Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1879-12-05

Not without warrant, in view Of several of
my predecessors in the Presidential Office,
and directly III accordance with the law Of
1871, already cited endeavored by regula-
ton on the 22d Of June, 1877, to put some
reasonable limits to such abuses
1t may not be easy, and it may never. per
haps, 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 allowedto devote to 9th
er subjects the time needed forthe proper dis
charge 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 pow
or for the oppression Of the private citizen
impose upon the Government the duty of
protecting its officers and agents from arbi-
trary exactions. In whatever aspects consid-
cred, the practice of making levies for party
purposes upon the salaries of officers is high
ly demoralizing to the public service and dis
creditable 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
citizen to refuse to make such gifts. If sala-
u
andlabor of the officers, it is gross injustice to
levy tax upon them. If they are made ex-
cessive in order that they may bear the tax
the excess is an indirect robbery of the pub
lie funds. I recommend, therefore, such Il
revision and extension of present statutes as
shall secure to those in every grade of official
life or public employment the protection
with which a great and enlightened nation
should guard those who are faithful to its
service.
RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES.
Our relations with foreign counties have
continued peaceful With Great Britain
there are still unsettled questions, growing
out of the local laws Of the maritime Prov
inces and the action of provincial authorities
deemed to be in derogatou of rights secured
by treaty to American fshc men The United
States Minister il London has been instruct
ed to present n demand for SOB, 30j o., in
view of the damages received by American
citizens at Fortune Bay on the @day Of
January, 1873. The subject has been taken
into consideration by the British government,
and an early reply is anticipated. Upon the
completion Of the necessary preliminary eX-
animation, the subject of our participation in
the provincial fisheries as regulated by
treaty will at once be brought to the atten-
ton of the British government, with view
to an early and permanent settlement of the
whole question, which was only temporarily
adjusted by the Treaty Of Washington. Eff
forts have been made to obtain the removal
of restrictions found injurious to the exporta-
ton of cattle to the United Kingdom. Some
correspondence has also occurred with regard
to the rescue and saving of life and property
upon the lakes, which has resulted il i'm
portant notifications of the previous regula-
tons of the Dominion government Oh the
subject in the interest of humanity and com
merce. In accordance with the Joint resolu-
ton of the last session of Congress, Commits
sioners were appointed to represent the United
States at the two international exhibitions in
Australia, one of which is in progress at Sgd
ney, and the other to be held next year at
Melbourne. A desire has been expressed by
our merchants and manufacturers interested
i'll the growing and important trade with Au-
stralia 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 to your favorable consideration.
The assent of the Government has been
given to the landing Oh the coast of Massa-
chusetts of new and independent transat-
lantic cable between France, by way of the
French island of St. Pierre, and this country,
subject to any future legislation of Congress
Oh 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 preclude amalGamotiou
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 priv
ilege as accorded by Franco to the disadyant-
age of any future cable communication be-
tween France and the United States which
may be projected and accomplished by our
citizens an important reduction Of the pres
ent rates of cable communication with Eu-
rope, felt to be too burdensome to the inter
ests of our commerce, must necessarily flow
from the establishment of this competing
line. The attention of Congress was drawn
to the proprety of some general regulation
by Congress of the whole subject of transma-
rine cables by my predecessor in his Message
of Dec. :, 1870, and I respectfully submit to
your consideration the importance Of Con
gressional 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 its labors to a conclu-
sion. The long-standing question of East
Florida claims has lately been renewed as
subject of correspondence, aud may possibly
require Congressional action for its final dis
position.
treaty with the Netherlands, with respect
to the consular rights and privileges similar
to those with other powers has been signed
and ratified, and the r4tifcations were ex-
changed on the 3lst of July last. Negotia-
tons for extradition treaties with the Neither
lands and with Denmark are now III prog
ress
Some questions with Switzerland in regard
to pauper and convict emigrants have arisen,
but it is not doubted that they will be ar
ranged upon just and satisfactory basis. A
question has also occurred with respect to an
asserted claim by Swiss municipal authorities
to exercise tuteRge over persons and proper
ty of Swiss citizens naturalized in this coun-
try. 1t is possible this may require adjust
ment by treaty,
With the German Empire frequent ques-
tons arise in connection with the subjects of
naturalization and expatriation but the In
peria Government has constantly manifest
ed desire to strictly maintain and comply
with all treaty stipulations in regard to them,
In consequence of the omission of Con
gress to provide for diplomatic representa-
tive at Athens the legation il Greece has
been withdrawn. There is now no channel
Of diplomatic communication between the
two countries, and the expediency of provid-
ing for one in some form is submitted to Con
gress
Relations with Austria Russia, Italy, Port
ugal, Turkey and Belgium continue amcable,
and marked by no incident of especial i'm
portance. A change of the personal head of
the government of Egypt has taken place,
No change, however has occurred in the re-
lations between Egypt and the United States,
The action of the Egyptian Government in
presenting TO the city of New York one of
the ancient obelisks which possess such his
torical interest is highly appreciated as
generous mark Of international regard If
prosperity should attend the enterprise Of its
transportation across the Atlantic, its cree
| ton in a conspicuous position in the chief
| commercial city Of the nation will be soon ac-
l,aA