Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-12-07

My predecessor, on the 18th day of January. 1885
by executive order 10 take effect March Is
brought the railway mail service under the opera
ton Of the civil service law. Provision was made
that the order should take effect sooner in any
state where an eligible list was sooner obtained
On the 18th day of March, Mr.. Lyman, then the
only member Of the commission, reported to me
in writing that it would not be possible to have
the list of eligihles ready before May l. and re-
quested that the taking effect of the order be
postponed until that time. which was done sub
ject to the same provision contained in the origi
nal order as to states in which eligible list was
sooner obtained
As a result of the revision of the rulas 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. | recommend
that the additional clerks asked by the commits
sion be appropriated for. .
lam satisfied that both in and out of the CLASH
fed service great benefit would accrue from the
adoption of some system by which the officer
would receive the distinction and benefit that, in
all private employments comes from exceptional
faithfuness and efficiency in the performance Of
duty.
have suggested to the heads of the executive
departments that they consider whether record
might not be kept in each bureau OF all those ee-
ments that are covered by the terms faithful
ness and efficiency . and rating made showing
the relative merits of the clerks of each class this
rating to be regarded as test of merit in making
promotions.
1 have also suggested to the postmaster general
that he adopt some plan by which he can, upon
the basis of the reports to the department and OF
frequent inspections, indicate the relative merit
of postmasters of each class. They will be APP
propriatey indicated in the official register and in
the report of the department. That great slim
illus would thus be given to the whole service do
mot dnttht and
defense against inconsderate removals from Office.
The president here suggests national ex-
perimental grant in aid of education.)
The "Color Question"
The colored people did not intrude themselves
upon us; they were brought here in chains and
held in the communities where they are
chiefly found, by cruel slave code Happily for
both races they are now free They have, from
standpoint of ignorance and poverty, which
was our shame, not theirs, made remarkable adj
vances in education and in the acquisition of
property They have, as people, shown them
selves to be friendly and faithful towards the
white race, under temptations of tremendous
strength. They have their representatives in the
national cemeteries where grateful government
has gathered the ashes of those who died in its
Defense
They have furnished to our regular army regi-
ments that have won high praise from their COM
handing officers for courage and soldierly quail
ties, and for fidelity TO the enlistment oath. IN
civil life they are now the toilers of their com.
munities, making their full contribution to the
widening streams of prosperity which these COM
munties are receiving. Their sudden withdrawal
would stop production, and bring disorder into
the household as well as the shop. Generally,
they do hot desire to quit their homes, and their
employers resent the interference of the emigra-
ton agents who seek to stimulate such q desire.
But, Notwithstanding all this, in many parts OF
our country where the colored population is large
the people Of that race are, by various devices.
deprived of any effective exercise of their peliti-
cal rights and of many of their civil rights. The
wrong does not expend itself upon those whose
votes are suppressed. Every constituency in the
Union is wronged.
1t has been the hope of every patriot that
sense OF justice and of respect for the law would
work gradual cure of these fragrant evils.
Surely no one supposes that the present can be
accepted as permanent condition. If 1t is said
that these communities must work out this prob
lem for themselves, we have right to ask whether
they are at work upon il. Do they suggest any
solution? When and under what conditions IS
the black man to have a free ballot: When IS he
in fact TO have those full civil rights which have
so long been his in law? When is that equality
oi influence WHICH our form Oh government was
intended TO secure TO the electors to be restored,
ms generation should courageously face these
grave questions ana not leave them as heritage
OF woe 10 the next. Inc consultation should
proceed Win candor, calmness ana great pa.
tience; upon the lines OF justice ana humanity,
not of prejudice and cruelty. No question In
our country can be at rest except upon the firm
base of Justice and of the law
Earnestly invoke the attention of congress- ~,
a., a..,Sc..: - - - IS 20. ~.
1he conSaoei a'ioh VI Such hieaSures "IlnH MS
wen aenheo CONSTITUTIONAL powers as VIII secure
to all our people free exercise OF the right OF
suffrage and every other civil right under the con-
stitution and laws of the United States No evil
hoxvevar ianlorable can iuctifv the .s..,,n,tio.
s;,bar ~, tha ,,art ~ .h .raa,,ta ~, IS
,'Aoi ol ono p'i' VI 'no 1Aeou',o W On toIercsss
OF powers not grahteo' DuO poth VIII De hfgny
blamable II all the powers granted are not wisely
but firmly used to correct these evils The nower
TO take the whole direction and control Of the
alection Of r,an,hars of the bou.a Of ranraoan,o
st.; q; ,, -, =. 49,, I ~ .op.
u'es - eie,lg gwen 20 .le seheral sose,nIaen.
partial anu quanneo supervision OF tnese elec-
lions Is now provided Tor by law, and In my opinion
this law may be so strengthened and extended as
N secure on the whole better results thon can ~,
attaina1 h., fo,r tos;,,,, . n The ,coass 80 -
,.. =. 49, -. -. 40 y. o-.os , =. 49,
Eiec'ion iheo ieoerai con,roa. Inc coioreo hssn
should De protected IN all or his relations TO the
federal government, whether as htigant, juror.
OF witness in our courts as an elector Tor mem
beers of congress, or as peaceful Traveller upon
r,,r ;,,tar,stata ro;,,,avs
'ui in'7i s'a1o ien" "9s'
Irecommcnd that SUCH appropriations be maos
for ocean mail service in American steamships
batween our norris and those Of CantraI and
So,,th A ,,,arioo Cbi,o Tonar and ~ ;r.as
~ S,L 80 a., VIC ,, % al,
'slsiDus i'll oolh Vi INC great oceanS as VIII oe mo-
orally remuneratlve for the service rendered,
and as will encourage the establishments and in
some fair degree eqnalize the chances Of Ameri-
can steamship lines in the competitions which
they must meet That the American states ly-
ing south of will cordially cooperate In es-
tabshing and maintaining such lines Of steam
ships to their principal ports do not doubt.
We should also make provision for q naval re-
serve to consist OF such merchant ships, of Amer.
lean construction and of a specS&ed tonnage and
speed, as the owners will conssst to place at the