The Portland daily press., 1881-12-07

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some snecial appropriation for the prevention
of fraud.
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
suggest the adoption of some measure for
the removal of the distractions which now I'M
pede the navigation of the Mississippi River
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
In nv letter accepting the nomination for
the Vice-Pre sidency, l stated that ID my Jug
ment ssno man should be an incumpent OF an
Office the duties of which he is Tor any cause
unft to perform. who is lacking in the ability,
fidelity or integrity which proper admlnlstra-
ton of such office demands. This sentiment
would doubtless meet with general acqui-
escence, but opinion has been widely divided
upon the wisdom and practicability OF the
various reformatory schemes which have been
suggested and of certain proposed regulations
governing appointments to public office. Inc
efficiency of such regulations have been dis
trusted mainly because they have seemed to
exalt mere education and abstract tests ABOVE
general business capacity and special htness
for the particular work in hand. lt seems TO
me the rules which should DO appned 10 the
management of the public service may prop
erly conform in the main to such as regulate
the conduct of successful private business.
Original appointments should be based upon
ascertained fitness the tenure OF ofnce should
be stable positions of responsibility should so
far as practicable be filled by promotion of
worthy and efficient officers. Investigation OF
all comp, aints and punishment OF all Official
misconduct should be prompt and thorough"
The views expressed in the foregoing letter
are those which will govern my administra-
ton of the executive office. They are doubt
less shared by all intelligent and patriotic citi-
zens, however divergent in their opinions as
to the best methods OF putting them into
practical operation. For example the asser-
ton that 'origina appointments should be
based upon ascertained fitness is not open TO
dispute, but the question how in practice such
fitness can be most effectually ascertained is
one which has for years excited interest and
discussion.
He notes the similarity of this civil service
sch me- with that of Great Britain, and says
the success OF the latter is the strongest argu-
ment in favor of its adoption although there
are some points in the English system not re-
ceiyed with favor in this country even by the
most prominent advocates OF civil service re-
form in this country and to eliminate which
would effect most radical change in the Eng
fish system. To a statute embodyng the essen
tial features of this system he would feel pound
to give his approval.
He then discusses the characteristics which
go to make q model civil servant and says to
make success in competitive examination an IN
dspensable condition OF public employment is
very likely TO result in the practical exolusi on
of older applicants even though they might
possess qualifications far superior to their
younger and more brilliant competitors
He does not oppose the competitive plan but
recommends serious consideration as to the
Justice of the application of the same educa-
tional standard to men of mature years and to
young men fresh from college. He thinks it
would not be wise to adopt rule so rigid as
to permit no other mode of supplying respon-
sible situations of the service except by pro-
motion. The subject under consideration is
one of great importance. The evils complain
ed of cannot be eradicated at once The work
must be gradual and he thinks we may profit
ably await the result of further inquiry and
experiment. The submission of portion of
the nominations to central board OF examiners
selected solely for testing the qualifications OF
applicants may perhaps without resort to COM
petitive test put an end to the mischief which
attends the present system of appointments
and it may be feasible to vest in such board
wide discretion to ascertain the characteris-
tics and attachments of candidates in those
particulars no less important than mere intel
lectual attachments. If Congress at this ses-
siou establishes competitive tests for admission
to the service no doubt such as have been
suggested will deter him from giving the
measure his earnest support and he urgently
recommends, should there be failure to pass
any other act upon the subject, that an appro-
priation of $4,000 per year may be made
for the enforcement of section 1858 of
Revised Statutes. With aid thus afforded me
shall strive to execute the provisions of the law
according to its letter and spirit. He then re-
flutes the severe and almost indiscriminate
censure with which the present civil service
has been recently assailed and gives the epin-
ion that the great majority of the employees
are deserving OF nigh commentator.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
The decline of the mercantile marine OF the
United States is to be greatly deplored IN view
of the fact that we furnish SO large proportion
of the freights of the commercial world and
that our shipments are steadily and rapidly in
creasing, 1t is cause of surprise that not
only is our navigation interest diminishing, but
it is less than when our exports and imports
were not half SO large as now either IN bulk or
IN ho lynR hefafp nT M
to the DEVELOPMENT of this interest or the en-
terprise and energy of American mechanics
and capitalists would have kent 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 ma
wrought great revolution in the carrying
trade of the world, but these changes would
not have been adyers to America ii we had
given to our navigation interests portion OF
the aid in protection which has been SO wisely
bestowed upon our manufacturers. 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.
CARE OF EMIGRANTs.
In 1875 the Supreme Court of the United
States declared unconstitutional the statutes OF
certain States which imposed upon shipowners
or consignees tax of LOO for each passenger
arriving from a foreign country, or in lieu
thereof required bond to indemnify the State
and local authorities against expense for the
future relief or support OF such passengers.
Since this decision the expense attending the
care and supervision of immigrants has fallen
on the States at whose ports they have landed
AS large majority of such immigrants imme-
diately upon their arrival proceed TO inland
States or territories to seek permanent homes,
it is manifestly unjust to impose upon the
State whose shores they first reach the burden
which now rests. For this reason, and because
of the national Importance OF the subject,
recommend legislation regarding the supervis-
ion and transitory care of emigrants at ports OF
debarkation.
l regret to state the people of Alaska have
reason to complain that they are as unproyided
with any form of government by which life or
property can be protected. While the extent
of its population does not justify application OF
costly machinery OF territorial administrator
there is immediate necessity for constituting
such form of government as will promote edu-
cation of people and administration OF justice.
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
The Senate at its last session passed bill
providing for the construction of a building
for the library of Congress-, it failed to
become law The provision OF suitable pro-
lection for the great collection of books has be-
come subject of material importance and
should receive prompt attention.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report OF the commissioners Oh tne DlS-
trict of Columbia herewith transmitted, will
inform you fully of the condition of the affairs
of the District They urge the vital impor-
lance of legislation for reclamation and inn
provement of the marshes and for the estab-
lishment of the harbor lines along the Poto-
mac river front. 1t is represented that in their
present condition these marshes seriously affect
the health of the residents of adjacent parts of
the city, and that they greatly mar the general
aspect of the park, in which stands the WASH
ington monument. This Improvement would
add to that part and to the park south of the
Executive Mansion large area of valuable
land, and would transform what is now be-
leved to be dangerous nuisance into an at
tractive landscape extending to the river front.
They recommend the removal of steam rail-
way lines from the surface of the streets of the
city and the location of necessary depots in
such places as may be convenient for public
accommodation, and they call attention to the
deficiency of the water supply, which seriously
affects the material prosperity of the city and
health and comfort of its inhabitants. / COM
mend these subjects to your favorable consider
alton.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS.
The importance of timely legislation with
respect to the ascertainment and declaration
of votes for Presidential electors was sharply
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