Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-12-05


| 1877, requesting Congress 20 make the nee
essary appropriation for the resumption Of
| the work Of the Civil Service Commission.
Economy will be promoted by authorizing
a moderate compensation to persons in the
public service who may perform extra Ia
Dor upon or under the Commission, as the
| Executive may direct.
am convinced that if a Just and ade-
quate test of merit is enforced for sdmiS-
sion to the public service, and in making
promotions, such abuses at removals with
out good cause and partisan and official
| interference with the proper exercise Of the
appointing power, viii in a large measure
disappear.
OTHER ADMINISTRATIVE ABUSES.
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
removal without cause, very naturally
lead to an absorbing and misehievOus po-
| litical activity, on the part of those thus
appointed, which not only inteferes with
due discharge of official duty, but is incom-
patible with the freedom of elections. Not
without warrant, in the views Of several
of my predecessors, in the Presidential Of
fee, and directly within the law Of 1871,
/ already cited, endeavored, by regulation,
made on the 22nd day of June, 1877, 10
put some reasonable limit 10 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
dart Of Federal officers. But while their
right to hold and freely express their opin-
ions cannot be questioned, it is very plain
Al. - i H. -, II - IL
vote to other subjects the time needed
for the proper discharge Of their official
duties, nor to use the authority of their
office to enforce their own opinions, or 70
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
ernment the duty Of protecting its officers
and agents from arbitrary exactions. In
whatever aspect considered, the practice
of making leVies, for party purposes, up
on the salaries Of officers is highly demor-
alizing to the public service and discredita-
ble 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 salaries are but a fair compensa-
ton for the time and labor Of the officer, it
is gross injustice to levy tax upon them.
If they are excessive in order that they
may bear the tax, the excess is an indirect
robbery 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 great and enlightened Ma
tion 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 unset
tied questions, growing out Of the local
Of laws maritime provinces and the action Of
provincial authorities, deemed to be in de-
rogation of rights secured by treaty to
American fishermen. The United States
Minister in London has been instructed to
present q demand for $105, ,306.02, in view
of the damages received by American eiti-
zens at Fortune Bay on the 9th day Of jan
Uary, 1879. The subject has been taken
into consideration by the British Govern
ment, and an early reply is anticipated.
Upon the completion Of the necessary
preliminary examinations, the subject Of
our participation in the Provincial fisher
les, as regulated by treaty, will at once be
brought to the attention of the British
Government with view to an early and
permanent settlement Of the whole ques-
tion, which was only temporarily adjusted
by the treaty Of Washington.
l., -, ,1,gos-, ka
removal Of restrictions found injurious to
the expectation 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 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 resolution
of the last session Of Congress, commission
ers were appointed to represent the United
States st the two international EXhibi-
tions in Australia, one of which is now in
progress in 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 at the Melbourne Exhibition of next
year, and the subject is respectfully sub
mitted to your favorable consideration.
THE NEW CABLE.
The assent of the Government has been
given to the landing. on the coast of Mass
achusetts, of new and independent trans
atlantic cable between France, by way Of
French Island of st. Pierre, and this coun-
try, subject to any future legislation Of
Congress on the subject. The conditions
imposed, before allowing this connection
with our shores to be established, are such
as to secure its competition with any eX-
isting or future lines of marine cable, and
preclude amalgamatiOn Herewith, to pro-
vide for entire equality of rights to our
Government and people with those Of
France in the use of the cable and pre-
vent any exclusive possession of the priyi-
lege as accorded by France to the disad-
vantage of any future cable cOmmunica-
ton between France and the United
States which may be projected and ac-
cOmplished by our citizens. An import
ant reduction of the present rates Of ca
bic 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
message of December 7th, 1875, and re-
spectfully submit to your consideration
the importance Of Congressional action in
this matter.
THE SPANISH QUESTIONS.
The questions of grave importance with
Spain, growing out Of the incidents of the
Cuban insurrectiun, have been, for the
most part, happily and hOnorably settled.
1t may reasonably be anticipated that the
commission now sitting in Washington,
for the decision of private cases in this
connection, will soon be able to bring its
labOrs to a conclusion.
The long-standing question in East
Florida claims has lately been renewed
as a subject of correspondence, and may
possibly require Congressional action for
its final disposition.
A treaty with the Netherlands, with re-
spect to consular rights and privileges,
similar to those with other powers, has
been signed and ratified, and the ratihca-
tons were exchanged on the S1st Of July
last. Negotiations for extradition trea-
ties with the Netherlands and with Den
mark are now in progress.
Some questions with Switzerland, in re-
gard to pauper and convict emigrants,
L. HMmanH