Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1885-12-11


arising from the continued
compulsory coinage of silver are reminded
that history demonstrates that the point
is easily reached in the attempt to float at
the same time two sorts of money of diff
ferent excellence, when the better will
cease to he i'm general circulation. The
boarding of gold indicates that we shall
not escape the usual experience in such
cases. SO if this silver coinage be con
tinued we may reasonably expect that
gold and It's equivalent will abandon the
field of circulation to silver alone This,
OF course, must produce severe cOntraC-
ton OF our circulating medium, instead of
adding to it. 1t will not be disputed that
any attempt on the part of the govern
ment 10 cause the circulation of silver
dollars worth eighty cents, side by side
with gold dollars worth one hun
Dire cents i pretty sure to fail
But 1t Is apparent that line of action
in regard to our currency cannot wisely be
settled upon without considering the atti-
tude OF other countries with whom we
maintain Intercourse. An acknowledge
ment of this fact is found in the act
which provides that the President shall
invite the governments of the countries
other European nations as he deems advis
able, to join conference to adopt u com
mon ratio between gold and silver for the
purpose of establishing internationally the
use Of bl-metallic money and securing a
tiXity of relative value. This conference
absolutely failed and a similar fate has
awaited all subsequent efforts III the same
direction. And still we continue our coin
age of silver at a ratio different from that
of any other nation. The most vital part
of the silver coinage act remains inopera-
tive and without an ally or friend. Mr..
MantOn Marbles mission abroad has only
more fully demonstrated the uSeleSsncsS
= a n "A
any agreement on the subject with other
nations. In the meantime we are accum-
ulating silver coin based upon our own pc
culiar ratio to such an extent as will rem
der us an undesirable party to any future
monetary conference of nations.
1t is Il significant fact that four of the
five countries composing the latter union
mentioned in our coinage act embarrassed
with their silver currency have just com
pleted an agreement among themselves,
that no more silver shall be coined by
their respective governments. We have
now on hand all the silver dollars neCes-
sary to supply the needs of the people and
to satisfy those who from sentiment wish
to see them in circulation and if their
coinage is suspended they can he readily
obtained. If the need of more Is at any
time apparent their coinage may be re
newed that disaster has not already over
taken us, furnishes no proof that there Is
agement and unusual eXpedients have
averted acatastrophe.
MARINE HOSPITAL SERVICE.
During the fiscal year 4l,7l4 patients
have received relief through the Marine
hospital service of whom l2,s03 were
| treated in hospitals and 2S,9ll at the dis.
penSaries Active and effective efforts
have been made through the medium OF
| this service to protect the country against
| invasion OF cholera which has prevailed
in Spain and France, and the small poN
which recently broke out in Canada.
THE COAST AND GEoDETGC SURVEY.
| The worl, Of the coast and geOdetic sur
Vey was, during the last fiscal year car
| ried on within The boundaries and off the
coast of thirty-tWo States, two territories
and the District of Columbia. There now
seems to be a proprety in transferring
| that work to the navy department.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The attention of Congress Is iuvt et
| TO the detailed account which the
report of the Secretary of War con
! tainS ,of the administration of his de
/ partment and his recommendations anC
| suggestions for the improvement of tn,
! service. am convinced tnat the number
of desertons can be much diminished 10y
! better discipline and treatment, but the
punishment should be increased for re
| peated offences. These desertions might
also be reduced by lessening the term Of
! first enlistment. One term of re
| enlistment would be quite apt to secure 4
cOntented recruit and a good soldier
! The suggestion that probably more than
! half the army have been tried for ufen>e,
great and small in one year may well ar
rest attention. Or course many OF thes(
/ trials before garrison and regimenta
i.,1 t.lt
| frivolous, and there should, | think, be 1
way devised to dispose of these in more
summary and less incOnvenient manner
! than by cOurt-nlartial.
! The board on fprtitcatiOns or other de
fenSes appointed III pursuance OF the pro
| visions of the act of Congress approved
! March 3, 1889, will in short time present
! their report, and it is hoped that this ma!
! greatly aid the legislation so necessary L
/ remedy the present detenSeleSS condition
I of our sea coasts The military academ!
ut West Point Is reported as being in I
high state of efficiency and well equipped
fOrthe satisfactory accomplishment tor TN
purposes of its maintenance. The fac
that the class which graduates next yea
, is AN unusually large one has constrained
me to decline to make appointments t.
! second leutenunCies in the army iron
( civil life so that such vacancies as exist II
these places may be reserved for sucl
. graduates, uuu yet IL IL uob plppttplc tId
! there Will he enough vacancies to provide
! positions for them all when they leave tn,
military school. Under the prevailing Law
and usage those not thus assigned TO dut.
never actively enter the military service
4 1t is suggested that the law on this subjec
he changed so that such of these youn.
men rs are not mt once assigned to dut.
after graduation may be retained IL
second lcUteuauts in the army.
THE NANN.
The report of the Secretary of the Nay.
gives details in full of the course pursue,
by him to protect The rights of the govern
ment in rcSpcCI ut certain vessels untnlsh
ed at the time of his accession to his Office
In the case o. the Dolphin with entire jus
tice To the contractor an arrangement ha
been entered into providing for the ascer
taiument by a judicial inquiry of the com
plete or partial compliance with the con
tract in her construction and further pre-
Vidiug for the assessment ut any damage
to which the government may he cntltle,
ON account of "A martial failure to perform