The Portland daily press., 1893-03-27
STEPPING BACKWARD.
A Retrogression in a. the Policy Of
Reciprocity.
CIVIL SERVICE RULES AN OBSTA-
Gle TO WOULD.BE VOTERS.

Observation-Disclosures Multiplying At
Neutrality-suspicious. Pensions.
WASHINGTON, March 25.-President
Cleveland has asked Secretary Gresham
to prepare a statement of the existing
state of the negotiations under the Nc
Kinley Tariff law with Venezuela, Hayti
and Colombia, and he is likely soon to
modify the proclamation of President
Harrison imposing discriminating duties
on coffee and hides from those countries.
A strong protest was fled by the gov
ernment of each country against the inn
position of the discriminating duties a
year ago, but President Harrison refused
to be moved by it. The third section of
the Mckinley law provided that the du-
ties should be imposed upon certain
products of those countries which i'm
posed duties or other exactions upon the
United States, which, in view OF the free
Oo@AOOt
tea and hides into the United States, he
may deem to be reciprocally unequal and
unreasonable.
The representatives of the three gov
ernments affected protested that the tar
iff systems made no discrimination
agai st the United States and in favor
Of other countries; but our government
insisted that, in view OF the special con-
cessions granted these and other South
American countries, they should, like
their Southern neighbors, grant US dis
eliminating exemption from duty. The
coffee trade from Venezuela was most
affected by the Presidents proclamation,
and most of it was diverted to England.
Reorganization of the Diplomatic Corps,
One result of the advancement of Sir
Julian Pauncefort and NJ. j. Patenotre
to the rank of ambassador will be the.
reorganization of the diplomatic corps
in Washington. Under the recent ar
rangements the heads of all foreign lega-
tions were ENJOYS extraordinary and
ministers plenipotentiary and being of
equal rank took precedence on state oc-
casions in the order of seniority. Under
the rule, Baron Fava, the italian minis
ter, has been for several years dean of
the corps and while absent on leave
last year, Minister Romero of Mexico,
second on the listin seniority of appoint
ment, acted in his stead. Ambassadors,
however, outrank ministers and ENJOYS,
and Sir Julian becomes dean by virtue
of his rank, followed by Mr.. Patenotre.
Rank Raised.
M. j. Patenotre, French minister to
Washington, called at the state depart
ment this morning and notified Secre-
tary Gresham that his government had
raised his mission here to the rank of an
embassy. AS the result Of this action
on the part of the French government, it
is believed that the rank of Mr.. Eustis,
the newly appointed minister to France,
will be raised to that of an ambassa-
dor.
Maine Pensions.
Pensions have been granted to the fol-
lowing Maine people:
ORIGINAL.
John F. Sloan, Job j. Sawyer,
Chase Hayes, Benjamin f. Rolfe,
Benjamin Kirkpatrick, BENZ. F. Thompson.
ORIGINAL WIDOWS. ETC.
Frances L. Campbell.
Must Go On Probation.
There are on file in the treasury de-
partment nearly 100 applications for apss
pointments as chiefs Of divisions. So
far no appointments in this class have
been made. Many of the applicants
have been surprised to learn that even
this class of positions are iwithin the
civil service rules, or partially so.
Hereafter no person shall be appointed
a special agent of the treasury depart
ment until his fitness has been ascertain
ed by suitable tests. Those who apply
for these positions will therefore, be
subjected to such an examination as may
be necessary to ascertain whether they
are possessed of the requisite qualifi-
fications. Appointments will be con-
sidered probationary for. SIX months.
permanency of tenure to be dependent
upon the aptitude shown by the ap-
pointee for the work assigned him.
Notable Acquisition to Our Marine.
The government of Spain has officially
rendered to the United States as gift
the reproduced flagship Of Columbus,
'tSanta Maria" now en- route to this
country to participate in the naval re-
view and form part of the Spanish exhib-
it at Chicago. The ceremonies of pre-
sentation will take place on date here
after named, near the close of the exhi-
bition. 1t is the intention to bring the
Santa Maria to Washington for perma
nent exhibition.