Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1889-03-06

! lstration should be uniform and equal. AS q
citizen may not elect what laws he viii obey,
neither may the executive elect which he will
enforce. The duty to obey and execute en-
braces the constitution in Its entirety, and the
| whole code OF laws enacted under it. The evil
examp e OF permitting individuals. corporations
or communities to puliify the laws. because
they cross some stltsh or local int ests
or prejudices, is full of danger not only
10 the nation at large, but much mora
to those who use this pernfcious expedient to
escape their just obligation or obtain an unjust
aovantage over others They will presently
themselves be compelled to appeal to the law Tor
protection, and those who would use the law as
adefense must not deny that use of it to others.
II our great corporations would more scrupulous-
~ observe their legal limitations and duties,
tney would have less cause to complain Of the
unlawful limitations OF the rights or violent
interference with their operations, The COM
mun1ty that by concert, open or secret, among
its citizens, denies to portion of its members
their plain rights under the law, has severed
the only ale bond of social order and prosperi-
ty. Inc evil works, from q bad center, both
ways 1t demoralizes tEose who practice 1t, and
destroys the faith of those who suffer by it in
the e1ilclency OF the law as a safe protector The
man in whose breast that faith has been dark
ened IS naturally the subject of dangerous and
uncanny suggestions. Those who use unlawful
methods, If moved by no higher motive than the
SCI tshness that prompted them, may well stop
and inquire what is to be the end OF this. An
| unlawful expedient cannot become permanent
CONDITION OF government If the educated and
influential classes in a community either prac-
tice or cOnnive at the systematic violation of
laws that seem to them to cross their conven-
fence, what can they expect when the lesson.
That convenience or supposed class interest is q
sufficient cause for lawles. ness. has been well
learned by the ignorant classes? community
where law is the rule OF conduct, and where
courts not mobS. execute its penalties, is the
only attractive field for business investments and
honest labor.
Our naturalization laws should be SO amended
as to make the inquiry into the character and
disposition of persons applying for citizenship
more careful and searching. Our existing laws
have been in their administration an unimpres-
slVe and often all unntelligible form. We &C
cept the man as citizen without any knowledge
OF MS fitness. and he assumes the duties OF citi-
zen NIP bev without rh any kn3owledge to
can citizenship are SO great, and its duties
SO grave, that we may we'll insist upon good
ship. and a good knowledge by him OF our in
| situations We should not cease TO be hospitable
to immigration. but we should cease to be care
less 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
a threat TO social order. These should be ident-
flied and excluded.
We have happily maintained policy of avoid
Ing all interference with European affairs We
have been only interested spectators of their con-
tentiOns in diplomacy and in war ready to use
our friendly Offices to promote peace but ne, er
Obtruding our advice and never attempting I'M
Iairly to coin the distresses of other powers into
commercial advantage to ourselves. We have
just right to expect that our European policy
will be the American policy of European courts.
IL Is so mHnlfeStly Incompatible with those
cautions for our peace and safety which all
the great powers habitually observe AID
enforce in matters affecting them, that
shorter waterway between our Eastern ana
Western seaboards shall be dominated by any
European government, that we may confidently
expect that such 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 friendly relations with all the
great powers, but they will not expect US to look
kindly upon any project that would leave us
dangers q hostile
environment We have not sought to dominate
or to absorb any of our weaker neighbours but
rather to aid aud 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 depend
encies upon the territory of these independent
American states. That which a sense of justice
restraints us from seeking they may be reasonably
expt cted willingly to foTego.
1t must not be assumed, however that our in
teTests exclusively American that our en-
tire inattention to any events that may transpire
elsewhere can be taken Tor granted. Our citi-
zens, domic1led for purposes of tzade in all
countries and in many of the islands of the sea-
| demand and will have our adequate care in
| their personal and commercial rights The
necessities of our navy require convenient coal
| ing stations, and dock and harbor privileges
these and other trading privileges we Will feel
free 10 obtain only by means that do not in any
degree partake OF coercion, however feeble the
government from which we ask such con cessions
| But, having fairly obtained them by methods
and for purposes entirely consistent with the
most friendly disposition toward all other DOW
ers, our consent will be necessary TO any modii-
cation or impairment OF the concession.
Ne shall neither fail 10 respect the flag of any
friendly nation the just rights of its citizens
| nor to exact the like treatment tor our own.
Calmness, Justice and consider alton should char
acteriZe our diplomacy. The offices of an intel
| lgent diplomacy or of friendly arbitration IN
| proper cases should be adequate to the peaceful
adjustment of all International diff culties. BY
| such methods we will make our contribution to
| the worlds peace. which no nation values more
| highly. and avoid the opprobrium which must
| fall upon the nation that ruthlessly breaks it.
The dnty devoived by law upon the President
/ to nominate, and, by and with the advice and
consent of the Senate. to appoint all public Of
ylded for in the constitution or by act of Con-
'ress, has become very burdensome. and its wise
i efficient discharge full of difficulty. The
il list is so large that a personal knowledge
any large number of the applicants is impos-
| ible. The president must rely upon the presen-
/ tatioDs of others and these are often made in
CONSIDERABLY and without any justice of respon-
| sibility. l nave right, think, to insist that
those no unteer are invited to give advice
to appointn ents shall exercise consideration and
| fidelity. high sense of duty and an ambition to
improve the service should characterize all pub
lie officers There are many ways in which the
| convenience and comfort of those who have busi-
ness with our public offices may be promoted by
thoughtful and obliging officer, and l shall ex-
peel those whom may appoint to justify their
selection by conspicuous efficiency in the dis
charge of their duties. Honorable party service
| will certainly not te esteemed by me disquai-
cation for public office, but 1t will in case be
allowed to serve as a shield OF official negli-
gepce, lncompetency delinquency. 1t is
| entirely creditable to seek public Office by
proper methods and with proper motives, and
| all applicants will be treated with considera-
| ton. But shall need, and the heads of the de-
| partments will need time for inquiry and DELHI
Grafton. Persistent importantly will not, there
| fore, be the best support OF an application for
office Heads of departments, bureaus and all
other public officers, having any duty connect
| ed Herewith, will be expected to enforce the
| civil service lawfully and without evasion. Be-
yOnd this obvious duty hope to do something
more to advance the reform of the civil service.
The ideal. even my own ideal, shall prob
ably not attain Retrospect will be safer basis
| of judgment than promises. We shall not how
ever, am sure be able to put our civil service
upon q non partisan basis until have secured
an incumbency that fair-minoed men of the op-
position will approve for lmpartiality and integ-
rity. AS the number of such in the civil list is
increased, removals from office will diminish.
While q treasury surplus is no the greatest
| evil 1t Is serious evil. Our revenue should be
| ample to meet the ordinary annual demands up
on our treasury, with sufficient margin for
those extraordinary but scarcely less imperative
demands which arise now and then. Expendi-
| ture should always be made with economy and
only upon public necessity. Wastefulness prof
| liaacy and favoritism in public expenditures Is
criminal. But there is nothing in the condition.
| of our country or of our people to suggest tina
| ANYTHING DroSentlV to The DuO.