The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1882-12-13

act Is still IN force, and the president
thinks the law ought to be amended in
this particular.
A PROPOSED AMENDMENT.
The president refers to the river and
harbor bill, and offers the suggestion
that in future the several objects and
items be not Jumped in one bill, but that
appropriations for each special object be
made in separate bills, so that members
of congress may vote for or against each
without being obliged to appear to sane
ton some expenditure in order to secure
others which they may deem necessary,
and also to relieve the executive in the
matter of approval or veto. In case
congress should deem that such a course
is impracticable by reason of the great
number of objects, he suggests an amend
ment of the constitution by which the
power will be given the president to veto
portions Of q bill while approving 9TH
ers, and providing that such portions as
are approved shall become law, and the
portions disapproved fail to become a
law unless passed over the veto.
II NAVY.
The president favors the strengthening
Of the navy by the building of modern
armored vessels and the construction of
high-power rifle guns, and suggests APP
preparations for such, and also for torpe-
do services and other harbor defenses.
Healso recommends legislation by which
the merchant marine of the country may
be increased and the growing decreased
the carrying trade to and from foreign
ports stopped.
REDUCTION OF POSTAGE.
Under the present rate Of postage the
receipts exceed the expenditures. While
this is gratifying, it has never been the
intention of the government to make
this a means Of revenue, and the presi-
dent favors a reduction in the rate. of
postage on letters. While this may re-
suit, at first, in a slight deficiency, he is
of the opinion that the increase Of mail
business in consequence Of the reduction
will soon bring the service up to a self
supporting again.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE,
The report from this department brings
up anew the necessity of charging the
present system of federal jurisprudence,
and the attorney general favors a better
provision in certain judicial districts for
the granting of fees for witnesses and
jurors. This would be especially applica-
bic to Montana, where witnesses and ju-
rors have to travel such great distances
in some cases, and where the mileage al
lowed by the present laws will not begin
to pay the ordinary transportation. The
president refers to the star route cases
and says: II have enjoined upon the
attorney general and associate counsel to
whom the interests Of the government
were entrusted, the duty of prosecuting
with the utmost yigor of the law all per-
sens who might be found c~hargeable
with these offenses. A trial on these
cases has since occurred. It resulted in
a disagreement Of the jury, but the case
has again been placed upon the calendar
and will shortly be retired. If any
guilty persons shall finally escape pun
ishment for their offenses it will not be
for lack of diligent and urgent efforts on
the part of the prosecution
CIVIL SERVICE.
After speaking of the sentiments en-
bodied in his last message in regard to
the principles and rules which in his
opinion should govern appointments to
the pubEc service, and declaring his
readiness to support any measure which
would afford a remedy for present evils,
the president says that since then there
has been an increase in public interest
on this subject, and the people have Civ
en- expression ia various ways to their
wish for some prompt and definite ac-
ton, and in his judgment such action
should no longer be postponed. The
civil list now comprises about 100, 900
persons, the larger part Of whom must,
under the constitution, be selected by
the president either directly or through
his oWn appointees. This is a burden
which the executive ought not to bear,
and besides it diverts his time and atten-
ton from other duties which cannot be
delegated to others. He thinks that
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