Weekly commercial herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1884-18??, 1885-12-11
Continued from Fourth Page)

Dervade our population so generally that patri-
o fe purpose, the support OF principle the desire
for the public good and s0lleltude ZOE lhe Ma
{ On's welfare would be nearly banished from the
.ctiVity OF our party contests and cause them to
degenerate into ign0ble, selfish and disgraceful
s Tuggles for the possession Of otilce ana public
Place.
nOunced and supplies so much of III, i've to SEN
timeut and action, it is not fair to hold public
officials, in charge Of Important trusts, reSpOn-
sibIe for the best result in the performance Of
their duties, and yet insist that they snail rely
in confidential ana important places upon the
work OF those not only opposed 10 them IN
political utilization, but so stepped In partisan
prejudice and rancOur that they have loyalty To-
their chief and no love for their success. Civil
service reform does not exact this, nor does 1t
require that those in subordinate positions, who
fail in yielding their best service, ana VINO are
incompetent, should be retained Simply be-
cause they are In place.
diligence or incOmpetency Who, thOngh he
gained his place by the worst possible operation
Of the spells system, suddenly discovers that he
is entitled to 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
nor the most questionable party work. The civil
law does not prevent the discharge OF the
indOlent or incompetent clerk, but 1t does pre-.
vent supplying his place with unfit
party workers. Thus in both phases
is seer the benefit to the public service,
and the people who desire good government,
having secured this statute VIII not rellnqulsh
its benefits without protest. Nor are tley I'M
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. | recommend that The
salaries of the civil service commissioners be
increased to a sum more nearly commensurate
to their important duties.
1t is a source OF considerable and not inmate
ural discomfort that inadequate provisions has
been made for accommodating the
principal library Of the government.
OF the vast collection of books ana pamphlets
gathered at the capital numbering some seven
hundred thousand. exclusive of manuscripts,
maps and the product of the topographic art
also of great volume and value only about three
hundred thousand volumes or less than half the
collection, are provided with shelf room. The
others, which are increasing at the rate OF from
are not only in tccessible to the public, but are
subject to serious damage and deterioration
from other cases in heir present situation.
consideration of the fact that the library Of
the capitOl has twice been DESTROYED or damaged
by fire, the daily increasing value u d lmpor-
lance as a place of deposit Of books under The
law relating to copyright make malllI ST the
accommodation and protection.
NV attention has been called to a controversy
which has arisen from the condition OF the law
Relating to railroad facilities III tue city OF
siOners OF the District in much annoyance and
troubl.. hope the difficulty will be promptly
settled by appropriate legislation.
The commissioners represent that enough Of
AT the treasury Of The United States to repay the
sum u ii advanced by By the government for sewer i'm
proyemrnIs under the act of June 3Oth, 1884.
They deisre now an advance of the share which
cost Of rxtensiVe improvements to the streets OF
the city, The total expense Of these contem-
plat Improvements Is stipulated at 81 ,OOO,OOO
and they are of the opinion that a considerable
sum could be saved if they had all the money in
hand So that CO, tracts for the whole work could
be made at the same time.
They express contdenc that if the advance
asked for should be made, the government
able time Ihaye no doubt that these improve
ments could he made much cheaper if under.
tnLa~ ~ ,ntber and prosecuted according to a