The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-12-07
Continued from first page

the minor offices in the public service. But
whatever may be thought of the wisdom or
erpediency of changing the fundamental
law in this regard, it is certain that much
relief may be afforded, not only to the
President and to the heads of the depart
ments but to Senators and Representatives
in Congress by discreet legislation. They
would be protected in great measure 10y
the bill now pending before the Senate, or
by any other which should embody its im-
portant features, from the pressure of per-
sonal importantly and from the labor of ex.
amining conflicting claims and pretensions
of candidates. trust that before the close
of the present session some decisive action
may be taken for the correction of the evils
which inhere in the present methods
of my hearty cooperation in any
measures which are likely TO conduce to
that end. As for the most appropriate terms
and tenure of the official life of the subordi-
nate employees OF the government, it seems
to be generally agreed that, whatever their
extent or character, the one should be def
mite and the other stable, and that neither
should be regulated by zeal in the service OF
party or fidelity to tho fortunes of an indi-
vidual. 1t matters little to the people at
large what competent person is at the
head of this department or of that
bureau if they feel assured that
the removal. of one and the accession OF
another will not involve the retirement of
duties are purely administrative and have no
legitimate connection with the triumphs 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
j have already referred exclusively applies.
While neither that bill nor any other
prominent scheme for improving the
civil service concerns the higher grade
of officials, who are appointed by
the President and confirmed by the
Senate, feel bound to correct prevalent
misapprehensiou as to the frequency with
which the present Executive has displaced
the incumbent of an Office and appointed
another i'll his stead 1t has been repeatedly
alleged that he has in this particular signally
departed from the course which has been
pursued under recent administrations of the
government. The facts are as follows: The
whole number of Executive appointments
during the four years Immediately preceding
Mr.. Garfield accession to the presidency was
1856. OF this number 2i4 or nine per cent.
involved the removal of previous incum-
bents. 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
seventy -four removals, or 9.3 per cent. in
the second with 81 appointments, there were
eighty-iive removals, or SO per cent On the
third, with 4S0 appointments there were
forty-eight removals, or ten per cent. on
the fourth, with 439 appointments there were
thirty-seven removals, or sc per cent.
In the four months of President Gar
fields administration there were $50 apr oint-
ments and eighty-nine removals, or 22.7
per cent. Precisely the same number of re-
movals (eighty-nine) has taken place in the
fourteen months which have since elapsed
but they constitute only rs per cent. of the
whole number of appointments (l1-S) within
that period and less than 90 per cent. of the
entire list of officials (3459) exclusive of the
army and navy which are filled by presiden.
tial appointments.
POLITICAL AssEssAIENTs.
/ declare my approval of such legislation
as may be found necessary for supplement-
ing the existing provisions of law in relation
to political assessments. In July last | au-
thorized public announcement that en-
ployes of the government should regard
themselves at liberty to exercise their pleas
ure in making or refusing 10 make politi-
cal contributions, and that their action
in that regard would Ill no manner
affect their Official status. IN this announce.
ment acted upon the view which had al.
ways maintained, and still maintain. that 6
public officer should be as absolutely free u
any other citizen 10 give or to withhold
contribution for the aid of the political party
fhis choice. i has, however. been urged, anC
doubtless not without foundation ia fact
that by solicitation Of superiors and 10y
other modes, such contributions have at times
been obtained from persons whose only
motive for giving has been the fear of wha
might befall them il they refused. 1t goe,
without saying that such contributions er,
not voluntary, and in my judgment the col
lection should be prohibited by law bill
which will oifectualiy suppress them will re
ceive my cordial approval.
DISTRICT AFFAIRS
hore that however numerous and urgen
may be the demQnds upon your attention
the interests of this district will not be for
gotten. The denial of its residents the grea
right of suffrage in all its relation TO national
State and municipal action imposes on Con
gress the duty of alfording them the best ad
lninistrati0n which its wisdom can devise
The report of the District commissioners in
dicatGs certain measures whose adoption
,FOuld seem 10 be very desirable. L instance
in particular those which relate to arrears O
taxes, to steam railroads, and to assessments
OF real property.
THE PEEsIDENTIAI VOTE.
Am )ng the questions which have been tht
topic of recent debate in the halls of Con
gre5S none are of greater gravity than thOs
relating to the ascertainment of the vote 70
Presidential electors and the amendment O
the constitution in its provisions for devolv
ing Executive functions upon the Vice
President wAen the PRESIDENT suffers from
inability TO discharge the powers and dutie
of his Office. | trust that no embarrassment
may result from q failure to determine
these questions before another national elec
ton.
RATIONAL BLESSINGS.
The closing year has been replete wit
blessings, for which we owe to the Giver o
all Good our reverent acknowledgment Fo
the uninterrupted harmony of our foreigl
relations ; for the decay of sectional animos
tiles for the eyuberance of our harvest
and the triumphs of our mining an
manufacturing industries; for the prev
alence of health, the spread O
intelligence and the conservation O
the public credit, for the growth Of the coun
try in all elements of national greatness
for these and countless other blessings W
should rejoice and be glad. trust that
under the inspiration ofthis great prosperity
our councils may be harmonious, and tina
the dictates of prudence, patriotism, iustic
and economy may lead to the adoption @
measures in which the Congress and tn
Executive may heartily unite.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR
Washington, December /, 1882.