The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-12-05

all excise duties except On distilled spirits Is
renewed, and the belief asserted that there
will be sufficient revenues without them to
meet the reasonable expenditures Of the gov
eminent and still permit of acceptable tariff
reduction.
THE SKIPPING INTERESTS AND BONDS.
The report Of the Secretary of the Treas
ury relating to methods Of stimulating and
encouraging the dropping shipping interests
is referred to and approved. In view Of the
retirement Of large amount Of the 8 per
cent. bonds, on which the circulation of the
National Banks Is largely based, contrac-
ton Of the currency seems imminent unless
Congress shall exact from the banks = less
proportionate deposit of bonds on their cir
culation than at present. The President rec
ommends that banks be permitted TO issue
notes equal to the face value of deposited
bonds. --s .--
THE WAR DEPARTMENT..
The expenses of the War Department have
been decreased 50, O0o, 900, principally in the
River and Hsrbor and Quarterm aster's De.
partments. The cost Of supplying draught
and pack animals alone Is 81, l0s.S5 less than
In 1882. The removal of Oklahoma Payne's
Indian Territory intrudeIs Is referred to-.
There have not been any Indian outbreaks
during the past year.
PROTECTION OF sEABoARD CITIES.
The President calls attention to the de
fenseless condition of our seaboard cities,
the destruction Of which would be national
humiliation. He believes tho time has ar
rived in the perfection of methods Of defense
when they can be made adequate, and rec
ommends the gradual expenditure Of $50.
o0O, 900 for that purpose, "a sum much less
than victorious enemy could levy as = con-
tribution." An appropriation of one-tenth
that sum is asked for immediate use. He
also renews his recommendations that prl-
vate steel works with facilities adequate for
the production Of cannon material be en-
couraged, and that two government factories,
one for the army and one for the navy, be
established for the fabrication of guns from
such materials. The progress made on the
steel cruisers authorized In 1923 by acts of
Congress, Is referred to, and attention called
to the lack Of appropriation to aSm the
doubls-turreted monitors.
Considerable space Is devoted to the Gree
ley expedition, and the President says in
relation to
THE NAVY:
ain this, the last of the state messages
that I shall have the honor to transmit to
the Congress of the United States, l cannot
too strongly urge on their attention the duty
of restoring our navy As rapidly as possible
to the high state of efficiency which former
ly characterized 1t. As the long peace that
has lulled US into sense Of fancied security
may st any time be disturbed, IL Is plain
that the policy Of strengthening this arm of
the service is dictated by considerations Of
use, economy, Of just regard for our future
tranquility, and of true appreciation OF the
dignity and honor of the republic"
THE POSTAL SYSTEM.
The reduction in the revenue of the post
Office department by the reduction Of letter
postage from three cents to two cents, has
proved to be only $2,275, 900 when 1t was
estimated 1t would be S3,OOO,O0O. 1t is now
recommended that the rate On "drop letters
be reduced from two cents to one cent; that
the unit of weight be some ounce" instead of
some half ounce" as at present; and that the
free delivery system, which Is in force in
$50 cities, be extended. de also suggests
that means for enabling the exceptional
dispatch of letters at higher rate of postage
be devised so as to shat off private express
companies.
WITNESS AND JURY FEES.
The Attorney General renews the recon-
mendation contained in his report Of last
year touching the fees of witnesses and
jurors. He favors radical changes In the
fee bill; the adoption of system by which
attorneys aud mzrshals OF the United States
should be compensated solely by salaries;
and the erection by the Government of .
penitentisry for the confinement Of offend ers
against th laws.
or the varied Governmental concerns in
charge Of The Interior Department, the re-
ports Of its Secretary present an interesting
summary. Among the topics deserving par.
ticnlar attention, refer you to his sbserva-
tions respecting our Indian affairs, the pre-
emption andtlmber culture acts, the failure
of railroad companies TO take title to lands
granted by the government, aud the opera
tions Of the pension Office, the patent Office,
the census bureau, and the bureau Of educa-
tioa.
PUBLIC LANDS AND PoLYGAMT.
The Secretary of Interior urges anew tho
enactment of statute for the punishment of
crimes committed on Indian reservations,
and recommends the passage Of the bill now
pending in the House Of Representatives for
the purchase Of tract of ], 1900 square miles
from the Sioux reservation, Beth these
measures are worthy Of approval. concur
with him also in advising the repeal Of the
law, the enactmen: Of statutes
resolving tho present legal complications
lapsed grants to railroad companies
and the funding Of the debt Of The several
Pacific railroads under such guaranty rs
shall effectually insure its ultimate pay.
ment.
The report Of the Utah commission will
be read with interest. 1t discioses the res
suits Of recent legislation looking to the
and punishment of polygamy In
that Territory. l still believe that IL that
aooninable practice can be suppressed by
law, 1t can only be by the most radical legis-
tation consistent with the restraints of the
l again recommend, there
fore, that Congress assume absolute political
control Of the territory of Utah, and provide
for the appointment Of commission with
such governmental power as in Its judgment
may justify aud wisely be put into their
hands.
The ablest argued portion of the message
Is in relation to the
EXTENSION OF FOREIGN TRADE,
with the countries of the South
American continent and adjacent islands.
He suggests:
First-A series Of reciprocal commercial
treaties with the countries OF America which
shalt foster between us and them an IN.
hampered movement of trade. The condi.
tons Of these treaties should be the free sd-
mission Of such merchandise as this country
does not produce In return for admission
free, or under favored scheme of duties Of
our products. The benefits Of such an ex
change to apply on those goods carried un
der the flag Of the parties to the contract.
The removal on both sides from vessels 30
privileged Of all tonnage, dues and national
imposts, so that their vessels may ply unhin- |
Bob S1eds :