Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-08
srRNICE RNFoRM.


cNIL SERVICE REFORM.
.,yross made in civil service re-
inc finishes a cause for the utmost
to'" ,Yiation. IL has survived the
M las friends ms well as the rancor
@rs enemies, ana has gained
OF place among the agencies
P..ord TO cleanse our pohtcs anu 20
.eonomizc and elevate the pub
De are now in the competitive
lA' service upward OF Sico0 places.
tsr half of these have been in
A. from time TO time. since March
c most radical and sweeping ex-
'N o.s made by an executive order
t0s .fr cth day Of May. 1896. and II
oi' r.es postmasterships are not
f5 I'm the statement. IT may DO
.rat practically an positions con-
s,,-.i by the civil service law are
i''l -sssiaed. Abundant reasons exist
mon economy. improved service,
... reace and quiet Of noighborhoods.
s.' 't,,taycr. obstacles prevent such
M present. l earnestly hope
congress will, without Increasing
.qre appropriations. so adjust
.. 10 permit in proper cases con-
t.oo OF these post-otiices. to the
r.t through this process the result
r mas. TO a limited extent, be ac-
service rules. as amended du-
-'- tha last year. provide Tor sehsio'e
'.it,rm method Of promotion, basing
.,.-.v TO better positions upon de-
'.,af.l efficiency and faithfulness. The
~ . az fixed rules on this subject mas
,, .nfrmity in the system more ana
.-oarcut as its other benefits have
t.r better appreciated.
.s,1ntages Of civil-service methods
.ti- business aspect are too well un-
.,,l TO require argument. Their APP
-.,r has become a necessity TO the
.,.ve work Of the government. But
. who gain positions through the
.rr Of these methods should be
.sa TO understand that the non-partisan
..,,e through which they receive their
.,.r-reuts demand from. them, by way
-.srrocity. non-partisan and faithful
f-,r.rce of duty under every adminis-
...Y and cheerful fidelity to every cmef
. ff,v should be encouraged TO de-
.-tr exercise their rights of citizenship
.., -,rrort through their suffrages the
.... beliefs they honestly profess the
.- resilient. and partisan employee,
-., loves political turmoil and conten-
.- .r who renders lax and grudging ser
.tr.n administration not representing
. ,0Hr.al views. should be promptly
-ri.--ly dealt with in such way
,s to furnish warning to others who
r. re seWise disposed.
-r. annual report of the commissioners
.. f. duly transmitted. and ! commend
. ..rrrtant matter they have in charge
. .. careful consideration Of the Con-
ls-.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
OH, Interstate Commerce Commission
D.. a1rng the last year supplied aoun-
I'm. evidence of its usefulness and the
inheritance OF the work committed TO us
ca-
.t and the question Of just and rea-
..-. charges therefor has become OF
,...I inheritance. not only TO shippers and
carriers bat also 10 the vast multitude OF
r-r....rs and consumers. The justice ana
.-r u the principles embodied in the
f.an- llW passed for the purpose OF
-.r..rrc these charges. are everywhere
conceded and there appears to be no
o.l0r that the policy thus entered upon
las. permanent principle in our legisla-
As tie present statute when enacted,
no. nature OF the case. more or
ty expected 10 supply complete and
.r..t. system While its wholesome
..t- are manifest. and have amply
.-l it's enactment, 1t is evident that
desired reforms IN transportation
rIs have not been fully accom-
- 1n view Of the judicial interpre-
t... which some provisions Of this
..t.e have received. and the defects dis
closed ly the efforts made for its en-
..-ert. its revision and amendment
.--.a- to be essential TO the end that il
r,r mc-e effectually reach the evils de-
.-r.- % be corrected. 1 hope the re-
.ruar .ations Of the commission upon
r subject VIII be promptly and favor
ably considered by the Congress.
THE TARIFF LAW.
Idesire 10 recur 10 the statements else
vt.-. made concerning the governments
rts and expenditures. for the pur-
pose 0l venturing upon some suggestions
t.-1lg our present tariff law ana It's
e9-s4r-n
This statute took effect on the 26th day
O. August. 1894 Whatever may be its
shortcomings as a complete measure OF
tr1 reform. 10 must be conceded that It
lss opened the way 10 a freer ana
greater exchange Of commodities between
IS .li other co ntrles, and thus furhisned
G wider market for our products and
ralHlactures.
Te. only entire fiscal year during which
-H w has been in force ended on the
9TH aav of june 1896. In that year our
imports increased over those Of the pre-
t1ls year more than S6.5oO,000 while the
.I.. OF the domestic products we eX-
ported and which found markets abroad,
Els nearly E0.C1.000 more than during
1a preceding year.
Those who insist that the cost 10 our
people OF articles coming to them from
abroad Tor their needful use should only
Increased through tariff charges TO an
..'-rt necessary 10 meet the expenses OF
Ue government as well as those VINO
.a.i1 tnat tariff charges may be laid upon
..l articles beyond the necessities OF
government revenue, and with the addi-
u.ra. purpose Of 50 Increasing their price
our markets as TO give American
rarllacturcrs and producers better and
ur. profitable opportunities must agree
t.t our tariff laws are only primarily
s.feI. a. sources of revenue 10 enable
Ue government 10 meet the necessary eX-
le- NJ its maintenance.
Considered as 10 its sufiiciency In this
aspect. The present law can by no means
far under just condemnation. During the
only complete fiscal year Of its operation
30 ha. Welded nearly $4,000 more reve-
ll. Than was received from tariff duties
n .h- preceding year. There was, never
tec.s a deficit between our receipts and
ef-i lures Of little more than 5000
oh Tis. however, was not unexpected.
The situation was such IN December
.ss.-srveu months before the close OF the
faral year-fhat the Secretary Of the
Treasury forotold a deficiency Of 100000
The great and increasing apprehen-
Sion and timidity in business circles and
fta depression In all activities interyen-
ifg since that time. resulting from
causes perfectly well understood and en-
ffr.y disconnected with our tariff law
or ..s operation. seriously checked the i'm
ports We would have otherwise received
81 r---uN annnunI for the d-merence |