The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-12-13

this number 244, or 8 per cent, in
yolyed the removal of previous In
cumbents. The ratio of removals te
the whole number of appointments
was much the same during each o
these four years. In the first year
with 79O appointments, there were
"a removals, or 9.3 per cent; in the
second, with 917 appointments
there we're IS removals, or SO pei
cent in the third, with 4S0appoint'
ments, there were 4S removals, OIL
10 per cent; in the fourth, with 42s
appointments, there yer 81 remov-
ais, or Sc per cent. In the foul
months of President Garield's ad.
ministration there were $50 appoint.
ments anc SO removals, or ri pei
cent. Precisely the same number OF
removals, SO, have taken place III
the fourteen months which have
since elapsed, but they constitute
only rs per cent. of the whole mum.
her of appointments, lis, within the
period, and less that 26 per cent. OF
the entire list of officials, 3,459, ex-
elusive of the army and navy, which
is filled by Presidential appoint
meiits.
| declare nay approval OF such
legislation as may be found necessa-
ry for experimenting the existing
provisions of law III relation to po-
litical assessments. In July last |
authorized a public announcement
that employees of the Government
should regard themselves as at liber-
ty to exercise their pleasure in max
ing or refusing to make political
contributions, and that their action
in that regard would in no manner
affect their official statues. In this
announcement l acted upon the
view which | had always maintained
and still maintain, that a public
officer should be as absolutely free
as another citizen to give or withhold
a contribution for the aid of the
political party of his choice. 1t has,
however, been urged. and doubtless
not without foundation in fact, that
by solicitation of superiors and by
other modes, such contributions
have been obtained from persons
whose only motive for giving has
been the fear of what might befall
them if they refused. 1t goes With.
out saying that such contributions
are lot voluntary, and in my judg-
ment their collection should be pro-
hibited by law. A bill which will
efiectually suppress them will re-
ceive my cordial approval. | hope
that, however numerous and urgent
may be the demands upon your at
tention, the interests of this District
will not be forgotten. The denial to
its residents of the great right of
suffrage in all the relations OF Ma
tional, State and municipal action,
imposes upon Congress the duty of
affording them the best administra-
ton which its wisdom can devise.
The report of the District Commits
sioners indicates certain measures
whose adoption would seem to be
very desirable. | instance in par
ticular those which relate to arrears
of taxes, to steam railroads and to
assessments on real property.
Among the questions which have
been the topic of recent debate in
the halls of Congress, none are of
greater gravity then those relating
to the vote for Presidential electors.
and the intention of the Constitution
in its provisions for devolving exc
cutive functions upon the Vice Pres
ident, when the President suffered
from inability to discharge the pow
ers and duties of his office. | trust
that no embarrassments may result
from a failure to determine these
questions before another National
election.
The closing year has been replete
WIN tICcSitlSS. lpl WilCll ht owe W
the Giver of all Good our reverent
acknowledgements. For the uninter-
rupted harmony of our foreign rela-
tons, for the decay of sectional ami
mosities. for the exuberance of our
h~arvests, and the triumphs of our
mining and manufacturing indus
tries, for the prevalence of health. the
spread of Intelligent and the con-
servation of the public credit, for
the growth of the country in all the
elements of National greatness for
these and countless other blessings,
we should rejoice and be glad. |
trust that under the inspiration of
this great prosperity our COUNCILS
may he 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 NAV
heartily unite.
CAEsTER A. ARTHUR,
WASHINGTON Dec 4 1890