The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-12-06

were thereby brought under immediate oper-
alton OF the statute. The annual s1Ort OF the
civil service commission. Whlc9 ~ II soon be
submitted to Congress, viii dsin- less afford
the means of a more defnlteI g. Lent than
am now prepared to eXpressp-s to the merits
of the new system. l am persuaded that its
effects have thus far proven beneficial Its prac-
teal methods appear to be adequate for the
ends proposed and there has been no serious
difficulties in carrying them into effect. Since
the 9th of July last no person, as far as am
aWare, has been appointed TO public service
IN the classified portions Thereon III any OF the
departments or at any OF the poStOftlceS and
custom districts above named, except they
were certified by the commissioner to be the
most competent. The basis of all examinations
were had in conformity OF rules.
PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSOR.
At the time when the present executive en-
tered upon the duties, his death, resignation or
inability to discharge the duties OF Office, it
would have left the government without a con-
a similar contingency may again arise unless
the wisdom of Congress shall provide against
its recurrence. The Senate at its last session,
to this subject which will now, trust,
commend itself to the approval of
both houses OF Congress; The
must depend on any law regulating the presi-
Dental succession and present also for solu-
ton other questions of paramount Importance
These questions relate to the proper interpre-
tation of the phrase in ability to discharge, to
powers and duties of said officer. Our organ
ic law providing when the president shall Suf-
fer from such inability the presidential office
must himself, under like circumstances, give
place to such office as Congress may by law
appoint to act as president. / need not here
set forth numerous and interesting inquiries
which is suggested by the words Of the cOnSti-
tuition; they were fully STATED in my first mes
sage 10 Congress and have since been
the subject OF frequent deliberatiOn of
that body 1t is noytoIS now to be ben hoped
speedy solution, lest emergencies may arsse
when longer delay will be impossible and any
determination albeit the wise may furnish any
cause for anxiety for reasons fully stated in
my last annual message
THE VETO POWER.
repeat my recommendation that congress
propose an amendment to that provision of the
constitution which prescribed the enactment
of the formalitieS for the enactment OF laws
whereby in respect to bills for the application
OF public moneys, the executive may pc en-
abled, while giving his approval to particular
items, to lnterpoSe his veto as to such Others as
do not commend themselves to his Judgment.
THE FOURTEENTH AMENDMENT.
The fourteenth amendment to the conStitu-
ton confers the rights of citizenship on all per-
sons born or naturaliZed in the United States
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof. 1t
ment to insure to members of the
colored race the full enjoyment of civil and
political rights. Certain statutory proviSos in
tended to secure the enforcement OF these
rights, have been recently declared unc0nstitu-
tiOnal by the Supreme Court Any legislation
whereby Congress may lawfully supplement
the guarantee which the constitution affords
for the equal enjoyment by all the citizens OF
the United States of every right. privilege and
immunity of citizenship, will receive my un-
CHESTER A. ARTHUR.
Washington, D. c., December 8, 1888.