The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1877-12-06

ing, by such modes and rules of admission
to the public service and of promotion within
making thoroughness, competency, eff
cheney and character the decisive tests in
these matters j ask the renewed atten-
ton OF Congress to what has already
Commission, appointed in pursuance
Of the act OF Congress by my predecessor, 70
prepare and revise tue Ciyfi Service rules. tn
regard to much of the service, especially at
Washington it may be difficult to organize
a better system than that which has been
provided and is now being used to a consld-
cradle extect under my direction. The COM
mission has a still legal existence although
for several years no appropriation has been
made for defraying its expenses. Believing
that this commission has rendered valuable
agency in improving the administration OF
the Civil service, respectfully recommend
that a suitable appropriation be immedlinely
made 70 enable IL to continue its services. 1t
Is my purpose 90 transmit to Congress a. ear
" a. practicable report by the Chairman OF
tae Commission, and to ask your attention to
such measures on the. subject as, in my opln-
ion, win further promote Improvement IN the
Civil Service.
OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS. '-t.f
During the past year the United states have
continued to maintain peacefnl relations
with foreign powers. The outbreak OF the |
war between Russia and Turkey, though at
one time attended with grave apprehension |
as 90 its effect upon other European nations, !
has had no tendency to disturb the amlcaDie /
relations existing between the United states /
and each of the contending powers. An att /
tude Of just and impartial neutrality has been /
preserved, and ! am gratitied to state that IN I
the midst of their hostilities, both the Rus
sian and Turkish Governments have shown |
an earnest desire to adhere to the obligations |
of all treaties with the United States and give |
due regard to the rights of American citizens.
BY the terms OF the treaty defining the Z
rights imInunfties and privileges OF Consuls |
! between Italy and the United States, made in
affl hort ,ON
! years can terminate the existence OF the
| treaty by giving twelve months j
/ notice of its intention. The Government of
/ Italy, availing itself of this faculty, has now
| given the required notice, and the treaty VIII
! accordingly end on the 18th of september,
| ISIS IL is understood however, that the
] Italian Government wishes TO renew il in
/ a general scope, desiring only certain modi-
/ fications in some of its articles. In this DIS
position concur, and shall hope that no Sc
rious obstacles may intervene TO prevent or
delay the negotiation of Il satisfactory treaty.
Numerous questions in regard to passports,
/ naturalization, and exemption to military
| service, have continued to arise in cases OF I
| emigantS from Germany who have returned
to their country. The provisions OF the trea,
/ Nv of February p, 1868, however, have proved
to be so ample and so ludicious that the lega-
/ ton of the United states mt
Berlin has been able to adjust
! all claims arising under it, not only
4 without dctriment to the anicable relations
| existing between the two Governments, but
it is believed without injury or injustice TO
! duly naturaliZed American citizens. 1t is de-
sirable that tho treaty originally made with
! the North German Union, in 1867, should now
! be extended so as to apply equally TO ali the
States of the Empire OF Germany.
- THE PARIS EXPOSITION y A
The invitation of the Government of France
| to this country,to participate in the eNposl-
/ tion of products, agriculture, industry and
the fine arts, to be held at Paris during the
Grafton at the extra session. 1t
is not doubted that its acceptance
/ iected exhibition of tue products of Amer
/ lean industry on that occasion, Will tend to
/ stimulate international commerce and immi.
| grafton, as well as to promote the traditional
| friendship between thetwo countries.
u OUR TREATIES WITH ENGLAND. -....
! A question arose, sometime since, to the
/ proper meaning of the eXtradition articles OF
| the Treaty of 1872 between the United states
| and Great Britain. Both Governments, how
/ ever, are now in accord in the belief that the
/ question is one that should not be al
| lowed to Illustrate the ends of justice, or to
/ disturb the friendship between the two ma
/ tions. No serions difficulty has arisen in ac-
/ complishing the eXtradition of criminals
/ when necessary. 1t is probable that the
| points of disagreement will in due time be
! settled, and, if need be, more explicit declara
ton be made in a new treaty.
The Fishery Commission, under articles Is
| to 80 of the Treaty of Washington, has con-
| Guided its session. The result of the delibera
| tions of the Commission made public by
/ the Commissioners will be communicated to
| Congress.
