convention between the
United States and Mexico, signed July 11, 1888, regulating the crossing
and recrossing of the frontier between the two countries by pasturing
estray or stolen cattle, and I at the same time call attention to the
report of the Secretary of State and accompanying papers, relating to
the convention in question.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 18, 1888_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a communication from the Secretary of State,
submitting a series of reports on taxation, prepared by the consular
officers of the United States.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 18, 1888_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a letter from the Secretary of State, accompanying
the annual reports of the consuls of the United States on the trade and
industries of foreign countries.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 18, 1888_.

_To the Senate and House of Representatives_:

I transmit herewith a letter from the Acting Secretary of State and
accompanying documents, being reports from the consuls of the United
States on the production of and trade in coffee among the Central and
South American States.

GROVER CLEVELAND.

EXECUTIVE MANSION, _July 23, 1888_.

_To the Congress of the United States_:

Pursuant to the second section of chapter 27 of the laws of 1883,
entitled "An act to regulate and improve the civil service of the United
States," I herewith transmit the fourth report of the United States
Civil Service Commission, covering the period between the 16th day of
January, 1886, and the 1st day of July, 1887.

While this report has especial reference to the operations of the
Commission during the period above mentioned, it contains, with its
accompanying appendixes, much valuable information concerning the
inception of civil-service reform and its growth and progress which can
not fail to be interesting and instructive to all who desire improvement
in administrative methods.

During the time covered by the report 15,852 persons were examined for
admission in the classified civil service of the Government in all its
branches, of whom 10,746 passed the examination and 5,106 failed. Of
those who passed the examination 2,977 were applicants for admission
to the departmental service at Washington, 2,547 were examined for
admission to the customs service, and 5,222 for admission to th