Morris tribune., 1882-12-14


If they are once destroyed, well nigh impossible.
THE civil SERVICE
WHAT SHOULD BE DONE
A communication which made to congress
IN itS frst session, in December last contains
| somewhat full statement of my sentiments in
relation to the principles and rules which
ought to govern appointments to public gacv
Ice Referring TO the various plans which
| heretofore had been subjected to dis
cussion in tho national legisla-
tures-plana which, in the main, are
modelled upon the system which obtains in
| Great Britain, but which lacked certain of the
prominent features whereby that system is
distinguished-1 felt bound TO intimate my
doubts whether any of them would af-
ford adequate remedy fol- the evils which
| they aimed TO eradicate declared, neverthe-
lsss, that II these proposed measures should
| prove acceptable 10 congress they would re-
ceive the support Of the executive. Since the
suggestions were submitted for your considera-
| tionA there has been no legislation upon
the subject to which they relate, but
| there has, meantime been an increase
in tho public talk On that subject,
and tho people OF the country, apparently
without distinction of party, have in various
ways and upon frequent occasions given ex-
preston to their earnest wish for prompt and
definite action. In my Judgment such action
should no longer be postponed. | might add
that my own sense OF it's pressing Importance
has been quickened by Observation IN d prac-
| teal phase Of the matter to which attention
has been more than once called by my prede-
cesscr. The civil list now comprises about
100000 persons, far the larger part of whom
must, under the terms of the constitution,
be selected by the president, either
directly or through his own appointees
In the early years Of the administration OF the
government, the personal direction of appoint
ments in the civil service may not have been
| An irksome task for the executive; but now
that the burden has increased fully hundred
fold, 1t has became greater than he ought to
bear, and it necessarily diyerts his time and
attention from the proper discharge of other
duties no less delicate and responsible, and
which, in the very nature of things, cannot be
delegated to other hands. In the Judgment of
not few who have given study and reflection
to this matter, the nation has out
grown the provisions which the constitution
established for filling the minor Offices in the
public service. But whatever may DO thought
of the wisdom OF eXpediency of changing the
fundamental! law III this regard. it is certain
that mucn relief may be afforded not only to
the presidknt and to the heads of the depart
ments, but to senators and representatives in
congress, by discreet legislation. They would
he protected in great measure by the bill
now pending before the senate or by any other
which should embody its important features
from the
PRESSURE OF PERSONAL IMPORTANTLY
and from the labor Of examining conflicting
claims and pretension of candidates. | trust
that before the close of the present session
some decisive action may be taken for the cor
rection of evils which inhere il the present
methods of appointment and I asoure you of
my hearty cooperation in any measures which
Arnl bal tn 20, fl,NSa b. +t,1
most appropriate term and tenor of the official
life of the subordinate employees of the govern
ment, 1t seems to be generally agreed that
whatever their extent character thu one
should be definite ana the other stable and that
neither should be regulated by zeal
IN tbs ssr7isa o: party or fidelity
to the fortunes CT an individual.
It matters little to the people at large what
competent person is at the head of this depart
ment. or that bureau, if they feel assured that
the removal of one and the accession of an
other will not involve the retirement Of honest
and faithful subordinates whose duties are
purely administrative, and have no legitimate
connection with tie triumph OF any political
principles or the success Of any political party
or faction. It is to this latter class of officers
that the senate bill to which we have already
referred exclusively applies, while neither that
bill nor any other prominent scheme for i'm
proving the civil service concerns the
higher grade Of officials who are
appointed by the president, and confirmed by
the senate. feel bound to correct a prevalent
misrepresentation as to the frequency with
which the present executive has displaced the
incumbent OF au office and appointed another
IN his stead 1t has been repeatedly alleged
that he has, in this particular, signally de-
parted from the course which mas been pur-
sued under recent administrations of the gov
ernment The facts are as follows: The
Whole number of executive appointments dur
ing the four years Immediately preceding Mr.
Gartield's accession 10 the presidency was
1896. OF this number, 244, or per cent,
involved the removal of previous incumbeHts.
The rates OF removals 10 the whole number Of
appointments was much the Same during each
of those four years. In the first year, with
100 appointments. there were "a removals, or
9.3 per cent; in the second, with 9l7 appoint
ments, there were 80 removals, or g. 3 per
cent; In the third, with $50 appointments,
there were 48 removals.. or 10 per cent; in
the fourth, with 429 appointments, there were
At removals, or SO per cent; IN the four
months of President Gertield's administration
here were $50 appointments and SO
F 1b Sss or ~ per cent precisely Sd
taken place in the fourteen months which have
since elapsed, but they constitute only "a per
cent Of the whole number of appointments,
11s within that period and less than 2-6 of
the entire list of officials, 3, 479, exclusive of
the army and navy, which is filed by presi-
Dental appointment I declare my approval
of such Legislation as may be found necessary
for supplanting the existing provisions of law
In relation to .
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS
In July last authorized public announce
ment that employees of the government
should regard themselves as at liberty to
exercise their pleasure in making or re-
fusine to make political contributions and that
their action in that regaru would in no manner
effect thei roficial status. - In this announce
/ lnyvy wi i,.b hah a11vov
maintained and still maintain, that public
officer should be absolutely as free as any other
citizen to give or withhold contribution for
the aid of the politics of his choice. 1t has,
however, been urged. and doubtless not with
out found alton, that by the solicitation Of su-
periors such contributions have at times
been obtained from per SONG whose only motive
for giving has bean fear OF what might befall
them if they refused 1t goes without saying
that such contributions are not voluntary In
my judgment their collection must be prohib-
tied by law. A bill which will effectually
suppress them will receive my cordial ap-
prevail
pTRORATION.
GRATIFYING PROSPERITY
The closing year has been replete with bless
ings, for which we owe to the Giver of all good
our reverent acknowledgment For the unin-
terrupted harmony of our foreign relations.
for the decay of sectional animosities, for the
exuberancef Of our harvests. and the
triumphs OF our mining and manufacturing
industries, for the prevalence of health
and the conservation of the public credit
for the growth of the country in all the Gle.
ments Of national greatness, for those and
countless other blessings we should rejoice
and be glad. trust that under the inspira-
ton OF this great prosperity our counsels may
be harmonious, and the dictates Of prudence
patriotism, justice and economy may lead to
the adoption of measures in which congress
and the executive may heartily unite.
tSignedl CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. f.
Mr.. B. r. Kenyon, OF Chillicothe, O.,
Sc ~, f<>, ;,o n