New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-03

T. would suggest 70 C0ngEoss tne PEoProcy
Of promoting the establishment IN TINS ans
4 trict of an institution Of learning or uni
versity Of the highest class by the donation
of lands. There is NO place better sited for
such an institution than the national CAPT
tai. There is no other place in which
every citizen is so directly interested.
| CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
In three successive messages to Congress
l have called attention to the subject OF
| civil service reform. Action has been taken
SO far as to authorize the appointment OF a
board to devise rules governing methods OF
making appointments and promotions, but
there never has been any action making
these rules, or any rules, binding. or even
entitled to observance where persons desire
| the appointment OF a friend or the removal
of an official who may be disagreeable to
them. To have any rules effective they
must have the acquiescence of Congress, as
| well as of the executive.
commend, therefore, the subject to your
| attention, and suggest that special COM
mittee Of Congress might confer with tue
civil service board during the present SEES
sion for the purpose of devislng such rules
| cure the services Of honest and capable Off
| Gals. and which will also protect them in a
| degree of independence while in office.
| Prcper rules will protect Congress, as
| we'll az the executive, from much needless
persecution. and will prove Of great value
| to the public at large.
would recommend for your favorable
consideration the passage Of an enabling act
| tor the
ADMITTANCE OF COLORADO
As State in the Union. 1t possesses all
tural and mineral, and belief has pOpu-
lation now to justify such admission.
In connection with this l would also re.
commend encouragement Ofa
CANAL FOR PURPOSES OF IRRIGATION.
From the eastern slope of the Rocky
mountains to the Missouri river. As rule
am opposed to further donation Of public
lands for internal improvements owned and
controlled by private corporations; but in
this instance / would make an excep-
ton. Between the Missouri river and
the Rocky mountains there is an
arid belt of public land from 300 to 500
miles in width perfectly valueless for the
occupation of man for want of sufficient
An irrigating canal could make productive
belt as wide as the supply of water ould
be made to spread. even across this entire
country, and would secure a Gordon of set
Elements connecting the present popu-
latiOn of the mountain and mining regions
with that of the older States. All
the land reclaimed would be clear gain. If
alternate sections be retained by the gov
eminent, would suggest that the retained
under the homestead laws, or be sold to the
settlers for q very low price.
l renew my previous Recommendation to
Congress for
GENERAL AMNESTY.
The number engaged in the late rebellion
vet laboring under disabilities is very small,
but enough to keep a constant irritation.
No possible danger can accrue to the gov
eminent by restoring them to eligibility to
Office. / suggest for your consideration the
enactment Of a law to better secure the
CIVIL RIGHTS,
Which freedom should secure, but has not
effectually secured to the enfranchised
slave. U. s. GRANT.
Protocol of the Conference
Held at the Department of State, at Wash.
ingtOn, on the twenty ninth of November,
1873, between Hamilton Fish, Secretary of
State, and Rear Admiral Don Jose Polo de
Bernabe envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentiary of Spain.
The undersigned having met for the pur-
pose of entering definitive agreement res
pecting the case of the steamer Virginius
which, while Under the flag of the United
States, was, on the thirty first day of Octo-
Der last, captured on the high seas by the |
Spanish man-of-war Tornado, have reached
the following conclusions.
Spain on her part STIMULATES to restore |
forthwith the vessel referred to. and the |
survivors OF her passengers and crew, and |
on the twenty fifth day of December next |
to salute the flag of the United States If, |
however, before that date, Spain should |
prove to the satisfaction of the government |
Of the United States that the Virginius was
not entitled to carry the flag of the United
States and was carrying it at the time of
ler capture without right and improperly,
With, as in such case not being necessarily
equitable; but the United States will ex-
,ect, in such case, disclaimer of intent of
ndignity to the flag in the act which was
ommitted.
Furthermore, if on or before the twenty
fifth of December, 1873, it shalk be made to
ppear to the satisfaction of the United
tates that the Virginius did not rightfully
airy the American flag, and was not emit
led to American papers, the United States
I'LL institute inquiry and adopt legal pro-
nat she has violated any law of the United |
tates, and against any of the persons who
lay appear to have been guilty of illegal
cts In connection Herewith, it being under.
God that Spain will proceed, according to
le second proposition made to General $
ckles and communicated in his telegram
'ad to Admiral Polo on the twenty-sev-
18th ultims, to investigate the conduct of
lose of her authorities who have infringed b
panish laws or treaty obligations, and 8
i'll arraign them before competent 9
'urts and infict punishment on +
lose who may have offended. Other
ciprocal reclamations to be the subject of q
and arrangement between the :
70 governments; and, in case of no agree a
ent, to be the subject of arbitration, if the s
assent of the Senate Of the y
nited States be given thereto. p
1t is further stipulated that the time, Il
amer and place for the surrender of the a
rginius and the survivors of those who 4,
ere on board of her at the time of her cap !,
re; and also the time, manner and place
r the salute to the flag of the United '
ates, if there should be occasion for such :.
lutte, shall be subject to arrangement r
tween the undersigned within the next fl
o days. L.
HAMILTON FISH. u
JOSE POLO DE BERNABE.