Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1889-03-09

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 toward 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 fol
our own. Calmness, justice and considers
ton characterize our diplomacy. The offices
of an intelligent diplomacy or OF friendly
arbitration in proper cases should be ade-
| quate to the peaceful adjustment Of all in
ternational difficulties 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 1t.
Civil-Service Reform.
The duty devolved by law upon the Presi-
dent to nominate and, by and with the adj
vice and consent OF the Senate, to appoint all
public officers whose appointment is not
otherwise provided for in the Constitution OF
by act of Congress, has become very burden
some. and its wise and efficient discharge full
of difficulty. The civil list is so large that a
personal knowledge of any large number of
the applicants is impossible. The President
must rely upon the representation of others,
aud 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 considera-
ton and fidelity. A high sense of duty and
an ambition to improve the service should
characterize all public officers. There are
many ways in which the convenience and
comfort of those who have business with our
public officers may be promoted by thought
ful and obliging officer. and L shall expect
those whom may appoint to justify their
selection by conspicuous efficiency in the
discharge of their duties.
Honorable party service will certainly not
be esteemed by me a disqualification for
public Office. but it will in no case be al
lowed to serve as a shield for official negli-
gence. incompetency or delinquency 1t is
entirely credtable to seek public office by
proper methods and with proper motives,
and all applicants will be treated with con-
sheraton but / shall need, and the heads
of departments will need. time for inquiry
and deliberation. Persistent importantly
will not, therefore be the best support of an
application for Office. Heads of depart
ments, bureaus and all other public officers,
having any duty connected Herewith, Will
be expected to enforce the Civil Service law
fully and without evasion.
Beyond this obvious duty hope to do
something more to advance the reform of the
civil service. The IDEAL or even my own
ideal, shall probably not attain. Retro
spect will be safer basis of judgment than
promises. We shall not, however, 1 am
sure, be able to put our civil service upon
non-partisan basis until we have secured an
incumbency that fair-minded men of the OPP
position will approve tor impartiality and
integrity. As the number of such in the
civil list is increased, removals from Office
will diminish.
The Treasury Surplus
While Treasury surplus is not the great
est evil, it is serious evil. Our revenue
should be ample to meet the ordinary annual
demands upon our treasury with sufficient
margin for those extraordinary but scarcely
less imperative demands which arise now
and then. Expenditure should always be
made with economy and only upon public
necessity. Wastefulness, prohigacy and
favoritism in pnblc expenditures is
criminal. But there is nothing in the
condition of our country or our people to
suggest that anything presently neces-
sary to the public prosperity, security or
honor should be unduly postponed 1t will
be the duty OF Congress wisely to forecast
and estimate these extraordinary demands,
and, having added them to our ordinary ex-
penditures, to SO adjust our revenue laws
that no considerable annual surplus will re-
main. We will, fortunately, be able to ap-
ply to the redemption of the public debt
any small or unforeseen excess of revenue.
This is better than to reduce our income be-
low our necessary expenditures with the re-
sulting choice between another change of
our revenue laws and an-increase of the pub
lie debt 1t is quite possible, / am sure,
to effect the necessary reduction in our rev.
enues without breaking down our protective
tariff or seriously injurlng any domestic in
dustrv.
The construction of sufficient number of
modern war-shlps, and of their necessary
armament. should progress as rapidly as is
consistent with care and perfection in plans
and Workmanship. The spirit courage and
skill of our naval officers and seamen have
many times in our history given to weak
ships and inefficient guns n rating greatly
beyond that of the naval list. That they will
| again do so Upon occasion l do not doubt
but they ought not, by generalization or neg
| lect, to be left to the risks and exigencies of
| an unequal combat. We should encourage
| the establishment of American steamship
| lines. The exchanges OF commerce demand
| stated, reliable and rapid means of commu-
nication, and until these are provided the de-
| velopment of our trade with the States lying
| south OF US is impossible.
| Our pension laws should give more ade-
quate and discriminating relief to the Union
soldiers and sailors, and to their widows and
orphans. Such occasions as this should re-
mind us that we owe everything to their
valor and sacrifice.
| e is subject OF congratulation that there
| Is a near prospect of the admission into the
Union OF the pakotas and Montana and
| Washington Territories. This act of justice
has been unreasonably delayed in the case Of
some OF them. The people who have settled
these Territories are intelligent, enterprising
and patriotic, and the accession of these new
States will add strength to the Nation. It
is due to the settlers in the Territories. who
| have awaited themselves of the invitations OF
our land laws to make homes upon the pub.
| lie domain, that their titles should oe
speedily adjusted and their honest entries
confirmed by patent.
| Reform of Election Laws
1t is very gratifying to observe the general
interest now being manifested in the reform
of our election laws. Those who have been
tor years calling attention to the pressing ne.
cessity of throwing about the ballot-box and
about the elector further safeguards, i'll order
I that our elections might not only be free and