The National tribune., 1897-12-09

ton will be determined in the line of in
disputabIe right and duty. 1t Will be faced
without misgiving or heSitancy in the light
OF the obligation this Government owes to
itself, to the people who have confided to
it the protection of their interests and
honor and to humanity.
Sure Of the right, keeping free from all
Ofense ourselves, actuated only by upright
and patriotic considerations, moved neither
by passion nor selfiShneSs, the Govern
ment viii continue its watchful care over
the rights and property OF American clti-
ZenS and Will abate none OF its efforts TO
bring about by peaceful agencies peace
which shall be honorable and enduring.
II it shall hereafter appear to be q duty
imposed by our obligations to ourselves, to
civilization and humanity to intervene
with force, il shall be without fault on our
part and only because the necessity for
such action Will be so clear as to command
the support and approved OF the civilized
world.
MISCELLANEOUS.
The President strongly urges the ratifi-
cation of the treaty for the annexation Of
Hawaii.
The Nicaragua Canal is briefly alluded to
in terms OF commentator.
The operations of the Bimetallic Com
mission are reported.
A paragraph is given to reciprocity.
The status of the negotiations on the
seal question is described.
International arbitration, and the French
Exposition receive formal paragraphs.
The work Of building up the Navy is
commended, the vessels so far built
praised, and recommendations made for in
creased dock facilities, for more money for
ammunition, for increasing the number of
enlisted men, and the construction of ad-
ditiOnal vessels.
The attention of Congress is called to the
need OF additional legislation for Alaska.
The question of the Five Nations in the
Indian Territory is discussed at length
with, recommendation for individual own
ership of the lands, and a resumption by
the Government of the trusts, which are
perverted in the present hands.
The creation of a Psychological Com
mission to investigate the yellow fever is
recommended, and amendment OF the quar-
antine laws.
Congressional attention is called to the
sales of the Pacific Railways.
CIVIL SERVICE.
With regard to Civil Service the Presi-
dent says: During the past few months
the service has been placed upon still
firmer basis of business methods and per-
SOndl Inc1ll- Willie TIC IISHt VI OUl scI-
eran soldiers to reinstatement in deServ-
ing cases has been asserted, dismissals
for merely political reasons have been
carefully guarded against, the examina
tons for admittance to the service en-
larged and at the same time rendered less
technical and more PRACTICAL; and q dis
tinct advance has been made by giving a
hearing before dismissal upon all cases
where incompetency is charged or demand
made for the removal OF officials in any OF
the Departments. This order has been
made to give to the accused his right to be
heard, but without in any way impairing
the power of removal, which should always
be exercised in cases OF inefficiency and
incompetency, and which is one of the
vital safe guards Of the Civil Service re-
form system, preventing stagnation and
dead wood and keeping every employee
keenly alive to the fact that the security OF
his tenure depends not on favor but on his
own tested and carefully watched record OF
service. n
Much of course still remains to be ac
complished before the system can be made
reasonably perfect for our needs. There
are places now in the classified service
which ought to be exempted and others not
classified may properly be included.
shall not hesitate to exempt cases which
think have been Improperly included in
the classified service or include those
which in my judgment will best promote
the public service. The system has the
approval OF the people and it will be my
endeavor to uphold and extend it.