The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1881-12-16

The Investigation Of all complaints, the pun
ishment OF all official conduct, should be
prompt and thorough. The views expressed
In the foregoing letter are those which will
govern my administration Of the executive Of
flee. They are doubtless shared by all intelli-
gent and patriotic citizens, however divergent
in their opinions as to the best methods Of put
ting them into practical operation. For ex-
ample the assertion that original appointments
should be based upon ascertained fitness Is not
open to dispute; hut the question how In prac-
tice such fitness can be most effectually ascer-
tanned is one which has for years excited inter-
est and discussion. The measure which, with
slight variations in Its details, has lately been
urged upon the attention Of congress and the
executive, has as its principal feature the
scheme Of competitive examination. Save for
certain exceptions which need not be here
specified, this plan would limit admission to the
service only to its lowest grade, and would ac-
cordingly demand that all the vacancies in
higher positions should be filled by promotion
alone. In these particulars it is in conformity
B'itain, and, indeed, the success which has at
tended the system in the country of its birth is
the strongest argument which has been urged
for its adoption here The facts should not,
however, be overlooked that there are certain
features Of the English system which have not
generally been received with favor in this
country among the foremost advocates ofe
ivil seerAiv reform.
FOREIGN RELATIONS.
Save for correspondence, to which l shal
1efer hereafter, in relation to the proposed
canal across the sthmus of Panama, little has
occurred worthy of mention In the diplomatic
relations OF the two countries. Early in the
year the Fortune Bay claims were satisfactory
ly settled blythe British government paying
In full the sum of $4,000, most Of which has
been already distributed. As the terms OF set
tlement included compensation for injuries
suffered by our fishermen at Ashee Bay, there
has been retained from the gross award a sum
which is deemed adequate for those claims.
BY recent legislation onerous fines have been
imposed upon American shipping in Spanish
and colonial ports for slight Irregularities in
manifests. The tests on the case OF hardships
are especially worthy or attention. The bark
Masonic, bound for Japan, entered Manila In
distress and is there sought to be cOnfiscated
under the Spanish revenue laws for an alleged
shortage in her transhipped cargo. Though
efforts for her relief have thus far proved un-
availing, il is expected that the whole will be
adjusted in friendly spirit.
Our agents in Switzerland have been in
structed to protest against the conduct of the
authorities Of certain communes in permitting
the emigration to this country OF criminals and
other Objectionable persons. Several such per-
sons, through the cooperation Of the commits
sOners of emigration at New York, have been
sent back by the steamers which brought them.
A continuance OF this course may prove a
more effectual remedy than diplomatic remon-
Treaties Of commerce and navigation and for
the regulation of consular privileges have been
with Roumania and Servia since
their admission into the family OF European
states.
regret that the commercial interests be-
tween the United States and Brazil, from
which great advantages were hoped a year ago,
have suffered from the withdrawal of the
lines of communication between the
Brazilian ports and our OVID.
A question has arisen in relation to the eXer-
else in Japan Of the judicial functions confer
red upon our ministers and cOnsuls.The indict-
ments, trial, and conviction, in the consular
courts at Yokohama of John Ross, merchant
seaman on board an American vessel, have
made it necessary for the government to in
,titute careful examination into the nature
and methods OF this jurisdiction. 1t appeared
hat Ross was regularly shipped under the flag
Df the United States, but was by birth Brit
sh subject. My predecessor felt 1t his duty to
maintain the position that during his service
IS q regularly shipped seaman on board an
10 the laws of that service, and to the jurisdic-
ion of the United States consulate authorities.
THE PANAMA CANAL.
The questions growing out of the proposed
inter- oceanic water way across the Isthmus OF
Panama are OF grave national importance.
This government has not been uDmindful OF
he solemn obligations imposed upon 1t by Its
compact of 1846 with Columbia as the indepen-
lent and sovereign mistress OF the country cross
al Inv canal apA hao annnbt IN randar
hem effective by fresh engagements with the
Columbian republic looking to lelr practical
execution. The negotiations to thi end, after
hey had reached what appeared to De a mutu-
ally satisfactory solution were met In Columbia
by dsavOwal of the powers which its envoy had
assumed and by proposal for renewed heg0-
tatiOn on modified basis. Meanwhile, this
learned that Columbia had prOpos-
8d to the European powers to join in guaran-
Toe of the neutrality of the proposed Panama
canal, guarantee which would be in direct
cOntraventlon of our obligation as the sole
guarant teer of the integrity Of Columbian terri
tory and Of the neutrality Of the canal itself.
My lamented predecessor felt 1t his duty to
place before the European powers the reasons
which make the prior guarantee OF the United
States indispensable, and for which the inter-
lection of any foreign guarantee might be re-
garded as superflu0us and unfriendly act
FOrseeing the probable reliance Of the British
government on the provisions OF the Clayton
Bulwer treaty Of 1850, as affOrding room for a
share in the guarantees which the United
States covenanted With Columbia four years
before, have not hesitated to supplement
the action Of my predecessor by proposing to
her Majesty's government the modification OF
that instrument and the abrogatiOn OF such
clauses thereof as do not cOmport with the OBJ
legations OF the United States toward COlum-
bia, or with the vital needs Of the two friendly
parties to the compact
INTERNATIONAL RULES.
invite your attention to the proprety of
for the prevention of collision on the high seas
and of conforming the domestic legislation of
the United States thereto, 30 that no confusion
may arise from the application OF conflicting
rules In the case of vessels of different nation
alities meeting in tidal waters. These inter
national rules differ but slightly from our
own. They have been adopted by the navy
department for the gOvernance OF the war
ships of the United States on the high seas and
In foreign waters, and through the action of
the state department In disseminating the rules
and in acquainting shipmasters with the option
OF conforming to them without the jurisdic-
tional waters OF the United States they are now
very generally known and 0beyed.
THE SIGNAL SERVICE.
The separate organization OF the signal SER
vice is needed by the secretary Of war, and a
full statement of the arrangement OF such per-
manent organization Is presented In the report
OF tfe chief signal officer.
IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HARBORs.
The report OF the chief OF engineers furnish
es detailed account OF the operations for the