Year: 1879



 past services, their bestowal upon any theory which disregards personal merit i, an act of injustice to the citizens. as wei as breach of that trust subject tt which the appointing poweris held. * \ A large and responsible part of the du ty of restoring the civil service to the desired purity and efficiency rests upon the President, and it has been my pur. pose to do what is within my power tc advance such prudent and gradual measures of reform as will most surely and rapidly bring about that radical change of system essential to make oul administration methods satisfactory to a free and intelligent people. By a proper exercise of authority it is in the power of the Executive to do much to promote such a reform. But it cannot be too clearly understood that nothing adequate can be accomplished without cooperation on the part of Congress, and considerate and intelligent support among the people. Reforms which challenge the generally accepted theo- ries of parties, and demand change in the methods of departments, are not the work of day. Their permanent founda- tions must be laid in sound principles, and in an experience which demon strates their wisdom and exposes the errors of their adversaries. Every worthy officer desires to make his off, cial action 8 gain and an honor to his country, but the people themselves, far more than their officers in public sta tlon, are interested Tn a pur@ econom- jcal and vigorous administration.

 After reviewing the work done by previous commissions, the President says: I deem it my duty to renew the recommendation contained in my an- nual Message of December, 1877, re- questing Congress to make the neces- sary appropriation for the resumption of the work of the Civil Service Commis sion. Economy will be promoted by authorizing moderate compensation to persons in the public service who may perform extra labor upon or under the commission, as the Executive may di- rect

 I am convinced that if just and def. nlte test of merit is enforced for admis- sion to the public service and in making promotions, such abuses as removal without good cause and partisan and off, 6cial interference with the proper exer- else of the appointing power, will, in large measure, disappear. There are other administrative abuses to which the attention of Congress should be asked in this connection. Mere partisan appointment and the constant peril of without cause very naturally lead to an absorbing and mischlevous political activity on the part of those thus appointed, which not only inter- teres with the due discharge of eficial duty, but is incompatible with the free. dom of elections. Not without warrant. in the view of several of my predeces- sors in the Presidential office, and di- rectly in accordance with the law of 1871, already cited, I endeavored, by made on the 22d of June. 1877, to put some reasonable limits to such abuses.

 PoLYGAMY.

 The continued deliberate violation by B large number of the prominent and influential citizens of the Territory of Utah of the laws of the United States for the prosecution and punishment of polygamy, the President says, demands the attention of every department of the Government. Utah has g population sufficient to entitle it to admission as a State, but this important change will not, however, be approved by the country while the citizens of Utah, in very considerable number, uphold a practice which is condemned as crime by the laws of all civilized communities the world. He recommends hat more comprehensive and more methods for preventing, as we'll as punishing, this crime be pro- 7ided. If necessary to secure obedience 70 the law, the enjoyment and exercise of the rights and privileges of citizen ship in the Territories of the United States may be withheld or withdrawn rom those who violate or oppose the of the law on this subject. md adds: I earnestly appeal to the in. diligence and patriotism of all good of every part of the country, however much they may be divided in opinions on other political subjects. to mite in compelling obedience to exist ng laws almed at the protection of the light of suffrage. I respectfully urge upon Congress to supply any defects in 'hese laws which experience has shown, and which it is within it's power to remedy. sI again invoke the co.opera- ion of the Executive and Legislative of the States in this great purpose. I am fully convinced that if the public mind can be set at rest on this paramount question of popular rights, no serious object will thwart or delay the complete qualification of the or retard the general diffusion of prosperity.

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