even classes and subclasses, embracing those who
received annual salaries from $720 to $1,800.

In the Interior Department the classification was made on the 6th day of
December, 1884. It consists of eight classes and subclasses, and
embraces employees receiving annual salaries from $720 to $2,000.

On the 2d day of January, 1885, a classification of the employees in the
Treasury Department was made, consisting of six classes and subclasses,
including those earning annual salaries from $900 to $1,800.

In the Post-Office Department the employees were classified on February
6, 1885, into nine classes and subclasses, embracing persons earning
annual salaries from $720 to $2,000.

On the 12th of December, 1884, the Bureau of Agriculture was classified
in a manner different from all the other Departments, and presenting
features peculiar to itself.

It seems that the only classification in the Department of State and the
Department of Justice is that provided for by section 163 of the Revised
Statutes, which directs that the employees in the several Departments
shall be divided into four classes. It appears that no more definite
classification has been made in these Departments.

I wish the Commission would revise these classifications and submit to
me a plan which will as far as possible make them uniform, and which
will especially remedy the present condition which permits persons to
enter a grade in the service in the one Department without any
examination which in another Department can only be entered after
passing such examination. This, I think, should be done by extending the
limits of the classified service rather than by contracting them.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _March 23, 1888_.

_To the People of the United States_:

The painful duty devolves upon the President to announce the death, at
an early hour this morning, at his residence in this city, of Morrison
R. Waite, Chief Justice of the United States, which exalted office he
had filled since March 4, 1874, with honor to himself and high
usefulness to his country.

In testimony of respect to the memory of the honored dead it is ordered
that the executive offices in Washington be closed on the day of the
funeral and be draped in mourning for thirty days, and that the national
flag be displayed at half-mast on the public buildings and on all
national vessels on the day of the funeral.

By the President:

T.F. BAYARD, _Secretary_.