Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-12-06

ferred exclusively appeals, while neither that bill
nor any other prominent scheme for improving
the civil service concerns the higher grade OF
officials who are appointed by the president and
confirmed by the senate. feel bound 10 correct
prevalent Misrepresentation as to the frequency
with which the present executive has displaced
the incumbent Of an office and appointed another
in his stead II has been repeatedly alleged that
he has In this particular signally departed from
the course which has been pursued under recent
administrations OF the government The facts
are az follows; The whole number Of executive
appointments during the four years Immediately
preceding Mr. Garfield's accession to the presi-
dency was 1896 OF this number pa, or nine per
cent, involved the removal Of previous incum-
bents. The ratio OF removals to the whole num-
Der Of appointments was much the same during
each OF those four years. 10 the first year. with
$50 appointments, there were "a removals, or 9
per cent In the second, with OF appointments
there were 80 removals, or per cent. In the
the third, with 400 appointments there were AZ
removals, or 10 per cent. In the fourth, with
400 appointments, there were 81 removals, or SO
per cent. Ia the four months OF President Gar
fields administration there were 800 appoint
ments and 80 removals, OF % 7 per cent. Pre-
csely the same number Of removals (SJ) has
taken place In the fourteen months which have
since elapsed but they constitute only IS per
cent Of the whole number Of appointments (11S)
within that period and less than 2 OF the entire
list of officials, 159, exclusive OF the army and
navy, which is filled by presidential appoint
ments
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS
declare my approval Of such legislation as
may be found necessary for experimenting the
existing provisions OF law in relation to political
assessments. In July last authorized public
announcement that employees OF the government
should regard themselves as at liberty 10 exercise
their pleasure In making or refusing to make po-
litical contributions, and that their action in that
regard would in no manner affect their official
status. In this announcement acted upon the
views which he'd always maintained and still
maintain that public officer should be az ALSO
utey free as any other citizen to give or to with
hold contribution for the aid Of the political
party OF his choice. lthas, however, been urged,
and doubtless not without foundation In fact
that by solicitation Of superors and by other mode
such contributions have at times been obtained
from persons whose only motive for giving has
been the fear Of what might befall them II they
refused. 1t goes without saying that such con-
tributons are not voluntary, and In my judgment
their collection should be prohibited by law. bill
which will eiiectually suppress them will receive
my cordial approval.
THE PRESIDENTIAL VOTE.
Among the questions which have been the topic
Of recent debate In the halls OF congress none
are OF greater gravity than those relating 10 the
ascertainment Of the vote for presidential electors
and the intendment OF the constitution In Its pro-
visions for devolving executive functions upon
the vice president when the president suffers from
inability to discharge the powers and duties OF his
office. trust that no embarrassment may result
from failure to determine these questions before
another national election
CONCLUSION.
The closing year has been replete with bless
ings for which we owe to the Giver Of all good
our reverent acknowledgment for the uninter-
rupted harmony OF our foreign relations, for the
decay Of sectional animosities, 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 elements Of national greatness
| rejoice and be glad trust that under the inspi
ration Of this great prosperity our counsels may
be harmonious, and that the dictates of prudence
| patriotism, justice and economy may lead to the
| adoption of measures in which the congress and
| the executive may heartily unite.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, December A. 1882