Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-05

~ OuSsN 1OllA4 l4lS0 AAC VNiANA IL 49, SA
vantage that the country would ind IN OBJ
serving strictly the plan Of the constitution,
which imposes on the executive the sole
duty and responsibility OF the selection OF
those federal otheers who by law are appoint
ed, no, elected, and which in like manner
assigns to the senate complete right TO adj
wise and consent TO or TO reject the nomlna-
tions so made, whilst the house of repre-
ssntatives sands as a public censor OF the
performance OF official duties with the pre-
rogatiye of investigation. The blemlshes
and imperfections in the civil service may,
as | think, oe traced in most cases TO a prac-
teal confusion OF the duties assigned to the
several departments OF the government.
My purpose IN this respect has been to re-
turn 10 the system established by the
fundamental law, and to do this with the
heartiest cooperation and most cordial IN
Outstanding with the senate and house OF
representatives. The political difficulties IN
the selection OF the numerous officers tor
posts of widely varied responsibility and
duties are acknowledged TO be very great.
No system can be e1pec.ed to secure ao-
soiute freedom from mistakes, and the begin
ming of any attempted change OF custom
Is quit e likely to be more embarrassed IN
Ibis respect than IN any subsequent
period. 1t is here that the c%onstitu-
lion seems to most prove
the gre t wisdom accorded to ii. 1t gives
the executive assistance of the knowledge
and experience of the senate, which, when
acting upon the nominations as to which
they may be disinterested and important
JUDGES seems as strong a guarantee OF free
dom of errors of importance, az is, perhaps,
possible in human affairs. In add ion to
this, l recognize the public a vantage OF
making all nominations as nearly as possible
impersonal, in the sense of being tree
from mere caprice or favor.
In this direction. In those offices
in which special training is OF greatly IN
creased value, l believe such a rule as to
tenure of office should obtain az may be an
inducement to the proper qualification aud
to cause officials 10 apply themselves III
! dustriously to the task OF becoming proficient,
Bearing these things Ill min / have en-
dea vored to reduce the number OF changes
in subordinate places usually made on the
change of the general administrators and
shall most heartily cooperate with congress
in a better system OF such methods
and rules of admission to the
public service and Of the promotion
N,lhm it AS may promise 10 be The most
I sltCtSHlbl III uitkiLG tiiJIRu-b ~ pStSb1y >
f"ticieucy and character, the decisive tests
IN these matters. | ask renewed attention
uf congress to What has already been done
oy the CIVIL service commission, appointed
n pursuance OF an act OF congress, 10y my
predecessor, 10 prepare and revise the civil
clv ice luies. In regard TO much oil
he experimental service, especially al
Washington, il may be q ticult TO organic
Il better ~ STEM n that Inch has thus beer
provided, aud is beng USED TO q consider
bale extent. Uuder my direction the COM
mission has sttil IA legal existence, although
tor several Yeas n} appropriation has been
made for delray M It's expenses Believing
hat this commission has rendered valuable
service and vii be a most unusual agency
IN improving the administration OF the
civil service | respectfully recommend :
suitable appropriation 10 be Immediately
made 10 enable il &c caatieee It's services
[. 1t is my purpose to transmit to
: congress, as early as practicable +
report by the chairman OF the commission
4 and to ask your attention to such measures
0 upon this subject, as 10 my opinion vii
further promote the improvement OF III
t civil service
e During The past year the United State
/ have continued to maintain peaceful rela
: tons with foreign powers The outbleai
of the war beween Russia and Turkey
though at one time attended by grave ap
prehensions as to its effect on other Euro
y pean nations, has had no tendency to dis
~ turb the amicsble relations existing be
. tween the United States and the ruler
of the two c%ontepding power:
: An attitude of Just and impartial neutralit,
- has been preserved and / am gratiied t
Il state that in the midst Of their h%ostilitie
both the Russian and Turkish government
have shown an earnest desire to adhere
). the Obligations of all treaties with tn
United States, and give due regard to til
rights of American citizens.
/, BY the terms OF lne treaty defining tn
w rights and privileges of consuls between ltat
y and the United States, ratified in 1868, eltht
% government may after the lapse ften year
= termina e the existence of the treaty by gil
. ing twelve months notice of its intention
The government of Italy availing itself
- this faculty has now given the require
notice and the treaty will acco dinghy Ell
upon the 18th of September, 1878. 1t
~ understood, however, that the Italian go
~ eminent wishes to renew 1t IN Its gener
scope, desiring only certain notifications
- some of its articles. In this dl position
:, concur and shall hope that no seriol
l. obstacles may intervene 10 prevent OF uels
~ the degotiatlon of a satisfactory treaty.
N Numerous questions in regard to pas
ports, naturalization and exemption fro
military service have continued to arise
er cases Of emigrants from Germany who ha'
n returned 10 their native country. The pre-
of visions of the treaty of February %, lSt
al however, have provided to be SO ample al
4 SO iudicious that the legation of the Unit
Id States al Berlin has been able to dust
" claims arising under it, not only witho
e. detriment to the amicable relations existil
between the two governments, but it is t
1T. lieved without injury or injustice to du
is uaturslized American citizens. 1t is DIES
tie aole that the treaty originally made wi
he the north German union in 1867 should nj
le, be extended SO as to apply equally to all t
ty states of the empire of Germany.
on The invitation of the government
France to participate in the exposition
,at the products Of agricultural industry a
fine arts, to be held at Paris during t
of coming year, was submitted for your CO
he sideration at the extra session. 1t is
, do1btad that ito acceptance at once by [