Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1885-12-17

act. Undoubtedly the relation OF commerce
with our near neighbors, whose territories
form so long frontier line difficult to be
guarded, and who find In our country and
equally offer TO us natural markets, demand
special and consIderate treatment. It rests
with Congress TO consider what legislative
! action may increase facilities OF interc urse
which contlguity makes natural and desir-
able.
SALARIES OF CoSsULs.
earnestly urge that Congress recast the
appropriations for the maintenance OF the
diplomatic and consular service on a foot.
our National interests. At every post where
a representative is necessary, the salary
should be SO graded as to permit him to live
in comfort. With the assignment of ade-
| quate salaries the so called notorial extra
official fees, which our officers abroad are
now permitted to treat as personal per.
| quisites, should be done away with.
dssss a aSi SECURING ssa t The e oeer
| should be taxable at schedule rates, and the
| fee therefor returned to the Treasury. by
| restoring the revenue to the public use the
| consular service would be self-supporting,
| even with liberal increase Of the present
low salaries. In further prevention of abuses
| system OF consular inspection should be
instituted. The appointment of limited
number of secretaries of legation at large, to
| be assigned to duty wherever necessary,
| and In particular for temporary service at
missions which for any cause may be with
| out head, should also be authorized.
MILITARY AND NAVAL LEGATION ATTACHES.
favor, also, an appropriation for the de-
| tail of officers OF tho regular service as mill
| tary or naval attaches at legations. some
| foreign governments do not recognize the
| union OF consular with diplomatic func-
| tions. Italy and Venezuela will only re-
| ceiye the appointee in one OF his two ca
| pacitles. but this does not prevent the
| requirement. of a bond and submission to
| the responsibilities of an officer whose du.
ties he can not discharge Tho superadded
title OF Consul General should be abandoned
| at all missions.
EXTRA JUDICIAL COURTS IN ORIENTAL cOUN.
deem 1t expedient that q well. devised
measure for the reorganization of the extra
| judicial courts in Oriental countries should,
| replace the present system which labors
| under the disadvantage OF combining judi
| cial and executive functions In the same Of
| flee.
RESULTS OF THE WORLDS INDUSTRIAL EXPO
| sIrION.
The Worlds Industrial Exposition, held at
| New Orleans last winter with the assistance
| Of the Federal Government, attracted large
number of foreign exhibits and proved of
course OF visitors from Mexico and Central
and South America widcr knowledge OF the
various manufactures and productions of
this country, and their availability In ex-
DISCRIMINATION IN FAVOR OF NATIVE ARTISTS.
Past Congresses have had under consider
alton the ACCESSIBILITY OF abolishlng the dis
elimination made by the tariff laws In favor
of the works of American artists. The obi
um of policy which subjects to hig n rate
OF duty the paintings OF foreign artists and
exempts the productions of American ar
lists residing abroad, and who receive graf.
uitously advantages and instruction. Is Wis.
tied upon our citizens engaged in art cultur 9
in Europe and has caused them, with prac.
tical unanmlty, to favor the abolition OF
such an ungracious distinction, and in their
interest and for other obvious reasons,
strongly recommend 1t.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORMING RELAXATION OIL
ITS PRINCIPLES TO BE EXPECTED.
The report of the Civil Service Commits
sion. which will be submitted, contains an
account OF the manner In which tho civil
service law has been executed during the
past year, and much valuable information
on this important subject.
l am inclined to think that there is no sen
timent more general In the minds of thu
people OF our country than con victioI
of the correctness of the principle upon
which the law enforcing civil service re-
form is based. In its present conditi on
the law regulates only part of the Dor
dlnate public position throughout the coun
try. It applies the test OF fitness to appH
cants for these places by means ofa compel
, | ulV6 cAHUlludblOn dUu BlVtS lurRC us
erection to the Commissioners as to the char
acter of the examination and many Other
matters connected with Its execution. Thu
the rules and regulations adopted by thu
Commission have much to do with the prac
teal usefulness of the statute and with tn,
results Of its application.
THE PEOPLE
may well trust the commission to execute
the law with perfect fairness and with as
little irritation as possible. but OF course IN
1t and no weakening of the safeguards which
surround 1t can be expected. Experience II
Its administration will probably sugges
amendment of the methods of itsexecution
again be remltted to the system which dis
tributes public positions purely as reward
for partisan service
Doubts may well be entertained whether
our Government could survive the strain o
continuance OF this system which 1por
| every change Of administration, inspires
an immense Ut ny OF claimants for Office t.
lay sieyr to the patronage of the Govern
ment, engrossing the time of public officer
. | with opportunities, spreading abroad tn
contagion OF their disappointment and fill
ing the air with the tumuit of their disc0n
r tent The allurements of an immense mum
voters of the land, and the promise OF thei
bcstowal In recognition OF partizan activity
debauch the suffrage and rob political &C
! ton Of Its thoughtful and deliberative char
7 acter.
THE EVIL
: would increase with the multiplication o
i offices consequent upon our extension an,
, the mania for office holding growing fror
, It's indulgence would pervade our popula
ton so generally that patriotic purpose, tn
{ support OF principle, the desire for the pub
, lie good and solicitude for the Nations wei
: fare would be nearly banished from the &C
v of our party any Sa" ana t1 d
q graceful struggles for the possession OF ofiic
. ! and public places
0 ! Civil service reform enforced by law, cam
not too soon to check the progress of demon
alization. One of Its effects, not enough re
4 garded Is the freedom 1t brings to the poli'
{ zeal action Of those conservative ana sobe
, men who IN fear of the confusion AMI ris
Z attending an arbitrary and sudden chang
a In all the public Offices with change OF part
/ rule, cast their ballots against such cha ng
/ Parties seem to be necessary, and VIII con
{ tnue to exist, nor can 1t be now den ne
i Ing. which follow party supremac.
, WHILE PARTISAN SHIP CONTINUES BITTER
! aud pronounced and supplies 50 much
r motive to sentiment and action, IL Is nj
fair to hold public officials in charge. OF In
portant trusts responsible for the best n
suits in the performance of their duties, an
yet insist that thsy shall rely, In contldeutii
T, and important places, upon the work
{. those not only opposed to them In polite;
= afiiliation, but SO steepsd in partisan injus
tce and rancor that they have no loyalty {
: their chiefs and no desire for their success
Z Civil service reform does not exact this, ne
, does 1t require that those In subordinate pr
!, sitions who fall in yielding their best servit
or who are incompetent should be retaine
. merely because they are in place.
. The whining OF such clerk discharge
. for Incidence OF incom potency, who, thong
Il he gained his place by the worst possib
\ operation of the spoils system, suddenl
. discovers that he is entitled TO protectio
. under the sanction OF civil service reform
!, represents an idea no less absurd than ii
!. clamor OF the applicant who claims I'll
g vacant position as his compensatio
!. for the most questionable party wor
II The civil service law does not prevent Il
|. discharge of the indolent or incompetel
: clerk. but It does prevent supplying his pla
!. | with the uniiI nlrtv worker. Tins In hO