The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-12-12
eat endeavor since the adjournment of the last

and Germany. to obtain a full knowledge of
the attitude and intent of those governments
in respect of the establishment of such an in
ternafional ratio as would procure free. coin
age of both metals at the nints of those coun-
tries and our own. BY my direction our
consui-general at Paris has given close atten-
ton to the proceedings Of the congress OF the
Latin Union in order to indicate our interest
in its objects and report its action.
It may be said, in brief, as the result OF
these efforts, that the attitude OF the leading
powers remains substantially unchenged since
the monetary conference of 1881, nor is 1t to
be questioned that the views of these govern
ments are in each instance supported by the
weight of public opinion:
The steps thus taken have therefore only
more fully demonstrated the uselessness of
further attempts at present to arrive at any
agreement on the subject with other nations.
In the meantime we are accumulatlng 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 interna-
tional negotiations, as will render us an UNI
desirable party to any future monetary con-
ference of nations.
1t is a significant fact that four of the five
countries composing the Latin Union men
toned in our coinage act EN- barrassed with
their silver currency, have just completed
an agreement among themselves that no
more silver shall be coined by their respec-
tive governments, and that gold as has been
already coined and in circulation shall be re-
deemed in gold by the country of its coinage.
The resort to this expedcnt by these coun-
tries 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 com
1nder the provisions OF our silver-colnagea act.
The condition i'll which our treasury may
De placed by a persistence in our present
course is matter of concern to every patri-
otto citizen who does not desire his Govern
ment to pay in silver such OF its Obligations
Us should be paid in gold. Nor should our
condition be such as to oblige us, in a pru-
dent management Of onr affairs, to dlscon-
tinue the calling in and payment OF interest
bearing obligations, which we have the right
now to discharge and thus avoid the pay
rlent 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 a desire to jeopardize the financial safety of
the country in order that they may cancel
their present debts by paying the same in de-
preciated dollars. Nor should it be forgotten
that 1t is not the rich nor the money-ender
alone that must submit TO such readJust-
ment enforced by the government and their
debtors.
The pittance of the widow and the orphan
and the incomes of helpless beneficiaries of
all kinds would be disastrously reduced. The
Gepositors in savings banks and in other in
situations which hold in trust the savings or
the poor, when their little Accommodations are
scaled down to meet the new order of things,
would, in their distress, painfully realize the
aelusicn of the promise made to them that
plentiful money would improve their con-
dition.
We have now on hand all the silver dollars
necessary TO supply the present needs OF the
people and to satisfy those who from senti-
Inent wish to see them in circulation; and If
their coinage is suspended they can be readily
obtained by all those 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 coin
age We have been saved by the most careful
management and unusual eypedients by a
combination of fortunate conditions, and by
a confident expectation that the course of the
Government in regard to silver coinage would
be speedily changed by the action of Con-
gress
Prosperity hesitates upon our threshold be-
cause of the dangers and uncertainties sur
rounding this question. Capital timidly
shrinks from trade, and investors are unwill-
ing to take the chance of the questionable
lhape in which their money will be returned
o them, while enterprise halts at risk
gainst which care and sag6cious rlaiiage-
uent do not protect.
As necessary consequence labor lacks EN-
Aoyment, and suffering and distress are
hsited upon portion of our fellowcitizens
specially entitled to the careful considera-
Jon of those charged with the duties of legis-
htion. No interest appeals to us so strongly
Cor safe and stable currency as the vast
army of the unemployed.
l recommend the suspension of the COM
9ulsory coinage of silver dollars, directed by
!, los ir1E
The report of the Secretary of War u.s. here
with submitted. The attention of Congress is
invited to the detailed account which it con-
tains of the administration of his Depart
Inent, and his recommendations and sugges-
tons for the improvement of the service.
The Army consisted, at the date of the last
consolidated returns, of 2, 1d officers and "a, :
705 enlisted men.
The expenses of the Departments for the
fiscal year ended June 3d. 1885. including
SIS. l64, 1874 60 for public works and river and
harbor improvements were S45, $50. 999 81.
1t appears that the number of assertions
have diminished, but that during the last
fiscal year they numbered 1927, and one in
stance is given by the Lieutenant General of
six assertions by the same recruit. lam con-
WINGED that this number of assertions can be
much diminished by better discipline and
treatment; but the punishment should be in
;reased for repeated offenses.
These des s:tions might also be reduced by
lessening the term of first enlistments, thus
allowing q discontented recruit to contem-
plate nearer discharge end the army prof
table radiance After one term of service
re-enlistment would be quite apt to secure a
contented recruit and good soldier.
The acting-Judge Advocate General reports
that the number of trials by general courts
martial during the year was 1928, and that
II, S5l trials took place before garrison and
legimental ccurts-martial. The suggestion
that ha l1au
been tried for. offenses, great and small, III
one year, may well arrest attention. OF course
many of these trials before garrison and
regimental courts-martialS were for offenses
almost frivolous; and there should, think,
be way devised to dispose of these in more
summary and less inconvenient manner than
by court-martial.
If some of the proceedings of courts-martial
which have had occasion to examine present
the ideas of justice which generally prevail in
these tribunals, | am satisfied that they
should be much reformed, if the honor and
honesty of the Army and Navy are by their
instrumentality to be vindicated and pro-
tected.
The Board of Fortifcations or other de-
lenses, appointed in pursuance of the proyi-
sions of the act of Congress approved March
3, 1885, will in a short time present their re-
port; and it is hoped that this may greatly
lid the legislation so necessary to remedy the
present defenseless condition of our sea-
coasts.
The work of the signal service has been
prosecuted during the last year with
,esults of increasing benefit to the country.
In view of the fact referred to by the Secre-
tary of War, that the work of this service
ordinarily is of scientific nature, and the
further fact that it is assuming rgerpropor-
tons constantly, and becoming plore and
more unsuited to the fixed rules which must
govern the Army, am inclined to agree with
him in the opinion that it Should be sepa-
rately established. If this IS done the scope
and extent of its operations should, as nearly