Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-12-15

the terms of the Constitution be selected nv
the President, either directly or through his
appointees- In the early years of the admin
lstration OF Government, the personal direc-
tion OF appointments to the ciyil SER
VICE may not have been an irksOrne task
TO the Executive, but now that the
burden has increased fully q hundredfold.
II has become greater than he ought to bear.
ana 1t necessarily distracts his time aud at
tent;on 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
Oh not few, who have given study and reaec-
the provisions which the Constitution
has established for filing the minor
| offices in the public service; but what
ever may be thought Of the wisdom or expedi-
ency OF changing the fundamental law in this
regard, 1t Is certain much relief NAV be af-
iorded, not only to the President and to the
heads OF the departments, but to Senators
ana he preventative in Congress. BY discreet
legislation they would be protected in great
measure by the bill now pending be ore the
Senate, or by any other which should embody
It's important features from the pressure of
personal importantly and from the labor Of
examining conflicting claims and pretensions Of
candidates.
| L trust before the close Of the present ses-
sion some decisive action may be taken for
| the correction of the evils which is in the
present methods of appointments, and I as
sure you OF my hearty cooperation In any
measures which are likely to conduce to that
END. AS to the most appropriate term and
tenure OF the official life of subordinate EN-
ployes OF the Government, 1t seems to be gem
orally agreed that whatever their extent or
character, the one should be definite, and the
| other stable, and that neither should be regu-
lated by zeal in the service of party, or fidelity
| In the fortunes of an individual. 1t matters
little TO the people at large what COM
petent person is at the head of this
Department or of that Bureau, if they feel 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 the triumph OF any political
principles or the success OF any political party
or faction. 1t is to this latter class of officers
that the Senate bill, to which have already
re erred, exclusively applies, while neither
| that bill nor any other prudent scheme for
| improving the civil service concerns the
higher grade OF officials who were appointed by
the President and confirmed by the Senate.
MIsAPPREHENsIoN CORRECTED.
feel bound to correct a prevalent misap-
prehension as to the frequency with which
/ the present Executive has Displaced the in
cumbent of an Office and appointed another in
his stead. 1t has been repeatedly alleged that
he has In this particular sgnaily departed
from the course which has been pursued under
the recent administrations of the Govern
ment.
Here follows a comparison of removals and
appointments under the administration of
Mr.. Hayes.
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
declare my approval OF such legislation as
may be necessary for supplementing the ex-
listing provisions of the lew in relation to po-
litical assessments. In July last authorized
public announcement that employees of the
Government should regard themselves as at
liberty to exercise their pleasure in making or
| refusing to make political contributions, and
that their action in that regard would in no
manner affect their official status. In this an
nouncement / acted upon the view which
had always maintained, and still maintain
that public officer should be as absolutely
free as any other citizen to give or to withhold
| contribution for the aid of the pc itical party
| OF his choice 1t has, however. been urged,
and doubtless not without fOundAt on in fact,
that by the solicitation of superiors and by
other modes such contributions have at
times been obtained from persons whose
! only motive for giving, has been a fear of
what might befall them if they refused to give.
Without saying that such contributions are
not voluntary and in nv judgment their
collection should be prohlb ted by law a bill
which will effectively suppress them Will re-
eefve my cordial approval
THE SUCCESSION.
Among the questions which have been the
topic or eccnt debate In the balls OF Cons resS,
none are OF greater gravity than those relating
to the ascertainment of the vote for Presi-
Dental electors and the intendment of the
Constitution in its provision for devolving
executive functions upon the Vice
| President when the President suffers from
inability to discharge the powers and duties
| of his office. l trust that 10 embarrassment
may result from failure to determine the
| questions before another natioaal election.
FINALE.
The closing year has been replete with bless
! ings for which we owe the Giver of All Good
our reverent acknowledgement. For the unin-
| terrupted harmony of our foreign relations,
| Tor the decay of sectional animosities for the
exuberance of our harvests and the triumphs
OF our mining and manufacturing industries,
| for the prevalence of health, the
spread of intelligence and the conservatives
of the public credit for the growth of the
| country in all elements of national grea ness;
! or these and countless other blessings, we
| should rejoice and be glad. l trust that in
and under the inspirat on of this great pros
rerity our councils may be harmonious and
that the dictates of prudence, patriotism,
| justice and economy may be the adoption OF
measures in which the Congress and the Ex-
ecutive may heartily uni e.
CHE>TER A. ARTHUR.
| WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec 4, 1882