The Portland daily press., 1877-12-04
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM, IN ADVANCE

free from mere caprice or favor in the selection,
aud 10 those offices Ia which special training is
OF greatly Increased value believe such rule
as to the tenure of Cfice should obtain as may
induce men of proper qualifications to apply
themselves industriousy to the task of bacom-
log prohclents. Bearing these things in mind,
L have endeavored to reduce the number of
changes in subordinate places usually made upon
the change OF the general administration, aud
snail most heartily Cooperate with Congress in
the better systematizDg of such methods aud
rules OF admission to the public service and of
promotions within it as my premise to be most
successful in making thorough competency,
efficiency and character the decisive test in
these matters will allow.
ask the renewed attention of Congress to
what has already been done by the civil service
commission, appointed in pursuance of an act
of Congress, by my predecessor to prepare and
revise civil service rules. In regard to the de-
partmental service, especially at WASHINGTON.
it may be difficult to organize better system
than that which has thus been provided and it
is now being used to considerable extent
under my direction. The commission has still
legal existence, although for several years no
appropriation has been made for defraying its
EXPENSES. Believing that this commission has
rendered valuable service and will be most
useful agency in improving the administration
of the civil service, L respectfully recommend
that suitable appropriation, to be- Immediately
available, be made to enable it to continue it's
laborS. 1t is my purpose to transmit to Con-
gTess as early as practicable the report by the
chairman of the commission and to ask your
attention to such measures on this subject as
IN my opinion will further promote the i'm
provement of the civil service.
Relations with Foreign Powers.
During the past year the United States have
continued to maintain peaceful relations with
foreign powers. The outbreak of war between
Russia and Turkey, though at one time attend
q Of nnnO
other European nations, has had no tendency
to disturb the amicable relations existing be-
tween the United States and each of the two
contending powers. An attitude of Just and
impartial neutrality has been preserved, and |
am gratifed to state that in the midst of their
hostilties both the Russian and the Turkish
governments have shown an earnest desire to
adhere TO the obligations of all treaties with
the United States and to give due regard to the
rights of American citizens
BY the terms of treaty defining the rights,
immanities and privileges OF consuls between
Italy and the United States, ratified 10 1868,
either government may, after the lapse of ten
years, terminate the existence of the treaty by
giving twelve months notice Of its Intention.
The government of Italy, avail ing itself of this
faculty, has now given the required notice, ana
the treaty will accordingly end on the 18th of
September, 1873. 1t is understood, however,
that the Italian government wishes to renew it
in its general scope, desiring only certain mOdi-
fcations in some of its articles. In this dispo-
sition l concur, and shall hope that 10 serious
obstacles may intervene to prevent or delay the
negot alton OF a satisfactory treaty.
Numerous questions ln regard to passports,
turalzation and exemption from military
services have continued to arse in cases of emi-
grants from Germany who have returned to
their native country. The provisions of the
treaty of Feb. %, 1868, however, have proved
to be so ample and 50 jndiciOus that the lega-
ton of the United States at Berlin have been
able to adjust all claims arising under it, not
only without detrinent to the amicabe rela-
tiOns existing between the two governments,
but it is be iieyed without injury or injustice to
duly naturaiized American citizens. It is de-
sirabls that the treaty originally made with the
North German Union in 1867 should now be
extended 20 as to apply equally to all the states
of the empire of Germany.
The invitation of the government of France to
participate 10 the exposition of the products of
agriculture, industry and ths fine arts to be
held 10 Paris during the coming year was sub
mtted for your consideration at the extra ses
sion. 1t is not doubled that its acceptance by
the United States and a well selected exhibition
of the products of American industry on that
occasion will tend to stimulate international
and emigration as well as to pro-
mote toe traditional friendship between the
two countries.
