Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1885-12-17
PERSONAL represcntatIon IN the councils Of the

ptibOuui TtpTthcutttlOu III buC touhShr VI 'hO
nation and are generally content with the hum
BILE duties of citizenship, and are willing TO
trust 10 the bounty of nature Tor reward OF
their labors More than three -fourths OF thj
annual exports are the products OF agriculture,
and nearly one-half of our total population are
exclusively engaged In that OCCUPATION. The
department OF agriculture established In aid OF
the farmers of the land should not only be well
equipped for the accomplishment OF Its pur-
pose, but those for whose benefit II has been
adopted should BE- encouraged to avail them
selves fully of its advantages.
IL the laws now In operation are insufficient
TO protect our stock against diseases and dis
harm suspicion of danger recommend their
amendment TO meet the necessities OF the
situation, and commend to the consideration
report of the Commissioners OF agriculture cal.
culated TO increase the value aud efficiency OF
this department.
Regarding civil service reform President
Cleveland says:
The people may well trust the commission to
execute the laws with perfect fairness and
with as little irritation as possible, but no re-
taxation OF the principle which underlies 1t,
aud no weakening OF the safeguards which
surround IL can be expected. EXI erence In
its administration will probably suggest amend
ment of the methods OF its execution, but
venture to hope we shall never again be re-
United TO the system which distributes public
positions purely as awards for partisan service.
DOulbS may Ntn Dc NEclutT
government could survive the strain Of con-
tinuance of this system, which upon every
change of admin stration inspires AN immense
army of claimants for office TO lay siege to the
patronage OF government, engrossing the time
of dublic officers with their opportunities,
spreading abroad the contagion Of their dis
appointment, and filling the air with the tu-
multi Of their discomfort. The allurements OF
an immense number of offices and places ex-
hlbited to the voters OF the land and the
promise of the r bestowal in recognition OF
partisan actively debauch the suffrage and rob
political action OF its thoughtful and deliber-
alive character. The evil would increasewitn the
multiplication Of offices consequent upon our
extension and the mania for oilicehoding grow
ing from its indulgence would pervade our
population so generally that patriotic purpose,
the support of principle, the desire for the
public good and solictude for the nations
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 enforc-
ed by law came not too soon TO check the pro-
gress of Generalization. One of its effects,
not enough regarded, Is the freedom IL 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 officers with change
with change of party rule, cast their ballots
against such a chance. Parties seem 10 De
necessary and will continue to exist, nor can
IL be now denied that there are legitimate adj
vantages, not disconnected with office holding,
which follow party supremacy. While parti-
sanship continues bitter and pronounced and
supplies so much of motive TO sentiment and
action, it Is not fair 10 hold public officials IL
charge Of important trusts responsible for the
best suits in the performance OF their duties
and honestly, that they shall rely in contden-
tial and important places upon the work OF
those not only opposed 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 1t
require that those insubordinats officials who
fail in yielding their best service, or who are
incompetent, should be retained simply be-
cause they are in place. The whining OF
clerk discharged for Incidence or incompe-
tency, who, although he gained his place by
the worst possible operation of the spoils sys-
TEN, suddenly discovers he Is entitled to pro-
lection under the sanction Of civil service re-
forms, 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 indolent or incompetent clerk, but 1t does
prevent supplying his place with unfit party
benefit to the public service. The people who
desire good government, having secured
this statute, will not reiinquish 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 the 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
to their important duties.
In conclusion, | commend TO the wise care
and thoughtful attention of congress, the
needs the welfare and the co-operation Of an
intplliOpnt and nation In Cuhnrdi-
nate these to the narrow advantages of parti-
sanship or the accomplishment of selfish aims,
is to violate the peoples trust and betray the
peoples interest. But an individual sense of
responsibility on the part of each of us, and
stern determination TO perform our duty wet
must give us place among those who have add
ed, in their day and generation, to the glory
and prosperity OF our beloved land.
lSigneI.) GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON. December 5, 1885.