Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-12-11

be firmly aud effectively executed. II not
sufficiently stringent IN its provisions 1t
should be amended. and In aid OF the pur-
pose 10 view. | recommend that more COM
prehensive aud more searching methods
for preventing as well as pubshing this
crime be provided. II necessary. to secure
obedience to the law. the enjoyment and
exercise of the rights and privileges OF
citizenship iu the Territories OF the United
States may be withheld or Withdrawn
from those who violate or oppose the en-
iorcemen, OF the lsw on this subject.
The elections OF the past year, though
occupied only with State Offices. have not
failed 10 elicit in the political discussions
which attended them all over the cpuntry,
new aud decisive evidence OF the deep iu.
terest which the great body OF citizens take
In the progress OF the country towards a
more general and complete establishment,
81 whatever cost, OF universal security and
freedom Ia the exercise OF the elective
franchise. While many topics OF political
concern demand great attention from our
people. both in ;he sphere OF national aud
State authority, find no reason TO qualify
the opinion expressed in my last annual
message. that no temporary or admins
traitye interests of government, hOseyer
urgent or weigh,y, will ever dtsplace the
zeal of or people in defence OF the prim-
AIRY rights of citizenship, and that the pow.
er OF public opinion will override all polti-
cal prejadices and all sectional aud State
attachments. IN demanding that all over
our wide territory tho name and character
OF citizen OF the United States shall mean
one aud the same thing. and carry with
them unchsllcnged security aud respect.
earnestly appeal 10 the Intelligence and
patriotism OF all good citizens ot every part
OF the country, however much they may
BE- divided In opinions on other political
subjects. 10 unite In compelling obedience
TO existing laws aimed a, the protection OF
the right OF suffrage.
respectfully urge upon Congress to
supply any defects in these laws which ex-
perieuce has shown aud which ii is within
It's power TO remedy. | again Invoke the
cooperation OF the executive and legisla-
tive authorities OF the Sistc In this grea,
purpose. am fully convinced that IL the
public mind can be set al rest on this para
noun, question OF popular rights. no -crI-
ous obstacle will ,hwArt or delay the com
p!ete paciacaron OF the country or retsrd
the general diffusion OF prosperity.
In a former message, Invited the at
ieuiion OF Congress 10 the subject Of the
reformation OF the civil service OF govern
mIttlng to Congress a. early IS practicable
a report upon this subject by the Chairman
OF the Civil Service Commission. In view
OF the facts that during a considerable pc
riod the Government OF Great Britain
has been dealing With administrative
problems and abuses In various par
tloulars analogous to those presented In
This country, aud that ia recent years the
measures adopted were under stood to have
been Elective, aud Ia every respect highly
satisfactory. though, il desirable 10 have
fuller Information upon the subject. and
accordingls requested the Chairman OF the
tiyii Service Commission 10 MAKE a thor
ough investigation for this purpose. The
result has been an elaborate and comprc-
heuslye report. The report sets forth the
history Of the PARTISAN spolls system In
Great Britain. aud OF the rise and fall of
parliamentary patronage, and Of oiiiciai
Interference with The freedom OF elections
IL shows that after long trials o! various
kinds Of examinations. those which are
competitive aud open on equal terms to all.
and which are carried on under the super
intendrnce OF a single commission, have.
with great advantage. been established a.
conditions OF admission To almost every Of
hcial place iu the subordinate administra-
ton OF that country and OF British lnds.
The completion of the report. owing 10
the extent OF the labor Involved In its prep
arst!ou. and the omission oi Congress 10
make any provision either for the compen-
sztion or the expenses OF the commission,
has been postponed until the present time
Il Is herewith transmitted to Congress
While the reform measures OF another
government are OF no authority for US,
they are entitled TO Influence To the extent
10 which their Intrinsic wisdom aud their
adaptation 20 our institutions and social life
may commend them to our consideration.
The views have heretofore expressed
concerning the defects and abuses la our
civil administration remain unchanged. eX-
cept In so far as an enlarged experience
has deepvned my seDse OF the duty both OF
officers and OF the people themselves 10
Cooperate for their removal. fhe grave
evils aud perils OF a partisau-spoIls system
of appointment 10 Office and OF Office ten
ure. are now generally recognized. In
the resolutions OF the grea. parties. in the
reports OF Departments. In the debates
aud proceedings OF Congress. in the mes
sages Of Executives. the gravity Of the,e
evil. has been pointed out and the need
OF their reform has been admitted
To command the necessary support. ev-
cry measure OF reform must be based on
common right and justice, and must be
compatible with the healthy existence OF
great parties, which are inevitable AMI es-
ssDtial In tree State.
When the people have approved policy
al a National election, confidence on the
part OF the officers they have selected, aud
of the advisers who, In accordance with
our political institutions. should be con-
suited. in the policy which il il their duty
10 carry into effect, Is indispensable. Ii Is
emDently proper that they should explain
1t before the people, as well as illustrate
its spirit in the perfoI nance Of their official
duties.
Very different considerations apply TO
the greater number OF those who fiil the
subordinate places In the civil service.
Their responsibility is TO their superiors
In official position. IL is their duty To obey
the legal instructions of those upon whom
that authority is devolved. and their best
public service consists In the discharge of
their functions irrespective Of partisan pol
iics Their duties are the same, whatever
party is in power and whatever policy
prevails. As a consequence, II follows
that their tenure Of Office should not de-
pend on the prevalence OF any policy or
the supremacy OF any party, but should be
determined by their capacity TO serve the
people most usefully, quite irrespective OF
partisan Interests. The same considera-
tions that should govern the tenure, should
also prevail in the appointment, discipline,
and removal OF these subordinates. The
authority OF appointment and removal Is
not a perquisite, which may be used to aid
s friend or reward partisan, but it is a
trust 10 be exercised In the public interest,
under all the sanctions which attend the
obligation to apply the public funds only
Tor public purposes.
Every citizen has an equal right 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 10 make
that service most useful to the people. Ex-
cept in cases where, upon just and recog-
nlzed principles. as upon the theory OF
pensions. offices and promotions are be-
slowed a. rewards foG past services, their
bestowal upon any theory which disre-
CARDS personal merit. is an act OF in
justice 10 the citizen, as well AS q breach
OF that trust. subject TO which the appoint
ing power Is held.
In the light Of these principles, il be-
comes of great Importance to provide Just