Morning journal and courier., 1881-12-07

may be proposed to that end.
 PUBLIC EDUCATION.
 Although our system of government does | not contemplate that the nation should pro- vide or support system for the education of | our people, no measures calculated to pro- mote that general intelligence and virtue | upon which the perpetuity of our institu- | tions so greatly depends have ever been re- garded with indifference by Congress or the ! Executive. A large portion of the public do- main has been, from time to time, devoted to | the promotion of education. There is now 8 special reason why, by setting apart the pro- ceeds of it's sales of public lands or by some other course, the government should aid the work of education. Many who now exercise the right of suffrage are unable to read the ballot which they cast. Upon many who had just emerged from condition of slavery were suddenly devolved the responsibilities of citizenship in that portion of the country most impoverished by war. I have been pleased to learn from the report of the Com missioner of Education that there has been lately commendable increase of interest and effort for their instruction, but all that can be done by local legislation and private gen. erosity should be supplemented by such aid as can be constitutionaIIy afforded by the national government. I would suggest that if any fund be dedicated to this purpose it may be wisely distributed in the different States, according to the ratio of illiteracy, as {. Dy those means CHOS6 lOcaGlOQS WQ1cA are most in need of such assistance will reap it's especial benefits.
 AGRICULTURE.
 | The report of the Commissioner of Agriculture exhibits the result of the experiment in which that and makes important suggestions reference to the agricultural development of the country The steady increase of our population and the consequent ad- dton to the number of those engaged in the pursuit of husbandry, giving to this Experiments grow | ing dignity and importance. The Commissioners suggestions touching it's capacity for greater useful mends itself to the interest which it created to promote.
 It appears from the report of the Commissionen Of claims been filed 45O s49 of these have been all been reported and abandoned, being 13.6 plus per cent. of the whole number of claims settled. There sion claims 227040 of which filed prior to July l, lseO These, when allowed, will involve the pay. invalid. and from the date death termination of prior right in all other cases From all the data number of claims nov pending will be reflected or of cases and the probable admission of about 193,o00 claims all of which involve the payment of ployed, the number of adjudications remaining the same and no new business intervening. this number six years; and taking January 1st 1884, as a near period from which the estimate is based the aver sgery eg eaes allowed would re9ure for the first payment the of s1,S5o: Multiplying l missions gives s25o O,OO3 the required for first payments This represents the sum which must 1ss6 and are now pending and entitled bezets of the arrears act From this amount s2SO @ 900 900 cases where the claimant dying there is no person who under the law would be entitled to succeed to the pension, leaving S235, 100000 the probable ] amount to be paid In these estimates ac- I count has been taken of the $500 cases filed. since June 30 1880, and pending, which must re- ceive attention current business, but which do 1 dafa of incl tIa hia mated that eighty-six per cent will be allowed It tension bureau ea5 eierIs) it is estimated that it will take six to dispose of the claims now pending an addition of 25O clerks ncreasing the adjudicatn force rather than the mecharicaD double the amount a De sO the considerations of justice which may be urged for the pension ofhce it is not less important on the score of economy. inasmuch fully one-th1rd Of the attention to Correspondence with the thousands of claimants whose cases have been on the files for the Last eighteen years. The fact that sum so enor- nous may be expended by the government to meet the demands for arrears of pensions is an admonton to Congress and the Executive to give cautious sideration any similar project in the future. The great temptation to present fictitious claims anordea application leads suggest the proprie ty of making special appropriation for the pre-
 INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
 advis appropriations for such internal improve ments as the wisdom of Congress may deem to pc l necessary ncCCS5Aby of improving the navigation of the Mississippi river justies special alIusion to that subject. suggest structions which now impede the ayigation of that great channel of commerce.
 THE CIVIL SERVICE.
 In my letter accepting the nomination for the Vice Presidency I stated that in my judgment mar should be incumbent of office the duties ot lacking in the ability, fidelity integrity which proper administration of such office demands Thii sentiment would doubtless meet with general acqui essence but opinion has been widely divided upon the wisdom and the practicabiIity of the vari been suggested and of certain proposed regulations governing appointments to public office. The eff cency of such regulations has been dstrused main ly because they have seemed to exat mere education abstract tests above general business capacit! and special fitness for the particular work in hand It seems to that the rules which should be applied to the managem;nt I of the p1bo seTTafs the conduct of successful private business. Orgna appointments should be based ascertained fitness Positions of responsibility should far as pracic ble, be filled by the promotion of worthy and efficient punishment of all official misconduct should be prompt and thorough. The views expressed in tht ministration of the executive office. They are doubt less shared by all intelligent and patriotic citizens methods of putting them into practical operation For example, the assertion that original appoin t open to dispute, but the question how in practice such fitness be most efectualy ascertained ha, measure which, with slight variations in it's details lately been urged upon the attention of Congress ure scheme of competitive examination Save for certain exceptions which nee: admission to the service only in it's lowest grade s and would accordingly demand that all vacancies il higher positions should be filled by promotion Il these particulars it is in conformity with the existing civil service system of Great Britain and indeed thu success which has attended that system in the coun try of it's birth is the strongest argument which hal been urged for it's adoption here. The fact should not however, be overlooked that there are certain features of the English system which have gene rally been received with favor in this country, evel Inc Of F Among them are First, tenure Of office which ii the maximum age at which an applicant can ente the service, whereby all men in middle life ode are with some exceptions rigidly excluded third retiring allowance upon going out of office. Thes three elements are as important factors o mate them from the English system would efFec : most radical change in it's theory and practice Continuing his upon the subject of the civ il service the President expresses doubt whether would be for the best interests of the public to upon an expedent for immediate extensive applica tfon which embraces certain features of the Englsl system but excludes ignores others of equal i'm portance. He calls attention to the defects of petitive examinations and also to the defects of
 rigid system of promotion. He points out that tn, l gradual, and says: ''It may be that before VI conne ourselves upon this important question with in the stringent bounds of statutory enactment VI may profitably await the result of further inquir! and experiment.. He suggests that the submission portion of the nominations to central board aminers selected solely for testing the qualification DPe ag to & sehe o fo
 the present system of appointment, and it may be fore1ble to vest Tn such board
 wide discretion to ascertain the characteris tics and attainments of candidates He thinks tha majority of the employees of the government d . their duty in manner deserving of high commenda l ton.
 Concerning the deplorable condition Of our mer chant marine, he thinks that if had given to ou navigation interests portion of the aid and protec tin which have been wisely bestowed upon ou manufacturers the former would now be in bette condition.
 He recommends legislation concerning the super vision and transitory of immigrants at the port | of debarkation.
 | He recommends giving Alaska such a form of gov ernment will promote the education of the peopl and secure the administration of justice.
 He gives attention to the need building for tn library of Congress, and to the need of doing some 1 thing to make the Potomac marshes less unhealth! | for the people of Washington. Other District i'm | proYements also spoken of.
 | He urges that something be done before anothe presidential election about the electoral count Tn l concluding portion of the message is as folows:l I PRESIDENTIAL DISABILITY.
 Questions which concern the very existence of tn government liberties of the people were suy , sested by the prolonged illness of th' l late President, and his consequent incspacit. to perform the functions of his office It is provided by second article of the Consftu tion in the fifth of its section that il the removal of the President from ofce or O his death resignation inability to discharge th