Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1883-12-13
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

ilc bil4llll>>iblitiN. WIN WHY dpp'ltittt
under the Act Of January l6. 1883 entitled
An Ac; 70 Regulate and Improve the
Civil Service of the United States. entered
promptly upon the discharge Of these duties.
4 series OF rules framed in accordance
with the spirit OF the statute was approved
and promulgated by the President In
some particulars wherein they seemed de-
fective those rules were subsequently amend
ed 1t will he perceived that they dis
countenance any political or religious tests
for the admission TO those offices of the
public service to which the statute relates.
The act is limited in is original application
TO the classified clerk ships IN the several ex-
ecutive departments at Washington. number
in about $500 and 70 similar positions III
the customs districts and post offices. where
As many as fifty persons are employed.
classification Of these positions analogous 70
that cxi>tin. IN Washington offices
was duly made before the law went into
effect
Eleven customs districts and tneniy-,hrcr
post offices we're thus bIol-h, under the I'M
mediate operation of the statute. The an
nual report of the Civil Service Commission.
which viii soon be submitted To Congress.
finite judgment than am now prepared 10
express As u the merits OF the new system.
am persuaded that lis effects have thus far
proven beneficial. Its practical methods
appear 10 be- adequate for the cnis pro-
posed and there mas been no serious diff-
cultie> in carving them into effect. Since
the 10Th % Juiy last no person. - far as
AN aware. has been appointed 20 the public
service in the classified portion, thereof in
any Of the Departments pr at any Of the
post offices and custom districts above
named. except those certified by the cCin-
mission to be tine most competent on the
basis Of tie ex lminatlnns held in conformity
To the rules at the time.
the QUESTION OF PRESIDENTIAL Success
SION.
When the present Executive entered upon
his office hi> death. removal. resignation.
Or inability H. discharge hi, duties would
have icf, the government, without con-
>titutional hea! l. is possible. of coarse.
that a similar contingency may again arise,
unless the wisdom Of Congress shall pro-
vide against IL recurrence. The senate.
ii il last session. aftc: tIil consideration,
passed an act in relation TO this subject
which will now. ! trus'. commend itself 10
the approval Of both houses 81 Congress.
The clause Of the Constitution upon whjch
must depend any law regulating the Presi-
dental succession. presents also for solu-
ton ether questions u paramount impur-
lance. The questions relate 10 the proper
Interpretation of the phrase, ''ialblltv -
discharge the powers and du;le, Of Office"
Oar organic iaw provide, that when tie
President shall suffer from such Inability
The Presidential office shall deyo.Ne upon
the Vice President who must himself under
ike circumstances. give place 10 snch officer
A. Congress may by law appoint II act a.
President. ! need not here set forth the
numerous and interesting inquiries which
are suggested b, these words of the Con-
Slitution. They were fully stated ia my
first communication to Congress. and have
since been The subject Of del.beratipu in
that body, Il i greatly to be hoped that
these momentOu> questions viii find a speedy
solution. lest emergency may arise when
longer delay viii be impossible and any
determination. albei; the wi>est, ma, turn-
ISL cause for anxiety and alarm.
THE VETO POWER.
For the reasons fully stated in my last
annual message. repeat my recommen-
dation that Congress propose an amend
ment TO that provision of the Constitution