The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-12

H.
further discreet legislation as will rio the couh-
try of this blot upon its fair fame. -
Since the people upholding polygaIny II 4 9u1
Territories are re-enforced by Immigration
from other lands. recommend that q law pe
passed to prevent the importation OF MorIhchs
into the country. ia
mands just recognition and liberal encourage
ment. 1t sustainS with certainty ana unIa az
ing strength, our nations prosperity py s snS
products of its steady toll, and bears us lull
share of the burden of taxation without COM
plant. Our agriculturists have pi 4I siig IN
personal representation in the counclls.oI tlie
nation. and are generally content WIN Ine
humber duties of citizenship and Wiling 10
trust to the bounty of nature for reward OF
their labor. But the magnitude ana value VI
this industry is appreciated, when the state
ment is made that of our total annual exports
more than three-fOurthS are the prooucts or
agriculture, and of our total poplllatlon uearly
one-half are exclusively enSageu III lua1 oeS'-
patton. ,4,.,
The Department of Agriculture was created
for the purpose of acquiring ana dlnuslns
among the people useful Information fespe si
ing the subjects it has in charge. and aldlng III
the cause of intelligent and progressive farm
ing, by the collection OF statistics, py tesIlhs
the value and usefulness of new seeds ana
plants and distributing such as are fOtlfd de-
sirabe among agriculturists. This and DINER
powers and duties with which this deparInenI
is invested arc of the utmost Importance, ana
if wisely exercised must be of great benent TO
The aim of our benefcent government is
ton and the ameloration OF their condition
Surely our agriculturistS should not pc ne
elected The fundamentally esta6hshea IN
aid of the farmers of the land should not only
be well equipped for the Accomplishment OF
its purpose, but those for whose beneht 1t mas
been adopted should be encouraged 10 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 sus-
picion that health is endangered in their use
and consumption, suggests the Importance or
such precautions for the protection OF our
stock of all kinds against disease, as VIII dls-
arm suspicion of danger and cause the re-
moval of such an injurious prohibition
II the laws now in operation are Insufhclent
to accomplish this protection, rec E4II sf
their amendment to meet the necessities OF
the situation, and | commend to the consider
alton of Congress the suggestions contained
in the report of the Commissioners of Agricul-
ture calculated to increase the value and
efficiency of this department.
The report of the Civil Service Commission,
which will be submitted, contains an account
of the manner in which the civil-serVlce law
has been executed during the last year, and
much valuable information on this important
subject.
am inclined to think that there is no sem
timent more general In the minds of the peo-
pie of our country, than conVlctlon OF the
correctness of the principle upon when the
law enforcing civil-service reform is based.
In its present condition the law regulates
only part of theSuhOrdinate pubic posltlonS
throughout the country.
1t applies the test of fitness to applicants Tor
these places by means Of competitive exam
nation, and gives large discretion to the Com
missioners as to the character of the exami-
nation and many other matters connected
with its execution. Thus the rules and regu-
| lations adopted by the Commission have much
to do with the practical usefulness OF the stat
ute and with the results of its application
The people may well trust the Commission
to execute the law with perfect fairness and
with as little irritation as is possible: But OF
course no relaxation of the principle which
underlies il. and no weakening of the safe
a1JD Is ar I ti.
Experience in its administration will probably
suggest amendment OF the methods of its eX-
| ecution, but venture to hope that we snail
never again be RENTED to the system which
distributes public positions purely as rewards
for partisan service
Doubts may well be entertained whether our
| government could survive the strain OF 4 con-
tinuance of this system, which upon every
change of administration inspires an immense
army of claSmants far yifice to lay siege To the
patronage OF government engrossing inc tllne
of public officers with their opportunities,
| spreading abroad the codtagion of their disap-
| pOintment and filling the 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 DestOWal in
recognition OF partisan activity, debauch the
suffrage and rob political action of It's thought
! full and deliberative character The evil
| would increase with the multiplication of Of
| fees consequent upon our extension, and the
| mania for ofiice-holding. growing from its in
| diligence, would pervade our population so
| generally that patriotic purpose, the sup
| port of principle the desire for
| the public good, and solicitude for the ma
| TONS welfare. would be nearly banshed 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.
| the freedom it brings to the political action of
| those conservative and sober men who, in fear
| of the confusion and risk attending an arDl-
| trary and sudden change in all the public
| Offices which change of party rule, cast their
| ballots against such a chance.
| Parties seem TIC be necessary, and will long
continue ty exist, nor can ii be now nenled
| that there are legitimate advantages, not DIS
| connected with office-holdtng, which follow
party supremacy. While craftsmanship con-
| tinues bitter and pronounced, and supplies so
much Of motive to sentiment and action. ii is
| not fair to hold public officials, in charge of
| important trusts responsible for the best re-
! suits in the performance of their duties, and
yet insist that they shall rely, in confidential
| and important places, upon the work OF those
| not only opposed to them in political atfilia-
| ton, but so stepped in partisan prejudice and
rancor that they have no loyalty to their chiefs
and no desire fer their success.
CiVil-SerVice reform does not exact this, nor
does it require that those in subordinate posi-
lions who fail in yielding their best service, or
| who are competent, should be retained simply
| clerk discharged for Incidence or incompe-
tency, who, though he gained his place by the
| worst possible operation the SpOliS system,
suddenly discovers that he is entitled to pro-
tectien under the sanction of civil-Service re-
form, represents an idea nc less absurd than
the clamor of the applicant who claims va
cant 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 it does prevent supplying his place
with the unfit party workcr. Thus, in both
these phases, is seen benefit to the public SER
vice. And the people who desire good govern
uent having secured this statute, will not re-
linquish its benefits without protest. Nor are
they unmindful of the fact that its full adj
vantages can only be gaineo through the COM
plete 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 sum
more nearly commensurate to their important
duties.
The present condition of the law relating to
the Presidency in the event of the disability,
or removal of both the President and Vice
President is such as to require immediate
amenement. This subject has repeatedly been
considered by Congress, but no result has beer
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 a just demand that recur-
renee of such a condition of affairs should not
be permitted:
and thoughtful attention Of Congress the
needs, the welfare, and the aspirations OF an
intelligent and generous nation. To subordi-
nate these to the narrow advantages OF partl-
ssnship, or the accomplishment of selfish aims
is to violate the people trust and betray the
people s interests.
the part of each of us, and stern determine
ton to perform nur duty well, must give us
place among those who have added in their
day and generation TO the glory and prosperity
of our beloved land.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
Washington, Dec. 8, 1885.