Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1886-12-16

though sometimes vaun.ing its inn
portance ana clamoring for the pro-
lection and favor of the government,
Is dull and sluggish till touched 10y
into activity, an occasion for federal
taxation and gaining he value which
enables it to bear its burtlci. and the
laboring man is thoughtfully inquiring
whether in these circumstances, and
considering the tribute he constantly
pays into the public treasury as he
supplies his daily wants, lac receives
his fair snare OF advantages. There is
also suspicion abroad that the sur
plus of our revenues Indicate abnor-
NAL and exceptional business profits.
which under the system which pro-
duces srch surplus, increase without
corresponding benefit to Inc people at
large.
We are not quite able to grasp the
above. but perhaps laboring men will
understand it.
Mr.. Cleveland says that the people
demand a revision of the revenue laws
that tie receipts of the government
may he reduced to the necessary ex-
penses of its economical administra-
ton. and this demand should he req
ognized and obeycd by the peoples
represent atives in the legislative
branch OF the government.
The president again urges the sus-
pension Of silver coinage. Every fair
and legal effort has been made by the
treasury department to distribute
this currency among the people. The
withdrawal OF United states treasury
notes Of small denominations and the
issuing of small silver certificates has
been resorted to i'm the en,ieavOr to
accomplish this result in obedience to-
the will and sentiments of the repre-
sentati,es OF the people in congress.
The director of the mint is calling for
more vault room in which to store the
surplus dollars that are not needed
for circulation by the people. There
had been coined up to the close OF the
previous fiscal year under the provi>-
ion OF the law 2C3,Ss2,25I silver
dollars
The president iavors coast defenSes
and fOrtiicatiOns. Of the navy he
says: ''I'he present navy of the Uni
ted States, aside from the ships in the
course OF construction, consists OF,
LIST, l 1 single-turreted MONT ors, none
of which are in commission, nor mt the
present time servicable. The batteries
of these ships are obsolete and they
can only be relied upon rs auxiliary
ships in harbor defense, and then after
such AN expenditure upon them as
might not be deemed justiiiable. Sec
Ond-EOurth and fifth rate vessels OF
small tonnage, only one of which was
designed as a war vessel, are auxiliary
merely. Third-Twenty-seven ships.
three Of which are built of iron OF
small tonnage and 81 of wood. OF
these wooden vessels it is estimated
by the chief constructor OF the navy
that only three will be serviceabe be-
yond period OF six years. All the
vessels heretofore authorized are I'M
der contracts i'm the course OF con-
struction, except the armored ships. |
the torpedo and dynamite boats. and |
one cruiser. AS to the last OF these. |
The bids were ineycess OF the limit fixed |
by congress" = AT the |
late of the last consolidated return |
the army consistent OF 2,1O3 officers I
and 24,947 enlisted men. The expen-
SEES ofthe department for the last fiscal
year were $36,93O, 9O3.2S, including /
s26, 294 ,3O5. 43 for public works and |
river and harbOr improvements"
The president recommends 1.-The re-
peal of the timber culture and pre-
acts, and that the homestead
aw be so amended as to better secure
with and cultivation for
he period OF five years from the date
II entry without communication or pro-
iision for speculative REIMBURSEMENT.
also recommend the repeal of the
iesert land laws unless it shall he the
pleasure of congress to SO amend these
avs as to render them less liable to
lbuse.
The president takes an advanced
rev OF the Indian question, and his
recommendations will meet with
hearty approval in the territories. We
hall publish that portion relating to