Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1884-03-15

and counties upon an equal footing, would in.
crease the voting power Of the United King.
dom about 2,ooo,ooo or this number England
would furnish !, 10000, Ireland 10000, ano
/ Scotland 100000. This result was certainly
worth attaining. n the house took broad
view Of the matter, cnffanchisemcnt must be
considered desirable. The people were trust.
worthy, and as voters under the constitution
were the strcnghth Of the constitution. n
/ these measures should become law, then their
constituents would form a compact mass,
who would rally to the support of the cons,i.
tuition, which would be stronger than ever.
The Scotch and Irish members, generally,
favor the bill.
President Arthur sent to congress on the
| 2gth ultimo, message ncosing the report Of
the eivil service commissioners, and heartily
indorsing their work lie also recommended
an appropriation TO enable the commission to
continue rs work. The report makes n volume
of siziy-seven closely printed pages Upon
the subject Of political assessments the report
I says that there have been several violations Of
the law, but the irning sums secured by the
! Illegal practice ceased on attention being called
| from federal officers since the act went into
effect, was not more than one half or one
fourth as much as formerly. The evils " the
spoils system arc set forth at great length, and
the benefits derived from competitive cxamina.
tions fully described. The opinion is cr.
| pressed that a sllutary effect would follow the
selection Of chiefs Of bureaus, postmasters aud
collectors at large offices from subordinates
who would be- experienced. Soldiers and sail.
ors honoraaly discharged by reason Of dissa-
blity, II capable, are preferred, and nowhere
Is there any advantage allowed by reason Of
tax. The commission hold that the power Of
removal and its exercise for just reasons, are
essential both 10 the discipline and efficiency
Of the public service. # appears from the
statistics presented with the report that sixty
per cent Of those who entered the service
through competitive examination were edu
Gated in common schools alone, and the com
mission consider it unquestionable that the ma.
ton, by bestowing its offices upon the most
mertOrious pf those whom the states have cdu-
Gated at the public expense, will greatly honor
and stimulate the public school system ui the
country. The report gives extracts from
| large number Of letters received from post
masters and collectors, showing that grea,
benefit has accrued to the public service by the
enforcement Of the civil service rules. II is
suggested that party test be no longer APP
piled in the selection Of collectors and post
masters, and that the very corrupt exercise OF
power in the nomination, promotion, transfer
or continuation, even though the corrupt con
sideration may not be a thing Of value, should
he an oflensc under the bribery laws. The
commission in conclusion declare the civil
service act a success, and do not doubt that
the most difficult point has been passed.
| Through every stage Of its working the com
mission has had the constant and unwaverng
support Of President Arthur.