WASHINGTON, December 5, 1871.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In pursuance of the provisions of the second section of the act approved June 20, 1864, entitled “An act making appropriations for the consular and diplomatic expenses of the Government for the year ending the 30th of June, 1865, and for other purposes,” I inform Congress that William Heine, a consular clerk, was on the 30th of August last removed from office for the following cause, viz:  Insubordination, disobedience of orders, and disrespectful conduct toward his superiors.

U.S.  GRANT.

WASHINGTON, December 6, 1871.

To the Senate of the United States:

I transmit to the Senate, in answer to their resolution of the 5th instant, a report from the Secretary of State, with accompanying papers.[52]

U.S.  GRANT.

[Footnote 52:  Correspondence relative to the retirement of Constantin de Catacazy, minister from Russia to the United States.]

EXECUTIVE MANSION, December 19, 1871.

To the Senate and House of Representatives:

In accordance with the act of Congress approved March 3, 1871, I convened a commission of eminent gentlemen to devise rules and regulations for the purpose of reforming the civil service.  Their labors are now completed, and I transmit herewith their report,[53] together with the rules which they recommend for my action.  These rules have been adopted and will go into effect on the 1st day of January, 1872.

Under the law referred to, as I interpret it, the authority is already invested in the Executive to enforce these regulations, with full power to abridge, alter, or amend them, at his option, when changes may be deemed advisable.

These views, together with the report of the commissioners, are submitted for your careful consideration as to whether further legislation may be necessary in order to carry out an effective and beneficial civil-service reform.  If left to me, without further Congressional action, the rules prescribed by the commission, under the reservation already mentioned, will be faithfully executed; but they are not binding, without further legislation, upon my successors.

Being desirous of bringing this subject to the attention of Congress before the approaching recess, I have not time to sufficiently examine the accompanying report to enable me to suggest definite legislative action to insure the support which may be necessary in order to give a thorough trial to a policy long needed.

I ask for all the strength which Congress can give me to enable me to carry out the reforms in the civil service recommended by the commission, and adopted to take effect, as before stated, on January 1, 1872.