Daily Kennebec journal., 1883-12-05

msthods appear 20 b aAequafs for the ends
proposed, and there have been no serious
difficulties in carrying them into effect
Since the 9th of July hast, no person. 90 far
as Am aware, has been appointed to the
public service in the classified portions
thereof, 1t anv of the departments. or at any
Of the post-ofices and customs districts above
named, except those certified BY the COM
mission to be the most competent on the
basis of the examinations held in conformity
to the rules
The PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
At the time when the present Executive
entered upon his Office, his death, removal,
resignation or inability to discharge his duties
would have left the government without
constitutional head. Ii is possible, of course,
that similar contingency may again arise,
unless the wisdom of Congress shall provide
against its recurrence. The Senate at its
last session, after full confederation. passed
an act relating to this subject which will now,
l trust. commend itself to the approval of
both houses of Congress. The clause Of the
constitution upon which must depend any Law
regulating the presidential succession, pre-
sents also for solution other questions of
paramount importance. These questions re-
late to the proper Interpretation of the
duties of said Office" Our organic Law pro-
vides that when the President shall suffer
from this inability. the Presidential Office shall
devolve upon the Vice President, who must
himself under the circumstances, give place
to such officer as Congress may by law ap-
point to act as President. l need not here
set forth numerous and interesting inquiries
which are suggested BY these words of the
constitution.
They were fully stated in NV first COM
manication to Congress and have since been
the subject of frequent deliberations in that
body. 1t is greatly to be hoped that these
momentOus questions will find speedy solu-
ton, lest emergencies may arise when longer
delay will be impossible. and any determina-
ton, albeit the wisest. may furnish cause,
ar xiety and alarm, for the reasons fully
stated in my last annual message.
A VEro OF OBJECTIONABLE SECTIONS OF
BILLS.
l repeat nv recommendation-that Con-
gress propose an amendment to that provis-
ion of the constitution which prescribes the
fOrmalities for the enactment of laws.where-
by in respect to bills for the appropriation of
public moneys. the Executive may be en-
abled, while giving his approval to particu-
lar items, to interpose his veto as to such
others as do not commend themselves to his
judgment
THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT
of the Constitution confers the rights of
citizenship upon all persons born or natural
lied in the United States, and subject to this
jurisdiction thereof It was the especial
purpose of this amendment to insure to
members of the colored race the full enjoy
ment Of civil and political rights. Certain
statutory provisions intended to secure the
enforcement of these rights have been re-
Gently declared unconstitutional by the
Supreme Court. Any legislation whereby
Congress may lawfully supplement the
guarantees which the constitution affords for
the equal enjoyment by all the citizens of
the United States, of every right, privilege,
and immunity of citizenship, will receive
my unhesitating approval.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, Dec. 8, 1888.