The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-12-07

candidates in these particulars
which I have already referred to as
being no less important than mere
intellectual requirements. If Con-
gress should deem it advisable at
the present session to establish COM
petitive examinations for admis-
sion to the service, no doubt such as
have been suggested shall de-
ter me from giving the meas
ure my earnest support, and
I urgently recommend that
should there be a failure to pass any
act upon this subject, then an APP
preparation of $4,000 a year be
made for the enforcement OF section
1,753 of the Revised Statutes. With
the aid thus afforded me shall
strive to execute the provisions Of
that law according to its letter and
spirit. I ana unwilling in justice to
the present civil servants of the
government to dismiss this subject
without declaring my dissent from
the severe and almost indiScrimi-
nate cenSure with which they have
been assaulted That they are as a
class INDECENT and inefficient and
corrupt, is statement which has
been often made and widely cred
tied, but when the extent, variety,
delicacy and Importance of their
duties are considered the majority
of the government employees are,
in my Judgment, deserving of high
commentator.
MERCHANT MARINE.
The continuing decline of the
merchant marine of the United
States is to be greatly deplored. In
view of the fact that we furnish so
large a proportion of the freight of
the commercial world, and that our
shipments are steadily and rapidly
increasing, it is canSe of surprise
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 value. There must be peculiar
hindrance to the development of this
interest, or the enterprise and ell
ergy of American merchants and
capitalists would have kept this
country at least abreast of our rivals
in the friendly contest for ocean SUI
premacy. The substitution of iron
for wood and of steam for sail have
brought a great revolution in the
trade of the world, but these
changes could not have been
adverse to America if we had given
to the navigation interests portion
of the aid in protection which has
been SO wisely bestowed upon our
manufacturers. l commend the
whole subject to the wisdom of Con-
gress, with the suggestion that no
question Of greater magnitude or
further reaching Importance can
engage their attention.
THE IMMIGRANT TAX.
In 1875 the supreme court of the
United States declared unconStitu-
tional the statutes of certain states
which imposed upon ship owners, or
cOnsignees, tax Of S1.50 for each
passenger arriving from a for
eign country, OF in lieu thereof
required a board to indemnify
the state and local authorities
against the expense for the future
relief or support of such passengers.
Since the decision the expense at
tending the care and supervision of
immigrants has fallen on the states
at whose ports they have been
landed. AS large majority of
such immigrants Immediately upon
their arrival proceed to the inland
states and territories to seek perma-
nent homes it is manifestly unjust
to impose upon the state whose
shores they first reach, the burden
which it row bears. For this reason,
and because of the national i'm
portance Of the subject l recommend
legislation regarding the supervision
and transitOry care of immigrants
at ports of debarkation.
ALASKA.
regret to state that the people of
Alaska have reason to complain that
they are still unprovided 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 territorial adj
miniStration, there is immediate
necessity for the constitution of
such form Of government as will
promote the education of the peo-
pie and secure the administration of
justice.
CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
The Senate, at the last session,
passed bill providing for the con-
Struction of a building for the lib
rary of, Congress, but it failed to be-
come law. The provision of such
able protection for this great collec-
ton of books, and for the depart
ment connected with it, has be-
come a subject Of national import
ance and should receive prompt at
tention.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report Of the commissioners
Of the District of Columbia, here
with transmitted, will inform you
fully OF the condition of affairs of
the district. The vital Importance
Of legislation for the reclamation
and Improvement of the marshes and
the establishment of the harbor
lines along the Potomac River front
is presented. In the present condi-
tiOn thpcn marches Oor;A7oI1 ofeoo4