The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1885-12-18

etiInosU enueiNof since the adjournment OF
the last Congress To this end delegated a
gentleman well instructed in fiscal science, to
proceed to the financial centers of Europe,
and, III conjunction with our ministers to
England, France and Germany, to obtain q
full knowledge of the attitude and intent of
those governments in respect of the estab-
lishment of such an international ratio as
would procure free coinage of both metals at
the nllnts of those countries and cur own.
by my direction our consul-general at Paris
has given close attention to the proceedings
of the Congress of the Latin Union, in order
to indicate our interest in its objects and re-
port its action
II may be said in brief, as the result of
these efforts, that the attitude of the leading
powers remains substantially unchanged since
the monetary conference of 1851, nor is it to
be questioned that the views of these govern
mcnts are in each instance supported by the
weight of public opinion. The steps thus
taken have therefore only more fully demon
strated the uselessness of further attempts at
present, to arrive at any agreement on the
subject with other nations.
In the meantime we are accommodating sill
yer coin, based upon our own peculiar ratio,
to such an extent, and assuming so heavy q
burden to be provided for in any internation-
al negotiations, as will render us an undesira-
bic party to any future monetary conference
of nations.
1t is a significant fact that four of the five
countries composing the Latin Union men,
toned in our coinage act. embarrassed with
their silver currency, have just completed an
agreement among themselves, that no more
silver shall be coined by their respective gov-
ernments, and that such as has been already
coined and i'll circulation shall be redeemed
in gold by the country of its coinage. The
resort 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 merits all the silver we may coin under
the provision of our silver coinage act.
The condition i'll which our treasury may
be placed by persistence in our present
course, is matter of concern to every patri-
otic citizen who does not desire his govern
ment to pay in silver such of its obligations
as should be paid in gold. Nor should our
condition be such as to oblige us in prudent
management of our affairs, to discontinue
the calling i'll and payment of interest-bear-
ing obligations, which we have the right now
to discharge and thus avoid the payment Of
further interest thereon.
The so-called debtor class, for whose benefit
the continued compulsory coinage of silver is
insisted upon, are not dishonest because they
are in debt; and they should not be suspected
of desire to jeopaidize the financial safety
of the country, i'll order that they may cancel
their present debts by paying the same in de-
preciated dollars. Nor should it be forgotten
that it is not the rich nor the money lender
alone that must submit to such a readiust-
ment, enforced by the government and their
debtors, The pittance OF the widow and the
orphan and the incomes of helpless bene-
ticlaries of all kinds would be dsas-
trousy reduced The depositors in savings
banks and in other institutions which hold in
trust the savings of the poor when their little
accumulations are scaled down to meet the
new order of things, would, i'll their distress,
painfully realize the delGsiOn of the promise
made to them that plentiful money would i'm
prove their condition
We have ppyy ON hand all the silvar slollarc
necessary 70 supply the present needs of the
people and to satisfy those who from senti-
ment wish to see them in circulation; and if
their coinage is suspended they can be readily
obtained by all who desire them. If the need
of more is at any time apparent their coinage
may be renewed.
That disaster has not already overtaken us
furnishes 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 fortunate conditions, and
by confident expectation that the course Of
the government i'll regard to silver coinage
would be speedily changed by the action Of
Congress.
Prosperity hesitates upon our threshold be-
cause of the dangers and uncertainties sur
rounding this question. Capital timidly
shrinks from trade, and investors are un-
willing to take the chance of the questionable
shape i'll which their money will be returned
to them, while enterprise halts at risk
against which care and sagacious manage
ment do not protect.
AS a necessary consequence labor lacks ems
ployment, and suffering and distress are Wis.,
tied upon a portion of our fellow-citizens
especially entitled to the careful consideration
of those charged with the duties of legisla-
latiOn. No interest appeals to us so strongly
for a safe and stable currency as the vast
army of unemployed.
recommend the suspension of the COM
pulsory coinage of silver dollars directed by
the law passed in February, 1873
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary of war is here
with submitted. The attention of Congress is
invited 10 the detailed account which il con-
tains of the administration of his department.,
and his recommendations and suggestions for
the improvement of the service.
The army consisted, at the date of tie last
consolidated returns of ?, l54 officers, and "a
partments for the fiscal year ended June 50,
1885, including Sl3, l64, ,394.60 for public
works. and river and harbor improvements
We're S45, $685. ,999,54.
Beside the troops which We're dispatched
in pursuit of the small bands of Indians who
left their reservation in Arizona and COM
mitted murders and outrages, two regiments
of cavalry and one of infantry were sent last
July to the Indian Territory to prevent an
outbreak which seemed imminent They re-
] manned 10 alu, III necessary, IN the expulsion
of intrnders upon the reservation, who seemed
to have caused the discomfort among the In
dians, but the Executive proclamation warm
ing them To remove was complied with with
out their interference.
Troops We're also sent TO Rock Springs,
in Wyoming Territory, after the massacre Of
Chinese there, to prevent further disturbance;
and afterward to Seattle, in Washington
| Territory, to avert threatened attack upon
Chinese laboreIs and domestic violence there
In both cases the mere presence of the troops
had the desired effect
/ 1t appears that the number Of de
sertions have diminished, but that during
the last fiscal year they number
ed 1921 and one instance is
| given by the lieutenant-general of six deser-
| tions 10y the same recruit, l am convinced
| that this number of assertions can be much
diminished by better discipline and treat
ment; but the punishment should he increased
for repeated offences. These desertons might
also be reduced by lessening the term OF first
enlistments, thus allowing discontented re-
cruit TO contemplate nearer discharge and
the army profitable riddance. After one
term Of service "A re-enlistment would be
quite apt to secure contented recruit and q
good soldier,
The acting judge-advocate-general reports
that the number Of trials by general courts
martial during the year was 232S, and that
ISL trials took place before garrison and
regimental courts martial The suggestion
tbat IpphallN m1rp thou half tho army ~.