Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1879-12-05
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

the custom houses and post-ofices Of the princi-
pal cities Of the country, with view 70 further
test their effect, in every instance, they nave
been found TO be as salutary as they are stated
20 have been under the administration OF my
pSedeoessor think the economy Pnmrisy m syy,a,I1 ShS
promoted by their systematic introduction,
wherever practicable, throughout the entire civil
service of the Government, together with ample
provision for their general supervision, in order
TO secure consistency and uniform Justice.
Reports from the Secretary Ct 9th the ,bS bInteEior pdS
master in the city OF New York, where such eN-
aminations have been some time on trial, and also
from the Collector Of sae tS rSf' Ins fTom The Post
masters and Collectors in several OF the other
large cities. show that the competitive system,
where applied, has, in various ways contrlDu-
ted TO improve. the public service. -.
The reports show that the results have been
saiutary in marked degree, and that the general
application of similar rules cannot fail to be oil
decided benefit TO the service.
The reports of the Government officers m the
city of New York especially, bear decided testl-
mony to the utility ofopen competitive cxamina-
tions in their respective offices, showing that
these examinations, and the excellent quallnoat-
tions of those admitted TO the service through
them, have had marked incidental effect, upon
the persons previously in the service, and par
ticularly upon those aspiring to promotion
There has been on the part of these latter, an in
creased interest in the work and desire 70 eN-
tend acquaintance with y beyond the parucuiat
force has been raised. The examina-
tions have been attended by many citizens VINO
have bad an opportunity to th2rougn % INV yesE, sbe
methods of determining the results, ana those
visitors have. without exception, approved the
methods employed, and several OF them have
publicly attested their favorable opinion"
Upon such considerations, deem it my duty
to renew the recommendation contained IN my
annual message of December, 1877, requesting
Congress to make the necessary approprihuuOn
for the resumption of the work OF the Oivil ser
vice Commissions ECONOMY VIII De on ,,oroo Ds
in the public service who may perform extra Ia o.
Dor upon or under the Commission, as the Exec
lam convinced that il Just and adequate test
of merit is enforced for admission TO the public
service and in making promotions, sucn ABUSES
as removals without good cause ana partisan
and official interference with the proper eXer-
else of the appointing power, VIII IN IarRe meas
There are other administrative abuses to which
the attention of Congress should be asked in tins
connection. Mere partisan appointments ana the
constant peril of removal without cause, very
naturally lead to an absorbing and mlscmevous
political activity, on the part of those thus ap-
pointed which not 9ny lntertcieS b MSn ,ry
with the freedom of elections. Not WITHOUT war
rant in the views of several of my predecessors
in the Presidential Office and directly within the
law of 1871 ALREADY cited, cndeavorcd, by regua-
ton, made on the I'd day OF June, lodi 70 put
some reasonable limits TO such abuses. IL may
not be easy, and il may never perhaps be necesr
sary, to define with precision the proper limit oi
political action on the part OF Federal oihcers.
But while their right 70 hold ana Ifeeiy eNpress esa
plain that they should neither be allowed to De
vote 70 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 to cOerce the political action OF
those who hold different opinions.
Reasons of Justice and publlc poncy, quite
analogous 10 those which forbid the use of Off
cial power for the oppression OF the private cltlc
zen impose upon tne Dgents from Te erbt2apy
exactions. In whatever aspect considered, the
practice of making leves, for party purposes
ing to the public service and discreditable to the
country. Though an officer should be as Tree as
any other citizen TO give his own money IN ald
of his opinion or his party. he should also be as
free as any other citizen to refuse to make such
gifts, If salaries are but fair compensation
for the time and labor of the officer, IT Is gross
Injustice TO levy tax upon them. If they are
made excessive in order that they may bear the
tax the excess is an indirect robbery OF the pub
/ recommend, therefore, such revision and
extension of present statutes as snail secure 70
ployment the protection with which great and
enlightened Nation should guard those who are
faithful in its service.
OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES
have continued peaceful. go
With Great Britain there are still unsettled
questions, growing out of the local laws of the
maritime provinces and the action OF provincial
authorities, deemed to be in derogation OF rights
secured by treaty to American fishermen. The
United States Minister in London has been in
structed to present demand for Sl05 58O0.0I, in
view of the damages received by American citi-
y,
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 par
ticipation in the provincial fisheries as regulated
by treaty VII e. S4fe pg Tr9mS With h se ysw ~
an early and permanent settlement of the whole
question, which was only temporarily adjusted
by the Treaty of Washington.
Efforts have been made to obtain the 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 prop
erty upon the lakes which has resulted in i'm
portant 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, Commissioners were
appointed to represent the United States Mt the
two International Exhibitions in Australia, one
of which is now iii progress at Sydney, and the
other to be held next year ut Melbourne, A de-
sire has been expressed by our merchants and
manufacturers interested in the important and
growing trade with Australia, that an increased
provision should be made by Congress for the
representation of our Industries at the Mel
bourne Exhibition of next year, and the subject
is respectfully submitted to your favorable con-
The assent of the Government has been
given to the landing, on the coast of Massachu-
INDEPENDENT TRANSATLANTIC CABLE
between France, by way of the French island of
st. Pierre, and this country, subject to any
The conditions imposed before allowing this
connection with our shores to be established are
such as to secure its competition with any exist
ing or future lines of marine cable and preclude
amalgamation Herewith, to provide for entire
equality of rights to our Government and peopl
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 Important re-
ductiOn Of the present rates of cable communi-
.w.taNh FaIk 2.. 10
to the interests of our commerce, must necessa-
rily flow from the establishment of this compet-
ing line.
The attention of Congress was drawn TO the
propriety of some general regulation by Congress
of the whole subject of transmarine cable by my
predecessor m ili ms message OF December 1875,
matter.
The questions of grave Importance with snain
growing out of the incidents of
THE CUBAN INsURRECTIoN
have been, for the most part, happily and honor
ably settled. ~ may reasonably be anticipated
that the Commission now sitting in Washington
for the decision of private cases. in this connec.
ton, will soon be able to bring its labors to a
conclusion.
The lonG-standing question of East Florida
claims has lately been renewed as a subject of
Observation-Disclosures, ana @ may possibly require Con-
treaty with the Netherlands with respect 10
Consular rights and privileges, similar 10 those
With other powers, has been signed and rati-
ned, and the ratihcations were EXCHANGED
on the Slst of July last. Negotiations for extra
Itlon treaties with the Netherlands and with
Denmark are now in progress.
Some questions with Switzerland, in regard To
panper and convict emigrants, have arisen, hut
1t IS not doubted that they will be ARRANGED nnon
a, Just and satisfactory basis. A question has
also occurred with respect To an asserted claim
by swiss municipal authorities to exercise tute-
lage over persons and property of Swiss citizens
naturalized in this country. II is possible this
may require adjustment by treaty
With the German Empire FREQUENT ouestions
arise IN connection with the subjects Of natur-
alizatlon and expatriation; but the Imperial
government has constantly manifested a desire
70 strictly maintain and comply with all treaty
stlpulations in regard 10 them '
In consequence of the omission of Conf,ress Ia
provide for diplomatic representative at
Athens, the legation to Greece has been with
drawn. There H. now no channel of diplomatic
communication between the two countries. and
the expediency OF providing for one, in some
torm' Is submitted 10 Congress '-'
RELATIONS with Austria, Russia Italy, Portu
gal; Turkey and Belgium continue amicabIe
ance.