Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-12-14

which they are aimed may be suppressed without
reSC 'uch radical measures as in some quart
have been thought indispensable for success.
The close relation Of he general government to
ieFrltorie preparing to be great states may well
engage your special attention. IL is there in-
dian disturbances mainly occur, and that polyga-
ny has found room for growth. | cannot doubt
,ut careful survey of territorial legislation
would be of the highest utility; that thereby life
aud property would become more secsre the la
bility OF outbreaks between indians and whites
would be lesseued, the public domain would be
more securely governed, and better progress be
made on the instruction of the young.
ALASKA
Alaska is still without any form Of civil gov
ernltnt. Ii means we're provided for the educa-
tion offs people and for the protection Of their
lives ana property, the immense resources of that
region would invite permanent settlement, and
op, a teld for industry and enterprise.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The communication which I made to congress
at ia first ression, in December last had a some
what fnll statement of my sentiments in relation
10 the principles and rules which ought to gov
ern appointments to public service. Referring to
the various plans which Heretofore had been
subjected TO discussion in the national
legislature, plans which were in the main
modelled upon the system which has obtained in
Great Britain, but which lacked Ger tain promi-
nent features by which that system il distu-
Guished, / felt bound to intimate my doubts
whether they or any Of them would afford an
adequate remedy for the evils which they aimed
10 create. l declared, nevertheless, that i. this
proposed measure should prove acceptable to
cor gress they would receive the executive sigma
ture TO the suggestions submitted for your con-
sideraton. There has been no legislation upon
the subject to which they relate but
there has, in the meantime, been an
increase in the public talk on that subject
and the people Of the country, apparently with
out distinction or party, have IN various ways
and upon frequent occasions, given expressions TO
their earnest wish for prompt and definite action.
La my judgment such action should no longer be
postponed. may add that my own sense of it,
pressing Importance has been quickened by OBJ
seryation in a practical phase of the matter to
which attention has more than once been called
by my predecessor The civil list now comprises
about one hundred thousand persons, the larger
part OF whom must, under the terms of the con-
siitu,ion, be selected by the president either d.
rectly or through his own appointecs.
I'm the early years Of the administration Of the
government the personal direction of appoint
ments in the civil service may not have been 40
irksome task for the executive but now that the
burden has increased fully hundred fold it has
become greater than he ought to bear, and it
necessarily diverts his time and attention from
the proper discharge of other duties no less cell
cate and responsible, and which, in the very ma
ture Of things, cannot be delegated to other
hands, In the judgment of not few who have
given study and reelection to this matter the ma
ton has outgrown the provisions which the corsti
tuition has established tor ii ling the minor offices in
the public service. But. whatever may be thought
of the wisdom or expectancy of changing the fun
damenal law in THIS pgard, 1t is certain thal
much relief may be Afforded, not only TO the
president and TO the heads of the departments
out TO senators add representatives. in congress bJ
discreet legislation They wsud DO protected in
great measure by the bill now pending before
the senate, or by any other which should en-
body It's important features, from the pressure OF
personal importantly ana from the labor of ex-
aiming conflicting claims and pretentions Of candi-
dates trust that Before the close OF the present
session some decisive action may be taken for the
correction Of bills which inherit the prescn-
methods Of appointment, and l assure you Of
my hearty cooperation in any measures which
arc likely to conduce to that end. As to the
most appropriate term and tenor Of the official
subordinate employees of the government 1t seems
10 be generally agreed that whatever their ex-
tent or Character, the one should be definite and
the other stable and that neither should be regu-
lated by the zeal in the service of the party or f.
deity TO the fortunes of an individual.
IL matters little to the people at large wha
competent person is at the head of this depart
ment o. that bureau if they feel assured that
the removal of one and the accession Of another
will not involve the retirement Of homes and
fat nful subOrdinBtes whose duties are purely
administrative and have no legitimate connection
with the triumph of any political party fac
.ial. is to this latter calss of officers that the
senate bill to which we have already re-
ier'ed exclusively applies, while neitht tn II
bill nor an7 other prominent scheme for
lmprovag the civil service concerns ;be
higher grade offcels who re
appointe. by the president and confirmed by the
senate.
THE PRESIDENT DEFENDS HIMSELF.
l feel bound 10 correct prevalent mis-.
apprehension as % the frequency with which the
presen executive has displaced tie incumbent OF
On Office and appointed another in his stead. II
hiss been repeat dly alleged that he has in this
particulai sigualy departed from the course
which las been pursued under recent administra-
ions Of the government. The facts are as fol-
lows. The whole number OF executive appoint
Inen,s during the toui years Immediately pre-
cediug Nlr. GIrfel1s accession o. the presidency
was 500; OF this Number PA, or per cent. in
lived in the removal of previous incumbeuts
The ratio of removals 10 the whole number of APP
uo,niIncnts was much the same during each Of
those four years. In the first year with 100 ap-
poin,mens there were "a rem walls, or So pc.
cent; in the second, with gl7 appointments there
were s. re novalS or % per cent; in the third
with ioe appointments there were As removals,
or 10 per cent in the fourth, with f2g appoint
lithte kN-Ie were - TiiAoNFls UT on per ctuls IL
the four months Of President Garheds admins
j. ration there were 500 appointments and SO re-
noyals, or 227 per cent. Precisely
be ssme number OF removals, So, has
asen place in tke fourteen months which have
.i-ce elapsed, but they constitute only 5 per
cent. OF the whole number.oi appointments (l,lls)
NltLln tnat period, and less than 26 per cent OF
lne On rs list OF officials g 45g) exclusive If tie
o. aud navy, witch is filed by presidential
appointmsnt.
POLITICAL ASSESSMENTS.
declare my approval Of such legislation as
may be found necessary for supplantine the ex.
sting pr DIVISIONS Of the law in relation TO polti.
cal assessments. In July last l authorized a
public announcement that employees Of the gov