Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-12

competition as an element Of prices is
eliminated. It cannot be doubted that the
authorities should and will find method
OF dealing fairly and executively with
these and other abuses connected With
this subject.
1t can hardly be necessary for me to say
than L am heartily in sympathy with the
declaration of the convention upon the
subject Of pension to our soldiers and
salIorS-what they gave and what they
suffered have had opportunity to observe
and In small measure experiences; they
gave ungrudgingly, heaped up, running
over. What they achieved only distant
generations can adequately tell. Without
attempting to discuss particular PROPOSE
lions, may add that measures in behalf
OF the surviving veterans Of the war, and
| OF the families of their dead COM
rades, should be conceived and executed
ID spite of jealousy, with the most grateful
liberality. and that in the competition for
civil appointments honorable military
| service should have appropriate recogni-
ton.
The law regulating appointments to the
classified civil service received my support
| IN the senate in the belief that it opened
| way to a much needed reform. l still
think so, and therefore cordially approve
convention upon this subject. The law
should have the cid of friendly inter
probation and be faithfully and vigor-
ously enforced All appointments un-
der it should be absolutely free
from partisan consideration and lntiu-
ence. Some extensions OF the CLASSIFIED
lists are practicable and desirable, and
further legislation extending the reform
to other branches of the service to which it
IS applicable would receive my approval.
In appointments to every grade and de-
partment, fitness and not party service
should be the essential and discriminating
test, and efficiency the only sure tenure OF
office. Only the interest of the public ser
vice should suggest removals from Office.
l know the practical difficulty attending
the attempt to apply the spirit of the civil
service rules to all appointments and re-
mOvals. 1t will, however, be my sincere
purpose, If elected, to advance the reform.
l notice with pleasure that the conven-
ton did not omit to express its solicitude
for the promotion of virtue and temper
ance among our people. The Republican
party has always been friendly to every
thing that tended to make the home-life of
our people free, pure and prosperous, and
will in the future be true to history in this
respect.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Our relations with foreign powers should
be characterized by friendliness and re-
spect. The right of our people and of our
sisted upon with dignity and firmness
with all nations Our nation is too great
in material strength and moral power to
indulge in buster or to be suspected OF
timorousneSs and Inconsistency. We
should especially cultivate and extend our
diplomatic and commercial relation with
the countries of South America; our fish
cries should be fostered and protected; the
hardships and risks that are necessary at
tendants of the business should not be
increased by an impossible exclusion
from the near lying ports.
The resources of a firm, dignifed
and consistent diplomacy are suited to
equal the prompt and peaceful solution Of
the difficulties that now exist. Our neigh
bors will surely not expect in our ports
a commercial hospitality they deny to us
in theirs.
l cannot in this letter make special ref
erence to other subjects upon which the
convention gave an expression. In respect
to them, as we'll as to those | have noticed,
| am on entire agreement with the declar-
ations of the convention. The resolutions
relating to the coinage, the rebuilding of
the navy, to coast defences and to public
lands are expressions to which | gave my
support in the senate. Inviting calm
consideration of those public questions, we
submit them to the people. Their intelli-
gent patriotism and the good providence
that made and has kept us n nation will
lead them to wise and safe conclusions.
Very respectfully, your oDedient servant,
BENZ. HARRISON.