Year: 1879

It may not be easy, and it may never,
perhaps, be necessary. to define with
precision the proper limit of political
action on the part OF federal officers.
But while tLeir right to hold and freely
express their opinions cannot be ques-
toned, it is very plain that they should
neither be allowed to devote to other
subjects the time needed for the proper
discharge of their official duties, nor to
use the authority of their office to en-
force 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
power for the oppression of the private
citizen impose upon the govern
ment the duty of protecting its
officers and agents from arbitrary
exactions. In whatever aspect consid-
cred, the practice of making levies for
party purposes upon the salaries of
officers is highly demoralizing to the
public service and discreditable 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 fair eompen-
sation for the time and labor of the Off
GERS, it is gross injustice to levy tax
upon them. 1fthey are made excessive
in order that they may bear the tax, the
excess is an indirect robbery Of the pub
lie funds. l recommend, therefore, such
q revision and extension of present
statutes as shall secure to those in every
grade of official life or public employ
,or,f la l., -
and enlightened nation should guard
those who are faithful in its service.


RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES


Our relations with foreign countries
have continued peaceful. With Great
Britain there are still unsettled questions.
growing out of the local laws of the mari
time provinces and the action Of provin-
cial authorities, deemed to be in deroga-
ton of rights secured by treaty to Ameri-
can fishermen. TheUnited States minister
in London has been instructed 10 presen,
a demand for Sl05. .305 G2. in view of tn
damages received by American citizen
ut Fortune Bay on the sixth day os
January, 1878. The subject has been
taken in consideration by the British
government, and an early reply is anti
cipated. Upon the completion Of the ne
cessary preliminary examination, the
subject OF our participation in the pro-
vincial fisheries, as regulated by treaty,
will at once be brought to the attention
of the British government, with a view
to 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 property upon the lakes, which has
resulted in important notifications OF
the previous regulations of the Do
minion government on the subject in
the interest of humanity and commerce.
In accordance with the joint resolution
or the last session of Congress. COM


missioners were appointed to represent
the United States at the two inter-
national exhibitions in Australia, one
OF which is now il progress at Sidney,
and the other to be held next year at
Melbourne. A desire has been expressed
by our merchants and manufacturers
interested in the important and growing
trad with Australia 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 sub
mitted to your favorable consideration.


The assent Of the government has
been given to the landing on the coast
OF Massachusetts of q new and inde-
pendent transatlantic cable between
France, by way of the French island of
St. Pierre, and this country, subject to
any future legislation of Congress on 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 exist
ing or future lines of marine cable, and
preclude amalgamation Herewith. To
provide for entire equality of rights to
our government and people with those
of France and in the use of the cahle,
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 reduction of the present rates
OF cable communication with Europe,
felt to be too burdensome to the interests
of our commerce, must necessarily flow
AOilA tAlC CSbS1Dlioul4Cub "a ILLS COu1PCl-
ing line. The attention of Congress
was drawn to the propriety of some
general regulation by Congress of the
whole subject of transmarine cables by
my predecessor in his message of Decem
Der 7, 1875, and respectfully submit to
your consideration the importance of
congressional action in this matter.


The questions of grave importance
with Spain, growing out of the incidents
of the Cuban insurrection, have been, for
the most part, happily and honorably
settled. 1t tmay reas onably 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 conclusion.
The long-standing question of East Flo
rida claims has lately been renewed as .
subject of correspondence, and may pos
sibly require congressional action for its
final disposition.


A treaty with the Netherlands, with
respect to consular rights and privileges,
similar to those with other powers, has
been signed and ratified, and the ratifi-
cations were exchanged on the thirty
first of July last. Negotiations for ex-
tradition treaties with the Netherlands
and with Denmark are now in progress.


Some questions with Switzerland in
regard to paIper and convict eInigrants
have arisen, but it is not doubted that
they will be arranged upon a Just and