and pursues his vocation as if it was dishonorable. Senators and Representatives no longer organize themselves into assessing committees, for the purpose of making requests for money for political purposes, requests to which potency was formely given by the implied threat that non-compliance would result in dismissal, and which were therefore, in effect, imperative demands for money upon the employes of the government, who were thus compelled by fear of loss of employment to "stand and deliver."

This report has properly dwelt, in the main, upon the pecuniary losses to the service, under the spoils system. Even cabinet officers did not hesitate to use government employes to manipulate local-even National Conventions. In Congressional nominations and elections the appointees of members often left Washington to control local elections, to the neglect of their public duties and the disparagement of the service. No one can fail to see that in thus prostituting the official service of the government a serious blow was being struck at our frec institutions. Hence this revolt from Republican methods, which resulted in the nomination of Greeley, and the succession of the Independents in 1884, which secured the election of Mr. Cleveland, and will doubtless produce a like result in 1888.

In conclusion, it should always be remembered that it has been the aim and purpose of the present administration to run this government on business principles and not merely as a political machine. The appointments under the classified service have a uniform entrance and are no longer the small change of office

brokering politicians. Ideas and not spoils; services and not favoritism; merit and not subserviency, are the rules which now control this service.

The reform has come to stay, and while it may be for a time neglected, it will, like truth, on its merits, rise again. A Democratic President has manifested its practical advantages, and an intelligent public sentiment will uphold its enforcement.

THE NEW YORK

LINIARY

Larax and 1 de.

CHAPTER VII.

THE PUBLIC LANDS.

Hon. WILLIAM S. HOLMAN

Chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, National

House of Representatives.

"THE title to our national possessions comes, first, "THE by discovery by the Cabots; second, by discoveries and colonization under grants and charters from England, Holland, France, Sweden, and Spain, and treaties and conventions thereafter; third, by Revolution in 1776, and confirmation through and by the definitive treaty of peace at Paris, with Great. Britain, September 3, 1783, whereby the Crown of Great Britain

recognized the Independence of the United States; fourth, by purchase from France of the province of Louisana, April 30, 1803; fifth, by purchase from Spain of the East and West Floridas, February 22, 1819; sixth, by annexation of the Republic of Texas, December 29, 1845; seventh, by treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, February 2, 1848; eighth, by purchase from the Republic of Mexico (the Gadsden purchase) of the Mesilla Valley, December 30, 1853; ninth, by purchase from the Empire of Russia of Alaska; March 30, 1867."