Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1885-12-16


This is the strong spectacle presented by COM
munIty protected by republican form of gov
eminent to which they owe allegiance sustain
ing by their sutfra9es principle and o. belief
which sets at naught that obligation of absolute
obedience to the law which lies ct the founda-
! ton of republican Institutions The strength
! the perpetuity, and the destiny of the nation
rest upon our homes established by the law of
God, guarded by parental care, regulated by pa-
renVal authority and sanctified by parental love-
These not the homes of polygalny The
mothers OF our land who rule the nation as they
would the characters and guide the actions Of
! their sons, live according to Gods holy ordin-
ance, and C'lch, pure and happy in the exclusive
love of the father of her children sheds
the warm light of true womanbood'
unperverted and unpolluted, upon all with
in her pure and wholesome family circle.
| These are not the cheerless. crushed, and un-
wonanly mothers of polygnny
The fathers of our families the best citi-
zens of the Republic; wife and children are the
! sources OF patriotism, and cOnJugal and parental
affection beget devotion to country. The man
who, undefiled with plural marriage, is sur
rounded in his single home with his wife and
! children, has a stake in the country which in
spires him with respect for it's laws and courage
/ for their defense. These are not the fathers of
Polygamous families. There is no feature Of
/ this practice or che system which sanctions it
which IS not opposed to all that is of value in
our institutions.
There should be no relaxation in the firm but
| just execution of the law in operation, and
] L should be glad to approve such further dis
Greet legislation as will rid this country of this
/ holding polygamy in our Territories re-en-
| forced by immigration from other lands, Irec-
ommend that law be passed to prevent the
| importation of Mormons into the country.
ANIMAL DISEASES.
The prohibition of the importation into several
! coun6rles of certain of our animals and their
products, based upon the suspicion that health
! is endangered in their use and consump-
| tion, suggests the Importance of such
df for n the dsao Of
will disarm suspicion of danger and cause
| the removal of such injurious prohibition.
! If the laws in operation insufficient to
accomplish this protection, [ recommend their
amendment to meet the necessities of the situ-
| alton, and I commend to the consideration of
Congress the suggestions contained in the report
of the Commissioner of Agriculture calculated
| to increase the value and efficiency of this de-
partment.
CIvIL-sERvICE REFORM
The report of the Civil-Service Commission,
| which will be submitted, contains an account Of
the manner in which the Civil-SerWce law has
been executed during the last year and much
valuable information on this important subject
l inclined to think that there is no sentiI
ment more general in the minds of the people
| OF our country than conviction of the correct
ness of the principles upon which the law
forcing civil service reform is based.
! In it's present condition the law regulates
| only part of the subordinate public po-
sitions throughout the country. 1t ap-
| plies tests of fitness to applicants for these
places by means OF competitive examination
| and gives large discretion to the commissioners
| as to the character of the examination and many
| other matters connected with its execution.
Thus the rules and regulations adopted by the
commission have much to do with the
practical usefulness of the statute and
with the results of it's application.
The people may we'll trust the commission to
execute the law with perfect fairness and with
as little irritation is possible. But of course
no relaxation OF the principle which underlies
it and no weakening of the safeguards which
surround it can be expected. Experience in it's
administration will probably suggest an amend
ment of the methods of it's execution, but vent
ted to the system which distributes public posi-
tions purely as rewards for partisan service.
Doubts may we'll be entertained whether our
Government could survive the strain of con-
tinuance of this system, which, upon every
change OF administration, inspires immense
army OF claimants for Office to lay siege to the
patronage of the Government, engrossing the
the time of public officers with their Emporium
tiles, spreading abroad the contagion of
their disappointment, and filling the air
with the tumult of their discomfort.
The allurements of immense number Of
offices and places exhibited to the voters of the
land, and the promise Of their bestowa1 in
recognition of partisan activity, debauch the
suffrage and rob political action of it's
thoughtful and de1iberative character. The
evil would increase with the multiplication
of offices consequent upon extension,
and the mania for ofhce-holding, growing
from its indulgence, would pervade our popu-
1ation generally that patriotic purpose the
desire for the public good and solicitude for the
nation welfare, would be nearly banished from
the activity OF our party contests and cause
them to degenerate into ignoble, selfish and dis
graceful struggles for the possession of office
and public place.
Civil-service reform. enforced by law came
not too soon to check the progress of demoraliza-
ton. One of it's effects, not enough regarded is
the freedom it brings to the political action Of
those conservative and sober men who in fear
OF the confusion and risk attending an arbitrary
and sudden change in all the public Offices with
change of party rule, cast their ballots against
such change.
Parties seem to be necessary, and will con-
tinue to exist Nor can it be now denied that
=.
with ofhceholdng which follow party supremacy.
While craftsmanship continues bitter and pro-
nounced, and supplies so much of motive to sem
tinent and action, it is not fair to hold public
officials, in charge of important trusts RESPONSE
BILE for the best results in the performance Of
their duties and yet insist that they shall rely, III
confidential and important places, upon the work
OF those not only opposed to them in political
utilization, but stepped in partisan preiu-
dice and. rancor that they have loyalty
to their chiefs and no desire for their sue
cess. Civil service reform does not exact
this, nor does it require, that those in subor-
dinate position who fail in yielding their
best service, who are incompetent should
be restrained simply because they are in place.
The whining of a clerk discharged for Incidence
place by the worst possible operation of the
spoils system, suddenly discovers that he is
entitled to protection under the sanction Of
civil service reform, represents an idea no less
absurd than the cla1nor of the applicant who
claims the vacant position as his Compensation
for the most questionable party work
The civil-service law does not prevent the dis
charge of the indolent or incompetent clerk but
it does prevent supplying his place with the
unfit party worker. Thus in both the phases
is seen benefit to the public service.
And the people, who desire good government,
having secured this statute, viii not relinquish
its benefits without protest, are they IN
mindful of the fact that its full advantages can
only be gained through the complete good faith
of those having it's execution in charge, and this
they will insist upon.
recommend that the salaries of the Civil
Service Commissioners be increased to sum
more nearly commensurate with their important
duties.
THE GOVERNMENT LIBRARY.
It is source of considerable and not I'M
natural discomfort that adequate provision
has yet been made TO the accommodation Of
the principal library of the Government.
A consideration of the fact that the library Of
the Capitol has twice been destroyed or dam
aged by fire, it's daily increasing value and it's
Importance place of deposit for books under
the law relating to copyright make manifest the
necessity of prompt action to insure it's proper
accommodation and protection.
DISTRICT MATTERS.
NV attention has been called to q controversy
which has arisen from the condition of the law
relating to railroad facilities in the city OF
Washington, which has involved the Commits
sioners of the District in much annoyance and
trouble. hope the difficulty will be promptly
settled by appropriate legislation.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
F1oo Of low nIoti7 To