Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1885-12-09

ing the Latin Union, so called and Of such other
European nations as he may deem advisable, 10
join the United States in conference to adopt
common ratio between gold and silver for the
purpose of establishing Internationally the use
OF bimetaliic money, and securing SIXTY of
the relative value between these metals. This
conference absolutely failed and similar fate
has awaited all subsequent efforts in the same
direction. And sill He continue our coinage OF
silver at ratio different from that Of any other
nation.
THE so-cALLEp DEBTOR Class.
FoF whose benefit the continued compulsory
cottage of silver is insisted upon are moi ais
honest because they are in debt and they
should not be suspected of desire 70 jeoparCize
the financial safety Of the country in order that
they may cancel their present debts by paving
the same in deprecated dollars nor should il be
forgotten that il is not the rich nor the money
lender alone thst must submit 10 such read
iustmCnt enforced b. the Government aud their
debtors. The pittance uf the widow ana Crphan
and the i comes of helpless beneliciaries of All
| kinds, would be disastrous Y reduced The de-
pQstors in savings banks and other institutions
when hOid IN trust the savings Of the poor
when their little Accommodations are sealed down
20 meet the new order of things would in their
distress, painfully realize the dclu ion of the
promise made 10 them thas plentiful money
would Improve their conditions. We hay, on
hand all the silver dollars necessary to supply
THE PRESENT NEED oF THIS PEOPLE.
And to satisfy those who, from sentiment. wish
TO see them IN circulation; and Il their coiuuqe is
suspended they can be readily obtained by those
who desire them " the need of more is NJ anV
time apparent the coinage may he resumed
That disaster has not already oyertakeu us fur
nSheS no proof that danger does not wait uDon
| a continuation Of the present silver coiuige
| We have been saved by the most careful man
agement and unusual expedieuts by Il eonabina-
tlon Oi lGitn;,ate conditions, ana by confident
expectation that the commerce of the Govern
ment in regard 10 silver coinage would he
speedily changed by the action of Congress
| Prosperity hesitates upon our threshold because
of the dangers and uncertainties surrounding
this question. Capital timidly shrinks from
trade, ard investors are unwilling to take thf.
chance OF the questionable shape in which their
money VIII be returned to them, while enter
prise h ats at risk against which care and Sa-
ga iouS management do not protect As a ueces-
sary consequence labor lacks employment and
suffering and distress are visited upon Il portion
Of our ieilOwcjtizcns especially entitled to the
careful consideration of those charged with the
duties OF legislation. No interest appeals to Us
50 strongly for safe and staple currency as the
vast army Of the unemployed. l recommend
the suspension OF compulsory coinage of silver
ISIS ~ y ~ '''" ''''es0 II" ''' '''''
STEAMBOAT INsPEcrios.
The steamboat inspection service, on the 3Oth
day Of June, 1855 was composed of 10 rersous
including officers, clerks and meSsenge s The
expenses Of the rviee over the receipts were
S!56S2e - during the fiscal year. The special in
spection OF foreign steam vessels, organized
under the law passed IN 1882 was maintained
during the year ut an expense of S366.416 20.
Since the close Of the fiscal year reductions
have beer made in the force employed which
win result in Il saving during the current wear
Of $1,000, without affecting the efficiency OF the
service.
CHOLERA AND SMALLPOX.
The Supervising Surgeon-Geaeral REPORTS that
during the fiscal year Il, IA patients have r.
ceived relief through the Marine Hospital SER
vice, OF whom T. SOB were t'eated in hospitals
and 2S,9ll at dispenSarisS Active and effective
efforts have been mace through the medium of
this service TO protect the country agair S, an
invasion OF cholera, which has prevailed in
Spain and France. and the smallpox. which
! recently broke out Canada.
THE LFE-sAvING SERVICE.
| The most gratifying results have attended the
| operations of the liie-sayiug service during the
past fiscal year. The observance of the provision
OF the law requiring the appointments of the
force employed 10 be made solely with refer
ence to their fitness and without reference to
their political or party affiliations has secured
the results which may confidently be expected
III any branch OF public employment where
such a rule is applied. AS u consequence this
service is composed of men well qualified for
the performance of their dangerous and excep-
tionally important duties. The number of sta
tions in commission at the close OF the year was
DOB. The number of disasters to vessels and
crafts OF all kinds within their field of action
was 81. The number of persons endangered in
such disasters WAS 2,43g of whom 2f2S were
saved, and only eleven lost. Other lives which
| were lmperiled, though not by disasters to ship
ping, were also rescued, and large amount Of
property was saved through the aid Of this scrv-
ice. The cost of its maintenance during the
year was SIS 1914 43.
