The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-11-27


coinage il suspended. they can be readily OBJ
tanned by all who desire them: IL the need Of
more ia ut any time apparent. THEN coinage
may be renewed. That disaster has not already
oyertaked US furnishes no proof that
DANGER DOES NOT WAIT
upon a continuation of the present silver coin
age. We have been saved by the most careful
management and unusual cXpedicnts by a combi-
nation of fortunate conditions, and by a conf
dent expectation that the course of the gov
eminent in regard To silver coinage would be
speedily changed by action of congress-. Pros
pcriiy hesitates upon our threshold, because of
dangers and uncertainties surrounding this
question. Capital timidly shrinks from trade.
aud investors are unwilling to take the chances
of the questionable shape in which their money
Will be returned TO them, while enterprise halts
nj a risk against which care and sagacious man.
agement do not protect. As n necessary consc-
quence, labor lacks employment, and suffering
and distress are visited upon u portion Of our
fellow citizens especially entitled To the careful
consideration OF those charged with duties OF
legislation. No interest appeals to us so strongly
for a safe and stable currency as the vast army
of the employed. i recommend the SUSPENSION
Of the compulsory coinage Of silver dollars,
directed by the law passed in February, 1878.
THE INSPECTION
serving on the Both OF June, 1855, was COM
posed Of 40 persons, Including officers. clerks
and messengers. The expenses OF the services
over the receipts were Sl3S, Ss222. During the
fiscal wear the special inspection of foreign
steam vessels was organized under the law passed
in lSS2. and maintained during the year ut an
expense of ST, til |. G3. Since the close of the
fiscal year reductions have been made on the
force employed which will result in a saving
during the current year of $1,000 without
affecting the efficiency OF the service. the
supervising surgeon general reports tina. during
the fiscal year ll,1ll patients have received
relief through marine hospital service, of whom
2,So3 were treated in hospitals and 2S,9ll at
dispcnsarics. Active and effective efforts have
been made through the medium OF thus
service To protect the country against
an invasion Of cholera, which has pre-
vailed in Spain and France, and the
spnal1nnN xxli.l, ~ h,nE = M in Canada
The most gratifying results have attended the
operations ot the litc-saving service during the
last fiscal year. The observance OF the provis-
ion of law requiring the appointment OF the
force employed in the service In be made solely
with reference 10 their fitness, and without ret
crencc 10 their political or party aihliation," has
secured the result which may confidently be eX-
pected in any branch OF public employment
where such a rule is applied. As a consequence,
this service l. composed OF men well quaiihed
Tor the performance of their dangerous and cN-
ccptiOnally important duties. The number Of
stations in commission ut the close Of the year
was 202. The number OF disasters tn vessels
and crafts OF all kind within their field OF ac-
tiun was AL. The number VI persons cndan-
gcred in such disasters was :, l39. of whom
LBS were saved. and only no lost. Other lives
which were imperiled. though not by disasters
to shipping, were also rescued, ana n large
amount OF property was saved through the AID
Of this service. The amounts OF maintenance
during the year Were SS2s,isI.i3 The work OF
the
uoAsT AND GEoDETIC SURVEY
was during tue tuSl H-tai year CtI III Nltuil
the boundaries aud of the coasts OF thirty-two
states. two territories and the District of Column
bia- In July last certain irregularities were
found To exist in the management OF this bureau
which led To a prompt investigation of its meth
DDS. The abuses which were brought TO light by
this examination, and the reckless disregard Of
duty and the interests OF the government de-
vrloped on the part Of some ~ those connected
with the service made "A change OF supeiintcnd-
cucy and a few OF its other officers necessary.
Since the bureau has been in new hands an intro
ductlon Of economies aud application OF busi-
ness methods have produced an important saw
ing to the government, and a promise OF more
useful results. This service has never been reg
ulated by anything but the most indefinite legal
enactments aud the most unsatisfactory rules.
1t was many years ago sanctioned. apparently
for a purpose regarded as temporary and related
to a survey of our coast: but now, having gained a
place on the apprupr ations made by congress-, II
has gradually taken to itself power and object not
contemplated in its creation, aud extended its
operations until il sadly needs legislative atten-
ton. So far "a a further survey Of our coast Is
concerned there seems TO be a propriety In trans
ferring that work To the navy department. The
other duties now in charge OF this establishment.
il they cannot lie protitably attached to some
existing department or bureau, should be prose-
cuted under a law exactly defining their scope,
andwith a careful discrimination between the sci
en,itic inquiries which may properly be assumed
by the government and those which should be
undertaken by state authority or by individual
enterprise. II is~hoped that the report OF the
congressional committee, heretofore appointed
TO investigate this and other like matters, Will
aid in the accomplishment OF proper Legislation
On this subject.