The report of the Secretary of the Interior herewith attached gives much interesting statistical information, which I abstain from giving an abstract of, but refer you to the report itself.

The act of Congress providing the oath which pensioners must subscribe to before drawing their pensions cuts off from this bounty a few survivors of the War of 1812 residing in the Southern States.  I recommend the restoration of this bounty to all such.  The number of persons whose names would thus be restored to the list of pensioners is not large.  They are all old persons, who could have taken no part in the rebellion, and the services for which they were awarded pensions were in defense of the whole country.

The report of the Commissioner of Agriculture herewith contains suggestions of much interest to the general public, and refers to the sly approaching Centennial and the part his Department is ready to take in it.  I feel that the nation at large is interested in having this exposition a success, and commend to Congress such action as will secure a greater general interest in it.  Already many foreign nations have signified their intention to be represented at it, and it may be expected that every civilized nation will be represented.

The rules adopted to improve the civil service of the Government have been adhered to as closely as has been practicable with the opposition with which they meet.  The effect, I believe, has been beneficial on the whole, and has tended to the elevation of the service.  But it is impracticable to maintain them without direct and positive support of Congress.  Generally the support which this reform receives is from those who give it their support only to find fault when the rules are apparently departed from.  Removals from office without preferring charges against parties removed are frequently cited as departures from the rules adopted, and the retention of those against whom charges are made by irresponsible persons and without good grounds is also often condemned as a violation of them.  Under these circumstances, therefore, I announce that if Congress adjourns without positive legislation on the subject of “civil-service reform” I will regard such action as a disapproval of the system, and will abandon it, except so far as to require examinations for certain appointees, to determine their fitness.  Competitive examinations will be abandoned.

The gentlemen who have given their services, without compensation, as members of the board to devise rules and regulations for the government of the civil service of the country have shown much zeal and earnestness in their work, and to them, as well as to myself, it will be a source of mortification if it is to be thrown away.  But I repeat that it is impossible to carry this system to a successful issue without general approval and assistance and positive law to support it.