Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-09-20
New Series, Vol. 20, No. 38.
service should have appropriate recogni
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.

service should have appropriate recOgni-
| ton.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
/ The law regulating appointments to
| the classified civil service received nv
support in the Senate, in the belief that
/ it opened the way to a much needed re-
[ form. I still think so, and therefore cor
/ daily approve the clear and fOrcibIe ex-
/ presSiOnS of the Convention upon this
I subject. The law should have the aid of
a friendly Interpretation and be faithful
| ly and vigorously enforced. All appoint
mentS under it should be absolutely free
| from partisan considerations and infiu-
ence. Some extensions of the classified
list are practicable and desirable, and
| further legislation extended in the re-
form to other branches of the service, to
which it is applicable, would receive my
approval. In appointments to every
grade and department fitness and not
party service should be the essential and
discriminating test, and fidelity and eff
cheney the only sure tenure of Office Only
the interests of the public service should
suggest removals from Office. / know
the practical difficulties attending the
attempt to apply the spirit of the civil
service rules to all appointments and
removals. 1t will, however, be my sin
cere purpose, if elected, to advance the
reform.
| 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 Republi-
can party has always been friendly to
everything that tended to make the home
life of our people free, pure and prosper
Gus, and viii in the future be true to its
history in this respect.
Our relations with foreign powers
should be characterized by friendliness
and respect. The right of our people and
of our ships to hOSpitable treatment
should be insisted upon with dignity and
tirmness. Our nation is too great, both
in material strength and in moral power
to indulge i'll bluSter or to be suspected
of timOrOuSneSS.
VacillatiOn and Inconsistency are as in
compatible with successful diplomacy as
they are with the national dignity. We
should espec: ally cultivate and extend
our diploma ic and commercial relations
with the Central and South American
States. Our fisheries should be fOstered
and protected. The hardships and risks
that are the necessary incidents of the
business should not be increased by an
lying ports. The resources of firm, dig
nified and consistent diplomacy are un-
dOubtedly equal to the prompt and peace
full solution of the difficulties that now
exist. Our neighbOrS will surely not ex-
pect in our ports commercial hOspitali-
ty they deny to us in theirs.
/ cannot extend this letter by special
reference to the subjects upon which the
Convention gave an expression. In re-
spect to them, as well as to those have
noticed, | am in entire agreement with
the declaration of the Convention. The
resolutions relating to the coinage, to the
rebuilding of the navy, the coast defences
and to public lands, express conclusions
to all of which l gave my support in the
Senate.
Inviting a calm and thoughtful con-
sideration of these public questions we
submit them to the people. Their intel
ligent patriotism and the good Provi-
dence that made and has kept us nation
will lead them to wise and safe con-
clusiOns.
Very respectfully, your Obedient ser
want, BENJAMIN HARRISON.