The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1883-12-12

sudden emergencies the aid of a large
body of volunteers educated in the pro-
fciencies of military duties.
RECONSTRUCTION OF .THE NAVY.
/ feel bound to impress upon the at
tention Of congress the necessity OF con-
tinued progress in the reconstruction OF
the navy. The condition Of the public
treasury, as [ have already intimated,
makes the present an suspicious time
for putting this branch of the service in
a state Of efficiency. It is no part OF
our policy tot reate and maintain a navy
able to copa} with those of the other
great powers of the world. We have no
| wish for foreign conquest, and the peace
which we have long enjoyed is in no
seeming danger of interruption. But
that our naval strength should be made
adequate for the defense Of our harbors,
the protection OF our commercial inter
ests and the maintenance OF our national
honor is a proposition from which no
patriotic citizen can withhold his assent.
JUR AMI WITNESS FEES.
The attorney general criticises in his
report the provisions of the existing law
fixing the fees of jurors and witnesses in
the federal courts. The provisions are
chiefly contained in the act of February
Goth, 1873, though ONE of them We're
introduced into that section from stat
utes which had been passed many years
previous. 1t is manifest that such COM
pensation as might nave been Just and
reasonable when these laws were enacted
would, in many instances, be justly re-
gaTded at the present day as inadequate.
| concur with the attorney general in
the belief that the statutes should be
revised by which these fees are regu-
lated. SO also should the laws which
regulate the compensation of district
attorneys and marshals. They should
be paid wholly by salaries, instead Of in
part by fees as is now the case. The
change would prove to be a measure of
economy and would discourage the in
stitution Of much oppressive legal pro-
ceedings, which, it is to be feared, have
in some instances been conducted for
the mere sake of personal gain.
INTERIOR.
Much interesting and varied informa-
ton is contained in the report of the
secretary of the interior. I particularly
call your attention to his presentation
Of certain phases of the Indian question
to you, and his recommendation for the
repeal OF the presumption and timber
culture acts, Inc for more stringent
legislation to prevent frauds under the
pension laws. The statutes which give
the definitions and punishment of
crimes relating to pensions could doubt
less be made more effective by certain
amendments and additions which are
pointed out in the secretary's report. I
have previously referred to the illiteracy
existing in certain portions of our land,
and again submit to the consideration of
congress whether some federal aid
should be extended to the public for
| primary education where adequate pro-
| vision therefor has not already been
made,
AGRICULTURAL.
The department of agriculture is ac-
complishing much in the direction of
the agricultural development of the
country, and the report of the commits
sioner giving the results of his inyesti-
cations and experiments will be found
interesting and valuable. AT his in
stance a convention Of those interested
in the cattle industry of the country
was lately held at Chicago. The preva-
lence Of pleuro-pneumonia and other
contagious diseases of animals was one
Of the chief topics of discussion. A
committee Of the convention will invite
your cooperation in Investigating the
cause Of these diseases and providing
methods for their prevention and cure.
INDIAN MATTERS.
From the report of the secretary of
wal it will be seen that in only single
instances have there been disturbances
OF the quiet condition of our Indian
tribes. A raid from Mexico into Arizo-
ma was made by a small party of In
dams, who were pursued by Gen. Crook
into the mountain regions from which
they came. It is confidently hoped that
any serious outbreak will not occur
again, and that the Indian tribes which
have for SO many years disturbed the
west will hereafter remain in peaceful
submission.
The following subjects the president
has given in detail: Our swine, pro-
ducts, coronation of the Gar, Cuban re-
strictions, international treaties, our
Mexican relations, Central America,
Hawaii, extending intercourse, aiding
Liberia, the valley of the Congo, our
trade with the Spanish West Indies and
other places, financial, the national cur
rency question, customs districts, coast
defence, the navy, postal affairs, the
Utah commission, Alaska, Interstate
policy, forestry, industrial exhibitions.
civil service, District of Columbia and
presidential succession.
SENATE.
WASHINGTON, December 5,-CuIlom
introduced a bill to reorganlze the legis-
lative power in Utah.
Hoar presented a joint resolution of
the LEGISLATURE Of massachusetts, onroa