The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-12-02

1911. rgqneSLlDS CUngEesHEtu .rsisHhs1ssffc.!u ~
eessary appropriation forlhe resumption
Of the WORK of the Clyitservice sgommi3-
sien. Economy will be promoted by all-
thorizing moderate conversation 10 per-
sons in tie public service who may perform
extra labor upon or under the commission,
as the Executive may direet.
I am convinced that IL a just and ade-
auateiiest of merit Is enforced for adnlis-
sion to the public service and in making
promotions, such abuses rs removals with
out good cause and partisan and official in
,erference with the proper exercise Of tue
appointing power will in large measure dis
appear.
There are other administrative abuses to
which the attention Of Congress should be
asked In this connection. Mere partisan
appointments, and the constant peril OF re-
movai without cause, very naturally lead to
an absorbing and mischievous political ac-
tivity on the part Of those thus appointed,
which not only interferes with the due dis
charge OF official duty, but Is incompatible
with the freedom OF elections. Not with
out warrant, in the views OF several OF my
predecessors III the presidential office, and
directly within the law OF 1871, already
cited, Iendeavored, by regulation made on
the 22d day OF June, 1877. 10 put
some reasonable limits 10 such abuses. 1t
may not be easy, and it may never perhaps
be necessary to define with precision the
proper limit OF political action on the part
Of Federal officers. But while their right
to hold and freely express their opinions
cannot be questioned it is very plain that
| they should neither be allowed TO devote to
other subjects the time needed for the pro-
per discharge Of their official duties nor to
use the authority OF their office to enforce
their own opinions or TO coerce the political
action OF those who hold different opinions.
Reasons of justice and public policy,
quite analogous to those which forbid the
use of official power for the oppression OF
the private citizen, Impose upon the Gov
eminent the duty OF protecting its officers
and agents from arbitrary eXactions. In
whatever aspect considered, the practice Of
making levies, for party purposes, upon the
salaries OF officers is highly demoralizinS to
| the public service 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,
be should also be as free as any other citi-
zen to refuse to make such gifts. Ii sala-
ries are but a fair compensation for the
lime and labor of the officer, it is gross in-
| Justice to levy Il tax upon them. III they
are made excessive in order that they may
| bear the tax, the excess Is an Indirect rob-
berry OF the public funds.
recommend, therefore, such revision
and extension OF present statutes as shall
secure to those in every grade OF official
life or public employment the protection
With which q great and enlightened nation
should guard those who are faithful In its
| service.
Our relations with foreign countries have
continued peaceful.
With Great Britain there are still unset
lied questions, growing out OF the local
| laws Of the maritime provinces and the ac-
lion of provincial authorities, deemed to be
| in derogation Of rights secured by treaty to
American fishermen. The United States
Minister in London has been instructed 10
present demand for S105,305 OF, in view
| OF the damages received by Anne! lean citi-
zens at Fortune Bay on the 9Th day Of Janu-
ary, 1878. The subject has been taken into
consideration by the British Government,
and an early reply is anticipated.
Upon the completion OF the necessary pre-
| liminary examinations, the subject of our
participation in the provincial i>heries, as
regulated by treaty, will at once be brought
to the attention OF the British Government
| with view to IN early and permanent SET
Element OF the whole question, whict was
only temporarily adjusted by the Treaty Of
| Washington.
Efforts have been made to obtain the re-
moval OF restrictions found injurious to the
expectation OF cattle TO the United King
dom.
Some correspondence has also occurred
with regard TO the rescue and saving OF life
and property upon the lakes, which has re-
suited in important notifications or the
previous regulations Of the Dominion Gov
eminent on the subject, IN the interest OF
humanity and commerce.
In accordance with the Joint resolution
Of the last session OF Congress, commits
soners were appointed 10 represent the
United States at the two international EX-
hibitions in Australia, 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 man.
ufacturers interested in the important and
growing trade with Australia that an in
creased provision should be made by Con-
gress for the representation OF our indus
tries ut the Melbourne exhibition of next
year, and the subject is respectfully submit
ted 10 your favorable consideration.
The assent OF the Government has been
given to the landing on the coast OF MaSsa.
cbusettS OF new and independent trans
Atlantic cable between France, by the way
OF the French island of st. Pierre and this
country, subject to any future legislation
OF Congress on the subject. The cOndi-
lions imposed, before allowing this connec-
ton with our shores to be established, are
such as TO secure It's competition with any
existing or future lines Of marine cable,
and preclude amalgamation Herewith. to
provide for entire equality OF rights to our
Government and people with those OF
France in the use OF the cable, and
prevent any exclusive possession OF the
privilege as accorded. by France to
the disadvantage OF any future cable
communication between France and the
United States which may be projected and
accomplished by our citizens. An i'm
portant reduction OF the present rates OF
cable communication with Europe, felt to
be TOO burdensome 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 trans
marine cables by my predecessor in his mes.
sage Of December I, 1915, and | respect
fully submit to your consideration the i'm
portance 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-