The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1885-12-17

eminent to which they owe allegiance. sustain
ing by their suffrages a principle and belief
obedience To the law which lies at the foundn-
ton of republican institutions. The strength.
the perpetuity and the destiny of tho nation
rest upon homes established by the Law u
God, guarded by parental care, regulated by D.
rental authority, and.sanctified by parental love.
These are not the homes Of polygany The
| mothers Of our land who rule the nation ~ they
would the characters and guide the actions %
their sons, live according TO Gods holy ordin-
ance. and each, pure and happy in the exclusive
love of the father Of her children, sheds
the WARN light Of true womsnhood.
| in her pure and wholesome family circle
These are not the cherries. crushed, and un-
| womanly mothers Of polygamy
The fathers OF our families are the best cti-
zens OF the Republic; wife and children are the
sources Of patriotism, and conjugal and parental
affection beget devotion TO country. The man
who, Undecided 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
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 now in operation, and
! should be glad TO approve such further dis
Greet legislation as will rid this country OF this
| blot upon its fair fame Since the people up
holding polygamy in our Territories are recon-
forced by immigration from other lands, Ireo-
ommend that a law be passed to / event the
| importation OF Mormons into the country.
| ANIMAL DISEASES.
The prohibition of the importation into several
| countries 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
stock of all kinds against disease as
| will disarm suspicion of danger and cause
the removal of such injurious prohibition.
II the laws now in operation insufficient to
accomplish this protection 1 recommend their
amendmsnt TO meet the necessities of the stu
alton, and 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 do
partment.
cIvII-sERvIcE REFORM
The report of the Civil-Service Commission,
which will be submitted, contains 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 senti-
! ment more general in the minds OF the people
of our country than n conviction of the correct
ness OF the principles upon which the law en-
In its present condition the law regulates
only part of the subordinate public po-
sitions throughout the country. 1t APP
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
practical usefulness OF the statute and
with the results of its 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 il can be expected. Experience in its
administration will probably suggest an amend
ment of the methods of its execution, but vent
ure to hope that we never shall again be remit
ted TO the system which distributes public posi-
tions purely 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 an immense
army of claimants for office to lay siege to tho
patronage OF the Government, engrossing the
the time OF public officers with their Emporium
tiles, spreading abroad the contagion Of
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 bestowal in
recognition of partisan activity, debauch tho
suffrage and rob political action OF it's
thoughtful and delDerative 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 popu-
lation generally that patriotic purpose, tho
desire for the public good and solicitude for tho
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 oihce
and public place
Civil-service reform. enforced by law, came
not too soon to check the progress of demoraliza-
ton. One of its effects, no enough regarded, is
, 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 purity rule, cast their ballots against
!, | such change.
Parties seem to be necessary, and will con-
tnue 10 exist Nor can IL be now denied that
there are legitimate advantages not disconnected
, with oficehodng which follow party supremacy
While partisanship continues bitter and pro-
nounced, and supplies so much of motive to SEN
timent and action, il is not fair 70 hold public
officials, in charge Of important trusts, response
/ BILE for the best results in the performance O.
their duties and yet insist that they shall rely E-
confidential and important places upon the work
Of those not only opposed to them in political
utilization, but so stepped in partisan proju-
] dice and rancor that they have no loyalty
70 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, or who are incompetent, should
4 be restrained simply because they are in place.
The whining of a clerk discharged for Incidence
, or incompetency who, though ne gained his
r place by the worst possible operation OF the
spoils system, suddenly discovers that he is
entitled 10 protection under the sanction of
civil service reform, represents an idea no less
absurd than the clamor 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
il does prevent supplying his place with tho
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, will not relinquish
its Dement'S without protest, nor are they
mindful Of the fact that its full advantages can
only be gained through the complete good faith
of those having its execution in charge, and this
they will insist upon.
I recommend that the salaries Of the Civil
, ! Service Commissioners be increased to n sum
more nearly commensurate with their important
duties.
THE GOVERNMENT LIBRARY.
1t is a source Of considerable and not I'M
natural discomfort that no adequate provision
has yet been made for the accommodation OF
the principal library of the Government.
A consideration of the fact that tho library of
the Capitol has twice been destroyed OF dam
aged by fire, its daily increasing value and its
importance place OF deposit for books under
the law relating to copyright make manifest the
necessity Of prompt action to insure its proper
accommodation and protection.
DISTRICT MATTERS.
My attention has been called to controversy
which has arisen from the condition OF the law
relating 70 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.
The present condition OF the law relating to
the succession TO the Presidency in the event OF
the death, disability, removal of both
the President and Vice President is such
as TO require immediate amendments