Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-12-12

nominations as to which they NAV ha
dlsinterested and impartial Judges, So.
cure as strong guarantee Of freedom
OF errors OF importance as is perhans
possible in human affairs. In addition
to this, | recognize the public advantage
OF making all nominations as nearly as
possible impersonal, in the sense of h.
ing free from mere caprice, or favor in
these directions, and in these offices
which special training has greatly in
creased in value. ! believe such a rule
as to the tenure Of office, should obtain
as may induce men of proper quali6ca,
tons, to apply themselves industriouslv
to the task of becoming proficient
Bearing those things in mind. | have
endeavored to reduce the number of
changes in subordinate places, usually
made upon the change of the genera
administration, and shall most heartily
cooperate with congress in the best
systematizing of such methods and
rules of admission to tho
public service, and of promotion
within it, as may promise to be most
successful, in making thorough COM
potency, efficiency and character the
decisive tests in these matters. | ask tho
renewed attention of congress to what
has already been done by the civil Ser.
vice commission, appointed IN pursu-
ance Of the act of congress by my pre-
decessor, to prepare and revise the civil
service rules. In regard to much of
the department service, especially at
Washington, it may be difficult to Or
game better system than that
which has there been provided; and is
now being used to a considerable en-
tent under my direction. The com
mission has still legal existence, al
though for several years no appropria-
ton has been made for defraying its ey-
penses. Believing that this commission
has rendered valuable service. and will
be most unusual agency in in. proving
the administration Of civil service,
respectfully recommend that suitable
appropriation be Immediately made 10
enable it to continue its service. It is
my purpose to transmit to congress. as
early as practicable, the report by the
chairman of the commission, and to
ask your attention to such features
upon this subject as, in my opinion,
VIII lNii lil'l ploillott VIC III pIONt1llent
of the civil service.
FOREIGN POWERS.
During the past year the United
States have continued to maintain
peaceful relations with foreign powers.
RUSSIA AND TURKEY.
The outbreak Of war between Russia
and Turkey, though at one time attend
ed by grave apprehensions rs to its ef-
feet upon other European nations, has
had no tendency to disturb the
amicable relations existing be
tween the United States and
each Of the contending powers.
An attitude of just an impartial neu-
trality has been preserved, and l am
grateful to state that in the midst of
their hostilities, both the Russian and
the Turkish governments have shown
an earnest desire to adhere to the obi
cations Of all treaties with the United
States, and give due regard to the rights
of American citizenship.
ITALY.
BY the terms Of the treaty defining
the rights, immunites and privileges of
consuls, between Italy and the United
States, ratified in 1868, either govern
ment may, after the lapse of ten years,
terminate the existence of the treaty by
giving twelve months notice of the in
tention. The government of ltaly
availing itself Of this facility, has now
given the required notice, and the treaty
will accordingly end on the 10th of Sep
TENDER, 1873. 1t is understood how
ever, that the Italian government
desiring only certain notifications in
some of its articles. In this disposition
| concur, and shall hope that no serious
obstacles may interfere to prevent or
delay the negotiation Of a satisfactory
treaty.
GERMANY.
Numerous questions in regard 10
passports, naturalization, and exemp-
ton from military service have con
tinued to arise, in case of emigrants
from Germany, who have returned to
their native country. The provisions
of the treaty of February 22d, 1865,
however, have proved to be so ample
and so judicious that the legation OF the
United States at Berlin has been able to
adjust all claims arising under 1t, MOI
only without detriment to the amlcabe
relations existing between the two
governments, but, it is believed
without injury or injustice
to duly naturalized citizens. 1t Is de-
sireable that the treaty Originally mace
with the North German Union III loio'
should be extended 50 as to apply
equality to all the states of the empire
of Germany.
FRANCE.