Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-12-04
nature of things, cannot be delegated to other

In the Judgment OF not a few who have given
STUDY ana reflection TO this NATTER the nation has
public service.
expediency of changing the fundamental law In
this regard 1t is certain that much relief may be
afforded, not only to the President and to the
heads OF the departments, but to Senators and
Representatives. In Congress, by discreet legisla-
tton: They would be protected in great measure
any other which should emOody its important fea
lures, from the pressure OF personal importantly
and pretenSionS of candidates
trust that before the close OF the present scs-
sion some decisive action may be taken for the
correction OF the evils which inhere in the present
methods OF appointment, and assure you OF my
hearty cooperation in any measures which are
likely to conduce to that end.
AS to the most appropriate term and tenure OF
The Official life OF the subordinate employees OF the
government, 1t seems to be generally agreed that
whatever their extent or character the one should
be definite and the other stable, and that neither
should be regulated by zeal in the service or party
or fidelity to the fortunes OF an individual.
1t matters little to the people at large what COM
petent person is at the head OF this department
or OF that bureau, If they feel assured that the
not involve the retirement OF honest and faithful
SubortinateS whose duties are purely admins
tratlve and have no legitimate connection with
the triumph of any political principles or the sue
cess or any political party or faction. 1t is this
latter class OF officers that the Senate bill, to
which have already referred, exclusively applies
While neither that bill nor any other prominent
scheme for improving the civil service concerns
the higher grade OF officials, who are appo nted by
the President and confirmed by the Senate l feel
bound 10 correct prevalent misrepresentation as
to the frequency with which the present Execu-
tive has displaced the incumbent of an Office and
appointed another In his stead.
lt has been repeatedly alleged that he has in
this particular Signally departed from the course
which has been pursued under recent administra-
lions OF the government. The facts are as fol-
lows:
The whole number of Executive amendments
during the Jour years Immediately preceding Mir.
Garfieid's accession to the Presidency was 1896
or this number PA. or 9 per cent, involved the
removal OF previous lncumbents.
The ratio OF removals 10 the whole number or
appointments was much the same during each OF
those four years.
In the first year, with 100 appointments, there
! were "a removals, or 93 per cent? in the second,
WITH 9l7 appointments, there were IS removals, or
80 per cent; In the third, with 4S0 appointments
there were 4S removals, or 10 per cent; in the
fourth, with 429 appointments, there were 81 re-
mOvalS, or Sc per cent In the four months of
President Garfeld's administration there were 800
appointments and SO removals, or 227 per cent.
Precisely the same number OF removals go has
taken place In the fourteen months which have
since elaps d, but they constitute only rs per cent
OF the whole number of appointments ,11S) within
that period, and less than % OF the entire list of
! Officials C3,459-excusive OF the Army and Navy1
which is filled by Presidential appointments
declare my approval OF such legislation as may
be found necessary for supplementlng the exist
Ing provisions OF law In relation to political assess
mantS
In July last authorized a public announcement
that employees OF the government should regard
themselves as at liberty to exercise their pleasure
IN making or refusing 10 make political contrbu-
lions, and that their action in that regard would
I IN no manner affect their Official status
In this announcement l acted upon the view
which had always maintained and still main
tam, mat pubic officer should be as absolutely
free as any other citizen to give to withhold
contribution for the aid OF the party of his choice
1t has, however, been urged, ana DOUBTLESS
not without foundation In fact, that by
solicitation OF official superiors and by other
modes, such contributions have at times
! SXybn only
giving has been the fear OF what might befall
them II they refused 1t goes without iying that
such contributions are not voluntary, and IN my
jill !gmeat their collection should be prohibited by
law bill which will efectualy suppress them
VIII recclytiny cordial approval.
hope that however numerous ana urgent NAV
De tilc demands upon your attention, the interests
OF this District Will not be forgotten.
The denial TO its residents OF the great right of
suffrage in all its relation to national, State. and
mum p1I action imposes upon Congress the duty
or affor1ing them the best administration which
Its vision can devise.
The report OF the District Commissioners fndi-
| Gates certain measures whose adoption would
seem to be very desirable instance in particu-
lar those which relate to arrears OF taxes, 10 steam
railroads, ana TO assessments OF real property.
Among the questions which have been the topic
of recent debate ill the halls of Congress none are
Of greater gravity than those relating to the as
certainment of the vote for Presidential electors
and the intendment or the Constitution in its pro-
/ visions for dey0lving Executive functions upOn
the Nlce-PreS1dent when the President suffers
from Inability to discharge the powers and duties
|
trust that no emblrraSSments may result from
q failure 10 deterqine these questions before
another national election.
The closing year has been replete with bleS-
sings for which we owe to the GivPr of all Good
our reverent acknowledgment For the unnter-
rupted harmony OF our foreign relations, for the
decay OF sectional animOStieS. for the eXuberance
OF our harVeStS and the triumphS OF our mining
and manufacturing industries, for the prevalence
OF health. the spread OF intelligence and the con-
Servation of the public credit, for the growth OF
the country IN all the elements of national great
neSS-1Or these and countless other blessings
We should rejoice and be glad. 1 trust that,
under the inspiration or this great prosperity,
c0unSelS may be harmonious, and that the die
tates of prudence, patriotism, justice. and economy
may lead to the adoption OF measures in which the
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, December 4, 1882.