Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1880-12-11

duU uuLy vi Tic OuIlcu SLdlcS 10
assert and maintain such supervi-
sion and authority over any inter-
oceanic canal across the iSthmus
that connects North and South A
merica as will protect our nation
al interpsts.b
Mention 10 made Of the fact that
the invitation to foreign maritime
states to join in eanitary confer
ence at Washington, commencing
in January. has been accepted by
many prominent powers, giving
promise OF success In establishing
an international system, by which
means the spread of infections or
epidemic diseases may be prevent
ed or checked. Mr.. Hayes next
speaks of the efforts Of tie s ate
Department to enlarge our trade
and commerce through the agency
of consular officers and the publ
cation of their reports. The ne.
cessity of regular steam postal
communication with countries
where trade and commerce can be
developed is referred to, and the
advantages Great Britain possesses
through government aid to her
steamship lines pointed out. In
considering the subject of our navy
Mr.. Hayes advises its enlarge
ment both as an aid to commerce
and for protection in case of war.
Considerable space is devoted ia
the message on the financial af.
fairs of the country. The refund
ing of some six hundred dollars
worth of 5 and 6 per cent. bonds,
maturing within a few months,
is referred to, and the low rate of
interest at which the new bonds
can be placed on the market will,
ii is shown, materially aid in re-
ducing the public debt, Mr..
Hayes refers to the accumulation
of silver in the treasury and of the
impossibility of keeping it in cir
culation. To solve the problem
he advises Congress to repeal so
much of existing legislation as re-
quires the coinage of silver dol
lars containing only 4123 grams of
silver, and in its stead authorize
the Secretary of the Treasury to
coin silver dollars of equivalent
value as bullion with gold dollars.
Mr.. Hayes briefly refers to the
army, and states that while its
strength is limited to 10000 enlist
ed men, the appropriations have
limited it to $4,000. He advises
its increase to the full legal
strength, and also invites atten-
tlon to the necessity of providing
by legislation for organizing, arm
ing and disciplining the active
militia of the country and urges
"liberal appropriations" in this be-
half. Our national defenses are.
Mr.. Hayes declares, "discreditable
to the country" and he advises
that they at least be saved from
decay. into which they are fast
crumbling. He also treats at con-
siderable length the exhibit of the
Postmaster General, and COM
mend5 to Congress the latter's
recommendation that the necessa-
ry legislation be enacted 10 en-
courage the establishment of
American lines of steamers by our
citizens to carry the mails between
our own ports and those W Next
co, Central America, South Amer
lea, and trans-Pacific countries.
In referring to the report of the
Attorney General Mr.. Hayes In
dorses his recommendation for the
establishment of an intermediate
court Of errors and appeals. AL
ludipg to Secretary Schurz's elab-
crate review of the Department,
of the Interior the message speaks
of our Indian affairs as being sin
a moro hopeful condition than
ever BEFORE" and Endorses the
present policy in that regard.
Mr.. Hayes advises the allotment
of lands on the different reserva-
tons In severalty to the Indians
under certain conditions. The
prosperous growth of our agricul-
tural industry is noted in connec-
ton with the large sales of public
lands for settlement during the
past year The message also gives
review Of our educational system,
and treats of our increased cattle
trade abroad. Mr.. Hayes con-
cludes by saying: II commend
again to the attention of Congress
the subject Of the removal from
their present location Of the depots
of the several railroads entering
the city. and | renew the recon-
mendations of my former M ssa-
ges in behalf of the erection of a
building for the congressional Ii
brary, the completion of the Wash
ington monument, and Of liberal
appropriations in support of the
benevolent, reformatory and penal
institutions of the District" On
the whole il is. DerhaDS. the best