The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1882-12-08


TINS particular signally departed from
the course which has been pursued I'M
der recent Administrations of the Gov
eminent. The facts are as follows: The
whole number of Executive appoint
ments during the four years Immediate
ly preceding Mr.. Garfield's accession to
the Presidency, was 1895; of this num-
Der pa, or per cent involved the re-
mOval of previous incumbents. The
ratio of removals to the whole number
of appointments was much the same
during each of those four years. In the
first year, with 100 appointments. there
were "a removals, or 9.3 per cent; in the
second, with 9l7 appointments, there
were 50 removals, or So per cent; in the
third, with 4S0 appointments, there
were AIS removals, or 10 per cent; in the
fourth. with 429 appointments, there
were 81 removals, or S.6 per cent; In
the four months of President Garfield's
administration there were 800 appoint
ments and 81 removals, or 22.7 per cent.
Precisely the same number of removals
(87) has taken place in the fourteen
months which have since elapsed, but
they constitute only { per cent. OF the
whole number of appointments, Ia
within that period, and less than two
sixths of the entire list of officials
(3,459) exclusive of the army and navy,
which is filed by Presidential appoint
ment.
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
Ideclare my approval of such legislation
as may be found necessary for supplanting
the existing provisions of law In relation
to political assessment. In July last l au-
thOr,zed public announcement that EN-,
ployes of the Government should regard
themselves as at 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 announce
ment, / acted upon the view which had
always maintained end still maintain that
a public officer should be as absolutely free
as any other citizen TO give or to withhold
contribution for the aid of the political
party of his choice. 1t has, however, been
urged, and doubtless not without f0unda-
ton in fact that by the, solicitation of SUI
periors and by. other modes, such, contribu-
lions have at times been obtained from per-
sons whose only motive for giving has been
fear of what might befall them If they re-
fused. 1t goes without saying that such
contributions are not voluntary, In my
judgment, their collection should be pro-
hibited by law. A bill which will effectu-
ally suppress them will receive my cordial
approval.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
hope that, however numerous and ur-
gent may be the demand upon your atten-
ton, the interest of this district will not be
forgotten. The denial to- its residents OF
the great right of suffrage in all its relations
to National, State and municipal action i'm
poses OnCongre,s the duty of atfording them
the best. administration which its wisdom
can devise.
The report of the District Commissioners
Indicate certain measures whose adoption
would seem to be very desirable. | instance
In particular those which relate to arrears
of taxes, to steam railroads, and To assess
ments of real property.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
Among the questions which have been the
topic OF recent debate in the halls of Con-
gress, none are OF greater gravity than those
relating to the ascertainment of the vote for
Presidential Electors and the intentment of
the constitution in its provisions for devolv-
ing the Executive functions upon the Vice
President, when the President suffers from
inability to discharge the powers and du-
ties of his Office. | trust that no embarrass-
ment may result from failure to determine
these questions before another national
election.
CONCLUSION.
The closing year has been replete with
blessings for which we owe to the Giver of
all good our reverent acknowledgements
For the uninterrupted harmony of our for
eign citations; for the decay of sectional
animOsities: for the eXuberance of our har-
vests, and the triumphs of our mining and
manufacturing industries; for the prevail
ence of health, the spread of Intelligence,
and the conservation of the public credit;
for the growth of the country in all the ee-
ments of national greatness-for these and
countless other blessings-we should rejoice
and be glad. L trust that under the inspira-
ton of this great prosperity, our counsels
may be harmonious and that the dictates of
prudence, patriotism, justice and economy
may direct the adoption of the measures in
which the Congress and the Executive may
heartily unite.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
WASHINGTON, December 4, 1881.