The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-12-11
and il will be perceived that

they discountenance any political
or religious tests Tor admission "a
public service to which the statutes relate
The act is limited in its original applici-
ton 10 the classified clerkships In the sew
eral executive departments at Washington,
numbering about 3 600, and similar posi-
tons In customs districts and postofhces.
Where as many as Fifty persons are em-
ployed, a classification Of these positions
analogous TO that existing In the Wash
ington offices was duly made before the
law went into effect. Eleven customs
districts and twenty-three postofices were
thus brought under the immediate opera
ton of The statute. The annual report Of
the civil service commission which will
sooI be submitted 10 congress-, will afford
the means of more definite Judgment than
am prepared to express as TO the wants OF
the new system. / am persuaded that It's
effects have thus far proved beneficial.
These practical methods appear to De ao-
equate for the ends proposed, and there
has been no serious difficulties In carrying
them into effect; since the sixteenth OF July
last, no person so far as j am
aware has been appointed to the public ser
vice in the classified portions thereof, at
any of the departments, or at any OF the
postofices and custom districts above NAM
ed, except those certified by the commission
to be the most competent on the basis of the
examinations here, in conformity 10 the
rules
At the time when the present executive
entered upon his Office. his deeth, removal,
resignation or inability TO discharge his
duties would have left the government
WITHOUT A CONSTITUTIONAL HEAD.
1t is possible. of course, that similar con-
tingency may again arise, unless the wis
dom of congress shall provide againt its re-
currence. The senate, at its last session,
after full consideration, passed an act re-
lating to this subject, which will now,
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, presents also for
solution Other questions of paramount i'm
portance. These questions relate to the
proper Interpretation of the phrase "inabil-
ity TO discharge the poSers and duties OF
said Office :" an organic law, providing
that when the president shall suffer from
such inability the presidential Office shall
devolve upon the vice-president, who must
himself, under like circumstances, give
place to such officer as congress may by
law appoint to act as prt sideOt. i need
not here SET forth numerous snd interesting
inquiries which are suggested by these
words of tn, constitution. They were fully
stated in my first communication 10 con-
greSs and have since b, en- the subject OF
frequent deIiberatiOn in that body IL is
grestly TO be hoped that these momentous
questions will find some speedy solutions
lest an emergency may arise when longer
delay will be impossible, and
any determination, albeit the wisest,
nay furnish a cause for anxiety and
alarm.
For the reasons fully stated in my last
annual message | repeat nv recommends
ton that congress propose an amendment
~ that provision of the constitution which
prescribed the formsliiies for the enact /
nent of laws, whereby, in respect 10 bills
Tor ihe appropriation of public money, the
executive may be enabled while giving his
approval TO particular items. to
INTERPosE HIS VETO
rs to such others as do not commend |
themselves TO his judgment. The 18th |
ame Ddment of tie constitution confers the |
right OF citizenship upon all persons boru
Dr. Raturalized In the United States, and |
subject to the jurisdiction thereof. II was
he special purpose of this amendment 20
insure to members of the colored race the |
ull enjoyment of civil aud political rights.
certain statustOry provisions intended To
ecure the enforcement OF these rights have
,eep recently declared unconstitutional by |
he supreme court Any legislation which
congress may lawfully supplement TO the
guarantees which the constitution |
Ifords for the equal enjoyment
" all citizens of the United States of every
light, privilege and immunity of citizen
hip will receive my unhesitating approval.
Signed1 CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washinctnn ID O. Dec 1899