The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1877-12-06

ask the renewed attention OF Congress to what
has already been done by the Civil Service Com
mission, appointed in pursuance Of an act of Con
gress by my predecessor to prepare and revise the
civil Service rules. In regard to much of the de
pa1tmental service, especially at Washington. it
may be difficult to organize better system than
that which has thus been provided and is be
Ing used to considerable extent under my direc
ton. The Commission has still legal existence
although for several Years no appropriation has
been made for detraying its expenses. Believing
that this Commission has rendered valuable service
and Will be most useful agency in improving the
Administration of the Civil Service, | respectfully
recommend that suitable appropriation to be
Immediately available, be made to enable it to
tlnue Its laborS. 1t is my purpose to transmit to
Congress as early as practicable, a report by the
Chairman Of the Commission. and to ask your at
te1tlon to such measures on this subject as in my
opinion Will further promote the improvement OF
the Civil Service during the past year.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
The Cnted States have continued to maintain
peaceful relations with foreign powers. The out
break OF war between Russia and Turkey though
at time attended by grave apprehensions as to
It's effect upon other European nations. has had
no tendency to disturb the amicabe relations ex-
listing between the [ nited States and each of the
two c0ntendlng powers An attitude of Just, i'm
partial neutrality has been preserved, and | am
grathed to state that in the midst Of their hostil
tiles both the Russian and Turkish govern
ments have shown an earnest desire to adhere to
the obligations Of all treaties with the United
States and to give due regard to the rights of
American citizens by the terms of the treaty de
timing the rights. immunties and privileges of
tOnsUS.
| In respect to relations with Mexico the Pres
dent says-Whe do not anticipate an Interrupt
ton of friendly relations with Mexico, yet | can
| not but look with some Solicitude upon contin-
uaton of the border disorders as exposing the two
countries to limitations OF popular feeling and mis-
chances of action which are naturally unfavorable
to complete amity am firmly determined that
| nothing shall be wanting my part to promote
a good understanding between the two nations
| | yet must ask the attention of Congress to the
| actual occurrences on the border, that the lives
and property of our citizens may be adequately
! protected and peace preserved.
RELATIONS WITH SPAIN AND CUBA.
Another year has passed without bringing to a
close the protracted contest between the Spanish
Government and the Instruction in the island of
! Cuba While the United States have sedulously
abStalned from any intervention in this contest it
is impossible not to feel it is attended by incidents
affecting the rights of American citizens apart from
the effect Of the hoslities upon trade between the
| United States and Cuba Their progress is inev-
| ltably accompanied by complaints, having more
OF less foundation. of searches, arrests embar-
goes and oppressive taxes upon the property of
| American residents and of unprOvoked interfer-
ence with American vessels and commerce 1t is
due To the government OF Spain to say that dur
lug the past year it has promptly disavowed and
offered reparation for any unauthorized acts OF
duly Jealous subordlnateS whenever such acts
have been brought to its attention Such occur
rences cannot but tend to excite feelings of an
| noyance. suspicion and resentment, which are
| greatly to be deprecated between the respective
subjects and citizens of two friendly powers.
AMENDMENTS TO THE REVENUE LAWS.
Amendments might be made to the revenue laws
that would, without diminishing the revenue re
lt,yl h, Mo, 1,,,r.t,
! "n tea and coffee is shown by the experience not
| only OF our own country. but of other countries,
| 10 be easily collected without loss by undervaua
| ton or fraud and largely borne in the country of
! production. 4 tax of 10 cents pound on tea and
| two cents pound coffee, would produce a
| revenue exceeding $4,000 600 and thus enable
Congress to repeal a multitude OF annoying taxes
! Welding Il revenue not exceeding that sum. The
/ internal revenue system grew out Of the necessi
ties Of the war. and most OF the legislation impos
| ing taxes upon domestic products under the sys-
TEN has been repealed by the substitution of Il tax
on tea and coffee. All forms of internal taxation
may be repealed. except that on whiskey, spirits,
| tobacco dnd beer
THE NATION AL CREDIT
| 1t is a matter of congratulation thgt notwth-
standing the severe burdens caused bv the war
the public faith with all creditors has been pre-
served, and that the result Of this policy the
| public credit has contuuous V advanced and our
public securities are regarded with the highest tav
"i III .it naiheuS Vi 'lle Moru' uus1 'ha' no
| its credit.
EEIrNpING THE PUBLIC DEBr
The progress of refuu,liup the public debit has
been rapid and satisfactory. Under the contract
existing when entered upon the discharge of the
duties ot my office. bonds bearing interest at rate
OF L. per cent were being rapidly sold, and within
three months fine ,nrra%ate sales nf these hnnIs
had reached the sim ot Sooo 0n0 0oo Win r',
sanction the Secretary Of the Treasury antarad
into a new contract for the sale of four per cent
bonds, and within thirty days after the popular
SUBSCRIPTION i''i Such ponds was opened subscrp
u"hS were had amounting TO ?'349b,'loo, which
were fui lof Wlthll ninety days after me date OF
! NNpscIlPuoil. by ri'S process Wllhln put httle
more 'h3h one year lle annual interest on the
puoHc deo' was reduced III the sum OF 95,"o,o0o.
'tfoIi'Ileho ilat suitable provision pc made to
enable the people 10 easily convert their savings
mo '"Nernlllen' securities as the best mode III
Whlf small savings may ne well secured and yield
d llouefa't interest. II Is an OBJECT OF pubic
l,'ifN 10 rtith among our own people the seeurl-
teS {" ihG hl'ea states. IN TINS way our country
i GUARDED against lhelf sudden return rom foreign
countries caused by war or other disturbances be
I"hu our luiltS
Orr SHIPPING INTERESTS
The commerce of tbo I-nitod s+atos with for,;
n.tinns and nsnec,ll,- thn aynort ~ f,rn;,n 10
ductionS has of late wears largely increased but
the greater portion OF this trade Is conducted in
| foreign vessels The Importance OF enlarglng our
foreign trade ana especially by direct aud speedy
| interchange with countries on tins continent can
not De oIer-estimated, and 1t Is matter OF great
moment tha1 our own shipping interests should
receive to the utmost practical extent the benefit
OF our commerce with other lands. These con
SdrratonS are forcibly urged by alt the large com
nercla clties on the country and public attention
Is generally ana wisely attracted to the solution of
lhe problem they present 1T is not doubted that
congress VIII take them up II the broadest spirit
OF ilDeftl'E ana respond 10 tne publc demand by
practical legislation upon this important subject
THE July RIOTS
,,,,o worry, Sr,,,s riots ,.b;h ,,, :; ,
If th SttaS in Inv Is+ rarooS , oo ~ 90 .i i
,'lN -. -, noersS'ii3 tlc
to preserve the peace and maintain order in the
States OF est lrSlnIa Maryland, Pennsylvania
ana Illinois These disturbances were SO tormd
able as TO dety the local and State authorities. and
the National Executive was called upon Ill the
mode prescribed by the Constitution and laws to
furnish military aid | am gratitied to be able to
state that the troops sent III response to these calls