The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1883-12-07

the centenary of the first shipment of cotton
from port Of the United States, bids fair to
meet with like gratifying success. Under the
act OF Congress of the 10th of February, 1853,
International in its character, foreign
Governments with which the United
states maintain relations have beer in
y1ted 70 participate The promoters of this
assurances Of the lively interest which it ex-
cited abroad
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The Report of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia is herewith transmitted.
ask for 1t your careful attention, especially
for those portions which relate to assess
ments OF arrears OF taxes and water supply.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The Commissioners who were appointed
under the act of January Is, 1888 entitled IAN
act to regulate and improve the Civil-seryice
OF the United States, entered promptly upon
the discharge of their duties. A series of rules
framed in accordance with the spirit of the
statute was approved and promulgated by the
president, but in some particulars, wherein
they seemed defective, these rules were sub
sequently amended 1t win be perceived that
they diScouEtenance any political or
religious tests for admission to the
offices of the public service to which
the statute relates. The AIT is
limited in its original application to
the classified clerkships in the several execu-
1--WE departments at washington, numbering
about $500, and to similar positions in Gus
toms districts and QOst-ofiices where as many
as fifty persons are employed. A class fica-
ton OF these positions, analogous to that ex-
listing 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
operation of the statute The annual
report of the Civil-service Commission,
which will soon be submitted to Con-
gress. win doubtless afford the means
OF more definite judgment than ! am now
prepared to express as to the merits of tho
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 diff
hculties in carrying them into effect. Since
the 10th OF July last no person, SO far as I am
aware, has been appointed to the public serv-
ice, in the classified portion thereof, at any
OF the departments, or at any of the post
offices and customs districts above named, eX-
cept those certified by the Commission to be
the most competent, on the basis of the eS-
animation held In conformity to the rules.
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
At the time the present Executive entered
upon his Office his death. removal, resignation
OF inability to discharge his duties would have
left the Government without constitutional
head. 1t is possible, of course, that s. similar
contingency may again arise, unless the wis
dom of Congress shall provide, against 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. Tho clause of the
law regulating the Presidential succession
presents also for solution other questions
OF paramount Importance These questions
relate TO the proper Interpretation of the
phrase . Inability to discharge the powers
and duties of the Office Our organic
law, providing that when the Presi-
dent shall suffer from such inability
the Presidential Office shall devolve upon
the Vice-President, who must himself, UNI
der like circumstances, give place to such
officer as Congress may by law appoint to act
moi nj fn1afN ttn r1H1T
erous and interesting inquiries which are sug-
gested by these words Of the Constitution.
They were fully stated i'll my first commune
cation to Congress, and have since been the
subject of frequent deliberations in that
body. 1t is greatly to be hoped that these mo-
mentous questions will find speedy solution,
lest an emergency may arise when longer de-
lay VIII be impossible, and any determination,
albeit the wiseSt, may furnish cause for anxi-
ETY. and alarm
THE VETO POWER
For the reasons fully stated in my last an
nual message, repeat my recommendation
that Congress propose an amendment to that
provision of the Constitution which pre-
scribed the formalities for the enactment of
preparation of public money, the Executive
may be enabled while giving his approval to
particular items, to interpose his veto as to
such others as do not commend themselye s to
his Judgment
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The Fourteenth Amendment to the Consti-
tuition confers the rights of citizenship upon
all persons born or naturalized in tho United
States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
1t was the special purpose of this amend
ment to insure to members of the colored
race the full enjoyment of civil and political
rights. Certain statutory provisions In
tended to secure the enforcement of
| those rights have been recently declared I'm.
constitutional by the Supreme Court. Any
legislation whereby Congress may lawfully
supplement the guarantee which the Consti-
| tuition affords for the equal enjoyment by all
the citizens of the United States of every
right, privilege and immunity of citizenship,
will receive my unhesitating approval.
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, D. c., Dec. 8, 1883