Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-12-13

commemoration of the centenary of the hrss
shipment of cotton from port OF the United
states BIDS tar e meet WIN like ~ ~,
10th of February, 1888. declaring that exposi-
ton TO be national and internationa in its char
acter, all foreign governments with which the
United States maintain relations have been
invited TO participate. The promoters OF this
important undertaking have already received
assurances OF the lively interest which it has
excited abroad.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report of the Commissioners of the
District OF Columbia is herewith transmitted.
for those portions which relate to the assess.
mentS of arrears of taxes and water supply.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The Commissioners who were appointed I'M
to regulate and Improve the Civil Service OF
the United States entered promptly upon
the discharge of these duties. Aseries of rules
framed in accordance with the spirit OF the
statute was approved and promulga by the
President In some particulars wherein
they seemed defective those rules were Su0Se-
Quently amended. 1t will be seen that they
discountenance any political or religious
tests for admission to the public service to
which she statute relates. The act is limited
in its original application to the classified
cIerkshipS in the several executive depart
Inents ut Washington, numbering about 5 COO
and similar positions in customs dis
tricts and post-offces where as many
classification OF these positions anaio-
gOus to that existing in the Washington Offices
was duly made before the law went into effect.
Eleven customs districts and twenty-three
| pOSt-OffceS were thus brought under immeGi-
| ate operation of the statute. The annual re-
| port of the Civil Service Commission, which
win soon be submitted to Congress, will afford
the means OF a more definite Judgment than
am now prepared to express as to the merits
| or the new system. am persuaded that its
| effects have thus tar proved beneficial. The
| practical methods appear to be adequate for
| the ends proposed, and there has been no se-
| riOus difficulties in carrying them into effect
Since the 18th of July last no person, so far as
am aware. has been appointed to the public
! service in the classified portions thereofin any
| OF the departments, or atany of the post-offeeS
| and customs districts above named, except
| those certified by the Commission to be the
/ most competent, on the basis of the examine
/ lions held IN conformity to the rules.
THE EXECUTIVE.
AT the time when the present Executive en-
| tered upon his office, his death, removal, res
| ignatiOn, or inability to discharge his duties
would have left the Government without 8
] constitutional head. 1t 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 consideration, passed an
act relating to this subject which will now, I
| trust, commend itself to the approval OF both
! houses of COnrress The clause of the Con-
| StituCiOn 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 OFTHE PHRASE,
| Inability to discharge the powers and duties
| OF said office, our organic law providing that
| when the President shall suffer from such iIla-
| bility the Presidential office shall devOlve up
| on the Vice-President, who must himself, un-
| der like circumstances, give place to such Off
| GERS as Congress may by law appoint to act as
| President. [ need not here set forth the nu-
merOus and interesting inquiries which ara
| suggested by these words OF the Constitution
| They were fully stated In my first communities
ton to Congress, and have since been the SUBJ
! ject of frequent elaboration in that body. Ia
is greatly to be hoped that these mOmentou9
emergencies may arise when longer delay be
impossible, and any determination, albeit the
WiSeSt may furnish cause for anxiety and
alarm.
| vETOING APPROPRIATIONS.
For the reasons fully stated in my last an
! nual message, repeat my recommendation
| that Congress propose an amendment to thak
| provision of the Constitution which preScribeS
the fOrmalitieS for the enactment of laws
| whereby in respect to bills for the appropria-
ton OF public money the Executive may be
| enabled, while giving his approval to partfcu-
lar items, to interpose his veto as to such others
! as do not commend themselves to his judg-
ment.
CITIZENSHIP.
The fourteenth amendment of the sConstitTl.
ton cOnfers the rights of citizenship upon all
| persons born or naturaliZed in the United
/ States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
to insure members of the colOred race the full
| enjoyment of civil and political rights. Ger
| tain statutory proViSOS intended to secure the
enforcement of those rights have been re-
| Gently declared unconstitutional by the SUI
! preme Court. Any legislation whereby Congress
| may lawfully supplement the guarantees which
| the Constitution affords for the equal enjoy
| ment by all citizens of the United States OF
! every right, privilege and immunity of citt-
| zenship will receive my unhesitating approval
| LSigned,l CHESTER a. ARTHUR
| Washington, d. O., December 3, 1883.