Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1882-12-13
dryness Of the climate renders their restoration
If they are once destroyed. we'll nigh impossible.
Civil Service Reform.

If they are once destroyed. well nigh impossible.
Civil Service Reform.
The communication which I made to con-
gress at the first session in December last,
contained q somewhat full statement of my
sentiments in relation to the principles or
rules which ought to govern appointments to
the public service. Referring to the various
plans which heretofore had been subjected to
discussion in the national legislature, plans
which were in the main modelled
upon the system which obtains in
Great Britain, but which lacked Ger
tain of the prominent features whereby
that system is distinguished, I felt bound to
them would afford an adequate remedy for the
evils which they aimed to removed. de-
clared, nevertheless, that If the proposed
measures should prove acceptable to congress
they would receive the unhesitatinR support of
the executive. Since the suggestions were
submitted for your consideration there has
been no legislation upon the subject to which
increase in the public interest on that subject
apparently without distinction of party, have
in various ways and upon frequent occasions
given expression to their earnest wish for
prompt and definite action. In my judgment
such action should no longer be postponed. l
may add that my own sense Of it's pressing I'M
portance has been quickened by observation in
practical phase Of the matter to which atten-
ton has more than once been called hy my
predecessors. The civil list now comprises
about 10000 persons, by far the larger part of
whom must, under the terms of the constitu-
| ton, be selected by the President, either
In the early years of the administration,
OF the government the personal direction Of
appointments to the civil service may not have
been an rksome task for the executive, but
now that the burden has increased fully hum
dred fold, it has become greater than he ought
| to bear and it necessarily diverts bis 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 rejection
to this matter. the nation has outgrown the
provisions which the constitution has estab.
lished for filling the minor offices in the
public service. But whatever may be thought
of the wisdom or expediency of changing the
law in this regard it is certain that much relief
may be afforded not only to the President and
heads of the departments, but to senators and
representatives in congress bv discreet iegisla-
ton. They would be protected in great meas
ure by the bill now pending before the senate
or by any other which should embody important
features to relieve the pressure of personal i'm
portunity and from the labor OF examining
conflicting claims and pretentions Of
candidates. l trust that before the close
OF the present session some decisive
action may be taken for the correction OF billl
which inherit the present methods of appoint
ment, and assure you of my hearty co-opera
ton IN any measures which are likely to con
duce to that end. Az to the most appropriate
term and tenor of the official life of the sub
ordinate employees of the government, it seem
to be generally agreed that whatever their ex
tent OF character. the one should be definite
and the other stable and that neither should b.
regulated by zeal in the service of party tidel
ity TO the fortunes of an individual
It matters little to the people at large wha
competent person Is at the head of tins depart
ment or that bureau if they feel assured th
removal of and the accession Of another vii
not involve the retirement Of honest and faith
fnl subordinates whose duties are purely ad
ton with the triumph of any political prin
ciplcs or the success Of any politics
party Or faction. 1t is to this latter class @
officers that the senate bill to which we hav
already referred exclusively applies. Will
neither that bill nor any other prominen
scheme for improving the civil service concern
the higher grade of officials who are apponte
by the President and confirmed 10y the senate
feel bound to correct prevalent misappre
. which the present executive has displace
the incumbent of an Office and appointed ar
other in his stead. 1t has been repeatedly a
/ legged that he has i'll this particular signaly d.
parted from the course which has been p,n
sued under recent administrations Of the go1
eminent. The facts are az follows: Th
whole number of executive appointments dul
ing the four years Immediately preceding MI
Gar6eld's accession to the presidency wa
1896; of this number 244, or 8 per cent, il
volved the removal OF previous il
cunbents. The rate of removals to til
,olo 90
, same during each Of those four years. In tt
| first year, with $50 appointments there were
removals, or 9.3 per cent; in the second wit
917 appointments there were IS removals, or 8
: per cent; in the third with 408 appointment
there were 48 removals, or l per cent; in IL
, fourth with 429 appointments thel
were 81 removals, or So per Ger
administration there were 800 appointment
and 80 removals, Or 22.7 per cent. Precise
| the same number Of removals 1897 has take
place in the fourteen months which have stint
elapsed, but they constitute only Is per cent.
the whole number of appointments, ~ with
that period and less than one third Of the e
tire list of officials, 3,459, exclusive of the arm
and navy, which is filed by Presidential a
pOintment
declare my approval Of such legislation 8
may be found necessary for supplanting the e
listing provisi ons of the law in relation
: political assessments. In July last authorize
public announcement that employees of Il
liberty to exercise their pleasure in making
refusing to make political contributions al
, that their action in that regard woul
, in no manner affect their ot1ici
! status. In this announcement acted upt
! the view which had always maintained an
, still maintain that publican officer should
absolutely as free as any other citizen to give
1,D1l il,,}1o For aid ,f +Hn wolf
!, of his choice. It has however been urged al
doubtless notl without foundation, that
+ solicitation of superiors and by experiment
9 such contributions have at times be
q obtained from persons whose on
motive for giving has been fear Of what mig
befall them if they refused. 1t goes witho
, saying that such contributions are not volu
tary: in my Judgment, their collection ,shou
be prohibited by law. bill which will effe
ually suppress them will receive my cordial a
, prova].
District Of Columbia.
: I hope that however numerous and nrge
! may be the demands upon your attention
interests of this district will not be forgotte
The denial to it's residents Of the great right
suffrage in all its relations to national, sta
and municipal action, imposes on congress
duty of affording the best administration viii
it's wisdom can devise. The report of the d
: trict commissioners indicates certain measu,
. ! whose adoption would seem to DE very deS
. able. instance in particular those which
late to the arrears of taxes, to steam rai]roa
and to assessments of real property.
Presidential Vote.
Among the questions which have been
= topic of recent debate in the halls of congrt
;. none are Of greater gravity than those relati
y to the ascertainment of the vote tori preside
. ial electors, and the intendment of the cons
,. tuition in its provisions for devolving the ez
L I c,ltive functions upon the vice president VIII
J the president suffers from inability to d
charge the powers and duties of his Office.
trust that no embarrassment may result fre
- - failure to determine these questions befC
. another national election.
. Thanksgiving.
. The closing year has been replete with bl
- sings, for which we owe to the Giver of
y good our reverent acknowledgment. For
uninterrupted harmony of our foreign relation
, for the decay of sectional animosities, for t
= exuberancc of our harvests and the trump
y of our mining and manufacturing ind,
, | tries, for the prevalence of health t
= spread of intelligence and the conservation
the public credit, for the growth of the conn
in all clements of national greatness, for the
y and countless other blessings we shonld rejc
: and be glad. trust that under the inspirati
of this great prosperity our counsels may
, Harmonious and the dictates of pruden
y patriotism, justice and economy may lead tot
adoption of measures in which the cOngrt
' and the executive may heartily unite.