The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1883-12-07


spirit OF Ine statute was approyeu ana pro-
mulgated by the President, but in some par
tlcularS, wherein they seemed defective
these rules were afterwards amended. 1t
will be perceived that they discountenance
any political or religious tests for admission
TO the offices OF the public service to which
the statute applies. The act is limited in its
original application to the classified clerk
ships in the several executive departments
at Washington, numbering about $500, and
to similar positions In customs districts and
i'm p0stOflces where as many as fifty persons
are employed. A classification of these po-
sitons, analogous to that existing in the
Washington offices, was duly made before
the law went into effect. Eleven customs
districts and twenty-three paid offices were
thus brought under the immediate opera
ton of the statute. The annual report OF
the civil service commission, which will
soon be submitted to Congress, will doubt
less afford the means OF more difnite
Judgment than am now prepared to eX-
press rs to the merits of the system. L am
persuaded that its effects have thus far prov
ed beneficial. It's practical methods appear
to be adequate to the ends proposed, and
there have been no serious difficulties in
carrying them into effect Since the 10th
OF July last no person, so TAR as am aware,
has been appointed to the public service in
the classified portions thereof, at any of the
departments, or any of the postof1ices and
customs districts above named, except those
certified by the Commission to be the most
competent ON the basis of the examination
held in conformity to the rules.
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
At the time the present Executive entered
upon his Office his death, removal, resigna-
ton or, inability to discharge his duties
would have left the Government without %
constitutional head. 1t is possible, of
course that similar contingency may again
arise unless the wisdom OF Congress shall
provide against its recurrence. The SEN
ate at its last session, after full con-
this subject "SS Which will i'll no 1s,A frust
commend itself to the approval of
boLh ~ .,eS al congress. he cause OF
the constitution upon which must depend
any law regulating the presidential sue
cesslon, presents also for solution other
questions of paramount Importance. These
questions relate to the proper interpreta-
ton OF The phrase, Inability to DISCHARGE
the powers and duties of the Office Oar
organic law, providing that when the presi-
dent shall suffer from such inability the
presidential office shall dev0lve upon tile
vlce-president, who must himself, under
like circumstances, We place to such
officer as congress may by law appoint 30
act as president. | need not set forth the
numer Us and interesting inquiries which
are suggested by these words of the con-
stitutiOn. They were fully stated in my
first communication 10 congress, and have
since been the subject of frequent DELHI
erationS N that body. 1t is greatly to DO
hoped thar these III mentOuS queSl ions will
find speedy solution, lest an emerg ercy
may arise when longer delay will be i'm
possible, and any determination, albeit the
wisest, may furnish cause for anxiety and
alarm.
TIE VETO POWER.
For the reasons fully stated in my last
annual message, repeat my recommended
ti0n that congress propose fan amendment
to that provision of the constitution which
prescribed the fOrmalties for the enact
ment of laws whereby, in resnect to bills
for the appropriation of public money,
the executive may be enabled while CIV
Ing his approval to particular items, to
interpose his veto as to such Others as do
not commend themselves To his judgment.
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The fourteenth amendment to the con-
stitution confers the rights of citizenship
upon al persons born or naturaliZed in the
United States and subject to the jurisdic-
ton thereof. 1t was the special purpose
of this amendment to insure To members
of the colored race the full enjoyment oil
civil and political rights. Certain statutory
provisions intended to- secure the enforce
ment of those rights have been recently
declared unconstitutional by the Supreme
Court. Any legislation whereby con-
gress may lawfully supplement the guaran-
equal enjoyment by all the citizens of the
United States of every right, privilege and
Immunity OF citizenship, Will receive my
approval.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, ID. q, Dec. 3, 1883.