The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1880-12-10

may be fairly considered conclusive, should
der the Government. believe that strong
and growing public sentiment demands i'm
mediate measures for securing and enforcing
e sss e he
abuses, and that the experience referred to
has demonstrated the feasibility OF such
measures.
The examinations in the Custom houses
and Post offices have been held under many
endorsements and without provision for
compensation for the extra labor performed
whose cOmmendable interest in the improve
ment Of the public service has induced this
devotion of time and labor without pecuniary
reward: continuance of these labors gra-
tuitously ought not to be expected, and with
out an appropriation by Congress for compen-
sation, It Is not practicable to extend the sys-
TEN OF examinations generally throughout the
civil service. 1t Is also highly important that
oil such examinations should be conducted
upon a uniform system and under general SUI
pervlsion. Section 1853 of the Revised Stat
regulations for admission to the civil service
of the United States, and for this purpose to
employ suitable persons to conduct the requf.
site inquiries with reference to 1.-THE fitness OF
each candidate, in respect to age, health,
character, knowledge, and ability, for the
branch of service into which he seeks to en-
ter; but the law is practically imperative
for want of the requisite appropriation.
I therefore recommend an appropriation
of $4,000 per annum to meet the
expenses of commission, to be appointed by
the President in accordance with the terms
of this section, whose duty it shall be to de-
wise just, uniform and efficient system of
competitive examinations, and to super
wise the application OF the same throughout
the entire civil service of the Government.
am persuaded that the facilities which such
commission will afford for testing the fitness
Of those who apply for Office will not only be
as it will be to the President and heads of
Departments, but that it will also greatly
tend to remove the causes of embarrassment
which now inevitably and constantly attend
the conflicting claims of patronage between
the Legislative and Executive Departments.
The most effectual check upon the pernicious
competition of influence and official fayorit-
ism, in the bestOwal of Office, will be the sub
stitutiOn of an open competition of merit be-
tween 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 as free as any other citi-
zen to express his political opinions and to
use his means Tor their advancement, shan
citizen in refusing all demands upon his sal
airy for political purposes: A law which
should thus guarantee true liberty and justice
to all who are engaged in the public service,
and likewise contain stringent provisions
against the use of official authority to cOerce
the political action of private citizens or OF
official SubOrdinatcS, is greatly to be desired.
Tie most serious obstacle, however, to an
improvement of the civil service, and es-
pecially to a reform in the method Of appoint
ment and removal, has been found to be the
practice, under what is known as the spOils
system, by which the appointing power has
been SO largely encroached upon by mem
bers of Congress. The first step In the re-
form of the civil service must be complete
divorce between Congress and the Executive
in the matter of appointments. The corrupt
ing doctrine that 10 the victors belong the
patronage as the established rule and prac-
tice of parties in power. 1t comes to be un-
ders cd by applicants for Office, and by the
people generally, that REPRESENTATIVES .Sa ,r and
age of their respective districts and States.
It Is not necessary to recite at length the evils
resulting from this invasion of the Executive
ment on the subject of appointmentst to office,
as stated in the National Conventions
of the leading parties of the
approvedby the American people. and navenot
been called in question In any quarter. These
authentic expressions of public opinion upon
this all-important subject, are the statement
structure of the Government
"Under the Constitution, the President and
Heads OF Departments are to make nomlna-
tons for Office. The Senate is to advise and
consent to appointments, and the House OF
Representatives is to accuse and prosecute
faithless officers. The best interest of the pub
respected that Senator'S and Representatives,
who may be judges and accusers should not
dictate appointments to Office" To this end
the cooperation of the Legislative Depart
ment of the Government is required, alike by
the necessities of the case and by public Opin-
ion. Members of Congress will not be relieved
from the demands made upon them with RET
erence to appointments to office until, by leg
islative enactment the pernicious practice is
condemned and forbidden.
1t is therefore recommended that an act be
passed defining the relations of members OF
Congress with respect to appointment to OF.
flee by the President; and also recommend
that the provisions of Section 1861. and of the
sections following, of the Revised Statutes.
the Tenure OF office act, OF March
2, 1867. be repealed.
Believing that to reform the system and
methods OF the civil service in our country Is
OF 3a and thas T. be-
nently done only by the cooperation of the
Legislative and Executive Departments OF the
Government again commend the whole sub
ject to your cOnsiderate attention.
POLYGAMY.
1t is the recognized duty and purpose of the
people of the United States to suppress pOlyg
amy where it now exists in our Territories and
to prevent its extension. Faithful and Jealous
in Utah to enforce the laws against
1t. Experience has shown that the legislation
upon this subject, to be effective, requires ex-
tensive modification and amendment. The
longer action is delayed the more difficult 1t
will be to accomplish what is desired. Prompt
aud decided measures are necessary. The
mormon Sectarlan OrganLZatlOh wmcnuphOius
polygamy has the whole power of making and
executing the local legislation of the Terri
tory. By its control of the grand and petit
juiies. it possesses large influence over the
of justice. xeicising, as the
heads of this sect do, the local political
power of the Territory, they are able to make
effective their hostility to the laws of
Congress on the subject of polygamy, and,
in fact. do prevent its enforcement. POlyga-
my 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 encourages and sustains it. The
power of Congress to enact suitable laws to
protect the Territories Is ample. 1t is not a
case of half-wa measures. The political
power of the Mormon sect Is increasing; 1t
controls now one of our wealthiest and most
populous Territories. It Is extending steadily
into other Territories. Wherever it goes it
pOlygamy and sectarian political
power. The sanctity of marriage and the