The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-08

it's enemies, and has gained a permanent
place among the agencies destined 10
cleanse our politics, and to improve, econ
omize and elevate the public service. There
| are now in the competitive classified SER
! vice upward of $4,000 places. More than
4 half of these nave been included from time
\ 10 time since March A. 1898. A most rad
/ ical and sweeping extension was made
| by an executive order dated May G, 1896,
/ and II fOurth-clasS poStmastershipS are
not included in the statement, it may be
/ said that practically all positions occu-
| pied by the civil service law are now filled.
! Abundant reasons exist for including
these postmasterships based upon econ
omy, improved service and the peace and
| quiet of neighborhoods. If, however. OBJ
stacles prevent such action at
! present, l earnestly hope that
congress will, without increasing
! postoffice appropriations, so adjust
them as to permit improper cases a oon~
sohdation of these postotices. TO the end
that through this process the result de-
sired may 10 detailed extent be accom-
| plished. The civil service rules, as amend
| ed during the last year. provide for a SEN
sibe and uniform method of promotion,
basng eligibility to better positions upon
demonstrated efficiency and faithfulness.
| The absence of fixed rules on this sub
! Ject mas been an iutirmity In the system
more and more apparent as it's other ben
ehts have been better appreciated
| The advantages of civil service methods
| in their business aspects are too we'll un-
derstood to require argument. Their APP
| plication has become a necessity to the
| executive work of the government But
those who gain positions through
the operation of these methods
shouid be made to understand
| that the non-partisan scheme through
which they receive their appointments de-
| mand from Them by way of reciprocity,
| non-partisan and faithful performance of
| duty under every administration and cheer
full fidelity to ever chief. While they
| should be encouraged to decently exercise
| their rights of citizenship and to support
through their SURFACES the political beliefs
| they honestly profess, the noisy, pestilent,
and partisan employe, who loves 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 away as to furnish warning to 9TH
| ers who may be likewise disposed.
The annual report of the commissioners
| will be duly transmitted, and L commend
the important matter they have in charge
| to the careful consideration of the con-
| gress.
THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE
The Interstate commerce commission has,
during the last year, supplied abundant
evidence of it's usefulness and the import
|
Public transportation is a universal neces-
sity and the question of just and reasona-
bic charges, therefore, has become of vital
Importance, not only to shippers and car
riefs, but also to the vast multitude of pro-
ducers and consumers. The justice and
equity of the principle embodied in the
existing law passed for the purpose of reg
ulating these charges are everywhere con-
coded, 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 experimental, it was hardly expected
to supply complete and adequate system.
While its wholesome effects are manifest
and have amply justified its enactment, 1t
| is evident that all desired reforms in trans
portation methods have not been fully ac-
complished. In view of the judicial IN
depreciation which some provisions OF this
statute has received and the detects as
| closed by the efforts made for its ENFORCE
nent. its revision and amendment appear
to be essential to the end that it may more
| effectually reach the evils designed 10 pc
corrected hope the recommendations OF
the commission upon this subject VIII be
promptly and favorably considered by the
| congress-
THE TARIFF.
| 7 desire to recur to the statements else
| made
receipts and expenditures for the purpose
| If venturing upon some suggestions
touching our present tariff law and its
'This statute took effect on the 18th day
of August 1894 Whatever may be us
shortcomings as a complete measure OF
| tarfff+s reform it must be conceded tnat
~ hos onened the way to a freer and great
or exchange of commodities between us
| and other countries, and thus furnished
wider market for our products ana manu-
features.
The only entire fiscal year during which
fhis law has been in force ended on the
Goth day of June, 1896. In that year our
irnnorts increased over those OF the pre-
,,inns year more than S6,5Oe,OO0, while the
value of the domestic products we export
cd and which found markets abroad was
nearly $40 OO0. 900 more than during the pre-
ceding year.
Tbose who insist that the cost to our
people of articles coming to them from
abroad for their needful use should only
he increased through tarin charges 10 an
avtent necessary to meet the expenses or
the government, as well as those VINO
claim That tariff charges may be laid upon
such articles beyond the necessities OF gov
eminent revenue, and with the addltlohal
purpose Of so increasing their price III ouI
markets as to give American mahuldc-
turers and producers better and more
nrofitable opportunities, must agree that
tariff laws are only primarily justihed as
sources of revenue to enaple inc
Government to meet the necessa-
Tv expenses of it's maintenance.
Considered as to its sufficiency IN TINS as
meet the present law can by no means
fan under just condemnation. During me
only complete fiscal year Of its operation
If has Welded nearly $S,00O,0OO more reve-
nue than was received from tariff duties
in the preceding year
There was, nevertheless, deficit be
tween our receipts and expenditures OF
little more than s25,OO0,OO0. This however,
was not unexpected The situation was
such in December last, seven months pc
fore the close of the fiscal year. that the
Secretary of the Treasury foretold de-
ficit of $S7 100000 the great and increasing
apprehension and timidity in business cir
Giles and the depression in all activities
intervening since that time, resulting from
causes perfectly well understood ana en-
tirely disconnected with our tariff law or
its operation, seriously checked the i'm
norts we would have otherwise received.
a. CO. Ir