Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1889-12-04

the danger of which have SPOKEN. AT
later day may communicate fortner Win
Congress upon this SUBJECT
The enforcement of me Chinese exeiu-
sion act has ben found TO be very diihcoIt
IN the Northeastern frontier. Cinnamon,
landing at Victoria. find it easy &c pass our
border, owing TO the lmpossi0illty' WIZ
the force at the command ot the customs
officers, Of guarding so long an inland iine'
The Secretary of the Treasury has author
lied the employment of additional officers,
who will be assigned to this duty, and ev-
ery effort will be made to enforce the law.
The Doninion exacts head tax of fifty
dollars for each Ohiusman landed, and
when these persons, in fraud OF our law,
cross into our territory ard are appre-
hended. our officers do not know what
to DO with them, as the Dominion author
tiles will not suffer them TO be sent baeK
without q second payment of the tax. An
effort will be made to reach su under
derstanding that will remove this dlth'
Guilty.
The proclamation required by section 3
of the act of March ., 1889, relating to the
killing of seals aud other fur-bearing ami
msls, was issued by me on the Dist day OF
March. and a revenue vessel was dispatch
ed to enforce the laws and protect the IN
terests of the United States. The estso-
lishment Of a refuge station at Point Bar
row, as directed by Congress, was success
| folly accomplished.
MODERN COAST DEFENsEs NEEDED.
Judged by modern standards, we are
practically without coast defenses. Many
of the structures we have would enhance
rather than diminish the perils OF their
gsrrisons if subj scted TO the FIRE of improved
gus; ard very few are go located as TO
give full effect TO the greater range OF such
guns as We are now making for coast de-
lenses. This general subject has had con-
sideration in Congress for some years, and
the appropriation for the construction OF
large rid d guns made one year age was, l
am sure, the expression OF a purpose
to provide suitable works In which these
guns might be mounted. An sppTopria-
| ton now made for that purpose would lot
advance the completion OF the works be-
yond our ability to supply them with
fairly effective guns. TIE security of our
coast cities Against foreign attack should
not rest altogether IN the friendly DISPOSE
ton of other nations. There should be a
second l.ue wholly in our keeping. livery
urgently recommend an appropriation at
this session for the construction of such
works il cur most exposed harbOr. ap
prove the suggestion of the Secretary Of
War, that provisions be made for encsmp-
ing companies of the National Gusrd II
our coast works for a specified time each
wear. and for their training in the use OF
heavy guns. His suggestion that an In
crease Of the artillery force Of the army
is desirable Ia also il this connection COM
mended 10 the consideration OF Congress.
RIVERS AND HARBORs.
The improvement of our important
rivers and harbors should be promoted by
the necessary appropriations. Care should
be taken that the Government is not COM
mitted to the prosecution Of works not of
public and general advantage, and that the
relative usefulness Of works of that class
is not overlooked. Solar as this work can
ever be said to be completed, do not
doubt that the end would be sooner and
more economically reached if fewer sepa-
rate works were undertaken at the same
time, aud those selected for the greater
general interest were more rapidly pushed
to comp elton. A work once considerably
/ begun should not be subjected to the risks
ard deterioTatiOns which interrupted or in
sufficient appropriations necessarily occs-
sion.
NEEDS OF THE JUDICIARY.
The assault made by David S. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field, OF the
/ Srpreme Court Of the United States, at
Lathrop, California, ia August last, and
the killing Of the RssailAnt by q Deputy
United States Marshal who had been
depCted to accompany Justice Field, and
to protect him from anticipated violence at
tue hands of Terry, in connection with the
| legsl proceedings which have followed,
suggest questions which, in my judgment,
are worthy the attention of Congress. l
recommend that more definite provision
be made By law, not only for the pr0tec-
ton of federal officers, but for
full trial OF such cases in the Unitsd
States Courts In recommending such
| legislation, do not at all impesch either
| the general Adequacy Of the provision
made by the State laws for the protection
of oil citizens, OF the general good disposi-
ton Of those charged with the execution OF
such laws to give protection to the officers
of the United States. The duty OF pro
tscting its officers es ench, and of punish
ing those who assault them on account of
their official acts, should not be devolved
expressly or by acquiescence upon the To-
Cal authorities
Events which have been brought TO my
attention, happening in other parts Of the
country, have also suggested the propriety
OF extending by legislation fuller protec
ton to those who may be called as witness
ca in tie courts If the United States. The
lsw compels those VINO are supposed 10
h ive knowledge Of public offensas 10 attend
upon our courts sud grand juries and to
give evidence. There is a manifest result
ing duty that these witnesses shsll be pro
tected from injury on sccount of their tee
/ timony The Investigations of criminal
offznses are often rendered futile snd the
punishment Of crime impossible By the
iutimidatiOd Of witnesses.
SUPREME COURT AUXILIARIEs.
Tue necessity of providing for some more
speedy method for disposiUg of the cases
which now come for final adjudication to
the Supreme Court becomes every year
more apparent and urgent. TIE plan of
providing some intermediate courts, hav-
iug fosl appellate jurisdiction Of certain
classes Of questions and cases, has, think,
received a more general approval from the
bench and bar Of the cOnntry than any
other. Without attempting to discuss de-
tails, I commend that provision be made
for the establishment Of such courts.
The salaries of the Judges of the Dis
trict Courts in many Of the districts are,
in my judgment, inadequate. I recon-
mend that all such salaries row below five
thousand dollars per annUm be increased
. "a. T. - Al IL