The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1884-12-03


and the impairment OF national credit that would
be thus ocoasloned can scarcely be overestimated,
hope that the secretary's suggestions respecting
and tw0dOlar notes viii receive your approval.
1t is likely that considerable portion OF the silver
ind in VAN tnto the caIr o. sns w iS1 d
lars have ceased for the present. at least be an
element Of active disturbance ia our Gu reney sys-
render to the GOvernme1t In view of the circum.
stances under which they were coined, and of the
fact that they have never had legal tender quail
ity. there should be offered for them only slight
advance over their bullion value. The Secretary,
in the course OF his report considers the propreiy
OF Deufying the designs OF our subsidiary silver
coins OF so increasing their weight that they may
bear their due ratio OF value of the standard dol
lar. His conclusions In this regard are cordially
approved.
INTERNAL REVENUE TARIEF DUTIES
In my annual message OF 1892 L recommended
the abolition of all excise tariffs except those re-
laing 10 distilled spirits. rnis recommendation
abolished, the revenues that viii remain 70 the
Government, will, in nay opinion, not only suf
afford surplus large enough 70 permit such
tariff reduction as may seem to be advisable when
treaties snail have shown in what quarters these
reductions can be most judciousiy effected.
ANOTHER COMMISSION PROPOSED.
One OF the gravest OF the problems which appeal
70 the wisdom OF Congress for solution is the as
certainment OF the most effective means of incTeas-
ing our foreign trade aud thus relieving the de-
preston under which our industries are now
lRnguishtng. The Secretary OF the Treasury ad-
vses that The duty of investigating this subject be
iDtrusted in the first instance TO q competent COM
mission. While fully recognizing tie consldera-
tiODs that may be urged against this course l am
nevertheless OF the opinion that upon the whole no
other would be lskeiy to effect speedier or better
OUR CARRYING TRADE.
The portion of the SecretarY's report which con.
Germs the condition of our shipping interests can
not fail 70 command your attention.. He empnat-
hat a
yestment OF American capital In American steam.
ships, the Government shall by liberal payment
active assistance 70 individua al enterprise snd de-
clares his belief that unless that course be pur-
sued our foreign carrying trade must remain a. Is
IL is to-day, almost exclusively 10 the hands of
foreigners One pdsse of thus subject is nov espe-
cially prominent, in view of the repeal by the act
OF June g. 1884, OF all statutory provisions arbi-
trarily compelling American vessels to carry mails
70 and from the United States. As IL is necessary
TO make provision TO compensate the owners Of
such vessels for performing that service after
April 1875. 1t Is hoped that the whole subject will
receive early consideration that will lead to the
merchant marine as the wisdom OF Congress may
devise.
CURRENCY AND BONDS
The 8 per cent bonds OF the Government to the
amount of more than 500, 600, 900 have, since my
last annual message been redeemed by the Treas
ury. The bonds OF that issue still outstanding
amount 70 little over $780, roo, 600 about one
fourth Of which viii be retired through the opera.
tion Of the sinking fund during the coming year.
As these bonds still continue the chief basis
the question, how to avert the contraction
of the currency caused by their retirement is one
OF constantly increasing importance.
1t seems to be generally conceded that the la y
governing this matter exacts from the banks ex-
eessive security. and that upon their present bond
deposits larger circulation than Is now allowed
may be granted vita safety. l hope that the bill
which passed the Senate at the last ses-ion, per.
miting the iSs0e Of notes equal to the face value
of deposited bonds will commend itself 20 the ap-
pEoYal OF the House OF Represen tatiyes-
ARMY EXPENSES,
In the expenses OF the War Department the dec.
retary reports decrease OF more than 900, 600.
