The Baltimore County union., 1881-12-10
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

The hrst message Of President Arthur 10 Con.
gress is digni6ed, statesmanlike, conservative
State paper. II does great credit TO the position
he occupies, and has ELECTED the most favorable
notice Of the American press.
Il begins with fitting ailusiOn 10 the depior-
able circumstances which deprived the Nation Of
the valuable services Of his illu.trious presces-
sor aud suggests that Congress take immediate
steps to define the term In the Constitution known
as Presidential "inahili,y," and at the same time
prescribe definite position and course Of duties
for the Vice. President.
II alludes to the chief disputes and intercourse
We have had with foreign powers during the year
and makes special notice Of the fact that the
French and Germans Joined with US In the York.
town centennial, making an appropriate refer
enee to the good feeling and kindly sentiment
that the occasion developed on the part Of for
sign nations with the American Republic.
Icals attention 10 the fact that the surplus reve-
nues Of the Government during the fseai year end
ing June 80, 1851. were $500, ,.s?. .e9sS.. In view
Of this gratifying fact he suggests that Con-
gress take steps to tighten the burden Of taxation
that the people Of the Republic have endured 80
patiently and 50 long. I, suggests that all the
internal revenue tax be abolished except that on
whisky and tobacco. aud further suggests that
hfty cents tax instead Of ninety cents per gallon
on whisky would likely insure as much revenue
and greater certainty of prOmp; and thorough
collection.
Il briefly points Ou, the necessity for some ae-
tion looking to the improvement Of the channel Of
the Mississippi river.
IL advises thorough hAbiliiatisn Of our navy
in order TO protect sea-eOast cities and main
tain the dignity aud honor Of the Nation whenev-
or necessity shall demand Il.
Il devo;ss considerable space to the adjaiiea.
,iOn Of the pension claims pending in that
department, showing that since 1880. .s9. .0sS
original pension claims have been Glei, aud that
there are now pending for settlement ?65, 81 5
claims. with the estimate Of $50 for each eiAisn
making due allowance for rejee,ions, it would tax
Sej0,ooo,0o0 TO settle them and with the present
force requiring six years to adjadiea,e the same.
II recommends an additional force Of go clerks
to the Prsseas force in order to have the whole
number Of claims settled 10 three years.
The views Of the Presiien, upon the vsxed and
unsettled question Of Civil Service are eertAin y
the mos; sensible and practical that we have seen
advanced upon the subject. We can imagine no
better place for the acquisition BY experience Of
valuable ideas upon this sabjee; than in the Col
lectoFshiP Of the grea, metropolis Of the Nation,
Ne~ York city. He has made Thorough study
Of the Enslish system Of Civil Service and shows
i,s defects and compares IL With what has been
attempted 10 be put into practice in this country
lie shows that the idea that al Governmen, pO.
si,ions should be aIied purely BY competitive ex-
animation alone, aud all vacancies SLED BY pro-
motion alone 10 utterly fallaeioas. There are
many positions in the middle sphere In Civil Ser
vice that requires executive ability, being able to
reorganiIe . department and infase new modes
for the advantage Of the service. This kind Of
material !, Is often impossible to get from those
in inferior positions from the fact tha, routine SER
vice alone, long continued. begets . machine ae-
tion tha, the O.ieial cannot depart from.
The document eommends itself 10 the good
sense Of all well meaning. patriotic people aud
will take its place among the ar,t State paper. Of
the Nation.