Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1881-12-15

Which must attend The payment Of arrears q
pensions. comparison, however, Of the amount
OF taxes collected under tie varying rates Of
ton which have at different times prevailed, sug-
gest the intimation that come reduction may soon
be made without dimipution Of the revenue. The
tariff also needs revising, but that due regard
may be paid to the conflicting interests Of our
cit zens important changes should be made wit.
caution. If careful revision cannot be made at
3his session, q commission such as was lately APP
proved by the senate and is now recommended BY
the senate, and now recommended by
doubtless tighten the labors Of congress when
ever this subject Is brought to its consideration.
The accompanying report of the Secretary Of War
will give the operations Of that department 70,
the past year.
RIvERR AND HARBoRs.
The report of the chief Of engineers furnishes
detailed account of the operations for the i'm
provement OF rivers and harb0rs. l commend to
your attention the suggestions contained in this
report in regard to the condition of our fortifca
tons, especially our coast defences and recon-
mend increased strength of the engineer battalion
by which the efficiency Of our torpedo system
would be improved. also call your attention to
his remarks on the improvement of the South
Pass Of the Mississippi river. In an sllusion
to that subject l suggest the adoption Of some
measure for the removal Of obstructiens
which impede navigation of that great
channel Of commerce. Tho proposed free
bridge over the Potomac river at George
town; the importance of completing
at an early day the north wing Of the department
building and other recommendations to the secre-
tary of war which appear in his report. Toe re-
port Of the actual expenditures Of this depart
m mi hp and
so, l22 ,20l.3g; the appropriations for tue year
1882 were S44, $50 1882; and the estimates for
1883 are s44. SAL 1864.
UNITED STATES COURTS.
The acting attorney general calls attention to
the necessity OF modifying the present system of
the courts of the United States, a necessity due
to the large ncrase Of business especially in the
supreme court. Litigation in our federal tribun-
ais became greatly expanded after the close VI the
late war. So long as the expanse might be at
trbutabic to the abnormal condition IN which the
community found itself Immediately after the re-
turn Of peace, prudence required that no change
be made in the constitution OF war TRIBUNALS,
but it has now became apparent that an immense
increase Of litigston has resulted from the won
derful growth and Development Of the country.
There is no ground for belief that the bust
ness of the United States courts will ever be less
in volume than at present. Indeed that 1t is like
the bench and bar. In view of the fact that con
gress has already given much consid-
deration to this subject, l make no
suggestions az to detail but express
the hope that your deliberations may result in
such legislation as will give caly relief to the
oyer-burdened court.
For many years the executive, in his annual
Jnpu % To has ~ al a a.
necessity Of stringent legislation for the suppress
sion Of polygamy in the territories especially in
Utah. The existing statute FOR the punishment
of this odous crime, so revolving to the moral and
rei gious of christianity has been persstently
and contemptuously violated ever since its enact
ment. Indeed, in spite of the commendable efforts
on the part Of authorities who represent the
United States in that territory the law has not in
various instances been enforced and for causes
to which reference will presently be made is prac-
tically dead letter. The fact that the adhcr-
eats of the Mormon church which rests upon
polygamy as its corner stone, have recently been
pAotlng in large numbers, Idaho, All
Zora and others of western terri
tories is well calculated to excite th-
lvliest interest and apprehension L. pn-es
upon congress and the executive the duty of using
against this barbarous system all the power which
under the constitution and law, they WELD for
its destruction. Reference has areaG, been made
to the obstacles which the United States officers
have encountered in their efforts to punish viola
tons Of the law. Prominent anon. tho obstacles
is the difficulty of procuring legal evidence sufi
cient to warrant conviction, even in the case o!
the most notorious offenders. Your attention Il
called to the occupation of the supreme court Of
the United States, explaining its judgment OF
reversal in the case Of Miles, who had been con
vcted of bigamy in Utah. The court refers t.
the fact that the secresy attending the ceebra-
ton of marriages in that territory makes that
part Of evidence very difficult, and the propriety
Is suggested of modifying that law of evidence
which now makes q wife incompetent to testify
against her husband This suggestion is APP
proved. l recommend also the passing of an act
providing that in the territories of the u S.
the fact That woman has been married TO per
son charged with bigamy shall not disquafy her a,
a witness upon his trial for that offensc. l fur
Their recommend legislation by which any person
solemnsing marriage in any of the territories
shall be required under stringent penalties TO,
neglect refusal, to file a certificate of such mar
riage in the supreme of the territory, unless
congress may devise other PRACTICABLE
measures for obviating the diflicutie.
which have hitherto attended the effort
to suppress this iniquity. / assure you o.
my determined purpose to cooperate with you IN
any lawful and discreet measures which may be
proposed to that end.
EDUCATIONAL.
Although our system OF government does
not contemplate that the nation should pro
vide support system for the educa-
ton of our people. no measures calculated to pro
mote that general in diligence and virtue on which
the prosperity of our institutions greatly depend
have ever been regarded with indifference b.
congress or the executive. A large portion of the
public domain has been from time to time dc,
voted to the promotion of education. There is
special reason why; by setting apart the pro
ceeds of the sale of public lands, or BY