The Portland daily press., 1884-12-02


marshsls Of the United States shall be com.
pensated solely by salaries, and the erection by
tne government OF penitentiary for the COZ
nnement OF offenders against its laws.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Ot its varied governmental concerns in
charge OF the Interior Department, the report
OF the Secretary presents an interesting sum
mary. Among the topics deserving particular
attention, refer you to his observations re-
spscting our Indian affairs, the pre-smption
and timber culture acts the failure of railroad
companies to take title TO lands granted by the
government, and the operations OF the pension
office, the patent Office, the census bureau and
the bureau of education.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
Allusion has been made already to the cir
caunstance that both, as between the different
Indian tribes and as between the Indians and
the whites, the past year has been one OF un-
broken pescs. To this circumstance, the Presi-
dent is glad TO fnd justification ofsthe policy Of
tns government in its dealing with tie Indian
question AID confirmation of the views which
were fully expressed in his first communica-
tion to the Alta Congress The Secretary urges
anew the enactment Of a statute for the pun
isbment of crimes committed on the Indian
reservations, and recommends the passage of
tbs bill now pending in the House of Repre-
sentatives for the pnrchase of a tract OF IS 600
square miles flom the Sioux reservation. Both
these measures are worthy OF approval.
VARIOUS INTERIOR MATTERS.
I concur with him also in advising the repeal
OF the presumption law, the enactment of
statutes resolving the present legal complica-
fion touching iapsed grants to railroad cotapa
mis- and the funding Of tho debt of the seyer-
a Pacific railroads under such guaraaty as
shall etfectually secure its ultimate payment
RADICAL MEASURES AGAINST PoLYGAnY.
The report of the Utah Commission will be
read with interest. 1t disclosee the results Of
recent legislation looking to the prevention
and punishment of polygsmy in that territory.
l still believe that il this abominabe practice
can be suppressed by law, it can only b. by
the raost ra aical legislation consistent with the
of the Constitution again RECON-
mend, therefore. that Congress assume absc-
lnte political control of the Territory of Utah,
aud provide for the appointment OF commis-
sloners, with such governmental powers as in
Its Judgment may wisely be put into their
hands.
EXTENSION OF OUR FOREIGN TRADE.
Ia the course of this communication refer
ence has been made to the policy of this gov
srnmsnt as regards the extension of our for
slgn trade 1t seems proper to declare the
general principles that snould, in my opinion,
anderlle our national efforts in this direction.
The main conditions OF the problem may be
thus stated: We are a people active In me-
chanical pursuits and fertile 10 invention. We
cover vast extent of territory, rich in agri-
Cultural products and in nearly all the raw
materials necessary for successful manafac-
lure; we have system of productive estab-
than sufficient to supply our own
demand. The wages of labor are no whore
slss so great. The scale of living OF our arti-
IAN classes is such as tends to secure their per-
lonal comfort and the development of those
higher moral aud Intellectual qualities that 20
o the making up Of good citizens. Oar sss-
'em OF tax ana tariff legislation is yielding
'evenu0 which ls in eycsSs of the present needs
If the government. These are elements from
which 1t is sought to devise a scheme by which,
gltboHt unfavorably changing the condition
y the workingmsn, our merchant marine
hall be raised from its enfsebled condition
md new markets provided for the sale beyond
,ur borders of the manifold fruits of our indus-
rial enterprises The problem ia complex,
md can be solved by no single measure of in
lovasion or reform. The countries of the
American continent and the adjacent islands
ire for the United States the natural marts of
npply and demand. 1t is from them that we
hould obtain what We do not produce, or do
lot preducs in sutiiciency, and it is to them
hat the surplus productions OF our fields, our
nils and our workshops should flow under
conditions that will equalize or favor them in
comparison with foreign competition. Four
baths OF policy seem to point to this epd:
First, series of reciprocal commercial trsal-
es with the countries of America which shall
oster between US and them an uaham pered
of trade. The conditions of these
featies should be the free admission of such
merchandise as the country does not produce
a return for the admission free or under a
avoFed schems OF duties of our own products,
10 benefits of such exchange to apply only TO
goods carried under the flag of the parties to
he contract, the removal on both sides FROM
he vessels 50 privileged Of all tonnage dues
md national imports SO that their vessels NAV
)iy unhindered between our ports and those OF
he other contracting parties, though without
On the reserved home coasting
rade; the removal or he reduction OF burdenS
NJ the exported products of those Countries
'oming within the benefits OF the treaties, aud
he avoidance OF the technical restrictions and
penalties By which our intercourse with those
countries ia at present nainpored.
