American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1877-12-08

ing from payment either of principal or in
terest in any coinage of less value than the |
present Soid coinage of the country.
CIVIL SERVICE.
The organization of the Civil Service of the
country has for number of wears attracted
more and more of public attention So gen
eral has become the opinion thatEthe methods
of admission to it and the conditions of re-
manning in it are unsound, that both the
great political parties have agreed in most
explicit declarations of the necessity of re-
form, and IN the most emphatic demands for
it. l have fully considered the decla-
rations and demands to be expressions
OF the sincere conviction of the in
telllgent masses of the people upon the sub
lect, and that they should be recognized and
followed by earnest and prompt action on
the part of the legislative and Executive
departments of the Government in pursu-
ance OF the purpose indicated. Before my
accession to office endeavored to have my
own views distinctly understood, and upon
my inauguration, my accord with the public
opinion was stated in terms believed to be
PLAIN and unambiguous. My experience in
the executive duties has strongly confirmed
my belief. in the great advantage
the country would find in observing strictly
the plan of the Constitution, which imposes
upon the Executive the sole duty and re-
Federal officers who by law are appointed,
not elected, and which, in like manner as
signs to the Senate the complete right to adj
| wise and consent to or reject the nominal
| sentatlYes stands as the public censor of the
| performance of official duties, with the pre-
rogatNe OF investigation and avoiding in all
cases OF derel1ctiOn. The blemishes and i'm
! PROJECTIONS of the Civil Service may, as
think, be traced in most cases to the practi
| cal confusion of the duties assigned to the
! several departments of the Government. My
| purpose in this respect has been to return
to the system established by the fundamen-
tai law, and to do this with the heartiest CO.
operation and most cordial under
House of Representatives. The prac-
teal difficulties in the selection
of numerous officers for posts of widely vary
ing responsibilities and duties are acknOwl-
| edged to be very great. No system can be
| expected to secure absolute freedom from
mistakes, and the beginning of an attempted
| change of custom is quite likely to be more
| embarrassed in this respect than any Subse-
quent period. 1t is here that the Constitu-
ton seems to have the most of its claim
to the great wisdom accorded to it. 1t
| gives to the Executive the assistance of the
! knowledge and experience of the Senate,
which, when acting upon nominations as to
which they may be disiRtereSted and impair
tial judges, secures as strong guaranty OF
freedom from errors of importance as is per-
haps possible in human affairs. In addition
to this L recognize the public advan-
tage of making all nominations, as
nearly as possible, in person,
in the sense OF being free from
mere caprice or favor in these directions and
in those offices in which special training is Of
greatly increased value. l claim that such g
rule as to the tenure of office should obtain
as may induce men of proper qualifications
to apply themselves industriously to the tasl
of becoming proficient. Bearing these
things in mind, L have endeavored to reduce
the number of changes in subordinate place:
usually made upon the changes of genera
administrations, and shall most certainly CO.
operate with Congress in better systematic
ing, by such modes and rules of admission
to the public service and of promotion with
! INF to o fl
: in making thOroughness, competency, eff
cheney and character the decisive tests il
, these matters. L ask the renewed
: attention of Congress to what has al
Commission, appointed in pursuance
of the act of Congress by my predecessor
to prepare and revise Civil Service rules il
regard to much of the service, especially a
r Washington. 1t may be difficult to organ
ize better system than that which has beel
f provided and is now being used to consid
cradle extent under my direction. The com
mission has still a legal existence, although
for several years no appropriation has beel
made for defraying its expenses. Believin!
that this commission has rendered valuabl
agency in improving the administration o
the Civil Service, L respectfully recommend
: that a suitable appropriation be immediate
2 ly made to enable it to continue its services
{ 1t is my purpose to transmit to Congress a
+ early as practicable report by the Chair
: man of the Commission, and to ask your at
I tention to such measures on the subject as
. in my opinion, will further promote i'm
G provement in the Civil Service.
q OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
: During the past year the United State
r have continued to maintain peaceful rela
lions with foreign powers. The outbreak Q
I the war between Russia and Turkey, thong
r at one time attended with grave apprehen
= sion as to its effect upon other Europea
nations, has had no tendency to disturb tn
4 amicable relations existing between tn
i United States and each OF the contendln
r powers.
: An attitude of just and impartial neu
i trality has been preserved, and am gratitie
r to state that in the midst of their hostilitles
1 both the Russian and Turkish Government
Il have shown an earnest desire to adhere
r the obligations of all treaties with the Unite
+ States and give due regard to the rights Q
: American citizens.
Ry terms of the treaty defining the rights
immunities and privileges of COnsuIs be
+ tween Italy and the United States, made i
1868, either Government after the lapse Q
v ten years can terminate the existenc
i of the treaty by giving twelve months
a notice of its intention. The Government G
: Italy, availing itself of this faculty, ha
: now given required notice, and the treat
e will accordingly end on the 18th Of Septembel
n 1878. 1t is understood, however, that tn
+ | Italian Government wishes to renew it in
general scope, desiring only certain mOdifca
p tions in some of its articles. In this dispO
i sitiou concur, and shall hope that no Seri
: Gus obstacles may intervene to prevent o
n delay the negotiation OF a satisfactory treaty
> Numerous questions in regard to passports
! naturalization, and exemption to militar
+ service, have continued to arise in cases G
3 emigrants from Germany who have returne
: to their country. The provisions of tn
a treaty of February %, 1865, however
: have proved to be so ample and S
judicious that the legation of the Unite
: States at Berlin has been able to adjus
= all claims arising under it, not Onl
without detriment to the amicable relation
existing between the two Governments, bu
i it is believed without injury or injustice t
e duly naturalized American citizens. 1t
desirable that the treaty originally mad
with the North German Union, in 1866
h should now be extended so as to appf
equally to all the States of the Empire O
e Germany.
S PARIS EXPOSITION.
The invitation of the Government O
q France to participate in the exposition 0
l the products, agriculture, industry and tn
r fine arts, to be held at Paris during the com
4 ing year, was submitted for your considera
4 ton at the extra session. 1t is not doubte
e that its acceptance by the United States, an
a well selected exhibition of the products o
3 American industry on that occasion, vii
tend to stimulate international commerce
e and immigration, as well as to promote tn
! traditional friendship between the tw
countries.
t TREATIES WITH GREAT BRITAIN.
A question arose, some time since, as t.
q the proper meaning of the eXtradition ar
ticles of the Treaty between the United
e States and Great Britain. Both Govern
I ments, however, are now in accord in tn
2 belief that the question is one that SHOULD
: not be allowed to Illustrate the ends Of jus
l tice, or to disturb the friendship between
2 the two nations. No serious difficulty ha
arisen in accomplishing the eXtradition o
criminals when necessary. 1t is prObabl