Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-05

ened by observation in a practical phas
of the matter to which attention NOR
than once has been called by my prede
cessors. The civil list now comprises abou
100000 persons, the larger part of whom
must, under the terms of the constitution
be selected by the president. either direct
ly OF through his own appointees.
In the early years of the administration
OF the government the personal direction
Of appointments to the civil service ma,
not have been all irksOme task for th'
executive, but now that the burden has in
creased fully hundred fold, it has becomt
greater than he ought to bear, and it neces
sarily diverts his tins and attention FROM
the proper discharge Of other duties nt
less delicate and responsible, and which il
the very nature of things cannot be dele
gated to other hands. In the Judgment Of
not a few who have given study and refiec
ton to this matter, the nation has out
grown the provisions which the constitution
has established for filing the minor Off
ces CT the public service. But whatever
may be thought of the wisdom or expedi
ency 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 departments but to
senators and representatives In congress,
by discreet legislation. They would be
protected in great measure by the bill
now pending before the senate, or by any
| other which should emhOdy its important
features, from the pressure Of personal i'm
portunity and from the labor
of examining conflicting claims
| and professions of candidates.
trust that before the close of the pres
| ent session some decisive action may be
| taken for the correction of ills which in
herit the present methods of appointment,
and assure you Of my hearty cooperation
in any measures which are likely to con-
duce to that end. AS to the most appropri-
ate term and tenure Of the official life of the
subordinate employees of the government,
it seems to be generally agreed that what
ever their extent or character, the one
should be definite and the other stable,
and that neither should be regulated by
zeal in the service of party, or fidelity
to the fortunes of an individual.
1t matters little to the people at largo
what competent person is at the head of
this department or that bureau. Athey feel
assured of the removal of and the Access
sion of another they will not involve the
retirement of honest and faithful subordi-
mates whose duties are purely administra-
tive, and have no legitimate connection
with the triumph of any political princi-
pies or the success of any political party
or faction. 1t is to this latter class of of.
ficers that the senate bill to which we have
already referred Exclusively applies, while
neither that bill nor any other prominent
scheme for improving the civil service con-
Germs the higher grade of officials who are
appointed by the president and confirmed
by the senate.
feel bound to correct prevalent mis-
apprehension as to the frequency with
which the present executive has displaced
the incumbent of an Office and appointed
another in his stead. It has been repeat
eddy alleged that he has in this particular
signally departed from the course which
has been pursued under recent adj
ministrations of the government. The
facts are as follows: The whole number
of executive appointments during the
four years Immediately preceding Mr..
Garfeld's accession to the presidency was
1856. OF this number PA,
or 3 per cent. were involved in
tie removal of previous incumbents.
The rates of removals to the Who'll enumber
ing 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 917 appointments, there were IS re-
movals, or 8.5 per cent; in the third with |
48O appointments, there were 4S removals,
or 10 per cent; in the fourth with 429 ap-
pointments, there were Al removals, or Sc
per cent. In the four months of President
Garfeld's administration there were $50
appointments and 80 removals, or 22.7 per
cent. Precisely the same mum.
Der of removals, 50. has
taken place in the fourteen months which
have since elapsed, but they constitute only
q per cent. of the whole number of ap-
pointments, "a within that period, and
less than 2-6 of the entire list of officials,
3,479, exclusive of the army and navy,
which is filled by presidential appoint
ment.
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
1 declare my approval of such legisla-
ton as may be found necessary for sup
planting the existing provisions of law in
relation to political assessments. In July
last 1 authorized public announcement
that the employees of the government
should regard themselves as at liberty to
exercise their pleasure in making or refus-
ing to make political contributions, and that
their action in that regard would in no
manner affect their official status. In this
announcement acted upon the view which
had always maintained and still main
tain, that public officer should be alb
solutely free as any other citizen to give or
withhold contribution for aid of the
politics of his choice. It has, however,
been urged-and doubtless not without
foundation by solicitation of superb
ors, and by experiments such contribu-
tons have at times been obtained from
persons whose only motive for giving has
been fear of what might befall them if
they refused. 1t goes without saying
that such contributions are not voluntary
In my judgement their collection should
be prohibited by law. A bill which will
effectually suppress them will receive my
cordial approval.
THE DISTRICT.
I hope that, however numerous and
urgent may be the demand upon your at
tention, he interests of this District will
not be forgotten. The denial to its resi-
dents of the great right of suffrage in all
It's relation to national, state and munich
pal action, imposes on congress the duty
Of affording the best administration which
its wisdom can devise