The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1885-12-10
HIS VIEWS ON OUR NOM Ely
POLICY AND SILVER
COMA
POINTERS GIVEN CONGRESS ON
THE INDIAN SITUATION OF
THE UNITED STATES.
REMARKS ON THE PRESENT CON
DITION OF THE ARMY
AND NAVY.
WHAT PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
THINKS OF THE UTAH
POLYGAMISTS.

WASHINGTON, December 9.-Followng are Presi-
dent Clevelands recommendations to congress on
silver coinage and other subjects
1t may be said in brief as the result of their eff
forts, that the attitude of the leading powers
mains substantially unchanged since the monetary
conference of 1882, nor Is 1t to be questioned that
the views of these governments are in each in
stance supported by the weight of public opinion.
The steps just taken have therefore, only more
fully demonstrated the useessness of further at
tempt at present to arrive at any agreement on the
subject
Meantime we are accommodating silver coin based
upon our own pecullar1tles, to such an extent and
assuming heavy burden to be provided for
among international negotiations as will render us
an undesirable party to any future monetary
ferenceS of nations.
1t is a significant fact that four of the five
countries comprising the Latin-union, mentioned
in our coinage act, embarrassed with their silver
currency, have just completed agreement
among themselves that no more silver shall be
coined by their respective governments, and that
such as has been already coined and in circulation
shall be redeemed in gold by the country of its
coinage. The SOFT to this expedient By these
countries may well arrest the attention of those
who suppose that we can succeed without shock
or injury in the attempt to circulate upon its mer
its all the silver may coin under these pro-
visions of our silver coinage act.
The condition in which treasury may be
placed by persistence in our present course is
matter of concern to every patriotic citizen who
does not desire his government pay in silver such
OF its obligations should be paid in gold. Nor
should our condition be such as to Oblige lis, in
prudent management of our affairs, to stop calling
which'we have the right to discharge, and thus
avert payment of further interest thereon.
The so-called debtor class, for whose benefit the
confirmed compulsory coinage of silver is insisted
upon, not dishonest because they are debtors,
and they should not be suspected of desire to
jeopardize the financial safety of the country in
order that they may cancel their present debt by
paying the same in deprecated dollars. Nor
should it be forgotten that it is not the rich the
money lender alone that must submit to such
readjustment by the government and their debtors.
The pettance of the widow and the orphan and the
o9 wofd helpless T of all
The deposltors in savings banks and other inst-
tutions which held the interest savings of the poor
when their little Accommodations are scaled down to
meet the new order of things, would, in their dis
tress painfully realize the deluson of the promise
made to them that plentiful money would improve
their condition.
We have now on hand all the silver dollars neces-
sary to supply the present needs of the people and
to satisfy those who from sentiment wish to see
them in circulation and if their coinage is sus-
pended they be readily obtained by all who de-
sire them. If the need of more is at any time ap-
parent their coinage can be resumed.
That disaster has not already OVertaken us, fur
n1shes no proof that danger does not wait upon
continuation of the present silver coinage. We
have been saved by the most careful management
and unusual expedients by combination of FORUM
ate conditions and by confident expectation that
the commerce of the government in regard to sill
yer coinage would be speedily changed by action of
congress. Prosperity hesitates upon our threshold
because of dangers and the uncertainty surround
ing this question.
Capital timidly shrinks from trade, and investors
bic shape in which their money will be returned to
them, while enterprise halts at risk against
which care and sagacious management do not pro-
tect As a necessary consequence labor lacks en-
ployment and suffering and distress are visited
upon portion of our fellow citizens especially
entitled to the careful consideration of those
charged with the duties of legislation, and who
appeal to lis strongly for safe and stable cur
rency
l recommend the suspension of the compulsory
coinage of silver dollars directed by the law passed
in February, 1873.
- l,o
was, during the last fiscal year, carried within
the boundaries of the coasts of thirtytwo states,
two territories and the District of Columbia In
July last, certain irregularities found to exist
in the management of this bureau which led to the
prompt investigation of its methods, the abuses of
which were brought to light by this examination,
and the reckless disregard of duty to the interests
of the government developed on the part of some
of those connected with the service made change
of the superintendency and other officers neces-
sary.
Since the bureau has been in new hands, an in
PRODUCTION of economies and the application of
business methods have produced an important saw
ing to the government and proven productive of
more useful results. This service has never been
regulated by anything but the most indefinite legal
enactments and the most unsatisfactory rules 1t
was many years ago sanctioned as temporary, and
related TO the survey of our coast, having place
in the APPROXIMATIONS made by congress- 1t has
gradually taken to itself powers and objects not
contemplated in its creation, and extended its OPP
erations until it sadly needs legislative attention.
1t is hoped that the report of the congressional
committee heretofore appointed to investigate this
ment of legislation on this subject. The report of
the secretary of war is herewith submitted The
attention of congress is invited to the detailed
count which it contains of the administration of
his department and his suggestions for the i'm
provement of the service
ARMY
The army consisted at the date of the last con-
solidlted returns of 2,14 officials and "a 7O5 en-
listed men. The expenses of the department for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, including 3d.
164, 394 80 for public works and harbor improve
ments, were S45, S5o, 999.54.
Besides the troops which were sent in pursuit of
the small band of Indians who left their reserva-
ton in Arizona, and committed murders and out
RACES, two regiments of cavalry and of in
fantry sent last July to the Indian territory
to prevent an outbreak which seemed imminent
They remained 10 assist if necessary, the expul-
sion of intruders upon the reservation who seemed
TO have caused discomfort among the Indians, but
the executive proclamation warning them to re-
move was complied with without interference.
Troops were also sent to Rock Springs, in Wyom-
ing territory after the massacre of the Chinese
there, to prevent further disturbance and after
wards to settle in Washington territory to avert
threatened attack upon the Chinese laborerS, and
domestic violence there. In both cases the mere
presence of troops had the desired effect
1t appears that the number of assertions have di-
minished, but that during the last fiscal year the
number was 1897, and one instance is given by the
lieutenant general of six assertions by the same
recruit. / am convinced that this number of de-
sersions can be much diminished by better discip-
line and treatment but the punishment should be
increased for repeated offenses
These assertions might also be reduced by less
enlng the term OF hrSt enlistment, thus allowing
discontinued recruit to contemplate nearer dis
charge and the army profitable radiance. After
one term of service reenlistment would quite in
sure a contented recruit and good soldier.
The judge advocate general reports that the mum
Der of trials by general courts martial during the
wear was 232S and that S51 trials took place be
fore garrison and regimental courts martial. The
suggestion that probably more than half the army
have been tried for offenses, great and small, IL
one year, may well arrest attention.
The cause OF many of these trials before garrison
and regimental courts martial were for offenses al
most frivolous, and there should, think, be wa,
devised to dispose of these in more summary AM
less inconyenient manner than by court martial.
some of the proceedings of court martiais which
have had occasian to examine, present the ideas o
Justice which generally prevail in these trials an
satisfied they should be much reformed, if tn
honor and the honesty OF the arm; and navy are, b
their instrumentality, to be indicated.
The board ON fertilization and other de lenses, ar
oi=t ted in pursuance of the provisions of the &C