Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-12-15

endanger its ultimate success during the inin,u
period. The result Of the two methods AZ na0
examination and competitive examination ~ ~
loosely watched ana compared. 1t nav ba 49,
nofore We confine ourselves upon this Imports.
question within the stringent bounds OF statu,s..
Enactment, we may proftably await the result y
further inquiry and experiment The submisson "
portion of the nominations to q central board =;
examiners selected solely for testing the qualise.
IONS OF applicants, may perhaps without resor,
to the competitive test, put an end to the mis-.
chief which attends the present system Of an
ponments. and i, may be feasible to vest in su,b
board wide discretion to ascertain the ohara"
tiers and attachments Of candidates in these M,
ticulars which have already referred to as he.
ing no less important than mere intellectual a.
tainments. Ii congress shall deem it advisable 4,
the present session to establish a competitive
'est for admission to service such az ha,
e.en suggested, l shall give the measure
ny earnest support and 1 urgently recommend
should there be failure to pass aly othe. act on
this subject an appropriation OF $25,0Ol pc.
year. be made for the enforcement OF section l-5S
of the revised statutes. With The aid thus oeerei
me | shall strike the executive provision al
that law according to the letter and spirit. |
am unwilling in justice to prevent civil servants
of the government TO dismiss this subject withou,
declaring my dissent from the severe and
almost indiscriminate censure with which
they have been recently assailed; that
they ere as class indolent, inefficient and
co rrupt, is a statement which had been often
made and widely credited, but when the extent,
variety, delicacy and importance of their dutie,
are considered, the great majority Of the en-
ployees Of the government are, in my judgment
deserving OF high commendation
THE CONGRESS LIBRARY
The senate at its last session passed bin pro
,ling for the construction Of building FOR the
"a IL A..
The provision of such able protection for this
great collection of books and for the copyright
department. connected with it, has become sub
ice, of national Importance and should receive
prompt attention.
regret to state that the people Of Alaska have
reason to complain that they are as yet unprO-
life and property can be protected. While the
extent of its population does not justify the ap-
plcaticn of the costly machinery of territorial
administration there is an immediate necessity
for constructing such a form of government Is
will promote the education OF the people and
secure the administration Of Justice.
wAsHINGTOs IMPROVEMENTS.
The report of the commissioners ct
the District of Columbia, herewith transmit.
ted, will inform you fully of the condi-
ton of the affairs Of the district, the vital i'm
portance of legislation for the reclama.
tim and improvement of the marshes
and for the establishment Of the harbor
1t is represented that in their present condition
the sea marshes seriously affect the health of the
residents of the adjacent parts OF the city, and
that they greatly mar the general aspect of the
park, in which stands the Washington monu-
ment. This improvement would add to the park
and the park south of the executive mansion--a
large area of valuable land and would trans
form what is now believed to be dangerous nui-
sance in attractive landscape, extending to the
river front.
They recommend the removal of the steam rail.
way lines from the surface of the STREETS of the
city, and the location Of the necessary depots 10
such places as may be convenient for the public
accommodation. They call attention to the def
cheney of the water supply which seriously af-
feet the material prosperity Of tho city, and the
health and comfort Of its inhabitants. l CON-
mend these subjects to your favorable considera.
ten.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
The Importance of timely legislation with re-
spcct to the nscertainment and declaration of the
vote for presidential electors sharply called 10
the attention of the people four years ago
1t is to be hoped that some well defined measures
may be devised before another national election
which will render unnecessary resort to any ex'
pedent of q temporary character for the deter
uination of questions on contested retarns
QUESTIONS OF INABILITY.
Questions which coRcep the very existence o.
The government and the liberty Of the people
were suggested by the prolonged illness of the
late president and his consequent incapacity
to perform the functions OF his Office.
1t is provided by the I'd article of the consti-
tuition in the 9th clause of its first scction that
in case OF the removal of the president from office
or of his death assassination, inability to.dis
charge the powers and duties of sail Off CO. the
same shall devolvc on the vice president. What
IS the intention Of the constitution in lis specfca-
ton of the inability of said cGiccl 1t is enc OF
the contingencies which calls The vice pres
ident to the cXcrci.es of the presidential function
Is the inability designated, long con
,inued intellectual incapacity, has it broader
nnpartl What mus: be its extent and duration
How must its existence be establi:hed9 Has the
president whose inability is the subject Of inquiry
any voice in determining whether not it exists.
or Is the decision of that momcntous and delicate
question coniilel to the vice pre- ident, or is il
contemplated 10y the constitution that congress
should provide by law precisely what should
continue inability and by what tribunal
or authority 1t should be ascertained. If the in.
ability proves to be temporary in nature, and
during its continuance the vice president lawfully
exercises the functions OF the executive, by what
tenure does he continue as president for the re-
nainder of the four years term or would the
elected president if his inability should cease in
the interval, De empowered 10 resume MS
office, and if, having such equal au,
thority, ne should exercise it, would
the vic president be thereupon empowered to re-
sumo Ia powers and duties as such. cannot
doubt toat these impo rtant questions will re-
.eive your early and thoughts, consideration.
Deeply impressed with the gravity
of the responsibilities which have
so Unexpectedly devolved on me, i. will be my
constant purpose to cooperate with you in such
measures as viii promote the glory Of the coun-
try and the prosperity of its people.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, D. c., Dec 6, 1881.
A very cheap and good way to keep
Greenhouse plants over winter is to dig