Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-12-04

The failure OF the laSL congress 10 make the
usual provision for the publication of the an
nual reports should be promptly remedied. The
public in crest in the report and its value to
the farming community, am sure will not be
diminished under the new organization of the
Department.
THE WEATHER SERVICE.
recommend that the weather service be sep
eraied from the War Department and estab-
lished as bureau in the Department of Agri-
culture. This will involve an entire reorganiZa-
ton both OF the Weather Bureau and of the
Signal Corps making OF the first purely civil
organization and OF the other purely military
staff corps. The report OF the Chief signal Off
Ger shows that the work Of the corps on its mill
tary side has been deteTiorating.
THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The interests of the people of the District of
Columbia should not be lost sight of in the pres
sure for the consideration of measures affecting
the whole country. Having 10 Legislature OF
its own either municipal or general, its people
must look to Congress for the regulation of those
concerns that are the subject of local control
Our whole people have an interest that the Ma
tional Capital should be made attractive and
beautiful, and above all that its social order
should be maintained. The laws regulating
the sale of Intoxicating drinks in the district
should be revised, with a view to bringing the
ira fi under stringent limitation and control
In the execution OF the power conferred upon
n by the Act making an appropriation for the
expenses of the District OF Columbia for the
year ending June so. 1883, dld, Oh The 18th day
of August last, appoint Rudolph Herring, OF New
York, Samuel Nj, Gray, OF Rhode I,Iaad, and
Frederick p. Stearns, of Massachusetts, three
eminent sanitary engineers, to examine and re-
port upon the system OF sewerage existing in
the District OF Columbia. Their report, which
is not yet completed, will be in due course sub
mitted to Congress. The report of the Commits
sioners of the District is herewith transmitted
and the attention of Congress is called to the
suggestions contained.
THE WORLDS FAIR.
The proposition to observe the four hundredth
anniversary of the discovery of America by
the opening of worlds fair or exposition in
some one of our great cities, will be presented
for the consideration of Congress. The valne
and interest of such an exposition may well
claim the attention OF the General Government
CIVIL SERVICE coNHIssloN.
On the 4th of March last the Civil Service
Commission had but single member. he
vacancies were filed on the 9th day Of May
and since the Commissioners have been indus
triously, though with an inadequate force en-
gagged in executing the law. They were assured
cordial support would be given tnem in q
faithful and impartial enforcement of the stat
ute and of the rules and regulations adopted in
aid of it. Heretofore the book of ellgibies has
been closed to everyone, except as ctrtltlca-
ton were made upon the requisition OF the ap-
pointing officer. This secresy was the source
of much suspicion and of many charges OF
favoritism.
In the administration of law, what is secret
is always suspected, and what is open can be
judged. The Commission with the full approval
of its members, has now opened the list OF ell
gibles to the public. The eligible lists for class
fled postoffices and Custom houses are now
publicly posted in the respective Offices as are
also the Qualifications of appointments.
The purpose Of the civil service law was abso-
lutely to accept no other consideration IN con-
nection with appointments under 1t than that
of merit as tested by the examinations The
business proceeds upon the theory that both the
examining boards and the appointing officers are
absolutely ignorant as to the political views
and associations of all persons on the civil
service list
1t is not too much to say, however, that some
recent Congressional investigations have some
what shaken public confidence in the Impair
TALLY of the selections for appointments
The reform of the civil service VIII make no
safe or satisfactory advance until the present
law and its equal administration are web estab-
lshed in the confidence OF the people. IL VIII
be my pleasure as it is my duty, 10 see that the
laws are executed with frmness and impair
TALLY. II some of its provisions have been
fraudulently evaded by the appointing officers
resentment does not suggest the repeal OF the
law, but reform in its administration. We
| should have one view OF the mater ana holu
it with sincerity that is not affected by CON
sideraton for the party to which we belong is
| for the time in power.
My predecessor on the 4th day of January,
1889, by an executive order to take effect March
| 18th, brought the Railway Nail service under
| the operation OF the Civil service law. Pro-
vision was made that the order should take
effect sooner in any State where an eligible list
Mr.. Lyman, then the OILY member of the Com
mission, reported to me, in writing, that II
would not be possible to have the list OF ehglbles
ready before May LIST, and reques-ed that the
taking effect of the order be postponed until
| that time, which was done, subject TO the same
provision contained in the original order as TO
states in which an eligible list was sooner Cd
| taiued. AS result OF the revision OF the rules
| of the new Classification, and OF the inclusion OF
| the Railway Mail Service, the Work OF the
Commission has been greatly increased,
81 - n
| ard the present cleric.l force Io9 49!
| 10 be inadequate. l recommend that the addi-
| tiOnal clerks asked by the Commissioners be ap-
propriated for the duty of appointment, as
| devolyed 10y the Constitution, or by the law,
and the appointing officers, are held 10 hlgh
responsibility in its exercise.
The growth of the country and the conse-
queut increase of the civil list have magnlhed
this function of the Executive disproportion-
ately 1t cannot be denied, however, that the
labor connected with this necessary work Is IN
creased often to the poiot OF actual distress, by
| the sudden and excessive demands that ale
made upon an incoming Administration Tor re
movals and appointments. But, on the other
hand, it Is not true that ineumbency Is con-
elusive argument for continuance in office. I'm
partiality moderation, fidelity 10 public duty,
aud a good attainment in the discharge OF 1t
must be added before the argument Is complete,
and when th1se holding administration ohces
so conduct themselves as to convince Just
| political opponents that no party consideration
OF bias affec in any way the discharge of their
| public duties, we can more easily Stay the ue-
mAnds Tor removals.
lam satisfied thai both in and out of the clas-
sitied service the greatest benefit would accrue
| from the adoption OF some system by which the
officers would receive the estimation and bene-
| fit that in all private employmentS comes from
exceptional faithfulness and efficiency in the
performance of duty. l have suggested to the
| heads of the executive departments mat they
consider whether a record might not be kept III
each bureau of all those elements that are coy
cred by the terms "faithfulness and ''efll-
Cheney" and a rating made of the relative
merits of the clerks of each class; this rating to
| be regarded as a test of merit in making promo
tions.
have also suggested to the PostmasterGen-
| eral that he eau upon the basis Of the exports
| to the Department, and of frequent inspections,
| indicate the relative merit of the Postmasters
| of each class These will be appropriately iudl-
Gated by the official register aud report OF the
Department and thus u greal stimulus would
| thus be given to the whole service. do not
doubt that such a record would be the best de-
| tense against removals from Office.
GENERAL EDUCATION.
The interest of the General Government in