River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-12-16

States.
the sentiment that the constitutional rights of
al our citizens must be maintained does nat grow
weaker. Ii Will continue to control the govern
msent of The country. Happily, the history of the
late election shows that in many parts of the
country where opposition to the fifteenth amend
uent has heretofore prevailed it is diminishing,
ana il likely to cease altogether if firm and we'll
c,psidered action Is taken by congress. | trust
she house of representatives and the senate, which
have the right to judge of the elections, returns
and qualifications of their own members will see
- it that every of violation Of the letter or
spirit of the fifteenth amendment is thoroughly
inv cstgated and that no benefit from such viola
ton shall accrue to any person or party. 1t will
he the duty of the executive, with sufficient APP
Preparations for the purpose to prosecute unspar-
ingly all who have been engaged in deprving
citizens Of the rights guaranteed to them by the
constitution
EDUCATION.
1t is not, however to be forgotten that the best
aud surest guarantee of the primary rights of
citizenship is be found that capacity for self
protection which can belong only to people whose
right to universal suffrage is supported by uni
erFsal education. The means at the command of
the local and state authorities are, in many cases
wholly inadequate to furnish free instruction to
all who need il. This Is especially true where
before emancipation, the education of the people
Was neglected prevented, in the interest of
slavery. Firmly convinced that the subject of
popular education deserves the earnest attention
% the people of the whole country, with view to
wise and comprehensive action by the government
81 the United States. | respectfully recommend
shat congress, by suitable legislation and with
proper safeguards, supplement the local educa-
i1nal funds in the several states where the grave
lates and responsibilities of citizenship have been
d.,yoved on uneducated people, by deyoting to
the purpose grants of the public lands and if nee
essary, by appropriations from the treasury OF the
Fitted States. Whatever government can fairly
4, 20 promote free popular education ought TO be
done Wherever general education is found
peace, virtue and social order prevail
AMI civil and religious liberty are secure.
CIVIL SERVICE.
In my former annual message l have asked
the attention of congress to the urgent necessity
If a reformation of the civil-servce system of the
government. Ny views concerning the dangers
ot patronage or appointments for personal or
partisan consi derations, have been strengthened
hv my observation and eX perience in the eXecu-
ave office and believe these dangers threaten
the stability of the government, Abuses so SER
IONS in their nature cannot be permanently toler-
ated. They tend to become more alarming with
the enlargement of administrative service, as the
growth of the country in population increases the
number of officers and plaeelnen employed.
The reasons are imperative for the adoption OF
fixed rules for the regulation of appointments
promotions and removals establishing a uniform
method having exclusively in view, in every in
stance the attainment of the beat qualifications
tnr the position in question. Such method alone
is consistent with the equal rights of all citizens
and the most economical and efficient administra-
tjIn Otthe public business.
COMPETITIVE examinations in aid of impartial APP
Fnntments and promotions, have been conducted
ar some years past in several OF the executive
departments and bv my direction this system has
hrtn adopted in the Custom Houses and post
iices of the larger cities Of the country. In the
city Of New ! ork over two thousand positions III
the civil service have been subject, in their APP
rpjntmentS and tenure Of place; to the operation
Il published rules for this purpose, during the
past two years. The results of these practical
trials have been very satisfactory, and have con
ffEled my opinion in favor of this system of Sc
lceIiOn. All are subjected to the same tests, and
the result is free from prejudice by personal favor
o. partisan influence. 1t secures for the position
applied for the best qualifications attalnable
among the competing APPELLANTS. 1t is an eff
fcctual protection from the pressure OF impor-
trFity which under any other course pursued,
largely eXacts the time and attention of appoint
us the officers, TO their great detrment III the dis
charge Of other officials duties preventing the
ause of the service for the mere furtherance OF
private or party purposes, and leaving the en-
ptoye of the government, freed from the obliga-
t:nns imposed by patronage, to depend solely up
or merit for retention and advancement and With
tEis constant incentive To eXertion and improve
ictlt.
These invaluable results have been attained in
a high degree in the offices where the rules for APP
pontment by competitive examination have been
applied.
a method which has 50 approved itself by ex-
peFmental tests at points where such tests may
t., fairly considered conclusive, should be
ttIrled to al subordinate positions under the gov
erJnent. | believe that strong and growing
public sentiment demands immediate measures for
securing and enforcing the highest possible
efficiency in the civil service, and its protection
from recognized abuses, and chat the experience
referred to has demonstrated the feasibility Of
such measures.
Che examinations in the custom houses and
post offices have been held under many embaras-
m,ntS and without provision for compensation
fcr'the extra labor performed by the officers who
have conducted them, and whose comendable in
tCrtSt in the lmproy ement of the 'ubc service
has induced pccuniary reward. A continuance of
those labors gratuiously ought not to be expected
ana without an appropriation by congress for
compensation, 1t is not practicable to extend the
system of examinations generally throughout the
civil service. 1t is also highly important that all
slIan examinations should be conducted upon
ur.orm system and under general SUPERVISION.
Section 7jS of the Revised Statutes authorizes
the president to prescribe the regulations for ad-
mission 10 the civil service Of the United States,
AMI for this purpose to employ suitable persons
to conduct the requisite inquiries with refer
eng to the fitness of each candidate. in respect
10 age health character. knowledge and ability,
for he branch OF service into which he seeks to
enttr but the law is practically imperative for
the want Of the requisite appropriation.
/ therefore recommend an appropriation OF
- 5000 per annum TO meet the expenses of a com
mission TO be appointed by the president in ae-
eor5ance with the terms of this section, whose
duty it shall be to devise just uniform and eff
fcint system of competitive examinations, and to
stlrsryise the application of the throughout
emf he civil service Of the government. l am
that the facilities which such commits
siou will afford for testing the fitness Of those who
apl4y for Office viii not only be as welcome re-
lief To members Of congress as it will toe TO the |
president and heads of departments, but that II |
viii also greatly tend to remove the causes OF EN-
oar EASEMENT which now inevitably and constantly
attend the conflicting claims Of patronage between
the legislative aud executive departments. The /
moss effectual cheek upon the perucious compe I
titita Of influence and official fayoritsm, in the I
besltwal Of office, viii be the substitution Of an /
oPeq competition Of merit between the applicants 1
in waich every can make als own record, with /
the assurance that his success will depend upon 4
i>glonc.
=. 1hlso recommend such legislation as while eav
ng every officer free any other citizen to eX-
pres his political opinions AMI TO use his means
for iAeir advancement, shall also enable him to 1
feel a. safe any private citizen in refusing all
iempnds upon his salary for political purposes. A |
sw which should thus guarantee true liberty and I
ustite to all who are engaged in the public SER
vice and likewise contain stringent provisions
oali'ical action Of private citizens or Of official
sub giinates greatly to be desired.
TIE sPoiLs SYSTEM
The most serious obstacle. however, to an i'm
oroygmeut Of the civil service, and especially to a
'efof'm in the method of appointment and re-
novAl has been found 10 be the practice under