The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-12-08

carrying them into effect. Since the 10Th
OF July last no person, so far as am aware,
has been appointed to the public service in
the classified portions thereof, at any of the
departments, or any of the pOstOfiices 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 cOntingencymay again
arise, unless the wisdom of Congress shall
provide against its recurrence. The Sem
ate at its last session, after full con-
sideration passed an act relating to
this subject, which will now, | trust
commend itself to the approval Of
both houses OF congress. The clause OF
the constitution upon which must depend
any law regulating the presidential sue
cesSion 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" 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, under
like circumstances, give place TO such
officer as congress may by law appoint to
act rs president. need not set forth the
numerous and interesting inquiries which
are suggested by these words OF the con-
stitutiOn. They were fully stated in my
first communication to congress, and have
since been the subject of frequent DELHI
erationS in that body. 1t is greatly to be
hoped that these momentOuS questions will
find speedy solution, lest an emergency
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 recommends
ton that congress propose fan amendment
to that provision of the constitution which
prescribed the formalities Tor the enact
ment of laws whereby, in respect 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
CIVIL RIGHTS.
The fourteenth amendment to the con-
stitution cOnfers the rights of citizenship
upon q III persons born or naturallZed in the
United States and subject to the jurisdic-
tion thereof. 1t was the special purpose
of this amendment to insure to members
of the colOred race the full enjoyment of
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
tee 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
unhesitating approval.
CHESTER \. ARTHUR.
Washington, ID. c., Dec. i, 1854.