Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1884-12-05

sion under which our industries are now Ian
gushing" is concurred in. Special attention is
invited to the Secretary's recommendation of
subsidies as the best means of building up
our merchant marine
The rapid redemption of the 3 per cent
bonds threatens the destruction of the basis
on which the national banks can proftably
rest their circulation, and the question how to
avert the contraction of currency caused by
this threatened retirement of national bank
notes, is recognized as one of constantly in
creasing importance, and the hope is expressed
that, as a temporary expedient at least, the
banks be allowed to issue notes to the full
par value of the bonds deposited by them with
the treasurer. A considerable reduction in
the expenditures of the War Department is
noted notable feature of the past year has
been the entire absence of Indian outbreaks
The defenceless condition of the important
cities of the seaboard, as demonstrated by the
chief engineers report, is discussed at some
length
The time has now come, in the Presidents
opinion, when defense works may be begun
with some confidence that they will not be
rendered useless before their completion by
the progress made abroad in the improvement
of guns. " For the most important Cities
those whose destruction or capture would be a
national humiliation, adequate defenses, inclu-
sive of guns may be made by the gradual ex-
penditure of $780, 900, much less than a
victorious enemy could levy as contribution
An appropriation of about one-tenth of that
amount is asked to begin the work" One of
the four steel cruisers authorized by the acts
of 1882 and 1883, is described as more than
half finished, and certain adverse criticisms
upon the designs of the cruisers " are men,
ifo1h xrf ba fou III
of these vessels held by the naval authorities
The restoration of the navy to its former eff
cheney is warmly urged. The recommended
ton of the Postmaster General favorable to
the reduction of the rate on drop letters in
cities, and the increase of the unit of weight
in rating first-class matter from one-half to
one ounce is approved, and the extension of the
free-delivery system is recommended, as also
the project for securing g exceptional dispatch
in dealing with letters in free delivery offices
by payment of extraordinary postage" Dras-
tic legislation with regard to Utah the repeal
of the presumption law; the enactment Of
statutes resolving legal complications in regard
to lapsed land grants to railroad companies,
and the funding of the debt of the several
Pacific Railroads under sufficient guaranty,
are other topics that Congress is invited to
consider
Large space is given to the new commercial
policy of the United States. One feature of
it is expected to be a monetary union of Amer
lean nationalities. followed by gene raj re-
of silver. Treaties contempla-
ting Intimate trade relations with American
States are now being negotiated, and it is de-
sired to enlarge also our trade with Europe,
Asia and Africa GO 1t seems to me-" says the
President, that many of the embarrassing
elements in the great national conflict between
protection and free trade may thus be turned
to good account; that the revenue may be re-
duced SO as no longer to overtax the people;
that protective duties may be retained with
out becoming burdensome; that our shipping
interests may be judiciously encouraged the
currency fixed on firm basis, and above all,
such unity of interests established among
the States of the American system as will be
of great and ever increased advantage to them
ALL" The labors of the civil-service commits
sion are commended by the President, and an
extension of the system of it's operations is
being contemplated.
DISTINGUISHED PENS IoNERs-Among the U.
$. pensioners are the wives of three presidents.
Mrs. Polk, who is living in Tennessee Mrs.
Tyler, who is living at Richmond, Va, and
Mrs. James Garfield Each of these receives
$4,000, year, according to special act of
congress. Mrs Abraham Lincoln, got from
1870 to 1882 pension of $4,000. In 1882 it
was increased to $5, 900, which continued I'M