Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1881-12-14

ment would very likely result in the exclusion of
the Older applicants even though they might
possess qualifications far superior to their
Younger and more brilliant COMPETE
tors. These suggestions must not be re-
garded as evincing any spirit of
opposition to the competitive plan which has
been to some extent successfully employed al
ready, and which may hereafter vndicate the
claims of its most earnest supporters: but it
ought to be seriously considered whether fine
application of the same educational standard
to persons of mature years, to young men fresh
from school and college, would not be likely to
exalt mere intellectual proficiency above other
qualities of equal or greater importance.
Another feature Of the proposed system
is the selection by promotion of all
officers r OF the government above the
lowest grade, except such as would fairly be
regarded as opponents of the policy of the
executive and the principles of the dominant
party. To afford encouragement to faith
full public servants by exciting in their minds
the hope of promotion if they are found to
merit it is much to be desired; but would it be
wise to adopt rule SO rigid as to permit no
other mode Of supplying the intermediate walks
OF the service? There are many persons who
I'LL subordinate 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 governmental bureau has been lone con-
tinued are often so cramped by routine proceed
ure as almost to disqualify him from instituting
the changes required by the public interests.
and an infusion of new blood from time to time
into the middle ranks Of the service might be
very beneficial in its results. The subject I'M
der discussion is one of grave importance. The
errors which are complained of cannot be Grad
icated at ence. The work must be gradual
The present English system is growth of
years and was not created by single stroke of
executive or Legislative action. It's beginning
is found in order in the council promuIga-
ted IN 1855. and it was after patient aud eau
tious scrutiny of its workings that fifteen wears
later, it took its present shape. Five years after
the issuance OF the order in council aud at a
time when resort had been to competitive ex-
animation as an experiment much more extern
s1vely than has yet been the case in this coun-
try, a select committee Of the house Of
house which declaring it's approval of the com
petitye method deprecated nevertheless any
precipitancy in its general adoption as likely to
eudanger its ultimate success. During this
tentative period the results of the two methods
of pass examination and competitive examina-
ton was closely watched and compared. It
may be that before we conine ourselves upon
this important question within the stringent
bounds of statutory enactment we may profit
ably await the result of further inquiry and
experiment. The submission of O. portion of
the nominations to central board of
examiners selected solely for testing the quail
fcatiOns of applicants may perhaps, without re-
sort to the competitive test put an end to tie
mischief which attends the present system of
appointment, and it may be feasible to vest in
such board wide discretion to ascertain the
characteristics and attainments of the cand-
dates in these particulars which J. have already
referred to as being no less important than
the mere intellectual attainment. If congress
should deem 1t advisable at the present session
to establish 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 I urgently recommend that should there
be failure to pass any other act on this SUBJ
ject, an appropriation of 1875 600 per year be
made for the enforcement of section 1853 of
the revised statutes. With the aid thus afford
ed me shall strive to execute the provisions
of that law according to its letter and spirit
| am unwilling in justice to the present civil ser
wants of the government to dismiss this subject
without declaring my dissent from the severe
and almost indiscriminate censure with which
they have been recently assaulted. That they
are as a class incident, inefficient and corrupt
is a statement which has been often made and
widely credited; but when the extent, variety,
dellcacy and Importance Of their duties are con-
sidered the great maiOrity of the employees of
the government are, III my judgment, deserving
OF high commentator.
MERCHANT MARINE.
The continued decline of the merchant ma
rine of the United States is to be greatly de-
plored. In view of the fact that we furnish SO
large a proportion of the freights of the COM
mercial world, and that our shipments are
steadily and radldly increasing, it is a cause of
surprise that not only is our navigation interest
diminishing, but it is less than when our ex-
ports and imports were not half so large as
now, either III bulk or in value. There must
be some peculiar hinderance to the develop
ment of this interest, or the enterprise and
energy of American mechanics and capitalists
would have kept this country at least
abreast of our rivals in the friendly contest for
ocean supremacy. The substitution of iron for
wood and of steam for sail have wrought great
revolutions IN the carrying trade of the world,
but those changes could not have been adverse
to America if we had given to OUT navigation
interests a portion of the aid in protection
which have been SO widely bestowed upon our
manufactures. [ commend the whole
subject to the wisdom of congress,
with the suggestion that no question of greater
magnitude or farther-reaching Importance can
engage their attention. In 1875 the supreme
court of the United States declared unconsti-
tutional the statues of certain states which i'm
posed on ship-owners or consignees a tax of
$3.50 for each passenger arriving from a
foreign country or, in lieu thereof, re-
quired bond to indemnify the state
and local authorities against expense
III 1OA4OA
senger. Since this decision the expense at
tending the care and supervision of immigrants
has fall on the states at whose port they have
landed. AS q large majority Of such immi-
grants Immediately on arrival proceed to the
inland states and territories to seek permanent
homes, it is manifestly unjust to impose on the
state whose shores they first reach the burden
which it now bears. For this reason, and be-
cause Of the national Importance of the sub
ject, I recommend legislation regarding the
[ regret to state that the people of Alaska
have reason to compliant that they are as yet I'M
provided with any form of government by
which life or property can be protected. While
the extent of its population does not justify
the application of the costly machinery of ter
ritorial administration, there is Immediate
necessity for constituting such form of gov
eminent as will promote the education of the
people and secure the administration Of justice.
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
The senate at its last session passed q bill
providing for the construction of a building for
the library of congress, but it failed to become
a law. The provision of such protection for
this great collection of books and for the de-
partment connected with it, has become sub