The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1880-12-18
1t. believe that's strong and grow

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the experience referred to has demonstrated
the feasibility Of such measures.
Inc examinations in the Custom Houses and
Poatoffices have been held under many embar
rassnent5 and without provision for compen-
satiOn for the extra labor performed by the Of
fcers who have conducted them, and whose
commendable interest in the improvement Of
the public service has induced this devotion Of
time and labor without pecunlary reward. A
continuance of these labors gratIitOuslv ought
not to be expected. and without appropria-
ton by Congress for compensation it is not
practicable to extend the system of
examinations generally throughout the
civil service. 1t ID also highly
important that all such examinations
should be conducted upon uniform system
and under general supervision. Section 1853
Of tie Revised Statutes authorizes the Presi-
dent TO prescribe the regulations for admission
to the civil service Of the United States. and for
this purpose TO employ suitable persons to con-
duct the requisite inquiries with reference to
1.-THE fitness Of each candidate in respect to
age. health. character. knowledge. and ability,
fer the branch Of service into which he seeks
to enter but the law is practically inOper-
alive for the want of the requisite apyropria-
ton.
] therefore recommend an appropriation Of
$4,000 per annum to meet the expenses of
commission, TO lee appointed by the President
IN accordance with the terms of this section,
and efficient system of competitive examina-
tons, ana to supervise the application of the
same throughout the entire civil service Of the
Government. am pursuaded that the facili-
ties which such a commission will AFFORD
for testing the fitness of those who apply
for Office viii not only be as welcome
a relief to members Of Congress as
1t viii to to the President and heads of depart
meut-, but that it will also greatly tend to re-
move the causes Of embarrassment which now
inevitably ana constantly attend the conflicting
claims Of patronage between the Legislative
and Executive departments. The most effect
ual check upon the perncl0us competition OF
influence and official fayoritsm in the bestowal
of office will be the substitution Of an open
competition Of merit between the applicants
in which every one can make his own record,
with the assurance that his success will depend
upon this alone.
also recommend such legislation as, while
leaving every officer free as any other citizen
to express his political opinions and to use his
mean for their advancement, shall also enable
hun to feel as safe az any private citizen
III refusing ali arluaII'!- upon ills -.i.It l-s
political purpose. 4 law which shoHld tina,
guarantee tI7Ic liberty and Justice t. aH Who
are engaged Ia the pubic service, ami likewise
contain stringent provisions against the Use ot
Official authority to cOercC the political action If
private citizens or of official subOrdiuatcS, Is
greatly 10 be desired.
The most serious obstacle however to an
improvement of the ciyI; service and especial
~ to a reform in the method Of appointment
and removal. has been found to be the prlc-
tee under what Is known a. the 8poils system.
by which the appointing power has been so
largely encroach"d upon by members Of Con-
eress. The first step III the reform Of the
civil service must be a complete divorce
between Congress and the Executive i'll
the matter Of appointments. The cor
rupting doctrine that Ito the victOrs belong
the spols' Is inscparable from Congress
slonal patronage as the established rule and
practice of parties III power. Ii comes to be
understood by applicants for office, aud by
the people generally, that Representatives
and Senators are entitled to dIsburse the
patronage Of their respective districts and
States. 1t Is not necessary to reCItc ut length
the evils resulting from this invasion of tbs
Executive functions. The true principles Of
government on the subject of appointments to
Office, as stated in the National Conventions of
the leading parties of the country, have again
and again been approved by the American peO-
pie. and have not been called in question III
any quarter These authentic expressions of
public opinion upon this all-Impmtant subject
are the statement Of principles that belong
To the constitutional structure of the Govern
meut.
"Under the constitution the President and
head Of departments are to make nominations
for Office. The Senate is to advise and consent
to appointments, and the House Of Represen-
tatiNes Is 10 accuse and prosecute faltlic7s Off
GERS The E, n4St interest Of tue public service
demands that these distinctions be respected;
that Senators and Representatives, who
may be Judges and aCcusers should
not dictate appointments TO Of
fee To this end the cooperation Of the
Legislative Department of the Government is
required, alike by the necessities Of the case
and 10y public opinion. Members Of Congress
viii not be relieved from the demands made
upon them with reference to appointments 10
office until. by legislative enactment the per
mclous practice is condemned and forbidden
II is therefore recommended that an act he
passed defining the relations Of members of
Congress With reference to appointments TO Of
fee bv the President. and l also recommend
that the provisions Of section 1857, and OF the
sections following of the Revised Statutes,
comprising the Tenure-of-Office act, of March
2, 1867. be I, pealed.
believing tnat to reform the system and
methods of tine civil service in our cOuutro Is
one Of the highest and most imperative duties
of craftsmanship and that it can be per-
manently done only by the cooperation of the
Legislative and Executive Departments of the
Government, | again commend the whole sub
iect to Your consldcrate attention.
It is the recognized duty and purpose Of the
people Of the United States to suppress
polvEamv where it now exists in our Terri
tories, and to prevent its extension. Faith
full and Jealous efforts have been made hv
tho United States authorities IL Utah to en-
force the laws against it. Experience has
7hown That the legislation upon this subject,
to be effective, requires extensive mOdltica-
ton and amendment. The longer action
is DELAYED, the more difficult it will be to &C
complish what Is desired. Prompt and de
uidcd measures are necessary. The Mormon
sectarian organization which uphOlds poyganly
has the whole power of making and
executing the local legislation Of the Territory.
BY Its control Of the grand and petit jurieS it
possesses large influence over the admlnistra-
ton of justice. Exercising, as the heads Of
this sect do, tie local political power of the
Territory. they are able TO make effec-
tive their hostility to the law of Con-
gress on the subject of pOlvgamy, and,
IN fact do prevent It's enforcement POvgamv
will not be abolished if the enforcement Of the
law depends on those who practice and uphold
the crime. 1t can only be suppressed by taking
away the political power of the sect which en-
couragc5 and sustans it. The power of Con
gress to enact suitable laws to protect the Ter
TltOries Is ample 1t is not case of halfway
measures. The political power Of the Mormon
sect is increasing it controls now one of our
weathiest and most populous Territories
II IS extending steadily into other Terri
tories. Wherever It goes II establishes pO-
lygamv and sectarIan political power. The
sanctity of marriage and the family relation are
the cornerstone Of our American society and
civilization. Religious liberty and the separa-
ton Of church and state are among the ele-
mentarv ideas OF free institutions. To re-es-
tablish the interests and principles which po-
lygamy and MOrmOnism have imperilled and to
fully reopen to intelligent and ylrtuOus immi-
grants Of all creeds that part of our domain
winch has been, in great degree, closed to
general immigration by intolerant and immoral
institutions. il is recommended that the Cow