Vacancies occurring in any grade of consulates or clerkships in the Department may be filled either by transfer from some other grade or service—­clerical, consular, or diplomatic—­under the Department of State, or by the appointment of some person who has previously served under the Department of State to its satisfaction, or by the appointment of some person who has made application to the Secretary of State, with proper certificates of character, responsibility, and capacity, in the manner provided for applications for consulates of which the lawful annual compensation is more than $1,000 and less than $3,000, and who has on examination been found qualified for the position.

U.S.  GRANT.

[From the New-York Daily Tribune, May 10, 1873.]

WASHINGTON, May 9, 1873.

The President announces with deep regret the death of the Hon. Salmon P. Chase, Chief Justice of the United States, who closed a life of long public service, in the city of New York, on the 7th instant, having filled the offices of Senator of the United States, governor of Ohio, Secretary of the Treasury, and crowning a long career in the exalted position of Chief Justice of the United States.  The President directs that the public offices in Washington be closed on Saturday, the 10th instant, the day of his funeral, and that they be draped in mourning for the period of thirty days, and that the flags be displayed at half-mast on the public buildings and forts and on the national vessels on the day of the funeral, in honor of the memory of the illustrious dead.

By order of the President: 

HAMILTON FISH, Secretary of State.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, Washington, D.C., May 21, 1873.

SIR:[75] The President directs me to say that the several Departments of the Government will be closed on the 30th instant, in order to enable the employees of the Government to participate, in connection with the Grand Army of the Republic, in the decoration of the graves of the soldiers who fell during the rebellion.

I am, sir, your obedient servant,

O.E.  BABCOCK,

Secretary.

[Footnote 75:  Addressed to the heads of the Executive Departments, etc.]

WASHINGTON, August 5, 1873.

The Civil Service Commission, at its session at Washington which terminated June 4, 1873, recommended certain further rules to be prescribed by the President for the government of the civil service of the United States.  These rules as herewith published are approved, and their provisions will be enforced as rapidly as the proper arrangements can be made.

U.S.  GRANT.

By the President: 
  HAMILTON FISH,
    Secretary of State.

FURTHER RULES FOR PROMOTING THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CIVIL SERVICE OF THE UNITED STATES.