The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1877-12-12

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and followed BY earnest and prompt action
on the part of the legislative and executive
departments Of the government. In
pursuance Of the purpose indicated
beforemy 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
Ny experience in the executive
duties has strongly confirmed the belief
in the great advantage the country would
find in observing strictly the plan Of the con-
stitution, which imposes upon the executive
the sole duty and responsibility of the Sc
lection OF those federal az, officers
who by law are appointed, not
elected, and which in like manner
assigns to the senate the complete right to ad-
wise and consent to or reject the nomina-
lions so made, whilst the house Of repre-
sentatives stands as the public censor Of the
performances Of official acts with
the sprerogative Of investigation in
all cases Of dereliction. The blemishes and
imperfections in the civil service may, as I
think, be traced in most cases to practical
COu1 VI VIC uuuC0 dSSiHuCu W tuC SCNs"
eral departments of the government. Ny
purpose in this respect has been to re-
turn to the system established by the
fundamental law and to do this with the hear
test cooperation and most cordial under
standing with the senate and house of repre-
sentatfves. The political difficulties in the
selection Of numerous officers, for posts of
widely varying responsibilities and duties,
are acknowledged to be very great. No sys-
tenn can be expected to secure absolute free
dom from mistakes, and the beginning of
any attempted change of custom is quite
likely to be more embarrassed in this re-
spect than any subsequent period. It is here
that the constitution seems. to best prove
the great wisdom accorded to it. It gives
to the executive the assistance Of the knowl-
edge and experience of the senate, which,
when acting upon nominations as to which
they may be disinterested and impartial
judges, secures as strong 3 guarantee of
freedom Of errors Of Importance as is, per-
haps, possible in human affairs. In addition
to this, recognize the public advantage of
making all nominations as nearly as posi-
BILE impersonal, 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 in
creased value, l believe such rule as to
the tenure Of Office should obtain as may in.
duce men of proper qualifications to apply
themselves industriouslyg to the task
Of becoming proficients. Bearing
these things in mind, have
endeay0red to reduce the number of changes
IN subordinate places usually made upon
the change Of the general administration,
gress in the best systematizing of such
| methods and rules of il admission to
the public service, and of promotion
within it as may promise to be most success
full in making thorough competency, ef-
fciency and character, the decisive tests in
! these matters. ask the renewed attention
of congress to what has already been done
by the civil service commission appointed in
pursuance of act of congress by any pre-
decessor to prepare and revise the civil SER
vice rules. In regard to much of the de-
partmental service especially at Washing
ton. It may be difficult to organize better
system than that which has thus been provid-
ed and it is now being used to considerable
extent under my direction. The commits
sion has still q legal existence, although for
made for defrayifg its expenses Believing
service, and will be most unusual agency
in improving the administration Of the
civil service, I respectfully recommend
that suitable appropriation be inn
mediately made to enable it to con.
tinue service. It is my purpose to
transmit to congress, as early as practicable,
report by the chairman of the commission
and to ask your attention to such measures
upon this subject as in my opinion. will
further promote the improvement Of the
civil service. 1870 - 81 ~
OUR RELATIONS. -. ~
During the past year the United States
have continued to maintain peaceful rela-
tions with foreign powers. The outbreak
between Russia and Turkey, though at one
time attended BY grave apprehe nsions as to
its effect upon other European nations, has
had no tendency to disturb the amicable re-
lations existing between the United States
and each Of the two contending powers.
ity has been preserved and am gratifed to
state that in the midst of their hostilities
both the Russian and the Turkish govern
ments 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. 93gH
By the terms of the treaty defining the
rights immunities and privileges of consuls
between Italy and the United States ratified
in 1868 either government may after the
lapse Of ten years N terminate the
existence of the treaty, by giving twelve
months notice Of the intention. The gov
eminent Of Italy, availing itself Of this
facility, has now given the required notice.
and the treaty viii accordingly end on the
18th Of September, 1873. It is understood,
however, that the Italian government wishes
to renew the treaty in its general scope, de-
string only certain notifications in some of
its articles-in this disposition / concur
and shall hope that no serious
obstacles may intervene to prevent or delay
the negotiation Of satisfactory treaty.
Numerous questions in regard to passports,
naturalization and exemption from military
service have continued to arise in cases Of
emigrants from Germany who have returned
to their native country. The provisions Of
/ the treaty Of February ed, 1868 however,
have proved to be 50 ample and 50 judici0us
that the legation Of the United States at
Berlin has been able TO adjust all claims
arising under 1t, not only without detriment
TO the amicable relations existing between
the two governments, but it is be-.
ieyed without injury or injustice to
duly naturalized American citizens. It is
desirable that the treaty originally made
II. ~