The Mena weekly star., 1896-12-09
Civil Service Reform.

ment as at present conducted ought to be 1 discontinued.
 Civil Service Reform.
 | The progress made in civil service reform | furnishes a cause for the utmost eongratula- ! tton. It has survived the doubtssof it's friends | as well as the rancor of it's enemies, and has gained permanent place among the agencies i destined to cleanse our politics and improve economize and elevate the public service There are now in the competitive classified service upwards of si,00) places. More than l half of these have been included from time to l time since March A. 1893. A most radical and | sweeping extension made by executive | order dated the eth day of May. 1896. and if fourth-class postma asterships are not in- l ciuded In the statement 1t may be said that | practically all positions contemplated by the civil service law are now classified. Abundant reasons exist for including these postmaster snlps, based upon economy. improved service and the peace and quiet of neighborhoods If however obstacles prevent such action at present, earnestly hope that congress will without increasing post office appropriations, so adjust them as to permit in proper cases of consolidation of these post offices to the end that through this process the result desired may to limited extent be accomplished.
 The CIVIL service rules as amended dSxing tue last year provide for sensible and uni form method of promotion, passing eligibility to better positions upon demonstrated eni- ~t~f'"3 rules on this subject h2s been an infrmity in the system more and tilore apparent; It's ether benefits have been better appreciated The advantages of civil service methods in their business aspects are too well understood to re- quire argument Their application has be- come necessity to the executive work of the government But those who gain through he operation Of these methods should be made to understand that the non partisan scheme through which they receive their appointments de- mands from them. by way of reciprocity nom partisan and faithful performance of duties under every administration, and cheerful fdel- fly to every chief While they should be en- coGragel to decently exercise their rights of citizenship and to support through their suf- irage the political belief they honestly pro fess. the noisy. pestiieut and partisan em- ploye, who loves political turmoil and conten- tlon, or who renders lax and grudging servc3 to an administration not rep re>cnting his political views. should be pronnrtly and fearessly delt with in such way as to furnish " raing to others who may be likewise dispose !. The annual report of tue commissioners will be duly trans mittod ana I conmmeld the itnportlnt m alter they have in charge to tae careful cons idera- tion of congress
 The Tariff.
 l desire to recur to the statements else where made concerning the government re- ceipts and expenditures for the purpose of venturing upon some suggestions touching our present tar.n law aud it's operations This statute took effect on the 18th day of August, 1891 Whatever may be it's shortcomings as q complete measure of tariff reform. 1t must be conceded that it has opened up the way to frcer and greater ex- change of commodities between us and other countries and thus furnished a wider market for our products and manufactures Tho only entire fiscal year during which this law has been in force ended on the 30th day of June, ls9d. In that year our imports increased over those of the previous year more than Sj5OO,0O while the value of the domestic prod ucts exported and which found mar lgets abrol ld nearly zoo 0000 more than during tho preceding year Those who insist that the cost to our people of articles coming to them from abroad for their neeaful should only be increased throush tarin changes to an extent necessary to meet the expenses of the government as well as those who claim that tarin changes may be laid upon such articles beyond the necessities of government revenue, and with the additional purpose of so increasing their price in our markets as to give American manufacturers and producers better and more profitable opportunities, must agree that our tariff laws are only primarily justified aS sources of revenue to enable the government to meet the necessary expense of it's maintenance Con-
 
 present law by no means fall under just condemnation During the only com alete hs- cal year of its operation it has yiellei nearly SSo0l000 more revenue than was received from triff duties in ths nrsceIing year. I'h ere was nevertheless u deficit between our receipts and expenditures of little more han Ss 3n- 0O This, however. wls not unexreeted Tho situation wls such in December last seven months before the close Of tae fiscal year, that the secretary of the treasury fDr- told Q deficiency Of r.. D0001 Tho lsraat and increasing apprehension and timliitg n busi- ness circles and the depression in all activities intervening since thas time. resulting from causes perfectly well understood and entirely disconnected with our tariff law or operation, seriously checked the imports we would have otherwise received and readily account for the difference between this estimate of the secre- tary and the actual deficiency as well as for U continued deficit
 believe our present tarin law if allowed a faiy opportunity. win in the near future yield revenue which, with reasonably economical expenditures. will overcome all difficulties In the meantime deficit that has occurred or may occur need excite or disturb us To meet such deficit we have in the treasury, in addition to gold reserve or Sl0o.a0 900, surplus of more than SIPS. .000,0N applica ole to payment of expenses of the government, and which must, unless expended for that purpose l remain D useless hoard. or If not extravagantly 1 wasted, must in any event be perverted from the | purpose of it's exactiou from our people, the l payment. therefore. of any deficiency in the | revenue from this fund is nothing more than 1 It's proper and legitimate use. It is immeasur- ably better to appropriate our surplus to the | payment of justifiable expenses than to allow l II to become an invitation to reckless appro- priations and extravagant expenditures.
 suppose it will not be denied thft uncer the |