Secondly, the establishment of the consular
ervice OF the United States on salaried foot
ng, thus permitting the REIMBURSEMENT OF
consular fees, nos only as respects vessels un-
ier the national flag, bus as respects vessels OF
he treaty nations carving goods entitled to
he bsneft of the treaties.
Thirdly. The enactment of measures to fay-
n TIE construction and maintenance of steam
,afrying marine under the flag of the United
,tates.
Fourthly. The establishment of an uniform,
urreney basis for the countries of America, 90
hat this coined products of our mines nav cir
ystem OF commonwealths. This would re-
InIre monetary union of America whereby
he output of the bullion producing countries
uo the circulation of those which yield neith-
# gold nor silver could be adjusted in conform.
~ with the population, wealth. and CONNER
ial needs of each. As many of the couni riez
urnish no bullion to ths common stock the
urplus production OF our miues and nnints
night thus be utilized and step taken toward
he general RECOMMENDATION of silver.
To the accomplishment of these ends, SO far
IS they can be attained by separate treaties
he negotiations already concluded and now in
'rcgress have been directed, and the favor
With which this enlarged policy has thus far
'een received warrants the belief that its op-
nations will ere long embrace all, or nearly
vi, the countries OF this hemisphere 1t is by
10 means desirable however that the poliev nm
ler consideration should be applied to these
countries alone. The healthful enlargement
i our trade with Europe, Asia and Africa
hould be sought. By reducing tariff burdens
IN such CT their wares as We nor other Amer-
AN States are fitted to produce, and thus GU
'nabling ourselves to obtain in return a better
market for supplies of food, of raw materials,
md OF the manufactures in which we excel, il
GEMS to m9 that many Of the embarrassing
Elements 10 the great national conflict between
protection and free trade may thus be- turned
o good account. That the revenue NAV be re-
luced, SO as 10 longer to oyertax The neonle.
o@s
becoming 6urdensome, that our shipping inter-
st5 may be judicously encouraged the CURRENCY
lxed on firm basis and above all such a unity
Il interest established among the States of the
American system as will he of great and even
Increasing advantage to the mall AL! treaties
u the line OF this policy which have been ne
otiated or are in process OF negotiation, cor
ain provision, deemed to be REQUISITE under
be clause of the Constitution, limiting to the
House OF Representatives. the authnriip 10 or
siuata pIfIs for raising revenue.
THE CIVIL SERVICE.
Oa the 29Sh of February last transmitted
o the Congress the first annual report of the
lVil service commission, together with com-
aunications from the heads of tina several ex.
cutiVe departments OF the eovernmant
respecting the practical workings of the Law
nder which the com mission had been acting
he good results therein foreshadowed have
'Ssn more than realized. The system has fully
a"n nsweI~d the expectations OF it's friends in
1ourng ,o, =. oeropetent aud faithful public SER
{ ~ @nu "a psstscting the appointing officers
a,,a1 'J soserniheate from the pressure OF per-
mining the claims aud peetensions ~ " r,s,ai U
ahdidates for public empleyrnnpt Tho iasr
as haa the unqual tied support of saa Pras;.
eht and OF the heads of the several 0enost
aents and the members of the commissin',
ave performed their duties with zeal and
deity. Their report will shortly be suhmittaS
ma VIII Do accompanied by such ecommen,s-
ions 1or enlarging the seooe of the erist;no
Satute as shall commend themselves 10 re
xecutlve and the commissioners charc,nS
nth its administration.
THE BANKRUPTCY QUESTION.
ln view of the general and ,,o;.. !,