The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-12-08

Executive appointments during the four
ears immediately preceding Mr.. Garficld's ac-
cesslon 10 the Presidency, was 90; of this num-
Der -. or = Per cent, invo we'd the 7 moval OF
previous incumbents. The rates OF removals TO
the whole number Of appointments was much
the same during each OF those our wears. In
the mrs, year, with 79I appointments, there W re-
Hremovals, or 90 per cent In the second, with
VII APT osntmeuts there were; IS removals. or Is
per cent IN the third with $50 app ointmcnts
mere We're 4ls removals. or 10 per cent. in the
fourth, with 40 appointments. Z ere were 81
removals. or o per cent In tho four months
OF President Garfeld's administrator there
We're 100 appointments and 81 removals, AT per
cent. Precisely the same number (s7) have taken
place In the fourteen months which have since
elapsed but they constitute only "a Ter cent. OF
the whole number Of appointments, % within
that period, and less than two-sixths OF The en-
tire lstof officials g, 800, exclusive OF the army
and navy, which Is filed by Presidential APP
pointment
POLITICAL AssEssMESTs
1 declare my approval Of such legislation a.
may be found necessary for supporting the ex-
listing provisions OF law in relation TO political
assessment In July last / authorized public
announcement that employees of the Government
should regard themselves ut liberty to 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 stations. In this announcement acted
upon the view which had always maintained,
and still maintain that public officer should
be as absolutely free n any other tizen 10 give
or TO withho q contribu ION for the aid ot the
been urged, and doubles not without founda-
ton In fact, that, by the solicitation of superiors
and BIZ other modes, such contributions have az
times been obtained from persons whose only
motive for giving has been fear OF what might
befail them IL they used 1t goes without
saying that such contributions are not volun-
tary. In my judgment, their collection should
be prohibited bv law bill which will effect
ualy suppress them will receive my cordial sp-
proval.
DISTRICT OF CoruMBIA
Hope that, owevcr numerous and urgent may
be the dem nds upon ur "a tention. the inter-
est this District will not be forgotten. III,
DENT 10 It's residents the great right OF suf
frage in oil its relations T. national, State and
municipal action imposes on Congress- the duty
Of affording them the best administration which
it, vi dom can devise
The report of the District Commissioners in
dicates certain measures whose adoption would
seem 10 be very desirable. l instance in par
ticular those which relate 10 arrears OF taxes to
steam railroads, and To assessments OF real prop
erty.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
Among he questions wu'ch have been the topic
OF recent debate in the halls of Congress-. none
are of greater gravity than those regarding the
ascertainmen OF the vote for Presidential Elect
ors and the intentment OF the constitution in
its provisions for devoving The Executive
functions upon the Vice Pre- ident when the
President suffers from inability TO discharge
the powers and duties of his office. i trust that
no embarrassment may result from failure to
determine these questions before another ma
tional election.
The closing year has been repete with bless
tngs for which owe u tho Giver of all GOOD
our revcrent Acknowledgement. For the unin-
teTrupted harmony of our foreign relations: for
the decay OF sectional anlmositics; for the exu
berance of our harvests, and the triumphs OF
our mining and Misunderstanding industries
for the prevalence of health the spread OF in.
telligence. and the conservation OF the public
credit; for the growth of the country in all the
elements Of National greatness-for thes,
and countless other bessings-we shoulC
rejoice and be glad / trust that under
the inspiration OF this great prosperity
our counsels NAV be harmonious and that tho
dictates of prudence, patriotism, justice and
economy may direct the adoption measures in
which the Congress and the Executive may
heartily unite. CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1882.