St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1881-12-17

likely to eXalt mere intellectual proficiency
above other qualities of equal Or greater i'm
portance. Another feature of the proposed
system is the selection by promotion of all
officers of the Government above the lowest
as opponents of the policy of the Executive
and the principles of the dominant party. To
| afford encouragement to faithful public serv
ants by exciting in their minds the hope of
promotion if they are found to merit, Is much
to be desired; but would it be wise to adopt a
rule SO rigid rs to permit no other mode OF
supplying the intermediate walks OF the serv
ices? There are many persons who fill subor-
dinate positions with great credit. but lack
those qualities which are requisite for higher
posts of duty, and BESIDES the modes OF
thought and action of one whose service in
Government bureau has been long continued
are often os 80 crnped by rGHtne procedure
by the public interests. The infusion of new
blood from time to time into the middle ranks
OF the service might be very beneficial in its
results. The subject under discussion is one
OF grave Importance. The evils which are
the work must be gradual. The present En-
Slish system is a growth of years, and wasnot
created by single stroke of executive or leg
| lslative action. Its beginnings are found in
an order in counsel promulgated in 1855, and
it was after patient and cautious scrutiny of
It's workings that fifteen years later it took its
present shape Five years after the issuance
| of the order in council, and at a time when
resort had been had to competitive exnnnu-
| IONS as experiments, much more extensively
y,
| select committee of the House of Commons
made a report to that House which, declaring
its approval of the competitive method, dep
recated nevertheless any precipitation in
its general adoption as likely to en-
danger its ultimate success. During
TINS tentative period the results of the two
methods OF passing examination and compe-
tltlVe examination were closely watched and
compared 1t may be that before we confne
i te upon this mportan. question with
lnent we may prOfitably await the result of
further inquiry and experiment. The sub
mission of q portion of the nominations to a
central board of examiners selected solely for |
testing the qualifications of applicants IN W,
perhaps, without resort to the competitive |
test, put an end to the mischief which attends
the present system OF appointment, and it |
may be feasible to vest in such Il board Il I
wide discretion. to ascertain the characters |
ties and attachments of candidates in these |
particulars which have already referred to |
as being no less important than mere intel
!ectual attainment. If Congress should deem
lish competitive tests for admission
to the service, no doubts such as have been
suggested shall deter me from giving the
measure my earnest support; and urgently
recommend, should there be a failure to pass
any other act upon this subject, that an ap-
preparation of 81, 900 per year may be made
vised Statutes. With the aid thus afforded
me, shall strive to execute the provisions of
that law according to its letter and spirit. 1
am unwilling, in justice to the present civil
servants OF the Government, to dismiss this
subject without declaring my dissent from
the severe and almost indiscriminate censure
That they are. class. indolent. inefficient
and corrupt is Il statement which has been
often made and widely credited, but when
the extent variety, delicacy and Importance
OF their duties are considered the great ma
Jority of the employees of the Government
are, in my Judgment, deserving of high com.
MISCELLANEOUS RECOMMESDATIONs
81, .l,,
have reason to comps ain that they are "a yet
with any form OF government by
which life OF property can be protected.
While the extent of its population does not
justify the application of the costly machin-
cry of territorial administration, there is i'm
mediate necessity for constituting such a
form of government as will promote the ed
ucation of the people and secure the admin
istration of justice.
The Senate at its last session passed bill
providing for the construction OF budding d,
for the Library of Congress- but it failed to |
become Il law. The provision of such able
for this great collection of books
and tor the department connect .
ed with it has become an object of national I
Importance and should receive prompt at
tent1on.
The report of the Commissioners of the Dis. {
trict of Columbia, herewith transmitted, will ,
inform you fully of the condition of the ef-
orts of the Commissioners. The vital inn.
portance of legislation for the reclamation
1f the marshes and for the establishment I
of the harbor lines along the Potomac Riv- ,
81 front is set forth 1t is represented that :
n their present condition these marshes Sc. !
'iousy affect the health of the residents of ]
he adjacent part OF the city, and that they r
greatly mar the general aspect of the park in :
which stands the Washington monument I
This improvement would add to that park =
md the park south of the Executive Mansion, :
what is now believed to be a dan. 9
,erous nuisance into an attractive land
cape extending to the river front. They
the removal of the steam
nF ftAn CTR
# the city and the location of the necessary
epots in such places as may be convenient
ention to the deficiency of the water supply, -
which seriously affects the material prosper
Is OF the city and the health and comfort OF
Is Inhabitants. commend these subjects to
our favorable consideration.
The Importance of timely legislation with
aspect to the as certainment and declaration
the vote for the Presidential Electors was
harlly called to the attention of the people
lore than four years ago. 1t is to be hoped
hat some we'll defined measure may be de
ised before another national election, which
Ill render unnecessary resort to any eX.
edient of temporary character for tile de.
of questions upon contested re
arms. " - 90. - 'tiS- ~
Questions which concern the very exist.
nee OF the Government and the liberties OF
le people We're suggested by the prolonged
lness of the late President and Ills conse-
is office. 1t is provided by the second arti.
e OF the Constitution, in the fifth clause of
first section, that in case of tile removal Of
he President from Office, or of his death.
ssignation or ability to discharge the -
overs and duties of said office, the same Z,
lall devOlve on the Vice President ie
hat is the intention of the Constitution In its
oecification of Inability to discharge the 2
overs and duties of said officer or of the
)ntin 5encies which call the Vice President
} the exercise of Presidential functions?
the inability delegated in its nature to long
'ntinued intellectual incapacity, or has it 4
-oader import? What must be its extent and
lration? How must its existence be estab-
she'd? Has the President whose inability IL
le subject of inquiry any voice in determin-
g whether or not it exists? Or is the decis.
n of that momentous and delicate que stion
'nffned to the Vice President? Or is it con.
mplated by the Constitution that Congress
lould provide by law precisely what n
lould constitute inability, and how =