The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-04
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Generous Appropriations for the
CommixsiOn Recon- ended.

generous APPROPRIATIONS IOF INC
Commixxion Recommended.
That there may be secured the best SER
vice possible in the Philippine Islands
have issued. under date Of November ~,
1900, the following order:
The United States Civil Service Commission is
directed to render such assistance as may be
practicable to the Civil Service Board created IN
der the act of the United States Philippine Com
mission, for the establishment and maintenance
of an honest and efficient civil service in the
Philippine Islands, and for that purpose to con-
duct examinations for the civil service oil tne
Philippine Islands upon the request OF the civil
Service Board of said islands, under sucn reguia,
tons as may be agreed upon by the said board
and the said United States Civil Service Coinins-
sion.
The Civil Service Commission is greatly
embarrassed in its work for want OF an
adequate permanent force for clerical and
other assistance. Its needs are fully set
forth in its report. I invite attention to
the report, and especially urge upon the
Congress that this important bureau oil
the public service, which passes upon the
qualifications and character of SO large a
number of the officers and employees OF The
Government, should be supported by all
needed appropriations to secure prompt
ness and efficiency.
Hall of Public Records.
am very much impressed with the
statement made by the heads of all the
DEPARTMENTS of the urgent necessity of
hall of public records. In every depart
mental building in Washington, SO far as
| am informed, the space for official rec
ords is not only exhausted, but the
walls of rooms are lined with shelves, the
middle floor space of many rooms is hlled
with file cases. and garrets and base
ments, which were never intended and
are untitled for their accommodation, are
crowded with them. Aside from the in
convenience, there is great danger, not
only from fire, but from the weight OF
these records upon timbers not intended
for their support. There should be sep
arate building especially designed for the
purpose of receiving and preserving the
annually accommodating archives OF the
several executive Departments. Such
hall need not be costly structure. but
should be so arranged as to admit OF en-
largement from time to time. l urgently
recommend that the Congress take early
action in this matter.
I transmit to the Congress a resolution
adopted at a recent meeting of the Amer
lean Bar Association concerning the pro-
| nosed celebration of John Marshall Day.
February 4. 1901 Fitting exercises have
been arranged and 1t Is earnestly desired
by the committee that the Congress may
| ma rticipate in this movement to honor the
memory of the great jurist
The Centennial Celebration.
The transfer of the Government to this
city is a fact of great historical interest.
Among the people there is feeling Of
genuine pride in the Capital of the Re-
public.
II is a matter of interest in this con-
nection that in 1900 the population of the
district of Columbia was 14,09S; today 1t
is 27s.71s. The population Of the city of
Washington was then 3,2l0; today 1t is
21S,le6.
The Congress having provided for AN
apuropriate national celebration OF the
Centennial Anniversary Of the Establish
ment of the seat of Government in the
District of Columbia" the committees
authorized by it have prepared pro-
gramme for the 18th of December, 1900,
which date has been selected as the an
niyersary day. Deep interest has been
shown in the arrangements for the cele-
bration by the members of the committees
of the Senate and House of Representa-
tiyes the committee of Governors ap-
pointed by the President, and the COM
mittees appointed by the citizens and in
habitants of the District OF Columbia gen.
orally. The programme, in addition to a
| reception and other exercises at the Ex-
| ecutive Mansion, provides commemorative
| exercises to be held jointly by the Sem
ate and House OF Representatives in the
Hall of the House of Representatives, and
| a reception in the evening at the Cor
| coran Gallery of Art in honor OF the Gov
errors of the States and Territories.
Economy in Expenditures.
In our great prosperity we must guard
against the danger it invites of extrava-
gance in Government expenditures and ap-
nropriations; and the chosen representa-
tives of the people will. doubt not, fur.
nish an example in their legislation Of
that wise economy which in season Of
plenty husbands for the future. In this
era OF great business activity and oppor-
tunity caution is not untimely. 1t will
not abate, but strengthen, confidence. II
will not retard, but promote, legitimate In
dustrial and commercial expansion. Oul
growing power brings with 1t temptations
and perils requiring constant vigilance tc
avoid. II must not be used to invite con-
nlcts, nor for oppression, but for the more
effective maintenance Of those principles
of equality and justice upon which ouI
institutions and happiness depend. Let US
keep always In mind that the foundation
of our Government is liberty; Its super.
structure peace.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
Executive Mansion. December 3, 1900.