The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1882-12-09


pubic service. Referring to the various
plans which had theretofore been the subject
Of discussion in the National Legislature.
plans which in the main we're modelled upon
the system which obtains I'm Great Britain,
but which lacked certain of the prominent
Tnshcd et bana 'h ~ Ise ms anbt
| whether they or any of them would afford
| adequate remedy for the evils which they
IN At If the proposed measures should prove
/ acceptable 10 Congress they would receive
the unhesitating support of the Executive
| your consideration there has been no legis.
lation upon the subject 20 which they relate.
But there has MEANWHILE been an in
th ss'' subject dRn pdPHo the Interest peope
OF the country. apparently without
distinction of party, have in various ways and
upon frequent occasions given expression TO
their earnest wish for prompt and definite ac-
ton. In my Judgment such action should no
longer be postponed. may add that my
own sense of its pressing Importance has
been quickened by observation, in practical
phase OF the latter, to which attention has
sors. The civil list now comprises about IOO,-
OOOnersons, the larger part of whom must,
under the terms of the Constitution, be Sc
lected by the President, either directly or
through his own appointees.
= In the early years of the administration of
government the personal direction of APP
polntments to the civil service may not have
been an frksome task for the Executive. but
now that the burden has increased fully
hundred fold it has become greater than he
should bear. and it necessarily diverts his
time and attention from the proper discharge
OF other duties no less responsible, and which
IN the very nature OF things can not be dele;
not few who have given study and rehec
ton to this matter the nation has outgrown
the provisions which the Constitution has es-
tablished for tlling the minor offices in the
public service. But whatever may be thought
OF the wisdom or expediency of changing the
fundamental law In this regard, IL is certain
that much relief may be afforded, not only to
the President and to the heads of the depart
ments, but to Senators and Representatives.
IN Congress, by discreet legislation. They
would be protected in a great measure by the
bill now pending before the Senate, or by any
other which should embody its important
features from the labor of examining conflict
ing claims and pretensions of candidates. 1
trust that before the close of the'present
session some decisive action may be taken
Tor the correction of the evils which are in the
present methods of appointment and assure
you of my hearty co operation in any meas.
of the official life OF the subordinate en-
ployees of the Government it seems
20 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 of party or fidelity to the
fortunes OF an individual. 1t matters little to
the people at large what competent person is
at the head of this department. or of that
bureau, II they feel assured that the removal
OF one and the accession of another win not
involve the retirement of honest and faithful
subordinates, whose duties are purely adj
minlstrative, and have no legitimate connec-
ton with the triumph of any political princi-
pies OF the success of any political party or
that the Senate bill to which l have already
referred exclusively applies. While neither
that bill nor any other prudent 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 to correct prevailing misap-
prehension as to the frequency with which
the present executive has displaced the in
cumhent OF an oflice and appointed another
in his stead.
REMOVALS FROM OFFICE.
1t 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 as follows: The whole number of
executive appoin tments during the four years
Immediately preceding Mr.. Garfield's acces.
sion to the Presidency was 9, SOC. of this num-
Der 2A or nine per cent, involved the removal
of sprevimrs fncnmbents. rrheaates of remov.
ais to the whole number of appointments was
much the same during each of these four
years. In the first year, with 100 appoint
inents there were "A removals. or 9.s per cent;
in the second with 9F appointments, there
were ~ removals, or s.5 per cent in the third,
ais. or 10 per cent; in the fourth, With 400
appointments there were 81 removals,
cent? IN the -four months
there were 800 appointments andS9 removals.
or 227 per cent. Precisely the same number OF
removals. 80, has taken place in the fourteen
months which have since elapsed, but they
constitute only n per cent. of the whole num-
Der of appointments; II within that period
"ss ~ s cue emSlre ,iss OIL ofncias
Ia filled by presidential appointments. I de-
clare my approyalof such legislation as may
be found necessary for experimenting the ex-
istlng provision OF law in relation to
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
II, n
ment that employees of the Government
should regard themselves as at liberty TO ex-
ercise their pleasure in making or refusing to
make political contributions, and that their
action In that regard would in no manner af-
feet their official status In this announce
ment acted upon che view which had al.
waysmaintained, and still maintain, that apub-
lie officer should be as absolutely free MS any
other citizen to give or to withhold a contrf-
button for the aid Of the political party OF his
choice IL has, however, been urged, and
doubtless not without foundation intact, that
by the solicitation of superiors and by other
modes, such contributions have at times been
giving has been fear Of what might befall
them If they refused. 1t goes without saying
that such contributions are not voluntary.
and in my udgment their collection should
be prohibited by law. A bill which will effect
ually suppress them will receive my cordial
approval.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
hope that, however numerous ana urgent
may be the 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 relations to national
States and municipal action imposes on Con,
gress the duty of afording them the best ad- 1
ministration which its wisdom can devise.
The report of the District Commissioners in
dictate certain measures whose adoption
would seem to be very desirable. instance
In particular those which relate to arrears of
taxes TO spare railroads and to assessments of
real property. 49,. n
Among the questions which have been the
topic of recent debate In the halls of Congress,
none are OF greater gravity than those relat-