The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-12-07

certainly worthy Of the attention Of Con.
gress. These legal controversies based
upon conflicting vie 70 by importers and
the Collector 90 to the Interpretation OF
our present indefinite revenue laws might
be- lsrgely obViated by an amendment OF
these lave, But pending such RInand'
Enent the present condition Of this lltiga.
ton should be reliayed. TheTa arc now
pending about $500 OF these suits, More
than LOO have been examined Within the
past eighteen months aud many OF tho
others have bean Rt issue Tor more tnan
twenty-five years, These delays sl6iecs
the government to loss OF evidence
and prevent the preparation nec'
essary 70 defeat unjnat and fictitious
Claims while constantly accFulng interest
therein tends TO double tue demsndsinVolV.
ed in the present condition Of the docket Of
the courts we'll filled with private suits,
aud Of the course allowed by the District
Attorney, aud no greater than Unnecessary
for the ordinary and current business OF
his Office. These revenue obligations
can't bs considered too earnestly in this
adoption by the Congress Of plan Of
general reorganization Of the Federal
Courts, ss has basn heretofore recon-
msnded, urge the imp ortauCe Of passing
4 law permitting the appointment Of adj
ditionRl federal powers in the District
where these government suits have aC'
Cumulated, so that by continuous sessions
Of the courts devoted to the trial OF these
cagss that may be determined. II 10 en-
tirely plain that 9 great saving to the gov
eminent would be accomplished by such
4 remedy and the suitors who have hm-
est claims would be denied lus!lCe through
delay.
| QUIZ ARMY,
The report 81 the Secretary oi,War gives
detailed account OF the administration
Of his department and contains snudry
recommendations for tho improvement
Of the service which / fully approve. The
army consisted Ut the date otths last.Goa,
solidated return Of two Thousand one hun
dree officers and twsnLy-iour thousand
nine hundred and fortY-aix enlisted men.
Tho eXpens0G OF the department for the
last hscal year ware $50, 900 ,003 IS, inClud.
ing $500, sos 49 for public works aud
river and harbor improvements. ! es.
psCia!ly direct tho attention OF the Con-
gregg to the recommendation that officers
ue ItNuWGu w oHuhANb w NJ pANlllhAblJh
IS u preliminary to their promotion. See
no objection but many advantages in
adopting this feature which has operated
10 bsnehCiRlly In our Navy Department
as well as IN some branches Of tue army.
The subject Of casst defense and fortii.
cations has been fully and carefully treated
by the board Of Qualifications whose report
was submitted at the last session Of Con.
gres5, but no construction work OF the
kind recommended by the board has been
possible during the last year irom the
lack Of appropriation Tor such purpose.
The deisnaeless condition Of our sea coast
and lake frontier Ia perfectly palpaule.
Tho examinations made must convince US
all that certain OF our cities named In thu
report Of the hoard should hs fortified
and that work on the most important OF
these Notifications ahould BIO commenced
at once. The work has been
thoroughly conaidered and laid out the
Secretary Of WGrIeports, but all Is delayed
In default OF Congressional action. The alb.
aolute necessity judged by all standards OF
prudence and foresight OF our preparation
Tor an elfsGtusl resistance sgain9t the
armorsd ships and steel guns and nlortsrs
Of modern construction which may
thrsRten the cities on our 0oasta, ia 80 ap.
parent that hop5 effective steps will DO
taken In thatdirsction Immediately. The
valuable aud suggestive treatment Of this
question by the Secretary Of War Ia earn.
eStly commended to the consideration Of
the Congress.