Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1886-12-13

war vessels are to be completed with |
these materials of home manufacture. |
In the event that the present invita-
ton of the department for bids to
furnish such of this material as is
now authorized, shall fail to induce
domestic manufacturers to undertake
the large expenditure required to pre-
pare for this new manufacture, and
no other steps are taken by congress
at its coming session, the secretary
comtemplates with dissatisfaction the
necessity of obtaining abroad the
armor and gun-steel for the author
lied ships.
1t would seem desirable, the pres
ident adds that the wants of the army
and navy in this regard should be
reasonably met, and that in making
their contracts such inducements
might be offered as would result in
securing the domestication of these
interests.
INTER STATE COMMERCE.
Of Interstate commerce. be says.
that by recent decision of the SUI
preme court of the United States, it
has been adjudged that the laws of
the several states are imperative to
regulate rates of transportation upon
railroads, if such regulation interferes
with the rate of carriage from one
state into another. This important
field of control and regulation having
been thus left unoccupied, the expe-
diency of federal action upon lie
Subject is worthy of consideration.
LABOR AND CAPITAL.
Of the relations of labor to capital
the president thinks that when these
differences between employers and
employed reach such stage as to re-
suit in the interruption of commerce
between the states, the application of
arbitration by the general government
might be regarded as entirely within
its constitutional powers, and he
thinks we might reasonably hove
that such arbitrators, if carefully Sc
lected and if entitled to the confidence
of the parties to be effected, would
be voluntary called to the settlement
of controversies of less extent and
not nescessary within the domain of
federal regulation.
The president recommends as a
plain duty on the part of the govern
ment the payment of million and a
quarter dollars are still due to Freed
mems Savings bank depositor.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
Civil service reform is the last i'm
portant topic discussed in the mes
sage. The continued operation OF
the civil service law, he asserts has
added the most convincing proofs of
its necessity and usefulness. Every
public officer who has just idea OF
his duty to his people, testifies to the
value of this reform. Its staunchesl
friends are found among those who
understand it best and its warmest
supporters are those who are restrain
ed and protected by its requirements
The meaning of such restraint and
protection is not appreciated by those
who want places under the govern.
ment regardless o. merit and efficien
cy, nor by those who insist that the
collection for sucn places should res
upon proper credential showing &C
tive partisan work. They mean t.
public officers, if not their lives, tn,
only opportunity afforded to attent
to public business, and they mean t.
the good people of the country, th,
better performance of the work oil
their government.
1t is exceedingly strange, the pres
, ident thinks, that the scope and ma
ture of this reform and so little under
stood, and that so many things no
included within its plan are called b,
its name. When cavil yields NOR
fully to examination, the system vii
have large additions to the humble
of friends.
Our civil service reform, the pies
ldent saga, may be imperfect in som
of its details ; it may be misunderstood
and opposed; 1t may not always b
faithfully applied; its designs ma
sometimes miscarry through mistake
or wilful intent; il may sometime
tremble under the assaults of its en-
emies or languish under the mis-
: guided zeal of impracticable friends
t but if the people of this country eve
: submit to the Punishment of its III
$ DERIVING principle from the operatio
s of their government. they will abar
, don the surest guarantee of the safe
: ty and success of American institr
: ton.
In conclusion, he invokes, for thi
reform the cheerful and ungrudge
. ing support of congress; urges a
n increase of the salaries of the con
r missioners and expresses the hop
q that such reasonable appropriation
It may be made as will enable them
It increase the usefulness of the caus
}. they have in charge.
/, zza--z.a.zz...
= WASHINGTON LETTER.
ESPECIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF THE MONITOR
G Washington, Dec. 9th.
is AT an early hour this morning Il
1T Capitol was the objective point /,