St. Landry democrat., 1886-12-18


ton for cffectual resistance against arMorcl
ships and steel guns, which may threaten our
sea coast cities, is so apparent thar ne hopes
effective steps will be taken IN that direction at
once.
The condition of our navy. shown by the
secretary OF that department. should challcn9e
the earnest attention OF Congress. The produc-
ton in the United States of armor and gun
steel is question which it seems necessary to
settle at an early day, If the armored war yes
sells are to be completed with those materials
of home manufacture. In the event that the
present invitation Of the department for bids to
furnish such of this material as is now
authorized shall fail to induce
domestic manufacturers to undertake
the large expenditures required to prepare for
this new manufacture, and no other steps are
taken by Congress at its coming session, the
Secretary contemplates with dissatisfaction the
necessity of obtaining abroad the armor and
the gun steel for the authorized ships.
1t would seem desirable, the President adds,
that the wants Of the army and navy in this re-
gard should be reasonably met and, by uniting
their contracts such inducements might be Of
fered as would result in securing the domesti-
cation of these important interests.
Postal service affairs show marked and graft
flying improvement during the past year, the
increase OF revenue gaining in ratio over the
increase OF cost demonstrating the Sufnclency
of the present cheap rates Of postage ultimately
to sustain the service. The differences with
certain ocean steamship companies were ter
minated by the acquiesccnce of all IN the pc y
of the Government, thus affording a service
generally adequate to the needs OF the inter-
oceanic mail business.
The question of establishing ocean posta.
service to Brazil and the Argentine REPUBLIC
is commended to the consideration OF Congress.
and the suggestion is offered that, as dlstln'
guished from a grant or subsidy for the mere
benefit of any line whatever, the outlay that
NAV be re uired to secure additional necessary
and proper service, should be regarded as
within the limit Of legitimate compensation for
such service.
The President indorses the recommendation
of the Attorney-General for the erection OF
penitentiary for the confinement OF prisoners
convicted in the United States courts. he
considers it matter Of very great Importance,
which should at once receive Congressional ac'
tion. More than one OF these institutions
might be erected, and, by employing the prls'
oners in the manufacture of articles needed fo1
use by the Government, quite large pecunlary
benefit might be derived in partial return for ex'
penditures
He indorses the recommendation of the
Acknowledgement for q change in the Federal
judicial system, to obviate the delays neceS'
sarily attending the present condition OF affairs
in our courts.
OF Indian affairs he says the present system
of agencies standing alone is inadequate for the
accomplishment of an object which has become
rapid Transition from tribal organization to
citizenship OF such portions OF the
Indians as are capable Of civilized life. and
hence the necessity for the suPPleinentai
sons-three from the army-charged with the
management of such matters OF detail as can
not, with the present organlzaton De properly
and successfully conducted. The dme is ripe,
the President tells Congress, for the WORK OF
such an agency.
The President recommends the repeal Of the
Presumption and TimberCulture acts, ana that
the homestead laws be so amended as to better
secure compliance with their requirements OF
residence. improvement and cultivation Tor hive
wears from date of entry, without communication
or provision for speculation or REIMBURSEMENT,
Referring to the satisfactory exhibit OF the
operations of the Pension Bureau during the
last fiscal year, and to pension matters gener-
ally, the President says the usefulness and the
justice of any system for the distribution OF
pensions depends upon the equality and uni
formity of its operation, and as long as we ao-
here to the principle Of granting pensions for
service and disability as the result Of the serv-
ice, the allowance Of pensions should be re-
stricted to cases presenting these features.
Every patriotic heart" he says, responds
to a tender consideration for those who having
served their country long and well, are reduced
to destituton and dependence, not as an Incl
dent OF their service, but with advancing age or
misfortune. We all tempted by the con
temptation of such condition to supply relief,
and are often impatient OF the limitations
of public duty. Yielding to no one
in the desire to indulge this feeling Of consider
alton can not rid myself OF the CONVICTION
that if these ex-soldiers are to be relieved they
and their cause are entitled to the benefit OF
an enactment under which relief should be
claimed as a right. and that such relief may be
granted under the sanction, not the invasion,
OF it; dor should such worthy
to the unequal operation of sympathy, or the
tender mercies Of social and political influence
with their unjust discrimination.
OF the Pacific railroad debt extension propo-
sition, he says, that in considering the plan
suggested by the Secretary Of the Interior and
indorsed by the board of Government directors,
the sole matters which should be taken into
account are: 1.-The situation OF the Govern
ment as a creditor and the ssrest way to Sc
cure the payment of the principal and interest
on its debt
OF interstate commerce, he says that by a
recent decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States it has been adjudged that the
laws of the several States are imperative to
regulate rates of transportation upon railroads.
il such regulation interferes with the rate OF
carriage from one State into another: This i'm
portant field of control and regulation having
been left thus unoccupied, the expediency OF
Federal action upon the subject is worthy OF
consideration.
OF the relations Of labor to capital, the Presi-
dent thinks that when these differences be-
tween employer and employed reach such
stage as to result in the interruption OF COM
merce between the States, the application OF
arbitration by the General Government might
be regarded as entirely within its constitutional
powers and he thinks we might reasonably
hope that such arbitrators, If carefully selected
and if entitled to the confidence OF the parties
to be affected, would be voluntarily called to
the settlement of controversies OF less extent
and not necessarily within the domain OF Fed
eral regulation
The President recommends, as plain duty
on the part of the Government the payment OF
a million and quarter dollars stlll Que 20 the
Freedman S Savings Bank depositors.
Civil-Service reform is the last important topic
discussed in the message. The. continued
operation of the Civil-Service law, he asserts,
has added the most convincing proof OF its
necessity and usefulness. Every public
officer who has just idea OF
his duty to the people testifies to the value OF
this reform It's staunchest friends are found
among those who understand it best, and its
warmest supporters are those who are re-
strained and protected by its requirements
The meaning of such restraint and protection
is not appreciated by those who want places
under the Government, regardless OF merit and
efficiency, nor by those who insist that the Sc
lection for such places should rest upon
proper credential showing active partisan
Mnrk They mean TO public officers. il not,