Rule VI of the civil-service rules is hereby amended by adding to the exceptions from examination in the departmental service a new clause, to read as follows:(d) Assistant Secretary Smithsonian Institution, in charge of United States National Museum.

I transmit herewith, in response to the Senate resolution of December 21, 1896, addressed to the Secretary of State, a report of that officer covering a list of persons claiming to be citizens of the United States who have been arrested on the island of Cuba since February 24, 1895, to the present time.

I transmit a report from the Secretary of State, submitting a list of the claims filed in the Department of State by citizens of the United States against Spain.

I anticipate that better and more uninterrupted commerce, through the plan suggested, between the great West and foreign ports, with the increase of national prosperity which must follow in its train, will not long escape American enterprise and activity.

It appears that terms of court are now held at four different places within the eastern judicial district of Texas.

I return herewith without my approval House bill No. 9469.

I am constrained to withhold my approval of the bill under consideration.

It is provided,That this classification shall not include persons appointed to an office by and with the advice and consent of the Senate nor persons employed as mere laborers or workmen;

It is also ordered,That no person shall be admitted into any place not excepted from examination by the civil-service rules in any of the classes above designated until he shall have passed an appropriate examination prepared by the United States Civil Service Commission and his eligibility has been certified to this office by said Commission.

It is ordered,That the officers and employees in or under this office included within the provisions of the civil-service law and rules be, and they are hereby, arranged in the following classes:

It is nevertheless confidently believed that the treaty can not fail to be everywhere recognized as making a long step in the right direction.