New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-07

which will Weld less than one-half Of the prin-
cpal Of it's debt and less than one-hrth OF its
entire debt, principal and Interest But
whether the Government. rather than accept
less than It's claim, should become bidder ana
thereby the owner Of the property submit 10
the Congress for action.
THE NATIONAL LIBRARY.
The Library Building provided for by the act
n, Congress, approved April Is. 1886 has been
CONNECTED and opened to the public. 1t should
no q matter OF congra tn alton that through the
foresipbt and rnuniAcence Of Congress the Ma
,ion nossesses this noble treasure-house OF
tnowIedge II IL earnestly to be hoped that,
having done 40 much toward the cause OF edu-
cation. Congress will continue to develop the
Library in every phase Of research, to the emo
that II may he not only one OF the most maenin-
cent but among the richest and most usefui
libraries in the world.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM
TIL. important branch Of our Government
knowns as the Civil Service. the practical I'M
provement OF which has long been subject OF
earnest discussion. has Of late years received IN
creased legislative and executive approval Dur
Ing the last few months the service has peeh
placed upon still 6rmer basis or business
method. and personal merit While the right OF
our veteran soldiers to reinstatement In deserV-
Ing cases has been asserted. dismissais TOT mere
IL political reasons have been carefuhy sua'uen
against the examinations for adnittdhce 10 the
service enlarged and at the same time rendered.
less technical and more practical; ana oistn''
advance has been made by giving nearing DE-
fore dismissal upon all cases where incoihpe-
,.rcv 4. charged or demand made for the re-
roval ~ officials In any Of the departments
This order has been made 70 give TO the accused
his right to be heard. but withou. In any way
iupaIring the power OF removal when shou'u
alvavs be exercised In casep OF inefticency ana
incompe,ency. and which r. one OF the VITA
safeguards OF the Civil Service reform system
preventing stagnation and deadwood. ana Keep
ing every employe kecnly alive 70 the fact tha'
the security NJ his tenure depends not on favor'
hut on his own tested and carefully watcheo
record Of service.
Mich y, cour.e. still remains ~ be accom-
plished before the system can % maze re"S'"
sh,v norrec, for our needs There are places now
In the classified service which ought 10 oe
exempted. and others no, classified may properly
he Included 7 shall not hesitate TO exempt cases
which think have been Improperly included In
~. clsssio.d service or include those which In
my Judgment will ,est promote the public ser
v,ce The system has the approval OF the peo-
nIe and Il will be my endeavor TO uphold and
extend IT,
] am forced by the length Of this message TO
omit many imp0rtalt references TO affair or the
Government with which Congress VIII have 70
deal AT the present session. They are fully dis
cussed IN the departmental reports. to All OF
which Invite your earnest attention.
The estimates ~ III" expenses OF The Govern
men, by the several departments will, am
sure have your careful scrutiny While the
Congress may not and It an easy task to reduce
the expenses OF the Government. II should not
encourage their increase. These expenses VIII
in my Judgment admit of decrease In many
branches of the Government without injury 10
the public service. II is commanding duty 70
keep the appropriations within the receipts OF
the Government and thus avoid a deficit
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion. Dec g, 1897.