Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-12-06

nished for the late war something like 20
per cent, including their widows and
relatives, have been, or are now, in
the receipt of pensions. The
American people, with patriotic
and grateful reward for our ex-soldiers,
too broad and too sacred to be monopo-
lied by any special advocates, are not
only willing but anxious that equal and
exact justice sho uld be done to all honest
claims for pensions. In their sight the
friendless and destitute soldier, depend
ent on public charity if otherwise entitled,
has precisely the same right to share in
the provision made for those who fought
their country's battle as those better able,
through friends and influence, to push
their claims. Every pension that is
granted under our present plan upon any
other grounds than actual service, injury
or disease incurred in such service, and
every instance of the many in
which pensions are increased on
other grounds than the merits Of
the claim, work an injustice to
the brave and crippled, but poor and
friendless, soldier who is entirely neg
lected or who must be content with the
smallest sum allowed under the general
laws. There are far too many neighbor-
hoods in which there are found glaring
cases of inequality OF treatment in the
matter of pensions, and they are largely
due to yielding in the pension
bureau to importantly on the part
OF those other than the pensioners
who are especially interested, or they
arise from special acts passed for the
benefit of individuals. The men who
fought side by side should stand side by
side when they participate in a grateful
nations kind remembrance. Every con-
sderation of fairness and justice to our
ex-soldiers and the protection of the
patriotic instincts of our citizens from
perversion and violence, point to the
adoption of a pension system broad and
com prehensive enough to cover every
contingency, and which shall make I'M
necessary an Objectionable volume of
special legislation.
THE PATENT OFFICE.
On the 4th of March, 1885, the current
business of the Patent Office was an
average OF five and hall months behind.
At the close OF the last fiscal year the
Office was but three months in arrears,
and it is asserted that in the next few
months the delay in receiving an exam
inaton of an application for patent will
be but nominal. The number of appli-
cations for patents during the last fiscal
year, including reissue designs, trade
marks, and labels, equals 40,679,
which is considerably in excess of the
number received during the preceding
year. The receipts OF the Patent Office
during the year aggregate 81 $50, 1877 80,
enabling the office to turn into the Treas
ury over and above all expenditures OF
about $l63, 70l.73. The number of
patents granted during the last fiscal
year, including reissues, trade marks,
designs and lapels was 25,6l0, number
also quite largely in excess OF that OF any
preceding year. The report of the Com
missioner shows the Office to be in a pros
porous condition and constantly increas-
ing in its business. No increase of force
is asked for. The amount estimated for
the year ending June 80, 1887, was
$853,9G0; the amount estimated for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1888, is
$77S,770.
SUBSIDIZED RAILROADS.
The Secretary of the Interior suggests a |
change in the plan OF payment for the in
debtedness of the Pacific subsidized roads |
to the Government. His suggestion has |
the unanimous endorsement of the per- |
sons selected by the government to act as |
directors OF these roads and protect the |
interests OF the United States in the |
Board of Directors. In considering the
plan proposed, the sole matters which |
should be taken into account in my |
opinion, are the situation of the
Government as creditor, and the surest
way to secure the payment of the prn-
cipal and interest oil its debt. BY a re
cent decision OF the Supreme Court Of the
United States it has been adiudged that
the laws OF the several States are noper-
alive to regulate rates of transportation
upon railroads, if such regulation inter
feres with the rate OF carriage from one
State into another. This important field
OF control and regulation having been
thus left entirely unoccupied, the expe.
1lency OF Federal action upon the subject
IS worthy OF consideration.
THE LABOR QUESTION.
The relations Of labor to capital and of
aborng men to their employers are of
he utmost concern to every patriotic
,ltzen. When these are strained and
distorted, unjustitiable claims are apt to
1e insisted upon by both interested, and
N the controversy which results, the
Welfare OF all and the prosperity of the
country are jeopardized, Any interven-
ion OF the General Government within
he limits OF its constitutional authority
o avert such condition, should be will
ngly accorded. In special message
to this Congress at its last
esslon, / suggested the enlargement of
ne present Labor Bureau, and adding
us present functions the power of
rbitratlon in cases where difficulties
rise between employees and EMPLOYERS.
when these difficulties reach such stage
3 TO result in the interruption of com.
nerce between the States, the application
d TINS remedy by the General Govern !
lent might be regarded as entirely /
'lthln It's constitutional power. and. / {
mink, we might reasonably hone fiat I
nch arbitration If carefully selected and
entitled to the confidence Of the I
artes to be affected would be vol
ntarlly called TO the settlement of CON
'oversy OF less extent not necessarily I
lthln the domain Of Federal regulation {
am OF the opinion that this suggestion I
worthy the attention Of Congress. Rut {
Tier all has been done by the passage Of !
Tvs, either Federal or State, 10 reIieve i
situation full OF solicitude, much moro {
'malh5 to be accomplished by the rein
1'eineht and cultivation Of a true I
uieilcah sentiment, which recopnizes
~ equallly Of American citizenship. q
M, III 'ie llght Of our traditions and in Q
yalIy 10 the spirit OF our institutions. {
Qua teach that Il hearty cooperation Il
the part OF all interests is the snreat b
I'LL to national preatuesa and K