Litchfield enquirer., 1880-12-16
EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESI-
DENTS MESSAGE.
THE SUFFRAGE.

ferred upon tlie.cOlored people by the recent
amendments to the Constitution still prevails
in several of thu late slaveholding States. 1t
has, perhaps, not been manifested in the re-
cent election to any large extent in acts of
violence or intimidation. 1t has however
by fraudulent practices in connection with
the ballots, with the. regulations as to the
places and manner of voting, and with count
ing, returning and canvassing the votes cast,
been successful in defeating the exercise of
the right preservalive of all rights, the right
of suffrage, which the Constitution expressly
confers upon our enfranchised citizens.
1t is the desire of the good people of the
whole country that sectionalism as factor in
our politics should disappear. They prefer
that no section of the country should be united
in solid opposition to any other section The
disposition to refuse a prompt and hearty
obedieBse to the equal rights amendments to
the Constitution is all that now stands in the
way of q complete obliteration of sectional
lines in our political contests. As long as
either Of these amendments is fagrantly yio-
lated or disregarded, it is safe TO assume that
the people who placed them in the Constitu-
ton, as'emboaying the legitimate results of
the war for the Union. and who believe them
to be wise and necessary, will continue to act
together, and to insist that they shall be
OOSyCo' hC pofahlouub NuCSttOu StIit Is, DIS
to the enjoyment of the right by every Amer
lean citizen who has the requisite .quaiifca-
tions, to freely cast his vote aud have it hon.
estly counted. With this question rightly
settled, the country will be relieved of the
contentious of the past; bygones will indeed
be bygones, and political and party issues
with respect to economy and efficiency of
internal improvements. the
tariff, domestic taxation, education, finance,
and other important subjects, will then re-
celve their full share of attention; but resist
ance to and notification of the results of the
war viii unite together in resolute purpose for
their support all who maintain the authority
of the Government and the perpetuity of the
Union, and who adequately appreciate the
value OF the victory achieved. This determi-
nation proceeds from no hostile sentiment or
feeling to any part of the people of our coun-
try or to any of their interests. The lnviola-
bility of the amendments resta upon the fun
damental principle of our Government. They
are the solemn expression of the will of the
people of the United States. s
The sentiment that the constitutional rights
of all our citizens must be maintained does
not grow weaker. 1t will continue to con-
troll the Government of the country. Hap
PLY, the history of the late election shows
that in many parts of the country, where OPP
position to the Fifteenth Amendment has
heretofore prevailed it is din inishing. and Is
likely to cease altogether if firm and we'll con-
sidered action is taken by Congress. trust
the House of Representatives and the Senate,
WHICH have the right to judge OF the elections,
returns and qualifications OF their own men,
bers, will see to it that every case of violation
of the letter or spira of the Fifteenth Amend
ment Is thoroughly investigated, and that no
benefit from such violation snail accrue to any
person or party 1t will be the duty of the
Executive, with sufficient appropriations for
the purpose, to prosecute unsparingly all who
have been engaged in depriving citizens of
the rights guaranteed to them by the Consti-
tuition. -44
1t is not, however, to be forgotten that the
best and surest guarantee OF the primary rights
of citizenship is to be found in that capacity
for self protection which can belong Only to q
people whose right to universal suffrage is
supported by universal education. The
means at the command of the local and State
authorities are. in many cases, wholly mad
equate to furnish free instruction to all who
need it. This is especially true where, be-
fore emancipation, the education of the peo-
pie was neglected or prevented In the inter
est of slavery. Firmly convinced that the
subject OF popular education deserves the ear
nest attention of the people OF the whole
with a view to wise and comprehen-
sve action by the Government of the United
States, | respectfully recommend that Con-
gress, by suitable legislation and with proper
supplement the local educathnal
funds in the several States where the grave
duties and responsibilities of citizenship have
been devolved upon uneducated people by de-
voting to the purpose grants of the public
lands. and, If necessary, by appropriations
from the Treasury of the United States.
Whatever Government can fairly do to pro-
mote fee popular education ought to be done
Wherever general education is found, peace,
virtue, and social order prevail, and civil and
religious liberty are secure.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
In my former annual Messages have asked
The attention OF Congress to the urgent neces-
sity of a reformation of the civil service sys-
em of the Government. My views concern
ng the dangers of patronage, or app ointments
Tor personal or partisan considerations, have
been strengthened by my observation and ex-
Oerience in the Executive office, and believe
hese dangers threaten the stability of the
Government. Abuses SO serious in their ma
ure cannot be permanently tolerated They
end to become more alarming with the en-
argement of administrative service, as the
growth of the country in population increases
he number of officers and placemen employ
3D.
The reasons are imperative for the adoption
If fixed rules fog the regulation of appoint
nents, promotions, and removals, establish
ng uniform method, having exclusively in
view, in every instance, the attainment of the
best qualifications for the position in cues
ion. Such method alone is consistent with
he equal rights of all citizens and the most
and efficient administration Of the
public business.
Competitive examinations, in aid of Impair
'ial appointments and promotions. have been
conducted for some years past in several of
he Executive departments, and by my direc-
ion this system has been adopted in the Gus
om Houses and Post Offices of the larger cit
es of the country. 10 the city of New York
over 2, 600 positions in the civil service have
been subject, in their appointments and ten.
are of place, to the operation of published
rules for this purpose, during the past TIVE
years. The results of these practical trials
nave been very satisfactory, and have con-
lrmed my opinion in favor of this system of
selection. Ali are subjected to the same tests,
and the result is free from prejudice By per-
,onal favor or partisan influence 1t secures
ot tue postioH apptieu TOT the pest Quallnca-
ions astainable among the competing appli.
,ants. 1t is an effectnal protection from the
pressure of Importantly which, under any
,ther course pursued. largely exacts the time
and attention of appointing officers, to their
great detriment in the discharge of their Off
'ial duties, preventing the abuse of the SER
vice for the mere furtherance of private or
party purposes, and leaving the employ OF the
Government, freed from the obligations i'm
posed by patronage, to depend solely upon
merit for retention and advancement, and
With this constant incentive to exertion and
Improvement. These invaluable results have
been attained in high degree In the offices
where the rules for appointment by Compel
tive examination have been applied. A
method which has SO approved itself by ex-
detrimental tests at points where such tests
lay be fairly considered conclusive should be
attended TO all subordinate positions under
he Government. believe that a strong and
growing public sentiment demands immedi-
ate measures for securing and enforcing the
highest possible efficiency in the civil service,
ND its protection from recognized abuses, and
hat the experience referred to has demon
'trated the feasibility of such measures.
The examination in the sCuston-honses and
I1<~