The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1885-12-10

Of Offices and places exhibited to tho
voters Of the land and their beztowal In
recognition of partisan activity, debauch
suffrage and rob politics of its thought
lul and deliberative character. The evil
would Increase with the multiplication
OF ofhces. consequent upon our extern
sion, and the mania for office holding,
growing from its indulgence, would per-
Wade our population SO gel efaiiY that
patriotic purpose, the support OF pure
principles, the desire for the public good
and solicitude for the nstio1's welfare
wonid be nearly hanished from the ac-
iiQiTy CT our contests, and cause them to
degenerate Into ignoble, selhsh and
disgraceful struggles for the POSI-
ton OF Office and public place.
o vii service reform, enforced by law.
came not TOO soon TO check the progress
OF damorsliz alton, oae OF its effects net
enough regarded, and the freedom il
brings 70 the political action of thosa
conservative and sober men, who, in fear
OF The confusion and risk attending any
arbitrary Snd sudden change IN ala the
public offices with change OF party rules,
east their ballots against such chance.
Parties seem Co be necessary, and will
continue 10 exist. Nor can IL b. now
denied that there arc legitimate adYan-
tages connected with office holding
which follows party supremacy.
"AAA4S kbsaA AicdASiAtB anu sup
plies so much of motive to action, IL is
not fair TO hold public officials IN charge
OF important trusts responsible for the
best results in performance of their
duties, and vet insist that they shall RELY
in confidential and important cases upon
the work OF those not only opposed 20
them IN political at3iiatiou, but so
STEPPED ia partisan prejudice and ran
cor, that they have no loyalty to their
chiefs and no desire for their success.
Civil service reform does not exact nor
does IL require shat those in subordinate
positions who fail in yielding their best
should be retained merely be-
cause they are in tae place.
The whining OF clerk discharged for
indolence or iucompetency, who, though
he gained his place by the worst posi-
bic operation of the spells system. sud-
denly discovers that he is entitled to
protection under ssnctiOn of civil service
reform. represents an ides no less absurd
than tue clsmor Of an applicant who
claims vacant place as his cOmpens4-
ton for the most questionable party
work. The civil service law does not
prevent the discharge of the indolent or
incompetent clerk, but |. does prevent
supplying his place with the unfc party
worker. Thus in both the phases is
seen benetG &c the public service,
and the people who desire good govern
nent, having secured this statute, viii
not relinq'sh its benefits without protest.
nor are they unmiD6ful OF the TACT that
Its full advantages Can only be gained
through the complete good faith of those
having Its execution in charge, and thlE
they will insist upon. recommend that
the salaries of the civil service commits
sioners Ee increased to q sum more
nearly commensurate TO their important
duties.
Il Is q source OF considerable, and not
unnatural discomfort, that no adequate
provision hss boon made for aecommo-
dating the principal library of the gov
ernmeut. OF the vast collection Of books
aud pamphlets gathered al the capitol,
numbering some 100000, exclusive Of
manuscripts, maps and the products OF
tue graphic arts, also OF great vol
ume and value, and abont SOC, 600
volumes, or less than half the collection,
ara provided with shelf room, The
others, which are increasing st the ra e
O. from q, 900 10 80 coo volumes a yesr,
are not inaccessible 10 the pabiic, but
are subject 70 serious damage a1d dete-
TsaTati0b from other causes
in their present situation. Cons
alteration OF the fact that the IL
brary of the capitol has tSiea been des-
troyed or damaged b. Are, It's daily In
creasing value and its importance as q
place Of books under law and relating to
copyright, make manifest the necessity
OF prompt action to secure its proper &C.
commodation and protection.
The present condition of the law re-
latiug to the succession to the presidency
in the event of the death, disability or
| removal ofboth the president and vice
president. is such as to require amend
ulaDJ. This subject has repeatedly been
consider by congress, but no
| result has been reached. The
| recent death of the vice president, and
| the vacancies at the same time in all
other Offices the ineumbents of which
might Immediately exercise The fnnc-
| lions OF the presidential Office, has
| caused public anxiety. and last de-
mGnd that q recurrence of such 3 centff-
| ton of affairs should not be PERMITTED.
In conclusion, commend TO the wise
| care and thoughtful attention OF congress
| tbs needs, welfare and aspirations
OF an intelligent and eene-
rous nation. To subordinate these 10 tba
narrow advantages OF psrfiaanship or the
accomplishment OF selfish aims Is to vio-
late the peoples trusts and beiray the
peoples interests. But an individual
| sense OF responsibility On the
part OF each OF Us, snd
stern determination TO perform
! our duty well must give us q place
among those who have added In their
day and generation TO the glory and
prosperity of our beloved country.
Signed1 GROVER CLEVELAND.
Washington, D. o., Dec. 6, 1855.