Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1879-12-11

in the city OF New York especially, bear
decided testimony to the utility of oNeu
competitive examinations In their respect
, i've offices, showing that these examinA
tions, aud the excellent qualitic ations oI
those admitted to the service through
them. have had a marked incidental effect
upon the persons previously In the service,
aud particularly upon those aspiring 10
promotion. There has been, on the part
OF these latter, All increased interest in the
work, and a desire to extend acquaintance
with 1t beyond the particular desk occu-
pied. and thus the morale OF the entire
iorce has been raised. The ex-
arniuatiOOs have been attended by many
citizens who have had an opportunity 10
thoroughly Investigate the scope and char
scter OF the tests aud the methods of de
termining the results. and those visitors
have. without exception, approved the
methods employed. and several OF them
have publicly attestei their favorable
opinion
Upon such considerations. deem ii my
duty n renew the recommendation con-
tanned In my annual message OF Decembe
1877, requesting Congress To make the
necessary appropriation for the resumption
uf the work of the Civil Service Commits
sion. Economy will be promoted by au-
thorizing a moderate compensation to per
sons in the public service Who may perform
extra labor upon or under the Comm ssion.
as the Executive may direct.
| am convinced that II just and ade-
| quste test OF merit is enforced for admis-
I sion TO the public service and in making
promotions. such abuse a. removals with
! out good cause and partisan and official
Interference with the proper exercise of
the appointing power. will in large meas
ure disappear
There Arc other administrative abuses to
! which the attention OF Congress should be
asked in this connection. Mere partisan
/ appointments, aud the constant peril OF
/ removal without cause, very naturally lead
I 10 an absorbing and mischievous political
| activity, on the part OF those thus appoint
| ed, which not only inleGteres with the due
( discharge OF official duty, bat IS incom-
pailble with the freedom of elections Not
/ without warran', In the views Of several
/ OF my predecessors In the Presidential
/ Office. AMI directly within the law OF l-.l.
/ already cited, endeavored. by regulation.
made on the 23l day OF June. 1877, To put
some reasonable limits to such abuses. IL
may not he easy, aud II may never perhaps
/ be necessary, 20 define with precision the
/ proper limit ut political action on the part
/ Of Federal officers. Bot while their night
/ 10 hold and freely express their opinions
I cannot be questioned. il Is very plain that
} they should neither be allowed 20 devote tu
/ other subjects the time needed for the
( proper discharge Of thslr official duties.
/ nor to use the authority OF their office TO
enforce their own opinions. or 10 coerce
the political action of those who hold
different opinions
/ Reasons OF justice and public policy.
\ quite analogous 10 those which forbid the
use Of official power for the oppression OF
/ the private citizen, Impose upon the Gov
/ eminent tie duty OF protecting It's officers
aud agents from arbitrary exActiOns ln
whatever aspect considered, the practice
T OF making lryies, for party purposes, upon
/ the salaries OF officers j. highly demoraliz-
7 lng 10 the public service and dsCrednaoie
. 10 the Couutry. Though An officer should
. be- a. free "a arr other citizen to give hl.
own money In AID OF his opinions or hts
+ party, he should also be a. free as any
7 other citizen to rriuse to make such gifts
+ II salaries are but a lair compensation for
the time and labor Of the officer, Il Is gross
! Injustice 10 levy Il tax upon them. II they
/ are made excessive In order that they may
( bear the tax, the excess is an indirect rob
/ berry OF the public funds.
I recommend. therefore, such a revision
and extension Of the present statutes a
! shall secure TO those In every grade OF Off
I cial liie or public employment tho protcc-
ton with which great aud enlightened
Nation should guard those who are faith
! tul tn 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
action OF provincial authorities, deemed to
be In derogatiou OF rights secured by
treaty TO American fishermen. The United
states Minister in London has been in
structed 10 present q demand for sl05. .3Oj.-
o. In view of the damages received by
American citizens AZ Fortune Bay on the
9Th day OF January, ISIS. The subject has
been taken into consideration BY the Brit
ish Government. and an early reply ~
anticipated.
Upon the completion OF the necessary
preliminary examinations. the subject OF
our participation in the provincial fisheries.
as regulated by treaty, will at once be
brought 20 the attention OF the British
Gpvernment with view 10 an early and
permanent settlement OF the whole ques-
ton. which was only temporarily adjusted
BY the Treaty OF Washington.
Efforts have been made 10 obtain the re-
moval Of restrictions found iujuriou, TO
The exportation OF cattle to the United
Kingdom.
Some correspondence has also occurred
with regard 10 the rescue and saving OF
life aud property upon the lakes, which has
resulted IN important notifications OF the
previous regulations OF the Dominion Gov
ernment on the subject. In the Interest OF
humanity and commerce.
In accordance with the Joint resolution
nj - a,f s.f
sloners wrre appointed to represent the
United Ststes at the two international
Exhibitions In Australia one OF which l.
now IN progress at Sydney, and the other
TO be held next year at Melbourne A de-
sire has been expressed by our merchants
J ana manufacturers Interested in the npor-
tant snd growing trade with Australia.
that An increased provision should be made
by Congress for the representation of our
industries at the Melbourne Exhibition OF
next year, and the subject Is respectfully
submitted 10 your favorable consideration
The assent Of the Government has been
given TO the landing. on the coast OF Mass
achusetts, OF new and independent
transatlantic cable between France by way
| OF the French island OF St Pierre. aud
this country, subject To any future legsa
ton Of Congress On the subject The con-
ditions imposed. before allowing this con
nection with our shores TO be established
are such as TO secure its competition with
any existing or future lines OF marine
| cable, and preclude amalgamation there
with, 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 commu-
nicatiOn between France and the United
States which may be projected and accom-
plished by our citizens. An important re-
duction Of the present rates of cable com
munication with Europe, felt to be too
burdensome to the interests of our COM
merce, 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 10 his
message OF December Z. 1875. and I re-
| spectfully submit to your consideration the
Importance OF Congressional action in this
matter.
The questions of grave Importance with