Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1888-12-13
careful attention of the congress to the sec

retary's report.n
The reports OF the war department are
given in abstract and the recommendations
concurred in. The death of Gen Sheridan
is spoken OF thus: '',rhe death Of Gen.
Sheridan in August last was national
affection. The army then lost the grand
est OF its chiefs; the country loSta brave
and experienced soldier q wise and discreet
counselor and modest and sensible man.
Those who in any manner came within the
range Of his personal association will never
fail 10 pay deserved and willing homage TO
his greatness and the glory OF his career;
but they will cherish with moro tender
2ensibility the loving memory OF hls simple,
generous and considerable nature"
The movement for the return Of the Apa'
che prisoners TO their reservations is spok-
en- Of as dangerous and ill-iudged piece of
philanthropy.
The report Of the secretary of the navy is
given in abstract and the recommendations
approved. The same disposition is made of
the postmaster generals report published
to-day, and recommendations made OF legis-
lative read ustment of much Of its machin-
cry. The president favors Mr.. Dickinson
plan TO place the erection of postotfice build
ings in the hands of the department, on
basis of business done. Much legislation,
reasonable and proper at the time it was
made, is out of date 10 day, and should be
revised for the benefit Of the postal estab-
lishment.
related, special attention being C lied to the
prosecution, in Utah, of offenders against
ant.-poygamy laws, and the opinion is eX
pressed that under such firm and vigilant
execution of these laws, and the advance OF
! ideas opposed TO the forbidden practices,
polygamy within the United States Is Ylrtu-
ally at an end.
Secretary Villas report has one feature
called attention 20, that relating to public
lands. 1--WE have no excuse for the VIC a
| tion OF principles cogently taught by reason
and example, nor for the allowance of pre-
texts which have sometimes exposed our
| lands TO colossal greed Laws which open
the door TO fraudulent acquisition, or admin
| istraton which permits favor to rapacious
! seizure by favored few of expanded areas
! that many should enjoy, are accessory TO
| offenses against our national welfare and
| humanity, not 10 be too severely condemned
or punished. Our dear experience ought
| sufficiently TO urge the speedy enactment of
measures of legislation which will contine
the future disposition Of our remaining
| agricultural lands 20 the uses OF actual hus-
| bandry and genuine homes. Nor should our
vast tracts of so-callcd desert lands be yield
| ed up to the monopoly of corporations or
| grasping individuals, as appears TO be much
| the tendency under the existing statute
| The lands require but the supply OF water
TO become fertile and productive. II is a
| problem of great moment how, most wisely
for the public good, that factor shall be
J furnished. | cannot but think IL perilous
TO suffer either these lands or the sources a
| their Irrigation TO fall into the hands OF
monopolies.n
Legislation for the adjustment of state
| grants is recommended, in the equal inter
est OF the nation. the states and the set
tiers.
The failure Of the Sioux land treaty i s
| related. The number of pensioners added
TO The rolls during the fiscal year ended
. 80 . s...ss a.,f
pensions was granted in 45,7O6 cases. The
names of Is, 80 pensioners were dropped
| from the rolls during the year for various
| causes, ard at the close of the year the
number of persons Of al classes receiving
pensions was 452, 555. OF these there were
| 500 survivors of the war of 1872, i0,757
widows of those who served in that war,
1900 soldiers of the Mexican war and 800
widows of said soldiers One hundred and
two different rates of pensions are paid TO
| these beneliciaries, ranging from So TO
S4l6 60 per month. The amount paid for
pensions during the fiscal year was S75, ~,
SCI 90. being an increase over the preceding
year of S5,30S, $50 %.
IL am thoroughly convinced" the presi-
dent says, that our general pension laws
should be revised and adjusted TO meet as
far as possible, in the light of our expert,
ence, all meritorious cases. The fact that
l02 different rates CT pensions
ara paid cannot, in my opinion,
be made consistent with jus
tice to the pensioners, or 10 the govern
ment; and the numerous private pension
bills that are passed predicated upon the
imperfection of the general laws, which,
while they increase, in many casos, existing
inequality and injustice, lend dditional
force to the recommendation for a rev on
Of the general laws on the subject
"The laXity of the ideas prevailing among
large number of our pcop,e regarding
| me- IL m
marked. The principles upon which they
should be granted are in danger OF being
altogether ignored, and already pens .ons
are often claimed because the applicants
are as much entitled ~ other successful
applicants, rather than upon any disability
reasonably attributable to military service
If the establishment Of vic oUs precedents
be continued and the grantin OF pensions
be not divorced from partisan and other
unworthy and irrelevant considerations,
and il the honorable name of veteran un-
fairly becomes by these means but another
term for one who constant y clamors for
the aid of the government, there s danger
that injury viii be done 10 the fame and
patr. otism of many whom our citizens all
delight 10 honor, and that q prejudice will
be aroused unjust to meritorious applica
tion for pensions"
The work Of the agricultural bureau is
related, and cooperation with the states rec.
commended
The adjustment of the relations between
the government and the railroad companies
which have received land grants, and the
guaranty of the public credit in aid of the
construction of their roads, should receive
early attention, and be treated as purely
business proposition. After making recon-.
mendations relative TO the District of Col
umbia, the president concludes as follows {:
'rhe consciousness that l have presented
but an imperfect statement OF the condition
of the country and its wants occasions no
fear that anything omitted is not known
and appreciated by the congress-, upon
which rest the responsibility of intelligent
legislation in behalf of a great nation and a
confiding people. AS public servants, we
shall do our duty well If we constantly
guard the rectitude Of our intentions, main
tain unsulied our love of country, and with
unselfish purpose strive for the public
good" GROVER CLEvELAND.
Mr. Andrew Carnegie saws oil trusts have
In themselves tue seeds OF early dissolution,
and are most 20 be feared by their own men,
bers.
= len per cent. increase IN the number Of
cattle 10 be fatiened calls out the pr dictlon
Of extra good beef at reasonably low priceo