The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-12-06
AN uNExAMPLED EVENT.
The Admission OF the Four New States
Other Subjects,

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rhe Admission OF the Four New States
other Subjects.
The advent of four new states, South Dakota,
North Dakota, Montana and Washington, into
the Union under the constitution in the same
month and the admission of their duly chosen
representatives to our national congress at the
same session. Is an event as unexampled as 1t is
The certihcation of the votes cast and Of the
constitutions adopted in each of the states was
died with me, as required by the instruction of
the act of Feb -, 1889, by the governors of said
territories, respectively. Having, after a care
tutions and enactments were republican in
form and not repugnant to the constitution of
the United States, that all the provisions of the
act or congress had been complied with and
that a majority of votes cast in each of said
proposed states was in favor of adopting the
constitutions submitted therein, did SO de-
clare by separate proclamation as to each; as
70 North and South Dakota on Saturday, Nov.
q, as to Montana on Friday, Noy; s, and
Each of these states has within it resources,
The development of which will employ ener-
hgreat population. The smallest of these new
-Wasuington-stands twelfth, and the
rgest-Mlontana-,third, among the forty-two
IN area. The people of these states are already
well trained, Intelligent, and patriotic Ameri-
can citizens, having common interests and
sympathies with those of the older states and
common purpose to defend the integrity
of and uphold the integrity of the nation.
The Agricultural Department..
The creation of an executive department to
be known as the department of agriculture by
the act of February last was q wise and
timely response to request which had long
been respectfully urged by the farmers of the
country, but much remains to be done to per-
feet the organization of the department so it
fairly realizes the expectations which its crea-
ton excited. In this connection attention is
called to suggestions contained in the report of
the secretary which is herewith submitted. The
need of a law officer for the department such
rs is provided for the other executive depart
ments is manifest. The failure of the last con-
gress to make the usual provision for the publ
cation of the annual report should be promptly
remedied. The public interest in the report
and its value to the farming community, L am
sure, will not be diminished under the new or
ganization of the department.
recommend that the weather service be
separated from the war department and estab-
hshed as bureau in the department. of agri-
ization both of the weather bureau and of the
signal corps, making of the first purely civil
staff corps. The report Of the Chief signal Of
6cer shows that the work of the corps on its
military side has been deteriorating.
The Worlds Fair
The proposition to observe the four hundredth
anniversary of the discovery of America by
the opening of worlds fair exposition in
S6e OF great cities will be
and interest of such an exposition may well
claim the promotion of the general govern
ment
The Civil Service Law.
On the fourth of March last the civil service
commission had but a single member. The
vacancies were filled on the seventh day of
May and since then the comm issioners have
been industriously, though with inadequate
force engaged in executing the law. They
were assured by me that u cordial support
would be given them in the faithful and i'm.
partial enforcement of the statute and of
rules and regulations adopted in aid of it.
Heretofore the book of eligibles has been
closed to every one except as certifcations
were made upon the requistion of the appoint
much suspicion, and OF many charges of
favoritism in the administration of law.
What is secret is always suspected and what
the full approval of its members, has now
opened the list of eiigibles to the public. The
tom houses are now publicly posted in the
respective offices, as are also the certiica-
tons for appointments. The purpose OF the
civil service law was absolutely TO exclude
any other consideration in connection with APP
pointments under it. than that of merit as
tested by the examinations. The business
proceeds upon the theory that both the exam
ming boards and the appointing officers are
absolutely ignorant as to the political views
and associations of all persons on the civil
service lists. 1t is not too much to say, how
ever, that some recent congressional tnvesti-
cations have somewhat shaken public conh-
dence in the impartiality of the selections for
appointment.
no safe or satisfactory advance until the
present law and its equal administration are
well established in the confidence of the peo-
pie. 1t will be my pleasure, as II is my duty,
TO see that the law is executed with firmness
and impartiality If some of its provisions
have been fraudulently evaded by appointing
the repeal of the law but reform in It's a d.
the matter and hold 1t with sincerity that is
not affected by the consideration that the
party to which we belong is for the time in
power,
The Commissions Work Increased.
My predecessor on the 4th day of January,
1889, by an executive order to take effect March
Is, brought the railway mail service under the
operation of the civil service law Provision
sooner @S in any state where an eligible list was
sooner obtained. On the 11th day OF March Mr..
Lyman, then the only member of the commits,
sion, reported to me in writing that II would
not be possible to have the list of elgblcs ready
before May LIST, and requested that the taking
which was done, subject to the same provision
contained In the original order as to states IN
which an eligible list was sooner obtained AS
result of the revision of the rules, of the new
classification and of the inclusion of the rail-
way mail service the work of the commission
has been greatly increased and the present
clerical force is found to be inadequate. re-
commend that the additional clerks asked by
the commissioners be appropriated for. The
constitution by the law, and
the appointing officers are held to a high re-
sponsibilty in its exercise The growth Of the
civil list have magnified this function of the
executive disproportionally. 1t can not be de-
MED, however, that the labor connected with
this necessary work is increased often to the
point of actual distress by the sudden and ex-
eessive demands that are made upon an lncom-
ing administration for removals and appoint
ments. But on the other hand it Is not true
that incumbency is conclusive argument for
a continuance in Office Impartiality, modera-
ton. fidelity TO public duty, and good attain
ment in the discharge of 1t must be added be-
fore the argument Is complete. When those
holding administrative offices so conduct them
selves as To convince just political opponents
that no party consideration or bias affects in
any way the discharge of their public duties
we can more easily stay the demand for re-
movals.
THE NEGRO QUESTION