The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1886-12-14


ing these silver dollars which are not
needed for circulation by the people.
have seen no reason to change the views
expressed in my last annual message on the
subject of this
COMPULSORY COINAGE
and | again urge It's suspension on all the
grounds contained in my former recon-
mendation reinforced by the significant in
crease OF our gold expectations. During
the last year, rs appears by the COMPARE
tive statement herewith presented, and 10:
the further reasons that the more this cur
rency Is distributed among the people the
greater becomes our duty 10 protect
il from disaster, that we now have abln-
dance for all our needs and that
there seems but little propriety in building
wants To store such currency when the
only pretense for Its coinage is the neceS-
sity OF its use by the people as accumula-
ting. The great number of suits now
pending in the United States courts for
southern district of New York, growing
out of the collection OF customs revenue
at the port of New York and the number
OF such suits that are almost daily instituted
are certainly worth the attention Of con-
gress. The legal controversies based upon
conflicting views by importers and the col
leclOr as 10 the Interpretation OF our present
complex and indefinite revenue laws might
be largely obviated by an amendment of
those laws. But pending such am nd
ment, the present condition of this litiga-
ton should De relieved. There are now
pending about $500 OF these suits, more
than |, 100 have been commenced
WITHIN THE PAST EIGHTEEN MONTHS,
and many OF the others have been ut issue
for more than twenty-five years. These
delays subject the government 60 loss of
evidence and prevent the preparation nee
essary to defeat unjust and fictitious claims
while constantly accruing interest, threat
ems TO double the demands
involved. In the present condition
OF the dockets of the courts, we'll filled with
private suits, and of the force allowed the
district attorney, no greater than is neces-
ssry for the ordinary and current business
of his Office, these revenue litigations can
not be considered. In default of the adOp-
ton by congress Of plan for the general
reorganization of the federal courts, as has
been heretofore recommended, | urge the
propriety of passing law permitting the
appointment of an additional federal Judge
in the districts where these government
suits have accumulated, so that by continu-
Gus sessions of the courts devoted TO the trial
of these cases, they may be determined. 1t
is entirely plain that great saving to the
government would be accomplished by such
a remedy and the suitors who have honest
claims would not be denied Justice through
delay.
The report of the
SECRETARY or WAR
gives a detailed account of the administra-
ton of his department, and contains sun
dry recommendations for the improvement
of the service which / fully approve.
The army consisted at the date
of the last consolidated return
of 2,lU3 officers aud 24,946 enlisted men
The expenses of the departments for the
last fiscal year were u, 699, 09O, 33S, includ-
ing S629, 43O, 54S, for public works, and
river and harbOr Improvements. | es-
pecially direct the attention of congress to
the recommendation that officers he re-
quired TO submit to an examination as a
preliminary to their provocation. see no
objection, but many advantages in the
adoption of this feature which has operat-
ed so ben6cially in our navy department,
as well as in some branches OF the army.
The subject of coast defenseS and fortifca-
tons has been fully and carefully treated
by the board on Notifications, whose re-
port was submitted at the last session of
congress. But no construction work of
he kind recommended by the board has
been possible during the last year, from
he lack OF appropriations for such pur-
pose. The defenselesS condition of our
'ea coast and lake frontier is perfectly
Dalpable. The examinations made must |
convince US all that
CERTAIN or OUR CITIES
named in the report Of the board |
should be fortified and that
york on the most important /
II these Notifications should be |
at once, The work has been
thoroughly considered and laid out. The
ecretary OF war reports, but all Is delay
d in default OF congressional action. The
Ibsalute necessity, judged by ali standards
# prudence and foresight of our prepare
ion for an effectual resistance against the
IrmOred ships and steel guns and mortars
i modern construction which may threaten
uc CllicS on our COdSl, II - hppdTtnt,
hat | hope effective steps will be taken in
hat direction Immediately. The valuable
nd suggestive treatment of this question
y the secretary of war IN earnestly
to the consideration of
ongress.
In September and October last the hos
lie Apaches, who, under the leadership of
Geronimo, had for eighteen months been
n the war path, and during that time had
ommitted many murders and been the
ause OF
CONSTANT TERROR To THE SETTLERS
( Arizona, surrendered to General Miles,
ne military commander who succeeded
ieneral Cook in the management and d.
scting of their pursuit. Under the terms
their surrender As then reported, and in I
lew of the understanding which these I
,urderous sayages seemed To enter
lin Of the assurances given them, |