OF which reduction S. 600 900 was eaTected in the
expenditures for rivers and narbOrs AMI Sl,70J 900
in expenditures for the quartermaster depart
ment Outside of that department the annual ex
penses of ell the army bureaus proper Except pos-
sibly the ordinary 0ureaul are substantially fixed
charges which can not bs materially diminished
without a change in the numerical Xtrength of tue
army. The expenditures in the qesriermsster' s
department Can readily be subjected 20 admins
tratiVe discretion and IL is reported by the 5ecre-
tary OF War that AS result OF exercising such dis
cTeti0n in reducing the number of drRu mt an
psck animals in the army the annual cost OF SUD
plying and caring for such animals is now sll0S,-
085 30 less han IL was in 1882.
The reports OF the military commanders show
that the last has been notable for its entire
freedom from Indian outbreaks In defiance oi
the Presidents proclamation OF july ], 1884, Ger
IAN dnt59deTs sought to make sesemsnts IN ths
By 8 detachment of troops During the past ses-
sion OF Congress q bill 20 provide suitable fire
the library Of the surgeon Generals Office TO
eeiyed the approval OF the Senate. similar oil
reported to the House of Representative
before that bouy. 1t ia hoped thsi
| Dunng the coming session the measure may BE-
come law, and thereafter immediate steps NAV be
taken TO secure a place of safe deposit for these
valuable collections, now in a state of insecurity
| The funds with which the works for the Improve
| ment of rivers and harbOre were prosecuted dur
ing the past year were derived from TIE appropua
tiOns of the act of August 2. 1882. together with
appropriations. The balance in the Treasury sub
lect to requisition July l, 1883, was oA
9 psnd tbe me nsc I s
Treasury during the fiscal yesr was S. 22s. 705 81
leaving balance OF S3l ,l25. sos in the Treasury
| subject 70 reputation July 1. 1881.
| COAST DEFENsEs URGED.
The Secretary of War submits the report of the
Chief OF Engineers as 70 the practica bity OF pro
tectipg our important cities of the sea board BY
modern methods Of attack The time mas nov
| come when such defenses can be prepared with
enc oaaI 5eey % w ~ no. gfOvs ScS
preparation is seriously considered. delay seems
inexcusable for the most important cities, those
SSsOss 1stionsi SunniistOn. P adequate De
lenses, inclusive OF guns may be made
By the gradual expenditure OF soooOoOo sun
much less than victorious enemy could levy a
| contribution. An appropriation of abodt one
tenth OF that amount IS asked TO begin the WORK
| and concur with the Secretary OF War In urginl
| that il be granted The War Department ia pro
| ceediDg with the conversion of Jen-inch smooth
bore guns in eightinch rides by the timing OF the
4 former with tubes OF forged or Of coiled wrough
| iron. Fifty guns viii be thus converted within
the year. This, however. does not obviate the ne
cessity of providing mea for the construction o
| guns Of the highest power both for the purpose o
coast defense and for the armament OF war vessels
ORDNANCE MATTERS.
The report of the Gun Foundry Board. appoint
ed April 2, 1885, IN pursuance OF the act of Marco
| 8, 1888, was transmitted to Congress In specis
| message of Februarv s. 1884. In my message o.
| March 26. 1884, called attention 70 the recon-
| mendation of the Board that the Government
| should encourage the production OF private stee
| works OF the required material for heavy cannon
| and that two Government factories-one for th'
army and one for the navy-should be established
| for the fabrication of guns from such material
| No action having been taken, the Board was sub
! seQuently rec0nvened 70 determine more fully IN,
| plans and estimates necessary for Carrying out IL
| recommendations
1t has received information which indicltes tina
| there are responsible steel manufacturers in thL
country who. although not provided at presen
with the necessary plant are willing 10 construc
Government for the supply Of the requisite mate
nal for the heaviest guns adapted to modern war
| tare III guaranteed order of SUFFICIENT msgni
| tude. accompanied BY positive appropriation ex
tending to a series oil years shall be made By Con
gress. all doubts as 70 the feasibility of the plat
| being removed, i renew my Recommendation
that such action be taken Dy Congress as will en-
| able the Government 10 construct Its own ORD
nance upon its own territory, aud so 70 pf0vid
the armaments demanded by considerations o
national safety and honor.