National Republican., 1886-12-07


tlfcates representing them, tho nominal
sum Of Sl66, ,s79,Oi1, and we still had so
464,345 In the treasury-as against about
Sl42, ,S04 ,0jj so IN the hands OF the people,
and S12,SG5,316 remaining In the treasury
one year ago. The director Of the mint
again urges the necessity OF more vault
room for the purpose Of storing these silver
dollars which are not needed for circulation
by the people.
haye 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 recommendation,
re enforced by the signiGcantincrease Of our
gold expectations during the last year, as
appears by the comparative statement here
with presented, and for the further reasons
that the more this currency Is distributed
among the people the greater becomes our
duty to protect II from disaster; that we
now have abundance for all our needs; aud
that there seems but little proprlety in
building vaults to store such currency when
the only pretense for It's coinage Is the
necessity Of It's use by the people as circu-
lating medium.
The great number Of suits now pendingi in
the United States courts for the 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 cer-
tainly worthy the attention Of the Congress.
These legal controversies, based upon con-
illcting Views by importers aud the collector
as to the Interpretation OF our present com.
pleX and indefinite revenue laws, might be
largely obyiated by an amendment OF those
laws.
But pending such amendment the present.
condition Of this litigation should be re.
leved. There are now pending about
N ThnNn 1
been commenced within the past eighteen
months, and maby OF the others have been
OF issue for more than twenty-five years.
These delays subject the government to
loss Of evidence and prevent the prepare
ton necessary to defeat unjust and ncti-
tious claims, while constantly acruing In
terCst threatens to double the demands in.
volved.
In the present condition Of the dockets
Of the courts, well filled with private suits,
and of the force allowed the district attor.
ney, no greater than Is necessary for the
ordinary and current business Of his office,
thefe revenue litigatlons cannot be con-
sideTed.
In default Of the adoption by Congress OF
plan for the general reorganization OF the
federal courts as has been heretofore rec
commended, | urge the propriety Of passing
q law permitting the appointment OF an
additional federal Judge In the district
where these government suits have accu-
mulated, so that by continuous sessions Of
the courts devoted to the trial OF these cases
they may be determined.
II is entirely plain that great saving to
the government would be accomplished by
| such remedy, and the stitors who have
honest claims would not be denied justice
through delay.
The report Of the Secretary of War gives
q detailed account of the administration OF
,Naf., IrVyW
mendations for the Improvement OF the SER
vice, which fully approve.
The army consisted at the date OF the
| last consolidated return OF two thousand
one hundred and three officers and twenty
four thousand nine hundred and forty.six
enlisted men.
The expenses of the department for the
last fiscal year were S36, ,090, ,003.3
including SG,294, ,305.43 for public works
and river and harbor improvements.
i especially direct the attention OF the Con-
| gress to the recommendation that officers
be required to submit to an examination as
preliminary to their promotion. see no
objection but many advantages in adopting
this feature, which has operated SO bene-
flcially in our Navy Department, as we'll as
In some branches OF the army.
The subject of coast defenses and fortia-
cations has been fully aud carefully treated
by the board On Notifications, whose report
was submitted at the last session OF Con-
gress; but no construction work OF the
Kind recommended by the board has been
possible during the last year from the lnck
Of appropriations for such purpose.
The defenseless condition OF our seacoast
and lake frontier is perfectly palpable; the
examinations made must convince us all
that certain OF our cities named In the report
Of the board should be fortified, and that
work on the most important Of these forti-
llcations should be commenced at once; the
work has been thoroughly considered and
laid out, the Secretary of War reports, hui
all is delayed in default of congressional
action.
The absolute necessity, judged by all
standards Of prudence and foresight, OF our
preparation for an effectual resistance
against the armored ships and steel guns
and mortars OF modern construction which
may threaten the cities on our coasts, is so
apparent that hope effective steps will be
taken in that direction Immediately.
The valuable and suggestive treatment of
this question by the Secretary of War is
earnestly commended to the consideration
Of the Congress.
In September and October last the hostile
Apaches who, under the leadership OF
Geronimo, had for eighteen months been on
the wGrpatb, and during that time had
committed many murders and been the
cause Of constant terror to the settlers OF
Arizona, surrendered to Gen. Miles, the
military commander who succeeded Gen
Crook In the management and direction OF
their pursuit.
Under the term Of their surrender as then
reported, and In view OF the understanding
which these murderous savages seemed Ia
entertain OF the assurances given them, II
was considered best to imprison them in
such manner as to prevent their ever en-
gaging In such outrages again, Instead oi
trying them for murder. Fort Pickens hav.
ing been selected as Il safe place OF contlne
ment, all the adult males were sent thithei
and will be closely guarded as prisoners
In the meantime the residue of the band
who, though still remaining upon the reser
walton, were regarded as unsafe and sus
pected OF furnishing aid to those on the
warpath, had been removed to Fort
Marion. The women and larger children
Of the hostiles were also taken there, aud
arrangements have been made for putting
the children OF proper age in Indian
schools.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Navy
contains a detailed exhibit OF the condition
of his department, with such statement o.
the action needed to improve the same Al
should challenge the earnest attention o.
the Congress.
The present navy of the United States
aside from the ships in course Of construc-
ton, consists of:
First, fourteen single-turreted monitors
none Of which are In commission, nor al
the present time serviceable. The batteries
OF these ships are obsolete, and they car
only be relied upon as auxiliary ships in
barbor defense, and then after such an eS
penditure upon them as might not bC
deemed iustilable.
Second, five fourth.rate vessels OF smal
tonnage, only one OF which was designed
as war vessel, and all OF which are auxtl
iary merely.
fhird, twenty.sevon cruising ships, three
Of which are built OF iron, OF small tonnage
and twenty.four of wood, OF these woodeI
vessels 1t Is estimated by the chief con
structor Of the navy that only three will b.
seryiCeable beyond period Of six years, Il