Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-12-07

per cent; In the third. with $50 appointments,
there were ais removals, OF 10 pn oent; IN the
fourth, with t39 Appointments, there were ~
removals, or Sc per cent IN the four months
Of President Garhelds administration there
were 80 appointments and 81 removals, al Per
cent Precisely the same number go have taken
place in the fourteen months which have since
elapsed. but they constitute only y per cent OF
the whole number OF appointments, ~ within
that period. and less than two-sixths Of the en-
tire list Of officials Is Slse, exclusive OF the army
and navy which is filled by Presidential sp-
pointment
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
declare my approval q such legislation as
may be found necessary for supporting the ex-
assessment In July last i authorized public
announcement that employees OF the Government
should regard themselves as at liberty TO exercise
their pleasure in making or refusing TO make po-
httcal 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 as any other citizen TO give
or to withho d a oontribu ION for the aid OF the
political party OF his choice. II has, however,
been urged, and doubtless not without founda-
ton In fart that by the solicitation Of super1ors
and by other modes, such contributions have at
times been obtained from persons whose only
motive for Giving has been fear Of what might
befall them II they re used IL goes without
saying that such contributions are not volun-
tary. In my Judgment, their collection should
be prohibited BY nw. A bill which will effect
uaIly suppress them viii receive my cordial ap-
Droval.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
Ihope that, however numerous and urgent may
be the demands upon your attention. the inter-
est this District will not be forgotten. The
denial to its residents Of the great right Of suf
frage in sll its relations to national. State and
municipal action imposes on Congress the duty
of affording them the best administration which
Its VII dom can devise.
rns- ~
-dicates certain measures whose adoption would
seem TO be very desirable. ] instance in par
tcular those which relate to arrears Of taxes, to
steam railroads, and to assessments OF real prop
erty.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
Among he questions wblch have been the topic
of recent debate in the halls of Congress, none
are OF greater gravity than those regarding the
ascei ta1nnen OF the vote for Presidential Elect
ors and the tntontment of the constitution In
it's provisions for devolying the Executive
functions upon the Vice President when the
President suffers from inability 10 discharge
the powers and duties of his Office. trust that
no embarrassment may result from q failure to
dete, mine these questions before another ma
uonnl election.
CONCLUSION
The closing year has been replete with bless
ings for which we owe to the Giver Of all good
our reverent acknowledgment. For the unin-
terruptcd harmony Of our foreign relations; fol
the decay OF sectional animosities; for the exu-
berance Of our harvests, and the trfumphs Of
our mining and manufacturing industries:
for the prevalence Of health, tho spread of in.
telligence, and tho conservation of the public
credit; for the growth of the country in all the
elements of national grestness-for these
and countless other blessings-we should
rejoice and be glad. i trust that under
the inspiration OF this great prosperity
our counsels NAV be harmonious and that the
dictates OF prudence, patriotism, Justice and
economy may direct the adoption o measures In
which the Congress and the Executive may
heartily unite CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 4, 1882.