Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-12-05

Ing enc results, anu theSe Vis'torS nave, Win
out exception. approved the methods employ
ed, and several of tfem have publicly extended
their favorable opinion. Upon such con
alterations | deem it my duty to renew thu
recommendations contained in my annual
message of December. 1877, requesting con
gress to make tae necessary appropriation fol
the resumption Of the work Of the civil ser
vice commission. Economy will be promoted
by authorizing a moderate compensation t.
persons in the public service, who may per
form extra labor upon or under the commits
WINGED that 1t just and definite test OF merit
Is enforced for admission to the public ser
vice and In making promotions, such ab'isas as
removing rem og without good cause, aud raitlsat
ana ofhci ii interference with the p.oper exer
clse OF the appointing power, Will In large
measure disappear. There are other admins
trative abuses to which the attention of con
gress Should be asked In this connection
Mere partisan appointment and the constant
peril ot removal without cause, very naturally
lead 70 an absorbing and mschievous political
activity on the part of those appointed, which
not only interferes with the due discharge of
ofhcial duty, but it is Incompatible with the
freedom OF elections and without warrant
In the view of several of my predecessors In
the presidential Office and directly in accord
ance with the law of 1874, already cited,l en-
deavored by the regulation made on the
I'd OF June, 1875, to put some reasonable limits
to such abuses. 1t may not be easy, and ma 3
never, perhaps be necessary to define with
precision the proper limit OF political action
ON the part of federal officers, but while their
RI Int to hold and freely express their opln-
IONS cannot be qu'stioned, it IL very plain that
they should neither lie allowed To devote To
other OBJECTS the time needed Tor the proper
discharge of their official duties. nor To use
authority of their Office to enforce their own
opinions, or to cOerce tie political action OF
ihose VINO hold different opinions. Reason of
Justice and public policy quite analogous to
which, forbid the use of official power for the
oppression of the private citizen to impose up
on the government the duty of protecting its
officers and agents from arbitrary exaction in
a "a #
making levies for party, purposes upon the
salaries OF officers, is highly demoralizing to
the public service, and dscreditable to the
country. Though an officer should be as free
az any Other citizen to give his own money in
aid of his opinions or his Parry, he should also
DE as Tree as any other citizen to refuse to
pensationfor the time and labor of the officers
IT Is gross Injustice to levy a tax upon them. Ii
they are made excessive in order that they
may bear tae tax. the exc 81 Is IN indirect
robbery of The public funds. i recommend,
the. eIore, such revision anu extension of the
present statute as shall secure to those in
the protection with which great and enlght.
ened nation shoIld guard those who are faith
full in its service.
THETREATY OF WASHINGTON.
Our relations with foreign countries have on
tinued peaceful. With Great Britain there are
still unsettled questions growing out OF the
local laws OF the maritime provinces and the
actions. Of provincial authorities. deemed to
be in deroeatiom of rights secured by Ameri-
can fishermen The United States minister in
London has been instructed to present de-
mand for &i05,30 Or in view of the damages
recsiysd Ss Fortune Sssn sssyy Ssy
iato CONSULT nion BY I'd British government,
and an early reply is Nticipated upon the
The subject of our participation in the pro-
vincial fisheries. rs regulated by treaty, will at
once be brought to the attention of the Brit
ish government with view to an early and
N "a r a mont Saff nf ha "
which was only temporarily adjusted. Efforts
have been made to obtain the removal of re-
strctions found injurious to the expectation
of cattle to the United Kingdom. Some cor
respondence has also occurred with regard to
the rescue and saving of life and property up
on lakes, which has resulted in important
the dominion government on the subject in
the interest of humanity and commerce.
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITIONS.
In accordance with the joint resolutions of
the last session of congress. commissioners
were appointed to represent the United States
tralia. one of which is now In progress at
Sydney and the other to be held next year at
Melbourne. A desire has been expressed by
our merchants and neutrality-suspicious.
in the important and growing trade with Aus
tralia, that an increased provision should be
made by congress for the representation OF
next year, and the subject is respectfully SUBJ
mitted to your favorable consideration.
THE NEW FRENCH CABLE
The assent of the government has been given
to the landing, on the coast OF MASSACHUSETTS,,
of anew and independent transatlantic cable
between France, by way of the French island
of st. Pierre, and this country, subject to any
future legislation of congress. On this sub
ject the conditions imposed before allowing
this connection with our shores to be eStab-
lished, are such as to secure Its competition
with any existing or future lines OF marine
cable, and preclude amalgamation thel ewth: o
provide for the entire equality Of rights to our
government and people with those OF France
Iii the use of the cable and prevent any eX-
elusive possession of the privileges as accorded
by Francs to the disadvantage OF any future Q
cahe communication between France and the
United States, which may be projected and
ccomplished by our citizens, and an iml ort-
ant reduction. The present rate of communi-
cation with Europe is felt to be too burden
some to the interest of our commerce that
must necessarily flow from the establishment
of this competing line. The attention OF
some general regulation by congress of the
whole subject OF trans-marine cables by my
predecessor in his message of December I, 1870,
and respectfully submit to your consideration
the Importance of congressional action IN this
matter.
THswAR IN CUBA.
A question of grave importance with Spain,
growing out of the incidents of the cuban IN
strrecton. have been for the most part happi-
ly and honorably settled. 1t NAV be reason
ably anticipated that the commission now sit
ting in washington for the decision OF private
cases in this connection will soon be able to
brin. its labors to a CONCLUSION. The standing
question of East Florida claims has lately been
renewed a. subject OF corresp 'ndence, ana
may possibly require congressional action for
its final disposition.
OTHER FOREIGN RELATIONS.
\ treaty with the Netherlands, with respect
to consular rights and privileges. similar TO
those with other powers, has been signed anu
ratified. and the Publications were exchanGea
on the 3lst of July last. Negotiations inr eN,
tradition treaties with the Netherlands ana
with Denmark are now in progress.
Some questions with switzerland in regard
to paupcr and convict cmgrants have arisen
but ii j. not doubted that they VIII he arranged
upon Il Just and satisfactory basis. question
has also occurred with respect To an assertcu
claim hy Swiss municipal authorities 10 cNer,
Else tutciage over the persons ana property nl
Swiss citizens naturalLed IN this country. ~
j. possible that this NAV require adjustment o>
treaty Al,
With the German empire frequent questions
arise in connection with ths subject of natur
aliZation and eXpatriatiun. but thc ihperia
goveurnmet has constantly manifested y uS
sire to strictly maintain and cnihpi> WIN al
treaty stipulatiuns in regard To them.
In consequence of the omission oi coilGfe7
To provide for diplomatic representative a
Athens the legation to trccce has heeh WIN
drawn. There l. now no channel of diplomats
| communication betwr~n the two countries
and the eXpedicncy Uf providing Tor on" u
SOM. form is submitted - congress.
Relations with Austria. Rus-la' ita'N' i"r'i
4 Gal. Turkey and Belgium continue Ainira"i'
and there is markedly no incident OF espec'd
Importance.