No. 201.
Mr. Francis to Mr. Fish.
Legation of
the United States,
Athens, June 29, 1872.
(Received July 22.)
No. 64.]
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a
copy of a letter addressed by me to Mr. Mélétopoulo, secretary-general
of the minister of foreign affairs, under date of the 18th instant,
inclosing documents on civil-service reform in the United States. And I
also transmit a copy of the reply of Mr. Mélétopoulo, under date of June
14–26, which gives expression to the high appreciation by the Greek
government of the measures inaugurated for civil-service reform in the
United, States.
I am, &c,
[Inclosure No. 1.]
Mr. Francis to
Mr. Mélétopoulo.
Legation of the United States,
Athens, June 18, 1872.
Sir: In response to your verbal request,
made some time since, to be furnished with documents emanating from
the Government of the United States relating to civil-service
reform, I have the honor to transmit herewith three documents on
that subject which have been forwarded by the State Department at
Washington for the use of the Greek government. These papers fully
explain the system that has been adopted by the executive department
of the Government of the United States to govern appointments to
office.
I have, &c.,
[Inclosure No. 2.]
Mr. Mélétopoulo
to Mr. Francis.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
Athens, June 14–26, 1872.
Mr. Minister: I duly received your letter
dated 18th instant, including several documents relating to
civil-service reform, which have been forwarded by the State
Department at Washington for the use of the Greek government in
consequence of the verbal request I made to you some months ago.
His Majesty’s government are thankful for the communication of such
important
[Page 251]
documents, which
show the steady and praiseworthy exertions made in the United States
for the improvement of civil service, and which may prove useful and
instructive for any similar scheme elsewhere. His Majesty’s
government, while they feel sure that the introduced form will be
conducive to the scope contemplated, by insuring the scrupulous
fulfillment of public duties in your great country, whose welfare is
viewed with a deep interest by Greece, they think that the
regulations governing admission to the Departments may be the more
advantageously consulted for any reform of our own civil service, as
the principle of unremovableness from office is already established
here for judicial officers.
In expressing these feelings, Mr. Bnlgaris, the prime minister and
minister of foreign affairs, charged me to convey to you, and
through you to the Government of the United States, his sincere
thanks for your kind communication.
With sentiments of highest esteem, I remain, &c, &c.,
