Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-12-11


than he ought to bear, and it neces-
sarily diverts his time and attention
from the proper discharge of other
duties no less delicate and response
BILE, and which in the very nature of
things cannot be delegated to other
hands. In the judgment of not few
who have given study and reflection
to this matter, the nation has out
grown the provisions which the con-
stitution has established for filing
the minor offices of the public ser
vice; but whatever will be thought
of the wisdom or expectancy of
changing the fundamental law in this
regard, it is certain that much relief
may be afforded not only to the pres
ident and heads of departments, but
to senators and representatives. in con-
gress. By discreet legislation they
would be protected in great meas
ure by the bill now pending before
the senate, or by any other which
should embody its important features
from the pressure of personal impor-
tunity and from the labor of examin-
ing 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 with the pres
ent methods of appointment, and |
assure you of my hearty cooperation
in any measures which are likely to
conduce to that end As to the
most appropriate term and tenure of
the official life of the subordinate
employees of the government, 1t seems
to be generally agreed that whatever
their extent or character, the one
should be definite and the other sta
BILE, and that neither should be regu-
lated by zeal in the service of party
or fidelity to the fortunes of an indi-
vidual. 1t matters little to the peo-
| pie at large what competent person
is at the head of this department or
that bureau if they feel assured that
| the removal of one and the accession
| of another will not involve the retire
ment of honest and faithful subordi-
mates, whose duties are purely adj
ministrative and have no legitimate
connection with the triumph of any
political principles or the success of
any monopoly, party or faction.
| delare my approval of such legis-
lation as may be found necessary for
supplementing the existing provisions
of law in relation to political assess
ments. In July last authorized a
public announcement that employees
of the government should regard
themselves at liberty to exercise
their pleasure in making or refusing
to make political contributions, and
that their action in that regard would
in no manner affect their official status.
The closing year has been replete
with blessings, for which we owe to
the Giver Of all good our reverent
acknowledgement for the interrupt
ed harmony of our foreign relations,
for the decay of sectional animosi-
ties, for the exuberance of our har-
vests and the triumphs of our mining
and manufacturing industries, for the
prevalence of health, the spread OF
intelligence and the conservation OF
the public credit, for the growth OF
the country in all elements of nation.
al greatness. For these and count
! less other blessings we should re-
J joice and be glad. / trust that under
the inspiration of this great prosperi
ty our counsels may be harmonious
!; and that the dictates of prudence
patriotism, justice and economy may
lead to the adoption of measures il
: which the congress and the executive
may heartily unite.
|