The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-08

~ SeiNiSe. iueTe are now IN the COM
petitiye classified service upward of
eighty-four thousand places. More than
half or these have been included from
time TO time since March 4. 1898. A most
radical and sweeping extension was
made by executive ord ers dated the 9Th
Day OF May. 1886, and II fourth class
misunderstanding are not included In the
statement 1t may be said that practical
~ all positions contemplated by the civil
service law are now classified. Abundant
reasons exist for including these post
nasterShlps, based upon economy i'm
methods or agriculture oc coming fueuI
proved service. and the peace and quiet
OF neighborhoods. If, however, obstacles
prevent such action at present | ear
nestly hope that Congress will. without
adjust them as to permit In proper
cases consolidation Of these postoffices
TO the end that through this process the
result desired may to a limited extent
be accomplished. The civil service
rules as amended during the last year
provide for n sensible and uniform
method of promotion, basing eligibility
TO better positions upon demonstrated
efficiency and faithfulness The absence
or liked rules on this subject has been
an infirnity In the system more and
more apparent as its other benefits have
been better appreciated.
The advantages of c'vil service meth
ods IN their business aspects are too well
understood to require argument Their
application has become Il necessity to
the executive work OF the government.
But those who gain positions through
the operation of these methods should
e be made to understand that the nom
partisan scheme through which they re-
ceive their appointments demand from
Them by way of reciprocity, non-par-
tisan and faithful performance Of duty
under every administration. and cheer
full fidelity to every chief. While they
should be encouraged to dccently exer-
else their rights of citizenship and to
support through their suffragcs the po-
litical beliefs they honestly profess. the
noisy, pestilent. and partisan employe.
who loves political turmoil and conton-
ton. or who renders lax and grudging
service to an administration not reures-
ertinr his political views. should he
promptly and feaTlnsSly dealt with I'm
such a way as TO furnish n warning to
others who may be likewise disposed
INTER STATE COMMERCE.
! The Interstate Commerce Commits
sion has during the last year. supplied
abundant evidence ofits usefulness and
the Importance OF the wark committed
to It's charge Public TRANSFORMATION is
universal necessity. and the question
of just and reasonable charges therefor
has become Of vital Importance not ONLY
10 the shippers and corricrs. but also 10
the vast multitude of producers and
consumers. The justice and equity of
the principles embodied In the purpose
OF regulating these charges are every.
where conceded. aid there appears to be
no question that the policy. thus enter
ed upon, has a permanent place I'm our
legislation. AS the present statute when
enacted was, In the nature Of the case
more or less tentative and governmental
II was hardly expected to supply n com
plete and adequate system While its
4
have amply justified it's enactment. II is
evident that all desired reforms in trans
portation methods have not been fully
accomplished. In view of the judicial in
t.,I Which some provisions OF
this statute have received and the de-
fccts disclosed by the efforts made for
It's enforcement, its revision and amend
ment appear to be essential to the end
that II may more effectually reach the
evils designed to be corrected | hone
the recommendations of the commits
sion upon this subject will be promptly
and favorably considered by the con-
gress.
THE PRESENT TARIFF LAW.
desire to recur to the statements
elsewhere made concerning the govern
mentS receipts and expenditures for the
purpose of venturing upon some sug-
geslons touching our present tariff law
and its operation.
IhiS statute took effect on the 2Stb
day of August, 1894. Whatever may be
IT'S shortcomings as n complete meas
ure of tariff reform it must be conceded
that II has opened the way to freer
and greater exchange of commodities
between us and other countries and
thus furnished n wider market for our
products and manufactures.
The only entire fiscal year during
which this law has been I'm force ended
on the S0,h day of June. 1896. In that
year our imports increased over those of
the previous year more than $500. 600
while the value of the domestic products
were exported and which found markets
abroad was nearly $4,000. 900 more than
during the proceeding year.
Those who insist that the cost to orr
people OF articles coming to them from
abroad for their needful use should ONLY
be increased through tariff charges 10
an extent necessary To meet the expen-
ses or the government. as wei. as those
VINO claim that tariff charges may be
laid upon such articles beyond the
necessities of government revenue and
with the additional purpose OF so in
creasing their price in our markets MS to
give American manufacturers and pro-
ducers better and more profitable oppor-
tunties. must agree that our tariff laws
are only primarily justified as sources
OF revenue to enable the government to
meet the necessary expenses of its main
tenance. Considered as to its sufIiciency
In this aspect, the present law can by no
means fall under just condemnation
during the only complete fiscal year of
It's operation 1t has yielded nearly S.
0oO.OUO more revenue than was received
from tariff duties I'm the preceding wear