The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-12-18

the land should not only be well equlppcu ior
the accomplishment of its purpose, but those
for whose benefit it has been adopted should
be encouraged to avail themselves fully OF lOs
advantages
The prohibition Of the importation. into
several countries of certain of our animals
and their products, based ulen the suspicion
that health is endangered in their use ana
consumption, suggests the Importance OF
su h precautions for the protection OF our
stock of all kinds against disease, as VIII dls-
arm suspicion of danger andSause the remoV-
| al of such an injurious prohibition.
II the laws now in operation are insuthclent
! TO accomplish this protection, l recommend
| their amendment to meet the necessities OF the
situation. and | commend to the considera-
| tion of Congress the suggestions contalneu III
the report of the commissioner OF agriculture
calculated to increase the value and efficacy
! of this department..
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The report of the civil service commission,
| which win be submitted, contains an account
| of the manner in which the civil service law
has been executed during the last year, and
much valuable information on this important
| subject
| am inclined to think that there
is no sentiment more general in the
minds of the people of our country
| than n conviction of the correctness
of the principle upon which the law enforcing
| civil service reform is based. In its present
subordinate public positions throughout the
country. Ii applies the test of fitness to APP
plicants for these places by means of a com
pstitive examination, and gives large discre-
| tion 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 Its ap-
plication.
The people may we'll trust the commission
to execute the law with perfect fairness and
with as little irritation as possible. But OF
course no relaxation of the principle which
underlies it and Weakening of the safe
guards which surround it can be expected
| Experience in its administration Will proba-
bly, suggest amendment of the methods of eX-
ecution, but l venture te hope that we
shall never again be remitted TO
the system which distributes puq-
lie positions purely as rewards for
nartisan service. Doubts NAV well be enter
tained whether our government could sur
vive the strain OF u continuance of this sys-
TEN, which upon every change of an admin
istration inspires IN immense army OF claim
ants for Office to lay siege TO the patronage
of government, engrossing the time of the
public officers with their opportunities spread
ing abroad the contagon of their
disappointment and filling this air with
the tumult Of their discomfort
The alurements of an immense number of
OFFICES tutl tANttntsi Noooio VI
the land, and the promise of their bestowal in
recognition of partisan activity, debauch the
suffrage and rob political action Of its
thoughtful and deliberative character. The
evil would increase with the multiplication
of offices consequent upon our extension,
and the mania for office holding,
growing from its indulgence, would
pervade our population SO generally that
patriotic purpose, the support of principle,
) the desire for the p9blic good and solici-
All, y,,, thn ha
nearly banished from the activity of our
party contests and cause them to degenerate
into ignoble, selfish and disgraceful struggles
for the possession of otiico and public place.
Civi-service reform enforced by law came
none too soon to check the progress of delnor-
alization One of its effects, not enough re-
garded, is the freedom it brings to the politi-
cal action of those conservative and sober
men who, in fear of the confusion and risl;
attending an arbitrary and sudden change in
all the public officers with change of party
| rule, cast their ballots against such a change.
Parties seem to be necessary, and Will long
continue to exist; nor can 1t be now denied
that there are legitimate advantages, not
disconnected with Office holding, which follow
party supremacy. While partisanship con
tinues bitter and pronounced, and supplies
so much of motive to sentiment and action,
it is not fair to hold public officials i'll
: charge of important public trusts, re-
sponsibe for the best results in the per
OIL IntlT UutltS, ana ytJ lllSiSU Una
they snail rely, in confidential and important
: places, upon the work OF those not only OPP
; posed to them in political atiliation, but sc
! stepped in partisan prejudice and rancor thai
they have no loyalty to their chiefs and
! no desire for their success. Civil service
reform does not exact this, nor does il
? require that those in subordinate posi-
tions who fail in yielding their best service, ,ol
who are incompetent, should be retained
: simply because they are in place The whin
ing of a clerk discharged for Incidence or in
competency, who, though he gained his place
by the worst possible operation of the spoil.
4 system, suddenly discovers that he is entitled
1 to protection under the sanction of civil ser
/, vice reform, represents an idea no less absurt
: than the clamor of the appliesat who claim.
| the vacant position as his compensation fol
1 the most questionable party work.
The civil service law does not prevent the
discharge of the indolent or incompetent
: clerk, but it does prevent supplying his plact
with the unfit party worker. Thus, in bott
Y these phases is seen benefit to the public ser
: vice And the people who desire good gov
e ernment having secured this statute will no
S relinauish its benefits without protest. Nol
are they unmindful of the fact that its full
[ advantages can only he gained through th
/ complete good faith of those having its exc
e cution in charge And this they will insis
: upon.
! 4 recommend that the salaries of tn
u civil service commissioners be increase
to sum more nearly com
/ mensurate to their important duties
/ SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY.
e The present condition of thc1aw relating t.
d the succession to the presidency in the even
/, Of the DEATH disability, OF removal of botl
Il the President and Vice ePresident is such as +
e require immediate amendment. This sub
e iect has repeatedly been considered by Con
r gress, but no result has been reached
e The recent lamentable death of the Vice
President, and vacancies at the sam
e time in all other offices the incumbents O
J. which might Immediately exercise the funC
! tions of the presidential office, has cause
1t public anxiety and just demand that re
1, currence of such Il condition of affairs shoul
n not be permitted.
If In conclusion, | commend to the wise car
lie and thoughtful attention of Congres
q the needs, the welfare, and the aspira
tions of an intelligent and geneI
It Gus nation. To subordinate these to tn
Y. narrow advantages of partisanship, or tn
accomplishment of selfish aims, is TO violat
the peoples trust and betray the peoples in
y terests But an individual sense of respons
+ bility on the part of each of us, and a ster
4 determination TO perform our duty wei, mus
v give us place among those who have aided i
Is their day and generation TO the glory an
It prosperity of our beloved land
1t GROVER CLEVELAND