Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1885-12-11


other powers and duties with which this de.
partment is invested are Of the utmost i'm
portance, and II wisely exercised must be OF
great benefit 10 the country. The aim OF
our benefcent government is the improve
ment Of the people Ia every station, aud the
amelioratlon OF their condition. Surely our
agriculturists should not be neglected. The
established in aid OF farmers
OF the land should not only be well equipped
for the accomplishment Of it's purposes, but
those for whose benefit IL has been adopted
should be encouraged 10 avail themselves full
ly OF It's 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 ell kinds against disease a. will
disarm the suspicion OF danger and cause
the removal Of such an injurious prohibition.
II the laws now In operation are insufficient
10 accomplish protection, recommend their
amendment TO meet the necessities Of the
situation, and commend 10 the consdeTa-
ton Of Congress the suggestions contained
In the report Of the commissioner Of agricul.
ture, calculated TO increase the value aud tfii
cheney Of this department.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The report Of the cyll-aervice commission which
will be submitted contains an account Of the manner
in which the oiviservce law has been executed dur
ing the last year and much valuable Information on
this important subject am inclined 10 think there
lie no sentiment more general IN tue minds Of tue
people Of our country, than conviction Of the
RICHNESS Of the principle upon which tue law enforc
ing cviseTvice reform Ia based In It's present cOn
diton the law reg ulatea only part Of the subofdin-
ste public positions throughout the county II APP
plies the test Of htness to applicants for these places
by means Of q competitive examination, and gives
large discretion to the commissioners TO the char
acter Of the examination, aud 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 ts application. The people may
well trust the commission to execute the law with
perfect fairness aud with a. little irritation pOss
BILE, but Of course 20 relaxation Of the principle
which underes 1t, and no Weakening Of the safe
guards which surround u, can be expected. Expert
ence IN its administration will probably suggest
amendment Of the methods Of its execution, but
venture 10 hope shall never again be committed 70
system which distributes public positions purely a.
reward for partisan service. Doubts may well be en-
tertaned whether our government could survive the
strain Of continuance Of this system, which upon
every change Of administration inspires an immense
army OF claimants TO ONCE lay siege 90 the patronage
Of government eDgrosuing the time Of public officers
with their opportunities, spreading abroad the cou
tagion Of their disappointment aud hllng the air
with the tumut Of their discomfort, The nuremeuta
Of an immense number Of ofees and places exhibit
ed TO the voters Of the land and the promise Of their
bestowa 10 recognition Of partisan activity debauch
the suffrage and rob political action Of lite thoughtful
huu uenDeFAtNe cnhrhcters Inc eNll Noulu lncfedhe
With the multiplication Of ofhces consequent upon
our extension, and the mania for ONCE holding grow
ing from it's indulgence would pervade our population
% generally that patriotic purpose the support OF
principle, the desire for the public good and solicit
tude for the nations welfare would be nearly Danish
ed from the activity Of party contests aud
them to degenerate into ignobe selfish and disgrAce
full struggles for the possession Of Office ard public
place. Civil-serviee reform enforced By law came
none too soon to check the progress OF demoraliza
ton. One Of its effects not enough regarded IL the
freedom it brings TO the political action Of those con
sentative and sober men who, in fear Of the confu
sion and risk attending an arbitrary and sudden
change In all the public oficos with change Of party
rule, cast their ballots against such chance. Par
ties seem TO be necessary and will long continue to
exist nor II now be denied that there are leg-
mate advantages not disconnected with ofceholding
which follow party supremacy. While pArtisanship
continues bitter and pronounced and supplies 50
much of motive to sentiment and action, 1t IL not
fair to public oeials, in charge Of important trusts
responsible for the best results In the performance Of
their duties 10 yet insist that they shall rely IN
hdential sud important places, upon the work Of
those not only opposed 10 them 50 political ailia-
ton, but 20 STEPPED In parsan prejudice and raneor
that they have no loyalty 10 their chiefs and no desire
for their success. Civtlservice reform does not eH-
act this does II require that those in subordin-
ate positions who fail IN yielding their best service
who are incompetent should be retained simply be
cause they 10 place. The whining Of a clerk dis
charged for Incidence or ineompeteney who, though
he gained his place by the worst possible operation Of
the spois system suddenly discovers that, be is en-
titled 10 protection under the sanction Of The civil
service reform, represents an idea no less absurd
than the elamor Of the applicant who claims the
tionAhle party work The civi-scrvice Law does not
prevent the discharge Of the ndOlent incompetent
clerk but IL does prevent implying bis PAoeNith an
seen benet TO the public aervioe and the people who
desire good government having secured this statute
will not see its behes relnqushed without protest
Nor are they unmindful Of the fact that s full adj
vantages can only be gained through the complete
good faith Of those having ts execution in charge
| and this they will insist upon. l recommend thA,
the salaries Of the eivilseryce commissioners be in
creased TO sum more nearly commemorate 70 their
| important duties.
THE CONGRESSIONAL LIBRARY.
Itisa source of considerable and not uunatn raj
discomfort that no adequate provision has yet been
made for accommodating the principal library of the
government, OF the collection OF books and pam
phets gathered At the capitol numbering s1me 100,
900. Exclusive Of manuscripts, maps and the prod
ucts Of the graphic arts all of great volume and val
collection, provided with shelf-room. The 9TH
ers which increasing At the rate Of from as tc
80 200 volumes year. not only inaccessible the
public but are subject 70 serious damage and deterio-
ration from other in their present situation
consideration OF the fact that the library Of the
capitol has been destroyed twice, or damaged by ere
| its daily increasing value and ita importance
place Of deposit Of books under tho law relating "a
ton to insure it, proper accommodation aud protec
| ton.
THE PRESIDENTIAL SUCCESSION.
The present condition Of the law relating to the
succession Of the presidency In the event OF death
disability removal Of both the President and Vice
President IL such A. TO require immed dment
The subject has repeatedly been considered by Con
grese but no result has been reached. The recent
AmentGble death Of the Vice President and the va
caneies At the same time in all other ofces. the In
| cumbents Of which might Immediately exercise the
functions Of the presidential ONCE has caused public
anxiety aud jrst demand that recurrence Of suet
= condition Of Anairs should not be permitted.
THE CONCLUSION.
In conclusion I commend TO the wise care aud
thoughtful attention Of Congress the needs the vel
fare and the aspirations Of intelligent aud Rener
Gus nation. To subordinate these to the narrow ad
NJ he sNfakNv
selfish aims s TO violate the peoples trust and betray
the peoples interests. But an individual sense OF
responsibility the part Of each OF US, and serI
determination TO perform our duty WELL must Civ,
| Us place among those who have added in their da
And generation to the glory and prosperity Of
| loved land. GROVER CLEVELAND.