Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1881-12-15
THE AMERICAN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 49, 1881

ted. nevertheless, any precipitancy in its
general adoption likely to endanger
its ultimate success.
During the tentative period the results of
the two methods of pass-examination and
competitive examination were closely scru-
tiuized and compared. 1t may be that be-
fore we cOntne ourselves upon this import
ant question within the stringent bounds Of
statutory enactment we may proftably await
the result Of further inquiry and experiment
The submission Of a portion of the nomina-
tons tn a central board Of examiners. Sc
lected solely for testing the qualifications Of
applicants, may, perhaps, without resort to
the competitive test. put an end TO the mis-
chief which attends the present system OF
appointments. and It NAV be feasible to vest
in such board a wide discretion to ascer-
tain the characteristics and attainments Of
candidates IA those particulars which have
already referred to as being no es> import
ant than mere intellectual attalnmrnts.
Should Congress deem It advisable at the
| present session to establish competitive tests
for admission to the service, no doubts such
a. have been suggested shall deter ne from
| giving the measure my earnest support and
| | urgently recommend. should thcrr bo
| Jcct, that an appropriation OF S2j.Ooo per
| year may be- made for the enforcement Of
I Section ,5j cf the Revised Statutes. With
|. the aud thus afforded me ] shall strive u w
ccuta the provisions Of that law according
to 1t, letter and spirit | am unwilling, IN
/ justice To the present clsii srst ant. of the
| Government. to dismiss this subject without
| declaring my dissent from the severe and
/ almost IndIscrminate ceusure With which
/ they have been recently assaied. That they
/ are A. class indoicnt. inefficient and cor
| rupt j. statement which has been often
/ made and widely credited but when the
/ variety. dclicacy and Importance Of their
/ duties are considered the great majority Of
/ the employees VI the Government ale 10 ~,
/ estimation deserving of high commentator
Orr MERCHANT MARINE.
The continued decline Of the msrchant
marine II the United States ia to he grea,I,
/ deplorrd. In view Of the fact that Ne fur
/ nish 80 large a proportion of the fre.ghts
/ of the commercial world. and tina; our .hlp-
/ ments are steadily and rapidly increasing. it
4 Is cause Of surpyIsc that not only Is our nav
7 igatun interest diminishing. but tha; It i,
+ les than when our exports and imports we're
3 tlys AA+l - la ~ a. now. T4lIlfE IN bRlk uT
! value. There must be some pccul lar him
| drancC to tho development uf thi, inter, y.
I or the enterprise and energy u American
/ mechanics and capitalist, would have kept
/ thu, country at least abreast Of our rivals ii
! the FRIENDLY contest tor OCEAN supremacy.
The substitution 81 iron for wood ana steam
/ for SAL hA, wrought great rr,o.lllon. IN
+ the carving trade OF the world. But these
I change. sog.d not have boon adverse 10
1 Auer,a Il ~ haa gwen ~ o,,r navigation
/ interests a portion q; tho ali ia protection
Which ha. been wisely bestowed upon uur
/ manufacture. commend the whole sub.
I Jcci 20 tho wisdom Il Congress, With the
( suggestion thar NJ question 81 greater mag
n'atc or farthcr-rcaeA.ng importance can
1 engage their attention.