The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1881-12-08

a1ored me | shall strive to execute
the provision of the latter according
to its letter, and ! am unwilling, in
Justice to present civil servants of
the government, TO dismiss this sub
Ject without declaring my dissent
from the severe and almost incrimi-
nate censure with which they have
been recently assaiIed. That they
are as class indolent, inefficient and
corrupt, is Il statement which has
been often made and widely cred
tied; but when the extent, variety,
delicacy and Importance of their
duties are considered, the great ma
iority of the employees of the gov
ernment are, in my Judgment, de-
serving of high commentator.
The continuing decline of the
merchant marine of the United
States is greatly to be deplored. In
view of the fact that we furnish so
large proportion of the freights of
the commercial world, and that our
shipments are steadily and rapidly
increasing, it is cause of surprise
that not only Is. the navigation in
terests diminishing, but it is less
than when our exports and imports
were not half as large as now either
in bulk or value.
There must be some peculiar him
drance to the development of the
interest or enterprise and energy of
the American mechanics and CAPT.
talists who have kept this country
at least abreast of our rivals in the
friendly contest for ocean supre-
macy. The substitution of iron for
wood and of steam for sail, have
wrought great revolutions in the
carrying of the trade of the world,
but these changes could not have
been adverse to America if we had
given to our navigation interest a
proportion of the aid and prOtec-
ton which have been so wisely be-
slowed on our manufactures. |
commend the whole subject to the
wisdom of congress, with the sug-
gestiOn that no question of greater
magnitude or further reaching
In Importance can engage their
consideration. In the year 1875, the
supreme court of the United States
declared in the constitution that
the statute of certain states which
imposed upon the ship owners or
consequences tax of one dollar
and fifty cents for each passenger ar
irving from foreign country, or in
lieu thereof, required bond to in
demnify the state and local authori-
ties against the expense for future
relief or support of such passenger.
Since this decision the expense at
tending the care and supervision of
immigrants has fallen on the states,
at whose ports they have landed, as
large majority of such immigrants
Immediately upon their arrival pro-
coed to the island states and the
territories to seek permanent
homes, it is manifestly unjust to i'm
pose upon states whose shores they
first reach the burden which it now
pears. For this reason, and because
of the vast Importance of the sub
jecI, recommend legislation regard
ing the supervision and transitiO,.of
Immigrants at the ports of debarkssS
ton.
regret to state that the people of
Alaska have reason to complain that
they are yet unprUvided with any
form of government by which life
aud property can be protected.
While the extent of its population
does not justify the application of
the costly machinery of territorial
administration, there is an immediate
necessity Tor constituting such a
form of government as will pro-
mote the education of the people
and secure the administration of JUS
tice. The senate, at its last session,
passed a bill providing for the con-
struction of building for the IL
brary of congress, but 1t failed to-
become a law. The provision of
suitable protection for that great
collection of books, and for the
copyright department connected
with it, has become a subject of ma
tional importance, and should re-
ceive prompt attention.
The report of the commissioners of
the District of Columbia, which
is herewith transmitted, will
fully inform you of the condition
of affairs of the district. They
charge the vital importance of legis-
lation for the reclamation and inn
provement of the marshes and for
the establishment of harhOr lines
along the Potomac river front. 1t
is represented that in their present
condition these marshes seriously
affect the health of the residents of
adjacent parts of the city, and that
they generally mar the general as
pect of the park in which is located
the Washington monument. The
Improvement of that park south of
the executive mansion, n large area
of valuable land, would trans
form what is now believed TO
be q dangerous nuisance into
an attractive landscape extend
ing to the river front. They
recommend the removal of the
steam railway lines from the surface
of the streets of the city and the To-
cation of the necessary depOts in
such place as may be convenient for
public accommodation. and they
call attention To the deficiency of
the water supply which seriously
affects the material prosperity and
the health aud comfort OF its inhabi-
tants. commend these subjects to
your favorable consideration. The
importance of timely legislation
with respect to the ascertainment
and declaration of the vote for presi-
dental electors was sharply cali
ed to the attention of the
people more than four years ago. 1t
is to be hoped that some well de-
fined measure may be devised be-
fore another national election which
win render unnecessary a resort to
any expedient of a temporary char
acter for the determination of ques-
tons upon contested returns-Ques-l
tons which concern the very exist
ence of the government and the lib
critics of the people, and such as
were suggested by the prolonged