Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1885-12-16


the land should not only be well equipped for
the accomplishment of its purpose, but those
for whose benefit it has been adopted should
be encouraged to avail themselves fully of its
advantages
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
consumption, suggests the Importance Of
such precautions for the protection of our
stock of all kinds against disease, as will dis
arm suspicion of danger and cause the remOv-
al of such an injurious prohibition.
Ii the laws now in operation are insufficient
to accomplish this protection, l recommend
their amendment to meet the necessities of the
situation, and l commend to the considera-
ton of Congress the suggestions contained In
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 will 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.
1 am inclined to think that there
is no sentiment more general in the
minds of the people of our country
than conviction of the correctness
of the principle upon which the law enforcing
civil service reform is based. In its present
condition the law regulates only part OF the
subordinate public positions throughout the
country. It applies the test Of fitness to ap-
plicants for these places by means of COM
petitive examination, and gives large discre-
ton 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 APP
plication.
The people may well 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 no 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 to hope that we
shall never again be RENTED to
the system which distributes pup
lie positions purely as rewards for
partisan service. Doubts may well be enter
tanned whether our government could sur
vive the strain of a continuance of this syS-
tenn, which upon every change OF an admin
iStration inspires an immense army of claim
ants for office to lay siege to the patronage
OF government, engrosslng the time OF the
public officers with their opportunities, spread
ing abroad the contagion of their
disappointment and filling this air with
the tumult of their discomfort
The allurementS of an 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 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,
growing from its indulgence, would
pervade our population SO generally that
patriotic purpose, the support of principle,
the desire for the public good and solicit
tude for the nations welfare would be
nearly banished from the activity of our
party contests and cause them to degenerate
into ignoble, selfish and disgraceful struggles
for the possession of office and public place.
Civil-service reform enforced by law came
none too soon to check the progress of demon
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 risk
attending an arbitrary and sudden change in
all the public officers with a change of party
rule, cast their ballots against such a change.
Parties seem to be necessary, and will long
continue to exist; nor can it 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 in
charge of important public trusts, re-
sponsible for the best results in the per-
Torrance of their duties, and yet insist that
they shall rely, in confidential and important
places, upon the work of those not only OPP
posed to them in political utilization, but so
stepped in partisan prejudice and rancor that
they have no loyalty to their chiefs and
no desire for their success. Civil service
reform does not exact this, nor does it
hot in, h0,.
tions who fail in yielding their best service,o or
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 spoils
SYSTEM suddenly discovers that he is entitled
to protection under the sanction of civil SER
vice 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
discharge of the INDECENT or incompetent
clerk, but it does prevent supplying his place
with the unfit party worker. Thus, in both
these phases, is seen benefit to the public SER
vice. And the people who desire good gov
eminent having secured this statute will not
relinquish its benefits without protest. Nor
are they unmindful of the fact that its full
advantages can only be gained through the
complete good faith of those having its exc
cution in charge. And this they will insist
upon.
/ recommend that the salaries of the
civil service commissioners be increased
to sum more nearly COM
mensurate to their important duties.
SUCCESSION TO THE PRESIDENCY.
The present condition of the law relating to
the succession to the presidency in the event
of the death, disability, or removal of both
the President and President is such as to
require immediate amendment. This sub
ject has repeatedly been considered by Con-
gress but no result has been reached
The recent lamentable death of the Vice
President, and vacancies at the same
time in all other offices the incumbents of
which might Immediately exercise the func-
lions of the presidential Office has caused
public anxiety and just demand that re-
currence of such a condition of affairs should
not be permitted.
In conclusion, I commend to the wise care
and thoughtful attention of Congress
the needs, the welfare, and the aspira-
lions of an intelligent and gener-
Gus nation To subordinate these to the
narrow advantages of partisanship, or the
accomplishment of selfish aims, is to violate
the peoples trust and betray the peoples in
terests. But an individual sense of response
bility on the part of each of us, and a stern
determination to perform our duty wei, must
give us place among those who have aided in
their day and generation to the glory and
prosperity Of our beloved land