The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1877-12-12


personal, and in those Offices in which
special training is of value, the rule as
to the tenure of office should obtain. II
shall do all in my power to make tho
rough competency, efficiency and char
acter the decisive test in these matters
and | ask that a suitable appropriation
be made to enable the Civil Service
Commission to continue it's labor.
During the past year the United
States has continued to maintain peace
full relations with all foreign countries.
The effect of the Turkish and Russian
war is almost entirely European, and
the treaties between the United States
and the two countries have been strict
~ complied with. He refers briefly to
the Paris Exposition of 1878, and be.
lieves that the acceptance by the Uni
ted States of the invitation to partici.
pate will stimulate international COM
merce and emigration, and promote
friendship between the two countries.
Regarding the Extradition Treaty
between Great Britain and the United
States, and the questions at issue un-
der it, he says it is probable that all
disagreements will in due time be set
tied, and, if necessary, more explicit
declarations be made in a new treaty.
Referring to the Mexican Question,
he says that the recognition of Diaz
has been deferred on account of the
Rio Grande border troubles. This,
however, has not interrupted, nor does
he anticipate any interruption of friend
ly relations with Mexico. He, howev-
er, feels it necessary to call the atten-
ton of Congress to the troubles on the
Mexican border, so that the lives and
property of our citizens may be equally
protected and peace preserved. On
the subject of
THE CUBAN STRUGGLE
he says it is attended with incidents
affecting American interests. He re-
fers to the seizure of vessels, and to
the arrest of American citizens. The
Spanish government has offered repair
alton for all these offences, but they
are, nevertheless, greatly to be depre-
Gated. He refers to the awards re.
ceived from Venezuela under the treaty
of 1866, and says that the funds can
not be distributed until the pending
accusations of fraud have been settled.
THE ESTIMATED REVENUE
for the next fiscal year will impose up
on Congress the duty of strictly limited
appropriations, including the requisite
sum for the maintaiuance of sinking
fund, while the aggregate of taxes
should not be increased.
Amendments ought to be made to
the revenue taxes SO that they would,
without diminishing the revenue, re-
lieve the people from unnecessary bur-
dens; tax of ten cents a pound on
tea and two on coffee would produce a
revenue of $4,000, 900, and thus ena.
BILE Congress to repeal d multitude of
annoying taxes.
invite the attention of Congress to
the recommendations submitted to the
Secretary of the Treasury by the COM
mission appointed to examine the col
lection of custom duties at the port of
New York.
THE PUBLIC FAITH
with all creditors has been preserved
and the public credit has continuously
advanced. Our public securities are
regarded with the highest favor. The
progress of the refunding of the public
, debt has been rapid.
) 1t is matter of great moment
that our own
SHIPPING INTERESTS
should receive, to the utmost practi
cal extent, the benefit of our OWL
commerce.
The report of the Secretary of Wa
shows that the army has been actively
employed and rendered very importan
service in the suppression of Indial
hostilities.
MEXICAN INCURsIoNs.
/ regret to say that lawless incur
7 sions into our country from the Mexi
r can side have been of frequent occur
3 renee. Orders were given for the ut
most vigilance on the part of on
troops for tue suppression of thes
+ raiders and the punishment of tn
guilty parties, as we'll as the recaptur
of property stolen, and the Mexican
authorities were invited to aid in til
q suppression of these marauders. Thi
a policy has had the effect to somewha
r check these depredators, and with al
increased force and the establishment
D of several additional posts on tn
= Rio Grande, peace may be preserved
He concurs with the Secretary Q
War in recommending that authorit
4 he given to recruit all companies {
infantry to at least fifty men, and a
a batteries of artillery to at least seventy