The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-12-11

1 master IN the C1ty OF NOV YORK, where eocn
and also from the Collector of the Port, the
Naval Officers and the Surveyor in that city,
the
oass ways eoSibated SimpFoys the pubic
suits have been saiutsry i in, marked degree.
rules cannot fsil to BE- " x decided benefit to
o OH ss in the City Of New York especially
bear decided testimony to the utility Of open
competitive examinations in their respective
the excellent qualifications Of those admitted
to the service through them, have had
marked incidental effect upon the persons pre-
viously in the service, and particularly upon
on the part of the latter an increased inter-
| est in the work, and a desire to extend &C.
guaintaace with it beyond the particular desk
force has been raised. The examinations have
been attena I'd by many citizens, who have had
scope and cSar eS Of thy tests, and the
method Of determining the results, and those
visitors have without exception approved the
publicly attested their favorable opinion.
Upon such considerations | deem It
my duty to renew the recommends.
December, 1877, requesting Congress to make
ton of the work of the CivilService Commits
izng moderate compensation to persons in
the public service who may perform extra
labor upon or under the Commission as the
| if a just and adequate test OF merit be en-
forced for admission to the public serv-
s es an" abuses in as making %San
Gal with the proper s Of
beppe w in
| abuses to which the attention of Congress
should be asked in this connection. Mere par
tisan appointments and the constant peril of
| removal without cause very naturally lead to
| an absorbing and mischevious political activity
| on the part of those thus appointed, which not
ciai duty, but is incompatible with the freedom
| of elections. Not without warrant in the view of
several of my predecessors in the Presidential
ISL already cited, 1 endeavored, by regulation
made on the I'D of June, 1877, to put some
reasonable limits to such abuses. 1t may not
sary, to define with precision the proper limit
of political action on the part of Federal Off
GERS. But while their right to hold and freely
it is very plai.i that they should neither be
allowed to devote to other subjects
the time needed for the proper dis
authority of their office to enforce their own
those who hold different opinions. Reasons Of
those those which forbid the use Of official power
for the oppression of the private citizen inn
pose upon the Government the duty of pro-
exactions. In whatever aspect considered,
the practice of making levies for party pur-
poses upon the salaries of officers is highly de-
moralizing to the public service and discredit-
should be as free as any other citizen to
give his s own money lin, in aid d., Of his
free as any other citizen to refuse to make
such gifts. If salaries are but fair compen-
sation for the time and labor OF the officers, it
is gross Injustice to levy tax upon them, II
they are made excessive in order that they
may bear the tax, the excess is an indirect
robbery of the public funds. recomm end,
therefore, such a revision and exte nsiOn of
the present statutes as shall secure to those in
every grade of official life or public employ
ment the protection with which a great and
faithful in its service.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
Our relations with foreign countries have
there are still unsettled questions, growing
out of the local laws of the maritime prov
inces. and the action of provincial authors
ties deemed to be in derOgatiOn of rights Sc
cnred by treaty to American fishermen. The
United States Minister in London has been
instructed to present demand for $lO5, 305Gs
in view of the damages received by American
citizens at Fortune Bay on the 9th day of Janu-
airy, 1878. The subject has been taken into
consideration by the British Government, and
an early reply is anticipated, Upon the com
pletion of the necessary preliminary examin-
alton. the subject of our participation in the
provincial fisheries, as regulated by treaty.
the British Government with view to an
early and permanent settlement of the whole
question, which was only temporarily adj
tlistcd by the Treaty of Washington. Efforts
of restrictions found injurious to the
expectation of cattle to the United Kingdom.
regard to the rescue and saving of life and
property upon the lakes, which has resulted in
important notifications of the previous rcgu-
lations OF the Dominion Government on this
subject, in the interest of humanity and COM
mcrcc.
In accordance with the joint resolution of
were appointed to represent the United States
ut the two International Exhibitions in Aus
tralia, one OF which is now in progress at sgd
at snS s ether DC be has se
pressed by our merchants and manufacturers
interested in the important and growing trade
should be made by Congress- for the peprescn
tatiOn of our industries at the Melbourne Ex-
hibtion Of next year, and the subject is re-
specially submitted to your favorable con-
sidcration.
The assent of the Government has been
given to the landing on the coast of Massa-
chusetts of a new and independent transact
M 10Y way
subject to any future legislation OF Congress
On the subject. The conditions imposed, be-
fore allowing this connection with our shores
to be established, are such as to secure
its competition with any. existing or
future lines of marine cable, and pre-
ci9de amalgamation herewith, and to pro-
Government and people with those OF
France in the use OF the cable, and prevent
any exclusive possession OF the privilege as
future cable communication between France
and the United States which may be projected
and accomplished by our citizens. An inn
of ftpp rof,c
municatiOn with Europe, felt to be too burden
some to the interests Of our commerce, must
necessarily flow from the establishment of this
competing line. The attention of Congress
was drawn to the propriety of some general
regulation by Congress of the whole subject
OF transmarine cables by my predecessor in
spectfully submit to your consideration the
importance of Congressional action in 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. 1t may
reasonably be anticipated that the Commits
sion now sitting in Washington for the de-
cisiOn of private cases in this connection will
soon be able to bring it's labors to con-
cluslOn. The lOng-standing question of the
East Florida claims has lately been renewed
as a subject of correspondence, and may pos
sibly require Congressional action for its final
disposition. treaty with the Netherlands
with respect to Consular rights and privil-
eyes similar to those with other powers has
been signed ana r0tlncd. ana the ratlf1cat1OnS
were exchanged on the 3lst of July last
Negotiations for extradition treaties with
the Netherlands and with Denmark are now
in progress.
Some questions with Switzerland I'M regard
to paupcr and convict emigrants have arisen,
but it is not doubted that they will be arranged
upon q just and satisfactory basis A ques-
ton has also occurred with respect to an as
serted claim by Swiss municipal authorities
to exercise tutelage over the persons and
property of Swiss citizens naturalized in this
country. 1t is possible this may require adj
justment by treaty. With the German EN-
pire frequent questions arise in connection
with the subjects of naturalization and expa-
triation, but the Imperial Government has
constantly manifested desire to strictly
maintain and comply with all treaty stipula-
lions in regard to them.
In consequence of the omission of Congress
to provide for diplomatic representative at
Athens, the Legation to Greece has been with
drawn. There Is now no channel of diplO-
matte communication between the two coun-
tries, and the expediency of providing for
one in some form is submitted to Congress.
Relations with Austria, Russia, Italy, Portu-
gal Turkey and Belgium continue amicable,
and marked by no incident Of especial impor-
lance.
oho ne b.o