Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1885-12-25

and discouraged the massing Of large
areas. Exclusive Of Alaska, about
three-fifths of tho national domain
has been sold or subjected 10 con.
tract or grant OF the remaining
two-iifths a considerable portion 10
either fountain or desert. A rapidly
increasing population creates ~ grow
ing demand for homes, and accumul.
alton of wealth inspires nh eager
competition to obtain the public
land for speculative purposes. Ia
the future this collision of interests
Will be more marked than ia tho
past, and the execution of tho na-
tons trust in behalf Of our settlers
Will be more dIilicult. therefore
commend TO your attention the ic.
commendation contained IN the ro-
port OF the Secretary of tho Inter
Tor with reference To the repeal AMI
modification OF certain of our land
laws.
RAILROAD LAND GRANTS AND ,UnsipIrs.
The nation has made princclv
grants and subsidies 10 IA sysicm uf
railroad, proj ectod a. great national
highways 80 connect the Pacific
States with the East II has been
charged that these donations from
the people have beon diverted Ia
private gain and corrupt uses. aud
thus public indis nation has been
aroused and suspicion ongendcred
Our great nation docs not begrudgo
its generosity. but it abhors pecula.
ton and frauds. and the favorable
regard OF our people for the great
corporations to which these grants
were made can only be rovivsd by a
restoration Of confidence, 10 bo sc
cured by their constant, unequivocal
and clearly manifested integrity. A
faithful application OF the undimin.
ished proceeds OF tho grants 10 tho
construction and perfccting Of thcir
roads, an honest discharge of thor
obligations and entire Justice 10 all
the people in the enjoyment Of their
rights on these highways Of travel.
is all the public asks. aud 1t will be
content with no less. To secure these
things should be tho common pur-
pose OF the officers Of the Govern.
ment, as well as OF tEo corporations.
With this accomplished, prosperity
would be permanently secured Ia
the roads, aud national prido would
take the place OF national complaint
CIVIL SERVICE REroRN.
The report OF the civil service com
mission, which will be submitted.
contains an accouat Of tho manner
in which the civil service law has
been executed during tho last year.
and much valuable information ON
this important subject. | AIN in.
clined TO think that there Is no son.
timent more general in the mind. of
the people OF our country than y
conviction OF tho correctness Of tho
principles upon which the law ON.
forcing civil service reform IN based.
In its present condition tho law reg.
ulates only part Of the subordinate
public positions throughout tho
country. 1t applies q test Of fitness
to applicants for these places by
means Of q competitive examination,
gives large discretion 10 tho com.
missioueis AZ to tho character Of
examination and many other mat.
ters connected with its execution.
Thus tho rules aud regulations
adopted by the commission have
much to do with tho practical use.
fulnsss of tho statute aud with the
results OF its application. The poo.
pie may we'll trust the commission 90
execute the law with perfect fairness
and with as little irritation M Ia pos
sible. But OF course no relaxation
Of tho principle which underlies II
and no weakening OF the safeguards
which surround il can be expected.
Experience in its administration will
probably suggest IN amendment Of
the methods Of its execution, but I
venture to hope that we never shall
again be remitted TO tho system
which distributes public positions
purely as rewards for partisan ser.
vice. Doubts may well be entcr-
tanned whether our Government
could survive the stain Of con,inu-
ance OF this system. which, upon
every change Of administration, in.
spires an immense army OF claimants
for office 10 lay siege to the patron.
age OF the government, engrossing
the time OF public officers with their
opportunities, spreading abroad the
contagion Of their disappointment,
and filling the air with the tumult of
their discomfort. The allurements
Of an immense number of Offices
aud places exhibited to tho voters OF
the land, and the promise u their
bestowal in recognition Of partisan
activity, dsbauch the suffrage aud
rob political actisn Of it's thoughtful
and delibeiaiive character. Tho
evil would increase with the multi
plicstion OF offices consequent upon
our extension, and the mania for
Office holding. growing from its in
| Iuuibehcor "ouu peiNhoo our popu-
lation 30 generally that patriotic
purpose, the support Of principle.
the desire for the public good and
solicitude for tho Nations welfare
would be nearly banished from the
activity Of our party contests, and
cause them to degenerate into igno
BILE selfish and disgraceful struggles
for the possession OF Office and pub.
lie place.
Civil service reform. enforced by
law, camo not too soon 10 check the
progress Of decentralization. Ono OF
its effects, not enough regarded, Ia
the freedom il brings to political
action OF those conservative and so
Der men who. in fear OF the confu
sion and risk attending an arbitrar,
and sudden change in all the public
Offices with change OF party rule,
l. caot thar hallnta ara,..t -