A question arose some time since as to the
proper meaning of the extraditlOn treaty of
1912 between the United States and Great
Britain. Both governments, however, are now
IN accord in the belief that the question is
not one that should be allowed to frustrate the
ends of justice or to disturb the friendship be-
tween the two nations. No serious difficulty
has arisen in accom- plisbing the extraditlon of
criminals when necessary. II is probable that
all points disagreement will in due time be set
tied, and of needs be by more explicit declara-
tons in a new treaty.
The Fishery Commission under articles XVIII
RI X of hn I'm unf Noahi ncffn ho5n
cluded its session at Halifax. The result of the
arbitration of the com omission as made public
by the commissioners win be communicated TO
Congress. -
A treaty for the protection of trade marks
has been negotiated with Great Britain, which
has been submitted to the Senate for its consd-
eTation.
The revolution which recently occurred IN
Mexico has been followed by the accession of
the successful party to power and the installa-
ton of its chief general Por6rio Diaz, in the
presidential Office. 1t has beel the custom OF
the United States when such changes of gov
ernment have heretofore occurred in Mexico to
recognize and enter into Official relations with
the de Jdcto government as soOn as it should APP
pear to have the approval of the Mexican peo-
pie, and should manifest disposition to adhere
to the obligations of treaties and international
friendship. La the present case such official
recognition has been deferred by the occur
rences on the Rio Grande border, the records Of
which have already been communicated to each
house of Congress in answer to their respective
resolutions of inquiry. Assurances have been
received that the authorities at the seat of the
Mexican government have both the disposition
aud the power to prevent and punish such un-
lawfol invasions and depredations, and it is ear
nestly TO be hoped that events may prove these
assurances not to be unfounded. The beet in
terests of both counr,es require the msinte
n ance of peace upon the border, and the devel
opment OF commerce between the Republics.
1t is gratifying 10 add that this temporary in
terruptiOn of official relations has not prevent
ed due attention by the representatives of the
United States in Mexico to the protection of
American citizens, as far as practicable, nor
has it inteIfered with the prompt payment of
amounts due from Mexico to the Unlted States
under the treaty of July A, 1868, and the award
of tue joint commission.
While L do not anticipate an interruption
of friendly relations with Mexico, yet | cannot
but look with some solcitude upon continu-
ance of the border disorders as exposing the
two countries to outbursts of popular feeling
and mlschances of acton which are naturally
unfavorable TO complete amty. Firmly deter
mined that nothing shall be wanting on my
part to promote good understanding between
tne two nations, L yet must ask the attention
of Congress to the actual occurrences on the
border that the lives and property of our Cit
zens may be adequately protected and peace
preserved.
Another year has passed without bringing
to a close the protracted contest between the
Spanish Government and the insurrectiOn iD
the Island Of Cuba. While the United States
have sedulously abstained from any interven-
ton 10 this contest it is impossible not to feel
it Is attended BY incidents affecting the rights
of American citizens. Apart from the effect
OF the hostllities upon trade between the plted
States and Cuba their progress siS inevitably
accompanied by complaints, having more Or
less foundation, of searches, arrests, embar-
American resi1ents and of unprovoked inter-
ference with American vessels and commerce.
1t is due to the Government of Spain to say
that during the past year it has promptly disa-
vowed and offered reparation for any unauthor-
lzed acts of unduly Jealous suoordinates, when
ever such acts have been brought to its atten-
tion. Sach occurrences cannot but teud to ex
cite feelings of annoyance suspicion, and re-
s+ntment, which are greatly to be deprecated
between he respective subjects and citizens OF
two friendly powers.
Much delay consequent unOn accusations OF
fraud 10 some of the awards, has occurred iD
respect to the distribution of the limited
amounts received from Venezuela, under the
treaty OF April %, 1866, applicable to the
awards of theijont commission created by that
treaty. So long as these matters are pending
sn Congress the executive cannot assume either
to pass upon questions presented or distribute
the funds received. 1t is emlnently desirable
that definite legislative action should be taken
either approving the awards to be final, or pro-
viding some mode tor re-examinatiOn of the
claims.
Our relations with the republics OF Central
and South America. and with the empire of