Year: 1879

the Territories of the United States may
be withheld or withdrawn from those who
violate or oppose the enforcement Of the
law on this subject.


THE ELECTION LAWS.


The elections of the past year. though oc-
cupied only with State Offices, have not
failed 10 elicit in the political discussions
which attended them ali over the country,
new and decisive evidence of the deep in
terest which the great body Of citizens take
in the progress of the country toward a
more general and complete establishment,
at whatever cost, of universal security and
freedom in the elective franchise. While


many topics of political concern demand
great attention from our people, both in
the sphere of National and State authority,


I find no reason to qualify the opinion
expressed in my last annual message, that
no temporary or administrative interests Of
government, however urgent or weighty,


will eyer dIsplace the zeal of our people in
defense of the primary rights Of citizenship,
and that the power Of public opinion will
override all political prejudices, and all
sectional and State attachments, in de-


manding that all over our wide territory
the name aud character OF citizen Of the
United States shall mean one and the same
thing, and carry with them unchallenged
security and respect. | earnestly appeal
to the intelligence and patriotism of all
good citizens of every part Of the country,
however much they may be divided into
opinions on other political subjects, TO unite
in compelling obedience to exisIng laws
aimed at the protection of the right Of suf-
frage. respectfully urge upon Congress
to supply any defects in these laws which
experience has shown and which is within
lis power to remedy. l again invoke the
cooperation Of the executive and legislative
authorities Of the States in this great pur-
pose. l am fully convinced that il the pub
lie mind can be set at rest on this para
mount question of popular rights, no Sc
rious obstacle will thwart or delay the COM
plete pacifieation of the country, or retard
the general diffusion Of prosperity.


CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.


In a former message I invited the atten-
ton of Congress 10 the subject of the re-
formation of the civil service OF the Gov
ernment, and expressed the intention of
transmitting to Congress, as early rs prac-
ticable, report upon this subject by the
chairman of the Civil Service Commission.


In view of the fact that, during a con-
siderable period, the Government Of Great
Britain has been dealing with administra-
tive problems and abuses, in various par
ticulars analogous TO those presented in
tins country, and that in recent years the
measures adopted were understood to have
been effective and in every particular high
ly satisfactory, l thought it desirable to
have fuller information upon the subject,
and accordingly requested the chairman Of
the Civil Service Commission to make q
thorough investigation for this purpose.
The result has been an elaborate and COM
prehensive report.


The report sets forth the partisan spoils
system in Great Britain, and the rise and
fall of the parliamentary patronage, and
of official interference with the freedom Of
elections. 1t shows that after long trials
of varions kinds of examinations, those
which are competitive and open on equal
terms to all, and which are carried on un-
der the superintendent of a single COM
mission, have, with great advantage, been
established as conditions of admission ii
almost every official place in the sub
ordinate administration of that country
and of British India. The completion of
the report, owing to the extent of the labor
involved in its preparation, and the omis-
sion of Congress to make any provision
either for the compensation or the expenses
of the Commission, has been postponed un-
til the present time. 1t is herewith trans
mitted to Congress.


While the reform measures of another
Government are of no authority for US,
they are entitled to influence, to the ex-
tent to which their intrinsic wisdom, and
their adaptation to our institutions and So
cial life may commend them to our con-
siderstion.


The views have heretofore expressed
concerning the defects and abuses in our
civil administration remain unchanged, eX-
cept in so far as enlarged experience has
deepened my sense of the duty both of Of
fcers and of the people themselves to CO.
operate for their removal. The grave evils
and perils of a partisan spoils system of
to Office and Of office tenure,
are now generally recognized. In the res
olutions of the great parties, in the reports
of departments, in the debates and pro-
eeedings of Congress, in the messages of
Executives, the gravity of these evils has
been pointed out and the need of their re-
form has been admitted.


To command the necessary support every
measure of reform must be based on com
mon right and justice, aud must be COM
patible with the healthy existence of grest
parties, which are inevitable and essential
in a free State.


When the people have approved policy
at a National election, confidence on the
part of the officers they have selected, and
of the advisers who, in accordance with our
political institutions, should be consulted,
in rhe policy which it is their duty to carry
into effect, is indispensable. Itis eminent
ly proper that they shonld explain it be-
fore the people as well as illustrate its spir-
it in the performance of their official duties.


Very different considerations apply to
the greater number of those who fill the
places in the civil service.
Their responsibility is to their superiors in
official position. 1t is their duty to obey
the legal instructions Of those upon whom
that authority is devolved, and their best
public service consists in the discharge of
their duties irrespective of partisan politics.
Their duties are the same, whatever party
is in power and whatever policy prevails.
As a consequence, it follows that their ten
ure Of Office should not depend on the prev
alence Of any policy or the supremacy Of
any party, but should be determined by
their capacity to serve the people most use !
fully, quite irrespective of Bipartisan interests.
The same considerations that should gov
ern the tenure should also prevail in the |
discipline and removal of |
these subordinates. The authority Of ap-
pointment and removal is not a perquisite |
which may be used to aid friend or re-
ward partisan, but is a trust to be exer- |
cised in the public interest, under all the |
which attend the obligation to |
apply the public funds only for public pur- |
poses.


Every citizen has an equal right to the |
honor and profit Of entering the public SER !
vice of his country. The only just ground |
Of discrimination is the measure of char |
acter and capacity he has to make that SER
vice most useful to the people. Except in |
cases where, upon just and recognized |
principles, as upon the theory Of pensions, |
offices and promotions are bestowed as re- |
wards for past services, their bestowal upon |
any theory which disregnrds personal mer- |
it is an act of injustice to the citizen, as
well as breach of that trust subject to |
which the appointing power is held.


In the light of these principles it becomes |
Of great Importance to provide just and sd- |
equate means, especially for every depart |
ment, and large administrative office, |
where personal discrimination on the part !
of its head is not practicable, for ascertain !
ing those qualifications to which appoint |
ments and removals should have reference.
To fail to provide such means is not only
to deny the opportunity of ascertsining the
facts upon which the most righteous claim
to Office depends, but, Of necessity, to dis


l.