Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1879-12-01

sion of the private citizen, impose upon
the government the duty Of protecting
it, officers and agents from arbitrary eX-
actions. In whatever aspect considered,
the practice of making leyies, for party
purposes. upon the salaries OF officers,
Is highly demoralizing to the public ser
vice and discreditable to the country.
Though an officer should be as free as
any other citizen to give his own money
in aid of his opinions or his party, he
should also be as free as any other citl-
zen to refuse 10 make such CUTS. III
salaries are but fair compensation Tor
the time and labor of the officer, 1t is
gross injustice to levy a tax upon them.
III they are made excessive in order that
they may bear the tax, the excess IS an
indirect robbery of the public funds.
| recommend, therefore, such revl-
sion and extension OF present statutes
as shall secure to those in every grade
OF official life or public employment the
protection with which great amt en-
tightened Nation should guard those
who are faithful in its service.
Foreign Relations
Our relations with foreign countries
have continued peaceful.
With Great Britain there are still un-
settled questions growing out OF the local
laws of the maratime provinces and the
action of provincial authorities, deemed
to be in derogatiOn Of rights secured by
treaty 10 American fishermen. The
United States Minister in London has
been instructed to present demand Tor
sos, :305 OF, in view OF the damages re-
ceived BY American citizens at Fortune
Bay on the 9th day of January, 1878.
The subject has been taken into con-
sideration by the British Government,
and an early reply is anticipated.
UpOn the completion of the necessary
preliminary examinations the subject OF
participation in the provincial fisheries,
"a regulated by treaty, will at once be
brought 10 the attention OF the
British Government with view
20 am early and permanent settlement
of the whole question, which was only
temporarily adjusted by the Treaty oil
Washington.
Efforts have been made 10 obtain the
removal of restrictions found injurious
10 the expectation OF cattle to the United
Kingdom.
Some correspondence has already Oc-
Cured with regard to the rescue and
saving of life and property upon the
lakes, which has resulted in important
notifications of the previous regulations
of the Dominion Government on the
subject in the interest Of humanity and
commerce.
In accordance with the joint resO-
utiOn Of the last session OF Con-
gress, commissioners were appointed to
represent the United States at the two
International Exhibitions in Australia,
one of which is now in progress at sgd
nev. and the other to be held next year
at Melbourne. A desire has been ex-
pressed by our merchants and manutac-
turers interested in the important and
growing trade with Australia, that an IN
creased provision should be made by
Congress for the representation OF our
industries at the Melbourne Exhibition
Of next year, and the subject is respect
fully submitted to your favorable con-
sideratiOn.
The assent of the Government has
been given to the landing, on the coast
OF Massachusetts,, of q new and indie
pendent transatlantic cable between
France. by way OF the French Island OF
st. Pierre, and this country, subject to
any future legislation of Congress on the
subject. The conditions imposed, be-
fore allowing this connection with our
shores 10 be established, are snch as to
secure its competition with any existing
or future lines of marine cable, and pre-
clude amalgamation Herewith, to pro-
vide for entire equality of rights to our
Government and people with those OF
France i'm the use OF the cable, and pre-
vent anv exclusive possession OF the
privilege as accorded by France 10 the
of any future cable COM
munication between France and the
United States which may be projected
and accomplished by our citizens. An
important reduction OF the present rates
of cable communication with Europe,
felt To be too burdensome to the inter
ests OF our commerce, must necessarily
flow from the establishment OF this COM
peting line.
The attention of Congress was drawn
TO the propriety of some general regula-
ton by Congress of the whole subject OF
transmarine cables by my predecessor
i'm his message Of December I, 1870, and
| respectfully submit to your considera-
ton the importance OF Congressional
action i'm this matter.
The questions of grave importance
with Spain growing out OF the incidents
OF the Cuban instruction have been,
for the most part, happily and honorably
settled. Ii NAV reasonably be antlclpa-
ted that the commission now sitting IN
Washington, for the decision of private
cases i'm this connection, will soon be
able to bring its labors to a conclusion.
The lOng-standing question OF East
Florida claims has lately been renewed
as a subject of correspondence, and may
possibly require Congressional action
Tor its final disposition.
\ treaty with the Netherlands, with
respect to consular rights and privileges,
similar TO those with other powers, has
been signed and ratified, and the ratiti-
cations were exchanged on the 3lst OF
July last. Negotiations for eXtradltlOn
treaties with the Netherlands and with
Denmark are now in progress.
Some questions with Switzerland, in
regard to pauper and convict emigrantS,
have arisen, but it is not doubted they
will be arranged upon just and salts
factory basis. \ question has also Oc-
CURED with respect To an asserted claim
bv Swiss municipal authorities To eNer-
else tutelage over persons and property
of Swiss citizens naturalized in this
country. Ii is possible this may require
adjustment by treaty.
With the German Empire frequent
questions arise in connection with the
subjects Of naturalization and expatrla-
ton: but the Imperial Government has
constantly manifested desire to strictly
maintain and comply with all treaty
stipulations in regard to them.
In consequence of the omission OF
Congress to provide for a diplomatic
representative at Athens, the legation
10 Greece has been withdrawn. There
is now no channel of diplomatic COM
munication between the two countries,
an the eNpediency OF providing for one,
in some form, is submitted to Congress.
Relations with Austria. Russia, Italy,
Portugal, Turkey, and Belgium continue
amicab,e, and marked by no incident OF
especial importance.