
dence on the part of the officers they have
selected. and of the advisers who. in accord
ance with our political institutions. should be
consulted in the policy which Is their du,y 10
carry into effect Is Indispensable. 1t Is em'-
nently proper that they should explain 1t be
fore the people, as well AS Illustrate MS spirie
in the performance of their Official duties IL
need hardly be pointed out that very diTerent
considerations apply to the greater number of
those who I'LL the subordiuate places In the
civil service. Their responsibility Is 10 tnelr
supcriorS in official position. IL Is their uuty
To- obey the legal instructions of those upon
whom that authority Is devotved, ana thelr
their functions irrespective OF partisan poll
tics. Their duties are the same whatever party
is in power and whatever policy prevails. AS
| IA consequence, it follows that their tenure OF
Office should not depend upon the prevalence
| OF any policy or the supremacy OF any party
| but should be determined by their capacity 10
serve the people most usefuly, quite .rrespec-
| tive of partisan Interests. he same consider
| ations that should govern the tenure ol ONCE
| should also prevail in the appointment disci-
pine and removal of these Suhordlnates: Inc
| authority of appointment and removal - NOT
| a pcrul~itp Wnich may be used To did Il iriehu
| or reward Il partisan, but Is Il trust 70 ne eNcr'
| Cised in the public interest under all the sane
! touS which attend the litigation, to apply IN,
| public funds only for public purposes. Every
! citizen has an equal right to the hohor ana
profit oi entering The public service oi lis
country; the only just ground OF dl>crlUilha
tiOn l. the measure of character ana capa'ltS
lie has u make that service the most ustiul t'
the people, except In cases where, upon Jus
aud recognized principles, as upon the theorl
Of pensions, Offices ana promotions are bestowt'
a. rewards ui past services. Their bcstuwa
upon any theory which disregards persona
merit. l. an act oi injustice to the citiZen, a
well H. a breach uI that trust. subject 10 VIII ~
I the appointing power = held. In the hght q
. ! these principles, Il becomes OF great lmpoI
tancc To- provide just aud adequate meal :, te
peCialiN ibr every department ana large az
minis .a;IVe once where personal dlscrInlnl
: tiau ga hs part of it, head = not practical.
Tor A., crtliuing th1s quilinratio t. whic
appointments and rem pSa.s should haNcTeIrl
enrp. 10 ia 90 provide such means j. not on
. to deny the opportunity OF ascertalnins III