Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-03-05
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 OUR NATURALIZATION LAWS.
 Our naturalization laws should be 70 amended as to make the inquiry into the character and good disposition of persons ap- plying for citizenship more careful and searching. Our existing laws have been in their administration an unimpressive and often an unintelligible form. We accept the man as citizen without any Knowledge of his fitness, and he assumes the duties of citi- zenshlp without any knowledge as to what they are.
 The privileges of American citizenship are so great and the duties so grave that we may we'll insist upon a good knowledge of every person applying for citizenship, and q good knowledge by him of our institutions We saould not cease to be hospitable as to immi- gratlon, but we should cease to be careless as to the character of it. There are men of all races, even the best, whose coming is neces- sarily burden upon our public revenues or threat to social order. They should be Idcntlfied and excluded
 FOREIGN POLICY
 We have happily maintained a policy of avoiding all interference with European affairs. We have been only interested spec tators of their contentious in diplomacy and In war, ready to use our friendly offices to promote peace, but never obtruding our ad- vlce and never attempting unfairly to coin the distresses of other powers into commer- clal advantages to ourselves. We have just right to expect that our European policy will be the American policy of European courts. It is so mani festly incompatible with those precau- tions for our peace and safety which all the great powers habitually observe and enforce in matters affecting them, that shorter water way between our eastern and western seaboards should be dominated by any European government, that we may con- ndently expect that such a purpose will not be entertained by any friendly. power. We shall, in the future as in the past, use every endeavor to maintain and enlarge our friend ly relations with all the great powers, but they will not expect us to look kindly upon any project that would leave Us subject to the dangers of hostile observation or environment We have not sought to dominate or to absorb any of our weaker neighbors, but rather to aid and encourage them to establish free and stable governments, resting upon the consent of their own people We have clear right to expect, therefore, that no European gov ernment will seek to establish colonial de pendencles upon the territory of these inde- pendent American states That which sense of justice restraints us from seeking they may be reasonably expected willingly to forego.
 It must not be assumed, however that our interests are so exclusively American that our entire lnattention to any events that may transpire elsewhere can be taken for granted. Our cltlzens domiciled for purposes of trade in all countries and in many of the islands of the Sea, demand and will have our adequate care ill their personal and commercial rights The necessities of our navy require conven- tent coaling stations, and dock and harbor privileges
 These and other trading privileges We will feel free to obtain only by means that do not in any degree partake of coercion, however feeble the government from which we ask such concessions But. having fairly obtained them by methods and for purposes entirely consistent with the most friendly disposition towards all other powers, our consent will be necessary to any modification or impairment of the concession.
 We shall neither fail to respect the flag of any friendly nation or the just rights of its citizens nor to exact the like treatment for our own. Calmness, justice and consideration should characterize our diplomacy. The off, ces of an intelligent diplomacy or of friendly arbitration ill proper cases should be adequate to the peaceful adjustment of all interna- tional difficulties By such methods we will make our contribution to the worlds peace, which no nation values moro highly, and avoid the approbrium which must fall upon the nation that ruthlessly breaks it.
 TO ENFORCE THE CIVIL SERVICE LAW.
 The duty devolved by law upon the presi- dent to nominate and, by and with the advice and consent of the senate, to appoint all pub lie officers whose appointment is not other wise provided for in the constitution or by aDt If hoe and its wise and efficient discharge full of difficulty. The civil list is so large that personal knowledge of any large number of the applicants is impossible. The president must rely upon the representations of others, and these are often made inconsiderately and without any just sense of responsibility
 have right, think, to insist that those who volunteer or are invited to give advice as to appointments shall exercise consdera- tion and fidelity. A high sense of duty and an ambition to promote the service should characterize all public officers There are many ways i'll which the convenience and comfort of those who have business with our public offices may be promoted by thought full and oblging officer, and 1 shall expect those whom l may appoint, to justify their selection by a conspicuous efficiency in the discharge of their duties.
 Honorable party service will certainly not be esteemed by me disqualification for pub lie office, but it will in no case be allowed t serve as a shield of official negligence incom- potency or delinquency. It is entirely credit able to seek public office by proper methods and with proper motives, and all applicants will be treated with consideration.
 But shall need, and the heads of depart ments will need, time for inquiry and deliber- ation. Persistent importantly will not, there fore, be the support of an application for oflice Heads of departments, bureaus and all other public officers having any duty con- nected herewith, will be expected to enforce the civil service law fully and without evasion
 Beyond this obvious duty I hope to do something more to advance the reform of civil service. The ideal or even my own ideal l shall probably not attain. Retrospect will be safer basis of judgment than promises. We shall, not, however, I am sure, be able to put our civil service upon a non- partisan basis until we have secured an incumbency that fair minded men of the opposition will approve for impart tiality and integrity. As the number of such in the civil list Is in- creased, removals from office will diminish. THE QUESTION OF REVENUE AND ExPENp1-
 While treasury surplus is not the greatest