The Roanoke daily times. (Roanoke, Va.) 1895-1897, 1896-12-08
Civil Service REFORM.

| hoi III iurDiSueS ~ cuuSc lOT lue utmost
! congratulation. 1t has survived the
doubts of it's friends as well rs the rancor
OF It's enemies and has gained pcrme-
nent foothold in the agencies destined to
cleanse our politics and to improve, econ
OmiZe and elevate the public service
| There are now in the competitive CLASH
| lied service upwards Of $1,000 places
More than half of these have been includ-
| ell from time to time since March i, 1898
n most radical and sweeping extension
was made by executive order, dated the
9th day of May, 1896, and if fourth class
| postmasterships are not included in the
statement, it may be said that practically
| all positions contemplated by the civil ser.
| vice law are now classified. Abundant
reasons exist for including these post
masterships, based upon economic inn
| proved service and the peace and quiet OF
neighborhoods If, however, obstacles
| prevent such action ut present, l earnt st.
| ly hope that Congress will, without in
creasIng postoflice appropriations, so ad
just them as TO permit in proper cases u
consolidation of those postoilices to the
end that through this process the result
may be to Il limited cxtents..be accom-
| plshed.
| The civil service rucs""as amended dur
ing tue last year provide for sensible
and uniform method of promotion, basing
|
| -trated efficiency and faithfulness. The
absence of fixed rules OH this subject has
been an intirmity in the system more and
| more apparent us its other benefits have
| been appreciated.
| Great Advantages.
| The advantages of civil service methods;
in their business aspects are too well ui.
| derstood To require argument Their
| application has bccoI.c II necessity to the
executive work of the Government But
those who gain positions through the
! operation of these methods should tie
| made to understand that the non partisan
schemes through which they receive their
appointments demand from them, by way
| OF reciprocity. non BIPARTISAN and faithful
| performance of duty under every admins.
| tration and cheerful fidelity to every
| chief While they should he encouraged to
| dccently exercise their rights of citizen
ship and to support through their
| suffrage; the political beliefs they hon
cstly profess, the noisy, petulcnt and par
1lsan employee. who loves political Turmoil,
and contention, or who renders lax and
| grUdging service to an administration
not representing his political views
| shoul;! he promptly and fearlessly dealt
with in such way rs to furnish IL warn
| ing to others who may be likewise dis.
| posed.
| The annual rcuort of the commissioners
| VIII be duly transmitted, and comm, nd
! the important matter they have in charge
| to the careful consideration of the Con
gress.
Interstate Commerce.
The interstate commerce commission
| has, during the last year supplied album.
dant evidence Of its usefulness and the
| Importance OF the work committed to it,
charge
Public transportation is universal
necessity, and the question of just and
reasonable charges therefore has become
| OF vital importance not only 10 shipDe rs
| and carriers, but also to the vast multi.
| tudc OF producers and consumers The
justice and equity of the principles en-
| bodied III the existing law passed for the
| purpose of regulating these charges are
everywhere conceded, and there appeirs
| TO be no question that the policy thus en-.
| tered upon has permanent place in our
legislation. AS the present statute, when
| enacted was, in the nature Of the case,
more or less tentative and experimental,
1t was hardly expected to supply n com
plete and adequate system. While its
| wholesome effects are manifest and have
amply justified its enactment, it is evil
| dent that all desired reforms in trunspOr-
| tation methods have not been fully ac-
complished. In view of the judicial in
| terpretations which some provisions of
this statute have received and the defect )
disclosed by the efforts made for it's en-
forccment its revision and amendment
! appear to be essential, to the end that
| 1t may more etfecJually reach the evils
designed to he corrected. hope that the
| recommendations OF the commission upon
this subject will be promptly and favor.
ably considered by the Congress.
The Tariff.
desire to refer to the statements else
| where made concerning the government
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
of venturing upon some suggestions
| touching our present tariff law and it's
| operation.
This statute took effect on the 2Sth
day of August, 1891. Whatever may be
| It's shortcomings as II complete measure
| of tariff reform it must be conceded that
it has opened the way to freer and
! greater exchange of commodities between
| us ana other countries and thus fur.
| nished II wider market for orr products
and manufactures. The only entire lis
cal year during which this law has been
| in force ended on the Both day of June,
| iS96. In that year our imports increased
over those of tie previous year more
| than ST, SEQ, 0O0, while the value of the
domestic products we exported. and
| which found markets abroad, was nearly
$4,000, 0Go more than during the proceed
| in" year.
| Those who insisted that the cost to our
! people of articles coming to them from
| abroad for their needfui use should only
bc increased through tariff charges 30 an
| extent necessary 20 meet the expenses Of
| the government. as we'll as those who
claim that tariff charges may he laid
| upon such articles beyond the necessities
| of GnNrrninrnI rrvrnun and Vii tLa LII