Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-04

the proposed csinage, aud embsrrass with new ell.
ements of confusion and uncertainty the business
of the country that urge upon your attention
| these considerations.
| | respectfully recommend TO Congress that in
any Legislation providing for silver coinage, and
| mpartiog to II the quality of legal teuder. there
be impressed on the measure firm provision ex-
emptug the public debt heretofore issued an
now outstanding from payment either of principal
or interest IN any coinage of less value than the
present gold coinage of the country
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The organization of the civil service Of the
country has for a number of years attracted more
and more Of public attention. SO general has
become the opinion that the methods OF admission
to it aud the condition of remaining IN It are un-
ties have agreed IN the most eN-
| pcit declarations of the necessity Of re-
| form, and IN the most emphatic demands for H.
| | have fully believed these declarations and de
mands to he the expression OF Il sincere cOnSlc-
ton of the intelligent masses of the people upon
the subject, ard that they should he recognize
and 10 lowed by earnest and prompt action ON the
part of the legislative and executive department Is
Of the government In pursuance of the purpose
md Gated before my accession to office endeayOr-
ed 10 have my own views distinctly understood and
upon my Inauguration my accord with the public
opinion stated IN terms believed 10 he II Ia
aud uuamhiguous. My experience IN the eNecu-
tive duties has strongly confirmed the belief III the
/
| ing st,ctiy the plan ia the constitution, winch
imposes upon the executive the sole duty aud re-
| spun,lhllllN of the selection OF those Uhcers
Who by law are appointed, not elected, and
which in like manner assigns TO the senate
/ the c. mp,eie night to advise aud consent to
4 o. II ivct the nominations so made, whilst the
House ct Representatives stand. a the publlc
Ccu>or of the Performance Of Official dates
/ " The yrViogstSe Of investigation and plOstcu-
I uOu al cases of derenctlon.
foo. fiN
wise, may. As think, be traced IN most to a
prActica confusion Of the duties assigned to the
/ several departments of the government My pur-
Pose this respect has been to return to the sys
TEN established by the fundamental law, aud TO
do thu, with the heaftlest cooperation aud most
cordIa deistandtng with the Senate aud House
OF r. pIc-eDtAtives. The practical difficulties IN
the selection Cf numerous officers for posts of
widely vary ng responsibilities and duties are &C
! knOwed-e ed TO be very great
No stem can be expected 10 secure absolute
freedom from mistakes, aud the beginning OF any
attempted change OF custom i quite Likely to be
more embarrassed IN tLls respect than any suo-e-
queut period. 1t Is here that the Constitution
seems 10 TO prove It's clam 10 the great Wis
dom accorded to It. 1t gives to the executive tue
,sisaIce oi the know ledge aud experience OF the
senate, which when acting upon DOmiuatoBs IS
10 winch they maS DC dIsIutetested AID impartial
judges, seeuis as strong guaranty OF freedom OF
ertUrs OF Importance Is perhaps possible ~ hu-
mao sif ans. In addI ion 10 thIs, recognize the
publ advantage of making AL nominations "a
Beary possible lmpe sonal Ia the sense OF being
tree from mere caprice OF favor IN tue selection,
aud III those tfhces III which special framing OF
greatly increased value, believe sucn a rule
to the tenure OF Office should OBTAIN may induce
men of proper qualifications to Apply themselves
Iuuu,tIlously 10 the task of becoming p!.hcients
Bearing tuese things 10 mind, have eldesvOI-
ed 10 Ieduce tue number OF changes III subOTdI
nate places usually made upon the change oil tue
| u, ne "a mir II fAtI
cooperate with COnLiess IN the better syateuA-
tlZlhg oi such methods aud rules oil adLIss Ion 10
the public service aud oil promotion within 1t, as
may promise to be most successful IN making
thorough competency, efficiency, and character,
the decisive tests III these matters. asa the re-
newed attention of Congress 20 what has alIeady
been done by the cNIl service commission ap
pointed IN pursuance of act OF Congress, by my
predecessor, to prepare aud revise civil service
rules IN /, gard to much OF the departmental ser
wee, espec Ially at ash ington. 1t may be u fiji
cult 10 organize better system than that which
has tnus been PROVIDED, aud 1t Is ow being used
to a CONSIDER able extent under my directions The
commission has still legal existence, although
for several years no appropriation has been made
| for deiraylDg Its EXPENSES. Believing that this
| com mission mas renOered. valuable service, aud
will be most useful agency in improving the ad-
mluistratiou of the ciN'l servi ice, | respectfully
| recommend that a suitable appropriation, to be
Immediately available. be maze TO enable 1t To
to Cosgreas rs early as practicable, tue report Dy
the chairman of the commission, and TO ASK your
attention 10 such measures on this subject As in
my opinion will further promote the Improvement
| OF the civil service.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
| DGr NJ the past year the United States have
continued to MAINTAIN peaceful relation, with
foreign powers. The outbreak OF war between
Russia aud Turkey, though at one time attended
by grave appreheDslons TO its effect upon other
European nations has had no tendency to disturb
the amicabe relation existing between the United
states and each OF the Two couleudng powers
An attitude Of just and impartial neutrality has
been preserved. aud am glatlted to .tate that IN
the midst OF their hostlltles both the Russian and
tue Turkish governments have shown an earue 1t
desire to adhere TO the obligations OF all treaties
with the nlted States, and TO give due regard to
the iig hts vi American cillzens. BY the terms OF
the treaty defining the rights, immun,tes and
privileges OF consuls between Italy and the United
States, ratified in 1868, either government NAV.
afer the lapse of ten years, terminate the exis-
tence OF the treaty by giving twelve months notice
of its intention.
faculty, has now given the required notice aud
the treaty will accordingly end on the l7th of
september, 1919. 1t Is understood, however, that
the Italian government wishes TO renew it in its
general scope, desiring only certain notifications
III some OF ITS articles. In this disposition con-
1
intervene to prevent OF delay the negotiation of a
satisfactory treaty. Numerous questions in re-
gard to passports, naturalization, and exemption
from mllltaIy service, have continued to arse in
cases OF emigi ants from Germany, who have le-
tuned 10 then native country. he provisions of
The treaty OF Feb. -, 1868, however have proved
10 be so ample aud 50 judicious, that the legation
OF the United States al Berlin have been able to
ADJUST all claim, arising under ii, not only without
detriment to the amicabie relations existing be
tween the two governments, but, it is believed
without injury or injustice to duly natuiahzed
American citizens.
| 1t is desirable that the treaty originally
made with the North German Union, in 1867,
should now be extended as to apply equally TO
all the states of the empire Of Germany.
THE FRENCH EXPOSITION.
The invitation of the government Of France to
participate in the Exposition of the products of
agriculture, industry, the fine arts, to he held
at Paris during the coming year, was submitted
for your consideration at the extra session. Ii i.
not doubted that its acceptance by the United
States and well selected exhibition of the
products of American industry, on that occasion
will tend to stimulate int national commerce and
emigration, as well as to promote the traditions
friendship between the two countries
GREAT BRITAIN AND EXTRADITIoN
A question arose some time since as to the
proper meaning of the extraditon articles of the
treaty of 1872, between the United States anC
Great Britain. Both governments, however are