The Portland daily press., 1883-12-05

trial exhibition at Boston and the Southern ex-
position at Louisville were largely attended by
the exhibitors OF foreign countries, notwith-
standing the absence of any professional char
acter in these undertakings. The centennial
exposition, to be held next year at New Or
leans, in commemoration OF the centenary of
the first shipment OF cotton from port of the
United States, bids fair to meet with 4 like
gratifying success. Under the act of Congress
Of the tenth of February 1883, declaring that
exhibition to be national and international in
character, all foreign governments with which
the United States maintain relations have
been invited TO participate. The promoters of
this important undertaking have already re-
ceiged assurances of the lively interest which
il excites abroad.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The report of the Commissioners Of the Dis.
trct of Columbia is herewith transmitted.
ask for it your careful attention, especially for
those portions which relate to assessments, ar
rears OF taxes and water supply.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The Commissioners who were appointed
under the act of Jan. 16, 1888, entitled an aut
to remodel and improve the civil service of
the United States, entered promptly upon
the discharge of tfeir duties. "a series of
rules framed in accordance with the spirit
Of the statute, was approved and promul-
Dated by the President. In some Darticu-
lars wherein they seemed defective these
rules were subsequently amended. 1t will be
perceived that they dscountenance any politi-
cal or religious tests for admission to those
offices of the public service to which the stat.
ute relates. The act is limited in its original
application to the classified clerkships In the
several executive departments at Washington
numbering about 5000, and to similar positions
in the customs departments and post offices
where as many as fifty persons are EMPLOYED.
A classification of the positions analogous to
that existing In the Washington offices was
dv1Ip mo a hdf0 thn Ian
Eleven customs districts and twenty-three post
offices were Thus brought under the immediate
operation OF the statute. The annual report of
the civil service commission which will soon
be submitted to Congress will doubtless afford
the means OF more definite Judgment than
| am now prepared to express as to the merits
OF the new system. am persuaded that its
effects have thus far proved beneficial, its
practical methods appear to.be adequate for the
ends proposed and there have been no serious
difficulties in carrying them into effect Since
the 10th of July last no person, SO far as 1 am
aware, has been appointed to the public service
in any of the depar tments or at any of the post
offices and customs districts above named ex-
cent those conceded by the commission to be
most competent on the basis of the examina-
tions held In conformity to the rules.
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
At the time when the present executive en-
tered upon his office his death, removal, resig-
nation or inability to discharge his duties
would have left the government without a
constitutional head. 1t is possible of course
that similar contingency may again arise un-
less the action of Congress shall provide
against its recurrence. The Senate at its
last session, after full consideration, passed an
act relative to this subject which will now, I
trust, commend itself to the approval of both
houses of Congress. The clause of the consti-
lating the Presidential succession presents also
for solution questions of paramount import
ance. These questions relate to the proper in
depreciation of the phrase Inability to dis
charge the powers and duties of said Office
our organic laws providing that when the
President shall suffer from such inability the
PRESIDENTIAL office shall devolve upon the Vice
PRESIDENT, who must himself under like cir
| cumstance give place to such officer as Con-
| gress may by law appoint to act as Presi-
dent: need not here set forth the numerous
| and interesting inquiries which are suggested
BY those words of the constitution. They were
| fully stated in my first communication to Con-
| gress and have since been the subject OF fire.
| quent deliberations in that body. 1t is greatly
to DC hoped that these momentous questions
will find speedy solution lest emergencies may
arise when longer delay will be impossible and
any determination albeit the wisest may fur
nish cause for anxiety and alarm.
VETO OF APPROPRIATION BILLS.
For the reasons fully set forth in
my last annual message 1 repeat my rec
mmendatlon THAT Congress propose an
amendment to that provision of
the constitution which provides the formalities
for tho enactment of laws whereby in respect
to bills for the appropriation of public moneys
the executive may be enabled while giving
his approval to particular items to interpose
bis veto as to such others as do not commend
themselves to his judgment.
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The fourteenth amendment of the constitu-
tion confers the rights of citizenship upon all
persons born or naturalized in the United
States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
1t was the special purpose of this amendment
to insure the members of the colored race the
full enjoyment of civil and political rights.
Certain statutory provisions intended to So
cure the enforcement of these rights have
been recently declared unconstitutional by
the Supreme Court. Any legislation whereby
Congress may lawfully supplement the guaran-
tees which the constitution affords for the
equal enjoyment by all the citizens of the Uni
ted States of every right, privilege and immu-
nifty Of citizenship will receive my unqualified
approval.
4Signed) CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, d. c., Dec. 3, 1888.