The record-union., 1899-12-06

eminent in the District of Columbia
have appointed a committee, consisting
OF the Governors of all the States ana
Territories of the United States, who
have been invited to assemble in the
city of Washington on the lst OF De-
cember, 1S99 which, with the commit
tees from Congress and the District OF
Columbia, are charged with the proper
conduct of the celebration.
MEMORIAL BRIDGE ACROSS Thu
Is POTOMAC.
| Congress at it's last session approprl-
ated $1,000 ito enable the chief en-
gineers of the army to continue the
examinations of the subject, ana To
make or secure designs, calculations
and estimates for a memorial prlosr
from the most convenient point OF tne
naval observatory ground, or adjacent
thereto, across the Potomac River 10
the most convenient point of Arlington
estate property
In accordance with the provisions OIL
this Act the chief engineer has selected
four eminent bridge contractors to sub
NIT plans for bridge combining the
such architectural embellishments ana
ornamentations as will fifty apply to The
dedication, "a memorial to American
patriotism" The designs are now pc
ing prepared, and as soon as completed
will be submitted to the Congress py
| the Secretary of War The proposed
bridge would be convenience to ali
the people from every part of the coun-
try who visit the national cemetery,
and an ornament to the capital of the
nation, and will forever stand as mon
ument to American patriotism. l do
not doubt that Congress will give to the
enterprise still further proof of its favor
and approval.
THE CLASSIFIED SERVICE.
| The executive order of May ., $780,
| extending the limits IF the CLASSIFIED
service, brought within the operation OF
the civil service law and rules nearly
all of the executive civil service not
previously classified. Some e the in
illusions We're found wholly Illogical and
unsuited to the work of the several de-
partments. The application OF the
rules to many of the places so included
was found to result in friction and en-
barrassment. After long and very thor
ough consideration, it became evident
to the heads of departments respon-
| sible for their efficiency that in order
to remove these difficulties and pro-
mote an efficient and harmonious adj
necessary These amendments were
promulgated by me in executive order
dated May "a, 1899.
III 80 <I,o nr6a ar
was to except from competitive exam
inatIon certain places involving ildu-
ciary responsibilities, or duties of a
strictly confidential, scientific or exec
utive character, which it was thought
might better be fitted either by non
competitive examination or in the dis
erection of the appointing officer than by
open competition. These places were
comparatively few in number. The or
der provided for the filing of a much
| larger number of places, mainly N the
outside service of the War Department,
/ by what is known as the registration
system under regulations to be ap-
proved by the President, similar to
those which have produced such ad-
mirable results in the navy yard SER
vice.
| All of the amendments had for their
main object a more efficient and salts
factory administration of the system of
appointments, established by civil SER
vice law. The results attained show
that under their operation the public
service has improved, and that the civil
service system is relieved of many OBJ
| jectionable features which heretofore
subjected it to just criticism, and the
administrative officers to the charge of
unbusinesslike methods in the conduct
| of public affairs. 1t is believed that
! the merit system has been greatly
strengthened, and it's permanence as
sured. 1t will be my constant aim in
the administration of government in
our new possessions to make fitness,
character and merit essential to ap-
| pointment to office and to give to the
capable and deserving inhabitants pref
erence in appointments.
ANNIVERSARY OF THE DEATH OF
WASHINGTON.
| The 14th of December will be the one
| hundredth anniversary of the death of
| Washington. For a hundred years the
republic has had the priceless advan-
tage of the lofty standard of character
and conduct which he bequeathed to
the American people. 1t is an inheri-
lance which time, instead of wasting,
continually increases. We may justly
| hope that in the years to come the be-
nignant influence of the Father of His
| Country may be even more potent for
good than in the century which is draw
! ing to q close. I have been Slad to
| learn that in many parts of the .coun-
try the people will fittingly observe this
| historic anniversary.
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE
CONGRESS.
| Presented to this Congress are great
opportunities. With them come great
responsibilities. The power confided to
us increases the weight of our obliga-
lions to the people, and we must be pro.
foundry sensitive of them as we con-
template the new and grave problems
which confront u.s. Aiming only at the
/ public good, we cannot err. A right
Interpretation of the peoples will and
| of duty cannot fail to insure wise meas
ures for the welfare of the islands
| which have come under the authority