Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-12-10

sensible and uniform method OF pro-
motion basing eligibility to better
positions upon demonstrated efficiency
and faithfulness. The absence OF
fixed rules on this subject has been
an intiruiity 10 the syRtom more and
more apparent az it's other benefits
have been better appreciated. The adj
vantages of civil service methods in
their business aspects arc too well
understood to require argument. Their
| application has become "a necessity to
the executive work OF the government.
But those who gain positions through
| the operation VI these methods should
BIO made to understand that the nom
| partisan scheme through which they
receive their appointments demands
| from them. by way of reciprocity, non
| partisan and faithful performance of
duty under every administration and
cheerful fidelity to every chief. While
they should be encouraged to decently
exercise their rights OF citizenship and
to support through their suffrages the
political beliefs they honestly profess,
tho noisy, pestjlent, and partisan EN-
ploye, who loveH political turmoil and
contention, or who renders lax and
grudging service to an administration
not representing his political views.
should be promptly and fearlessly dealt
with in such a way as to furnish a
warning to others who may be likewise
disposed.
The annual report OF the commits
sioners will be duly transmitted, and
commend the important matter they
have in charge TO the careful considerI-
ton of the Congress
The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has, during the last year, sup
! piled abundant evidence Of it's useful
ness and the Importance of the work
committed to its charge. Public trans
| portation is universal necessity, and
! the question OF just and reasonable
charges therefore has become of vital
importance not only to shippers and
carriers, but also to the vast multitude
of producers and consumers. The justice
and equity Of tho principles embodied
in the existing law passed for tho pur-
pose of regulating these charges are
| everywhere conceded and there appears
to be no question that the policy, thus
entered upon has a permanent place in
our legislation. As the present statute
when enacted was in the nature of the
case more or less tentative and expert
mental it was hardly expected to supply
(, complete aud adequate system. While
its wholesome effects arc manifest and
have amply justified its enactment it
is evident that all desired reforms in
transportation methods have not been
fully accomplished.
In view OF the judicial Interpretation
which some provisions of this statute
have received and the defects disclosed
by the efforts made for it's enforcement,
its revision and amendment appear to
be essential to the end that it may
more effectually reach the evils de-
signed to be corrected. l hope the
recommendations OF the commission
upon this subject will be promptly and
favorably considered by the Congress-.
desire to recur to the statements else
where matte concerning the govern
ment's receipts and expenditures for the
purpose Of venturing upon some sug-
gestions touching our present tariff law
and it's operation.
This statute took effect on tho 2Sth
day of August. 1894. Whatever may be
its shortcomings as complete measure
OF tariff reform, il must be conceded
that 1t has opened the wa. to freer
and greater exchange commodities be-
tween us and other countries, and thus
furnished wider market for our pro-
ducts and manufacturers. The only
entire fiscal year during which this law
has been in force ended on the Both day
of June, 1895. In that ycSr our imports
increased over those of the preyi Jus
year more than Sc, 500, 600, while the
value of the domestic productg we ex-
ported, and which found markets
abroad, was nearly $40, ZOO. 0O1 more
than during the preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost to oui
people OF articles coming to them from
abroad for their ncedfui use SHOULD
only be increased through tariff charges
to an extent necessary TO meet the OK
panses of the government as we'll a,
those who claim that tariff charges may
be laid upon such articles beyond thu
,, necessity of government revenue. ant
with the additional purpose of so in
! creasing their price in our markets al
! to give American manufacturers ant
!, producers better and more profitable
opportunities, must agree that oui
! tariff laws are only primarily justified
', as sources of revenue to enable tn,
! government 10 meet the necessary OK
. penses of its maintenance. Considered
> as to its sutliciency in this respect, thu
4 present law can by no means fal
| Jtrt
!, the only complete fiscal year of it,
!, operation it has yielded nearly SS7, 600,
600 more revenue than was received
from tariff duties in the preceding
year. There was, nevertheless, detici
between our receipts and expenditure
, of little more than 1926, 900, 600. This
. how over, was not unexpected.
i The situation was such liz Decembs
4 last, seven months before the close o
4 tho fiscal year that the Secretary of tn
Treasury foretod deficiency of SIT,
a 700, 600. The great and increasing ap
a prehension and timidity in buaines
!. circles and the depression in all activi
n ties intervening since that time result
q ing from causes perfectly we'll under
a stood and entirely disconnected witt
i. our tariff law or it's operation serious
checked the imports we would hav
!, otherwise received, and readily accoun
for the difference between this osti
? mate of the Secretary and the antus
deficiency as we'll as for a continue
deficit.
v Indeed. it must be confessed that W
n could hardly have had more unfavor
!. able period than tho last two years 70
n the collection of tariff revenues. W
7 cannot reasonably hope that our re
RI cuperation from this business depres
\ sion will be sudden, but it has aread
set in with a promise of aGcsleratio
n aud continuan2e.
| ~. naiT lD,t