Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1888-12-06

\ few of the numerous illustrations
of this condition may be stated. The
crowded condition of the calendar OF
suitors and denial of justice resulting
therefrom. has been strongly urged upon
the attention of the Congress. with a
plan for the relief of the situation ap-
proved by those well able to Judge of its
merit. While this subject remains with
out effective consideration many laws
have been passed providing for the hold
ing of terms for inferior courts at places
TO suit the convenience of localities, or
to lay the foundation of an application
for the erection of a new public build
ing.
Repeated recommendations have been
submitted for the amendment and
change of the laws relating to our pub
lie lands so that their spoliation and di-
version to other uses than as homes for
honest settlers might be prevented.
While measure to meet this conceded
necessity of reform remains awaiting
the action of congress, many claims to
the public lands and applications for
their donation in favor of States and in
dividuals have been allowed
\ plan in aid of Indian management
recommended by those well informed
as containing valuable features in furth-
erance of the solution of the Indian
problem, has thus far failed of legiSlS-
tive sanction, while grants of doubtful
eXpediency to railroad corporations,
permitting them to pass through Indian
reservations, have greatly multiplied.
The prOpriety and necessity of the
erection of one more prisons for the con-
tinement of United States convicts and
pOStoffice building in the national cap
ital, are not disputed But these needs
vet remain unanswered, while scores of
public buildings have been erected where
their necessity for public purposes is not
apparent.
y revision of our pension laws could
easily have been made, which would
rest upon just principles and provide for
every worthy applicant. But while our
general pension laws remain confused
and imperfect, hundreds of private pen
sion laws are annually passed, which are
the sonrceS of unjust discrimination and
popular decentralization. Appropriation
bills for the support of the Government
are defaced by items and provisions to
meet private ends and is freely asserted
by responsible and experienced parties
that bill appropriating money for pub
lie internal improvement would fail to
meet with favor unless it contained
items more for local and private advan-
tage than for public benefit. These
statements can be much emphasized by
an ascertainment of the proportion of
federal legislation, which either bears
upon its face or its private character
that which, upon examination, develops
such motive power. And yet the peo-
pie wait and expect from their chosen
representatives such patriotic action as
will advance the welfare of the entire
country; and this expectation can only
be answered by the performance of pub
lie duty with unseliSh purpose. Our
mission among the nations of the earth,
and our success in accomplishing the
work God has given the American peo-
pie to do, require of those intrusted with
the making and execution of our laws
perfect devotion above all other things,
to the public good.
This devotion will lead us to strongly
resist all impatience of constitutional
limitations of federal power and to per-
sistently check the increasing tendency
to extend the scope of federal legisla-
tion into the domain of State and local
jurisdiction, upon the plea of subserv-
ing the public welfare. The preserva-
tion of the partitions between proper
subjects of federal and local care and
regulation is of such Importance under
the constitution which is the law of our
very existence that no consideration of
eXpediency or sentiment should tempt
us to enter upon doubtful ground, We
have undertaken to discover and pro-
claim the richest blessings of a free gov
eminent, with the constitution our
guide.
Let us follow the way it points. 1t
will not mislead us and surely no one
who has taken upon himself the solemn
obligation to support and preserve the
constitution can find justification or So
lace for dislOyalty in the excuse that he
wandered and disOboyed in search of a
better way to reach the welfare than the
constitution offers. What has been said
is deemed not inappropriate az time
when from century's height, we view
the way already trod by the American
people, and attempt to discover their
future path.
After stating that in international
queStiOnSwhich still await settlement are
all reasonably within the domain of am
icable negotiations, and that there is
no existing subject of dispute between
the United States and any foreign power
that is not susceptible of satisfactory
adjustment by frank diplomatic treat
ment, the President reviews the fishery
trouble, between Great Britain and the
United States relating to the rights of
American fishermen, under treaty and
international comfy, in the territorial
waters of Canada and Newfoundland,
and regrets to say they are not yet salts
factorily adjusted.
The annual reports and recommenda-
tions of the heads of departments are
then taken up and reviewed. Com
menting on bond purchases by the secre-
tary of the treasury, he says: by this
plan bonds of the government not yet
due have been purchased up to and in
Guiding the Both day of November, 1888,
amounting to S94, 100000, the premium
thereon amounting to $l7, sos, S,613.00."
The premium added to the principal
of these bonds represents an investment
yielding about 2 per cent. interest fOrI
the time they still had to run; and the
saving to the government represented
by the difference between the amount
of interest at 2 per cent. upon the sum
paid for principal and premium and
what it would have paid for the interest
at the rate specified in the bonds if they
had run to their maturity is about S27,-
10000.
At first sight this would seem to be
profitable and sensible transaction on
fine mart of the government But as