/ treaty for the protection of trademarks
/ has been negotiated with Great Britain, which
/ has been submitted to the Senate for Its con-
| sideration.
4 d.. OUR RELATIONS WITH MENICO.
The revolution which recently occurred in
Mexico was followed by the accession OF the
/ successful party to power and the instali8-
/ ton of its chief, General Porfirio Diaz in the
Presidential office. 1t has been the custom OF
/ the United States, when such changes of gov
ernment have heretofore occurred in Mexico,
! rO racOpniZp and enter into official relations
/ with the de facto Government, as soon as it
should appear to have the approval OF the
/ Mexican people, and shonld manifest a dis
/ position to adhere to the obligations OF
/ treaties and international friendship. In the
present case such official recognition has
been deferred by the occurrences on the Rio
| Grande border the records of which have al
I ready been communicated to each house of
| Congress, in answer to their respective reSo-
/ buttons of inquiry. Assurances have been re
ceiyed that the authorities at the seat
| of the Mexican Government have both
/ the disposition and the power To prevent and
I punish such unlawful inVaSiOnS and deprc-
/ dations. 1t is earnestly to be hoped that
/ events may prove these assurances to be well
/ founded. The best interests of both coun-
I tries require the maintenance Otpeace on the
/ borders and the development of commerce
between the two republics. It's gratifying to
| add that this temporary interruption OF OIL
! cial relations has not prevented due attcn-
/ ton By the representatives of the United
/ States in Mexico to the protection of Ameri-
/ can citizens, as far as practicable, nor has 1t
]
| amounts due from Mexico to the United
/ States, under the treaty of July 4, 1868, and
/ awards of the Joint Commission. While do
/ not anticipate any interruption OF friendly
/ relations with Mexico, vet can
not but look with some solicitude
upon continuance of border
! disorders, as exposing the two countries to
emotions of popular feeling and mischances
! OF action, which are naturally unfavoraDle to
complete amity. While | am 1irHly deter
mined that nothing shall be wanting on my
| part to promote good understanding be-
| tween the two nations, yet must ask the at
tention of Congress to actual occurrences on
| the border, that the lives and property of
! our citizens may be adequately protected
| and peace preserved.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
/ Another year has passed without bringing
| to a close the protracted contest between the
! Spanish Government and the insurrectidn-
/ lists in the island of Cuba While the United
States Government has selulously alb
| stained from intervention in this contrO-
/ verSy, it is impossible not to feel il is at
| tended by incidents affecting American cit
/ liens Apart from the effect of the HOSTILE
| ties upon trade between the United States
and Cuba, their progress is inevitably ac-
companied by. complaints, having more or
| less foundation, searches, arrests,
embargoes and oppressive taxes up.
on property of American residents, and of
| unprovoked interference with American YES
4 sells and commerce. 1t is due to the Gov
! eminent of Spain to say that, during the past
| year, il has promptly disavowed and offered
/ reparation for any unauthorized acts of I'M
| acts have been brought to Its attention. New
| ertheless, such occurrences can not but tend
to excite feelings of annoyance, suspicion
and resentment, whielIa greatly to be dep.
recated, between the respective subjects and
citizens of the two friendly powers.
VENEZUELAN CLAIMS. :. q |
| Much delay, consequent upon the accusa-
| tiOns of fraud in some of the awards has oc-
Cured in respect to the distribution of the
limited amounts received from Ven
ezuela under the treaty of April
! p, 1866, applicable to the awards
! of the Joint Commission created by that
/ treaty. So long as these matters are pending
! in Congress, the Executive can not assume
/ either to pass upon the questions presented
/ or distribute the fund received. 1t is emf 4
nently desirable that definite legislative ac-
| ton should be taken, either deciding the
/ award to be final or providing some method
/ for the e-eXaTGir alton of claims.
SOUTH AMERICAN RELATIONS.
! Our relations with the Republics of Central
and <nuth America and with the Empire of
/ Brazil have continued without serious
( change, further than the temporary inter
ruptiOn of diplomatic intercourse with Nene-
Zuela and with Guatemala. Amicable rela-