The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1886-12-11

BILE. and the work laid out by the board on for
ti1catiOn is delayed in default Of Congressional
action. The absolute necessity OF our prepare
ton for cfcctual resistance against armorcd
ships and steel guns, which may threaten our
sea coast cities is so apparent that he hopes
effective steps will be taken in that direction at
once.
The condition Of our navy, as shown by the
secretary Of that department, should Challenge
the earnest attention OF Congress. The produc-
ton in the United States Of armor and gun
steel is a question which it seems necessary to
settle at an early day, II 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 10 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.
II 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 sufficiency
of the present cheap rates OF postage ultimately
TO sustain the service The differences with
certain ocean steamship companies were ter
minated by the acQuiescence OF all in the poh5y
of the Government, thus affording a service
generally adequate to the needs OF the inter-
oceanic mail business.
The question of establishing ocean postal
service to Brazil and the Argentine Republic
is commended to the consideration Of Congress,
and the suggestion is offered that as distin-
guished from grant or subsidy for the mere
benefit of any line whatever, the outlay that
may be TO 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 Acknowledgement for the erection Of a
penitentiary for the confinement OF prisoners
convicted in the United States courts. He
considers ii matter of very great importance,
which should at once receive Congressional ac'
ton More than one OF these institutions
might be erected, and, by employing the pris'
oners in the manufacture OF articles needed for
use by the Government, quite large pecuniary
benefit might be derived IN partialre return Tor eX'
He indorses the recommendation of the
Acknowledgement for change in the Federal
judicial system, to obviate the delays neces'
sarly 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
pressing in its importance-the more
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 supplemental
agency. a commission OF six intelligent per
sons-three from the army-charged with the
management Of such matters of detail as can
not with the present organization be properly
and successfully conducted. The time is ripe,
the President tells Congress, for the work OF
such an agency.
The President recommends the repeal OF the
Presumption and TimberCulture acts, and that
the homestead laws be so amended as to better
secure compliance with their requirements Of
residence improvement and cultivation Tor llve
years from date OF entry, without Commutatlor
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 ad
here to the principle Of granting pensions fol
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
| 10 restitution and dependence not as an Incl
dent of their service, but with advancing age OF
misfortune. We are all tempted by the con
| temptation of such a 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, l can not rid myself Of the conviction
that if these eX-solders are to be relieved, they
and their cause are entitled to the benefit o
an enactment under which relief should bt
claimed as a right. and that such relief may b'
! granted under the sanction not the invasion
OF it; dor should such worth!
objects of care, all equally entitled, be RENTED
| to the unequal operation OF sympathy, or thu
| 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 plal
| suggested by the Secretary of the Interior AM
Endorsed by the board of Government directors
| the sole matters which should be taken int
account are: "rhe situation of the Govern
ment as creditor and the ssrest way to sc
cure the payment Of the principal and interes
on its debt
OF interstate commerce, he says that by
recent decision Of the Supreme Court OF tn
| United States il has been adludged that tn
laws of the several States are imperative Z
regulate rates of transportation upon railroads
il such regulation intcrferes with the rate o
carriage from one State into another. This in
pOrtant field of control and regulation haVln
been left thus unoccupied, the eXpediency @
Federal action upon the subject is worthy @
consideration.
OF the relations of labor to capital, the Pres
dent thinks that when these differences be
stage rs to result in the interruption OF con
MERGE between the States, the application {
arbitration by the General Government Nigh
be regarded as entirely within its constitutions
powers, and he thinks we might reBsonabl
hope that such arbitratOrs. If carefully selected
and il entitled to the confidence OF the partie
to be affected, would be voluntarily called I
the settlement Of controversies OF less eXteT
and not necessarily within the domain OF Fee
eral regulation.
! The President recommends, as plain dul
on the part Of the Government the payment
a million and a quarter dollars still due 20 IN
Freedmans Savings Bank depositors.
Ciyil-Service reform is the last important top
! discussed in the message. The continue
( operation of the Civil Service law, he assert
has added the most convincing proof OF i
necessity and usefulness. Every publ
officer who has Just idea
his duty to the people testites TO the value
I this reform. Its staunchest friends are four
among those who understand it best, and /
warmest supporters are those who are I
strained and protected by its requirements.
The meaning o. such restraint ana protecu(
| is not appreciated by those who want plac
under the Government regardless OF merit al
efficiency nor by those who insist that the S
r lection for such places should rest upon
] proper credential showing active parts;
' work They mean to public officers. II n(
their lives the only opportunity Afforded the
| to attend the public business, and they met
I TO the good OF the country the better periorl
:. ancc OF the work Of their Government. II
= exceedingly strange, the President thinks, tn