Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1886-12-07

may be applied as Q limit OF o c0nsutu-
tional delegation of power to the general
Government will present. I commend to
the consideration Of the report Of the Com
missioner and is suggestions concerning the
interest intrusted to his care.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The continued operation of the law TO
lating to our Civil Service has added the
most convincing proofs Of its necessity and
usefulness. 1t is n fact worthy of note
that every public officer who has . Just
idea of his duty to the people t~estiies to
the value of this reform. Its staunchest
friends are found among those who under
stand it best and its warmest supporters
are those who are restrained and protected
by its requirements. The meaning Of
such restraint and protection is not ap-
prcciated by those who want places under
the Government, regardless OF merit and
efficiency, nor by those who insist
that the selection for such
places should rest upon o pro-
per credential showing active partisan
work. They mean 10 public offices If not
that lives, the only opportunity afforded
them to attend public business, and they
mean TO the good people Of the country the
better performance OF the work Of their
Government. 1t is exceedingly strange
that the scope and nature of this reform
are 80 little understood, and that 80 many
things not included within is plan are
| called by its name. When cavil yields
more fully TO examination the system will
have large additions TO the number of its
friends. Our civil service reform may be
imperfect in some of its details, it may he
misunderstood and opposed. Ii may not
always be faithfully applied, its designs
may sometime miscarry, through
mistake or wiliul intent; it may some
times tremble under the assaults Gifts enc
mics or languish under misguided zeal Of
impracticable friends, but il the people OF
this country ever submit To the Punishment
of its underlying principle from the opera
ton nj their government, they will aban-
don the surest guarantee of the safety and
success of American institutions. | invoke
for this reform the cheerful and ungrudg-
ing support Of the Congress. ! renew. my
recommendation made last year that the
salaries of the Commissioners he made
equal to other officers of the Government
INV llH ilht responsibilities, Wv u holS
that such reasonable appropriations may
be made rs will enable them 10 increase
the usefulness of the cause they have in
charge.
BACK THE FREEDMEN.
| desire 10 call the attention oithe Con-
gress toa plain duty which the government
owes 10 the depositors in the frccdMans
Savings and Trust Company. This CON-
pany was chartered by the Congress for the
benefit ofthc most ~illitcratc and humble
of our people, and with the intention Of
encouraging in them industry and thrin.
Most of It's Branches were presided over
by officers holding the commissions and
clothed in the uniform ofthe United States.
These and other circumstances reasonably,
| think, led these simple people Ia
suppose the invitation Ia deposit
their heard earned savings in the
institution applied Al undertaking on the
part of their Government that their money
should I've safely kept for them, when this
company failed il was liable in the sum Of
-, g39, g25. - 10 I'll, III dcpositors, Diyi'
dends amounting in the aggregate Ia sixty
two per cent have been declared, and the
sum called for and paid Of such dividends
seems la he Sl,Gi5, lSl.G. This sum de
Quoted from the entire amount Of deposits
leave - ,29l 1880 still unpaid. Past eN-
p~ericncc has shown that quite a large part
of this sum will not he called for. There
are assets still on hand amounting 10 the
estimated sum of $4,000. I think the
remaining thirty-ciRht per cent of such Of
these deposits rs nave claimants should IN
n,fl no IN. I,NpFptn,pf imam priurinlss nf
equity and fairness. The report Of the
Commission, soon 10 hC laid before Con-
grcss, will give more satisfactory details on
the subject.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The control of the affairs of the District
Of Columbia having been placed in the
hands Of purely executive officers while tho
Congress still retains all legislative author
~ relating to its government, II becomes
my duty TO make known the most press.
ing needs of the District aud recommend
their consideration. The laws of the Dis
tlict appear 10 he IN an uncertain and UNI
satisfactory condition and their Of revision
il much needed. During the past year
one of bridges leading from the district to
the State of Virginia became unfit for
~ NV bhNtI uI'l ~ "bN l'hi''iis INV
leads me 10 suggest that the improve
mcnt of all the bridges crossing the Poto.
mac and its branches, from the city OF
Washington, is worthy oil the attention Of
Congress. The Commissioner of the dis
trict represent that the laws regulating
the sale of liquor aud granting licenses
therefor, should lie nj once amended, and
that legislation is needed ca consolidate,
define and enlarge the scope and powers
Of charitable and penal institutions with
in the district. | suggest that the Com
missiOners DC clothed with the power
d make within fixed limiia-
tons police regulations. ] believe this
power granted and carefully guarded
would subscrvc the good order Of the mu-
nicipality. IL seems that trouble still
exists growing out Of the occupation Of
the streets and avenues by certain railroads
having their ternfni Ia the city. II IL
very important that such laws should be-
enacted upon this subject as will secure to
the railroads all the facilities they require
for the Transaction Of their business and nc
the same time protect citizens irom injury
TO their persons or property. The Com
missi0ners again complain that
the accommodations afforded them
for the necessary Office tor district business
and for the safe keeping Of valuable books
and papers, are entirely insufficient. ]
recommend that this condition Of affairs
be Temieded by the Congress, and that suita-
BILE quarters be furnished for the needs Of
the District Government.
In conclusion ! earnestly invoke such
wise action on the part OF the peoples leg
~islators az will subscrve the public good
and demonstrate during the remaining
OF Congress "a ut present organized, It's
and inclination % are and meet
peoples needs. that II shall be gratefully
remembered by an erpcctant constituency.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
WASHINGTON, December q, ISSG.