The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1883-12-12
SYNOPSIS OF THE PRESIDENTS MES.
SAGE.

most important features. Our foreign re-
lations continue on a friendly footing. He
alludes to injurious restrictions suffered
by our trade in the Spanish West Indies,
Brazil and Turkey, and suggests that
measure of equitable relief in relation
with governments which discriminate
against our own. The exhibit of the
financial condition of the country is
gratifying. The revenue of the present
fiscal year, actual and estimated, is as
follows in round figures SSI3,6S6, 734 95.
The actual and estimated expenses for
the same period, s4sl 81 1861. The
message still further says ''the 4! per
cents, amounting to S250,000,0o0, and the
$737 100000 Of per cents are not paya-
BILE until 1891 and 1907 respectively" If
the surplus shall hereafter be as large
as the treasury estimates now indicate
the 3 per cent bonds NAV be redeemed
at least four years before any of the ~
per cents can be called in. The latter at
the same rate Of the accumulation of sur
plus can be paid at maturity and the
money requisite for redemption Of the
per cents will be brought into the Treas
ury many years before those obligations
become payable. There are urgent rea-
sons, however, why the National indebt-
edness should not be thus rapidly eX-
tinguished, among them is the fact that
it will only be acccssive taxation even if
such rapidity be attainable." Thinks
that further reductions may be wisely
made, but not any large diminution
Of the national revenues. The report Of
the Postmaster General makes crafty
ing exhibit of the condition and prospects
of that branch of the public service. On
June 80, 1883, there were 1860 post
Offices, of which ,632 were established
during the last fiscal year Recommends
the old rate of one cent be established
on local letters where carrier service was
employed. The President disscnts from
from the views of the Postmaster General
thatth Government assume the same
control over the telegraph which it has
exercised over the mails. The Attorney
General in his report criticises the exist
ing law fixing the fees of jurors and wit
nesses in the. Federal courts. Says that
"it is manifest that such compensations,
as might, when these laws were enacted,
have been just and reasonable. would be
justly regarded in many instances at the
present day inadequate" Particularly
80 is this the case in this Territory,
where jurors and witnesses are called
from long distances at fees totally made
quate to pay even halfthe expense.-Ed.)
The President recommends that the
statutes should be revised, and that Dis
trict Attorneys and Marshals be paid a
fixed salary. Thinks it would be econo-
mic, in that lit would disparge the insti-
tuition of needless and oppressive legal
proceeding, which it is to be feared have
in some instances been conducted for the
mere sake of personal gain" The Secre-
tary of the Interior give much varied
and interesting information. Recon-
mends the repeal ofthe presumption and
timber culture acts and more stringent
legislation to prevent frauds under the
pension laws. Give stroke at polygamy.
Thinks it has become SO strongly in
trenched in Utah that it Is profitless to
attack it with any but the strongest
weapons which constitutional legislation
can make. Recommends the repeal of
the act upon which the existing Govern
ment depends, the resumption by the
National Legislature Of the entire politi-
cal control of the locality and the estab
lishment of commission with such
power and duties as shall be delegated
by law. The report Of the Commissioner
of Agriculture shows that the depart
ment is accomplishing much in the agri-
cultural development of the country. AS
an instance a convention of those in
terested in the cattle industry was held
in Chicago. The prevalence Of pleuro
pneumonia and other contagious diseases
or animals was the principal topic of dis
cussion. A committee was appointed.
Invited the cooperation of Congress to
to investigated the causes of these dis
eases and providing methods for preven-
ton and cure. Recommends that Alaska
be put under the protection of law and a
government established. Saws the follow
ing in regard to forest and water supply:
TN many portions of the West the pur-
suit of general agriculture is only made
practicable by resort to irrigation, and
such useful irrigation would be impossi-
BILE without the aid afforded by the for
ests in contributing to the regularity and
consistency of such supply of water. Dur
ing the past year severe suffering and
great loss of property have been occa-
stoned by periods of unusually low
water in many of the great rivers of the
country. These irregularities are in
great measure caused by the removal
from about the sources of the streams in
question of the timber by which the
water supply has been nourished and
protected. The preservation of such
portions of the forests on the national
domain as essentially contribute to the
equitable flow of important water
courses, is of highest consequence. I'm.
portant tributaries of the Missouri, the
Columbia and the Saskatchewan, rise in
the mountains of Montana near the
northern boundary Of the United States,
between the Blackfeet and Flat
head Indian reservations. This re-
gion is unsuitable for settlemen but upon
the rivers which flow from it. And upon
these depend the future agricultural de-
velopment of vast tract of country.
The attention of Congress is called to the
necessity of withdrawing from public
sale this part of the pnblic domain and
establishing there a forest preserve.
The message does not dwell upon civil
service reform as we had expected, nor
so candid and explicit as we had right
to expect from such clear-headed man.
He recommends legislation upon the
presidential succession, which as now
,,pdar carfoip circ,,r,S t0ncoc uo,,1d Inoro