COAST AND GEoDETIC SURVEY.
The work of the Coast and Geodetic Survey
during the last fiscal year carried on within
the boundaries and OFF the coast OF thirty-two
States, two Territories and the District of Co.
lumbia. IN July last certain Irregularities were
found to exist in the management of this
Bureau, which led to the prompt investigation
OF Its methods. The abuses which were brought
TO light by this examination, and the reckless
disregard of duty and the Interests of the Coy
ernment, developed on the part of some of those
connected with this service, made a change
| SUperlntenlenpV fou-
of its other officers necessary. Since
the Bureau has been in new hands an
introduction OF economics and application of
business methods have produced aII important
saving to the Government, and promise 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, ap-
parently. for purpose regarded temporary.
and related to Il survey of our coast. Having
gained place in the appropriation maze by
Congress, 1t has gradually taken TO itself powers
and objects not contemplated in 5 creation,
and extended its operations until it sadly needs
legislative attention.
So far as a further survey of our coast is CON
cerned, there seems 10 be propiiety in trans
ierrIng that work to the Navy De.artmcnt.
the other duties now in charge of this cstnb-
lishment if they cannot be pTofitablv a 'tached
TO some existing department. or other bureau
should be prosecuted under Il law exactly defn-
ing their scope and purpose, with careful dis
elimination between the SCI, utic inquiries
which may properly be assum d by the Govern
State authorities or by individual enterprises
| IL Is hoped that the report of the Congressional
committee, heretofore appointed to investigate
this and other like mstterS viii aid in the
subject.
UNITED STATES AR,tY
! The report of the Secretary Of War is herewith
| submitted. The attention of Congress is in
vited to the detailed account which it contains
OF the administration of this Department and
his recommendations and suggestions for the
lfnnrOVprnpnf a h,a pFNsip ha
sisted, ut the date of the last consolidated re-
turns, of 2,l5i officers. and u ,705 enlisted men
The expenses of the Department for the fiscal
year ending June 50, 1888, inc Guiding SI316i.34
! % tor public works and river and harbor rn-
provements. were st5,S50,999 ii. Besides the
troops which were dispatched in pursuit of the
small band of Indians who left their rescry ystiou
in Arizona, and committed murders and out
RACES, the two regiments of cavalry and one OF
infantry were sent last July to Indian Territory
to prevent an outbreak which seemed imminent
They remained to aid if necessary. il the expui-
sion of lntr1dcrs upon the reservation. who
have caused the discomfort among the IDdiauS
| but the Executive proclamation. warning them
ference.
Troops were also sent 10 Rock SPRINGS in Wv
omlng Territory, after the massacre of Chinese
there, to prevent further disturbances ana after
wa DIS to Seattle. in Washington Territory to
avert threatened attack upon Chinese lai,OrcrS
ana domestic violence there. In both eases the
mere presence of the troops had the desired ef-
feet. II appears that the number of deseuers
year they numbered 2,9.7, and ore instance is
given by the elieutenant-General six deseTtionS
by the same recruit l am convinced that this
number of dcseriions can be much diminished
by better discipline and treatment, but thepunish-
ment should be increased for repeated offenses
These desertions might also be reduced by
lessening the term of first enlistment thus
allowing disconnected recruit to contemplate
| nearer discourage. and the army Il profitable
riddance. After one term of service. a rc-enist-
| ment would be quite apt to secure contented
recruit and good soldier The acting Judge
Advocate General reports that the number of
trials by general court-martial duting the year
was 232S, and that II ,Sl trials took place before
garrison ard regimental courts s-maTtiaI The
! suggestion that probably more than half the
| army have been tried for ofenses. great and
small, in one year, may well arrest attention
of course, many OF these trials before garrison
! and regimental courtS-martal were for offeuscs
almost frivolous, snd there should, / think be a
way devised 20 dispose of these in a more sum
mary srd less incOnvenient manner than Ilv
court-martia. If some of the proceedings Of
courts-martial, which ] have had occasion To
examine, present the ids as of Justice which gen
| orally prevail in these tribunals. am satisfied
that they should be much reformed, if the honor
and the honesty of the army and navy are by
their instrumentality to be vindicated and pro-
tccicd
SEA COAST DTFFSSFs-sreN srt,x-rC7