Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1904-09-17

criticism OF the only possible action
which conld have secured the building
~ the cared: as we'll as the peace and
ouiet which We were. by treaty, ocrno
TO preserve along the line OF uahsle
across the isthmus. The service rch
dcred this country In securing tne pel
uetual right 20 construct. MAINTAIN
onerate and defend the canal was SO
great that our opponents DO not ven
ture to raise the issue IN StraiSntlc-
ward fashion: for II so raised there
would be no issue. The benehcent re-
suit was the exercise by the President
OF the powers vested in him. and in him
alone by the constitution: the power 70 |
recognize foreign governments by en-
tering into diplomatic relations with |
them. and the power to make treaties /
which. when ratified by the Senate. be-
comes under the constitution part OF
the supreme law Of the land. Neither
in this nor in any other matter has
there been the slightest failure 10 live
m 20 the constitution in letter and In
spirit But the constitution must be
observed positively as well as negative
! In. The Presidents duty is 10 serve the
country in accordance with the consu-
tuition: and I should be derelict an my
duty ~ I used a false construction OF
the constitution as a shield for weak
!
| governmental impotence.
Many other objections Of Democrats
20 the Republican policies are cited and
answered in the same strain.
The President touches upon the
question OF capital and labor, claiming
that his administration has done every
thing possible 70 assume harmony be
tween these forces. On the subject OF
Civil Service he says in part
our opponents have now declared
themselves ia favor Of the civil service
law. the repeal OF which they demand
g din 1900 and in 1896. IL consistent,
they should have gone one step further
and congratulated the country upon
the way in which the civil service law
is now administered. and the way IN
which the classified service has been
extended. The exceptions from eNami-
nations are fewer by far than ever be-
3 | fore. and are confined TO individual
cases. where the application OF the rules
| would be impractiCable. unwise or IN
% necessary. The administration OF th'
great body OF the classified civil service
r. is free from politics. and appointments
= and removals have been put upon
business basis. Statistics show tina
there is little difference between IN
10 tenure OF the Federal classined EN-
n ployes and that OF the employees or pr
Il vate business corporal tons. Less thai
rer cent. OF the classified employees ar
% over 20 years OF age. and 10 the mai
IS the service rendered IL vigorous an
e efficient. Where the merit system wa
y OF course most needed was in the Pm
/, ipnine Islands: and a civil service Ia
OF very advanced type has there bee
u nut into operation and scrupulously OF
Il served. without one exception ever
N appointment in the Philippines ma
- | been made in accordance Win IN
strictest standard OF fitness. and Wlti
out heed 20 any other CONSIDERATION
IN The Tarin and Reciprocity are bot
81 touched upon at considerable length
H. the usual forcetul style OF MT lNooS'
10 Welt
!. The Philippines come in Tor
." lengthy discussion. claiming that u
administration policy IS the core
ly ore.
IL Governmental expenses are al
os -ussed and the claim made that u
rresent expenses are economical. and
GOOD balance has been kept in Z
~ treasury.
ny The letter closes with the followin
Ire our appeal is made TO all good CT
IRE zens who hold the honor and the lnt'
IRE est OF the nation close 20 their near
tor The great issues which are az stal
49,. and upon which l have touched, a
-.' more than which / have touched,
'h- thev involve much that comes home
300 tho individual well-being OF our Peep
lite Under conditions as they actually "a
slv good Americans should refuse,
ing 10 change the national policy We. "
ere arc responsible for the administratl
he and legislation under which this coz
ms try. during the last seven years,
no grown so greatly in well-being at no
nd- and IN honorable repute among the
the tons OF the earth abroad. DO
So stand inertly upon this record, 90
.he use this record as an excuse for fail
In OF effort 10 meet new conditions On
afa- contrary. we treat the record OF W
asr We have done in the past as incitem
ing TO do even better in the future. We
Heve that the progress that We h
ded | made may be taken as measure OF
Vas urogress we shall continue 10 max
aOO the people again entrust the COVE
- rrenf OF the nation TO our hands. We
ook | rot stand still. We press steadily
the ward toward the goal OF moral and
re- terial well-being OF our own people
ter lust and fearless dealing toward
suc- other peoples in the interest not m
cur- II OF this country, but OF mank
with There is not policy. foreign or don
,aIt- TIC. which we are now carrying
IsaIv which IL would not be disastrous
en- reverse OF abandon. II our oppon
ards should come in and should not rev
nsts our policies. then they would be br'
18th ed with the brand of broken faith
our false promise. OF insincerity in v
unon and deed; and no man can Work 10
lofty advantage of the nation with sue
rern- brand clinging 20 him II. on the