ons employed in
the various offices and institutions of the State must increase,
under the most economical management, in equal ratio with the
growth of our population and business.

A radical reform in the civil service of the general government has
been proposed. The plan is to make qualifications, and not
political services and influence, the chief test in determining
appointments, and to give subordinates in the civil service the
same permanency of place which is enjoyed by officers of the army
and navy. The introduction of this reform will be attended with
some difficulties. But in revising our State constitution, if this
object is kept constantly in view, there is little reason to doubt
that it can be successfully accomplished.

Our judicial system is plainly inadequate to the wants of the
people of the State. Extensive alterations of existing provisions
must be made. The suggestions I desire to present in this
connection are as to the manner of selecting judges, their terms of
office, and their salaries. It is fortunately true that the judges
of our courts have heretofore been, for the most part, lawyers of
learning, ability, and integrity. But it must be remembered that
the tremendous events and the wonderful progress of the last few
years are working great changes in the condition of our society.
Hitherto population has been sparse, property not unequally
distributed, and the bad elements which so frequently control large
cities have been almost unknown in our State. But with a dense
population crowding into towns and cities, with vast wealth
accumulating in the hands of a few persons or corporations, it is
to be apprehended that the time is coming when judges elected by
popular vote, for short official terms, and poorly paid, will not
possess the independence required to protect individual rights.
Under the National constitution, judges are nominated by the
executive and confirmed by the Senate, and hold office during good
behavior. It is worthy of consideration whether a return to the
system established by the fathers is not the dictate of the highest
prudence. I believe that a system under which judges are so
appointed, for long terms and with adequate salaries, will afford
to the citizen the amplest possible security that imparti