, 1889-12-04

former is generally conceded and an agree
ment upon the evils and inconvenience to
be remedied and the best methods for
their connection will probably not be diff
icult. Uniformity of valuation at all our
ports is assential aud effective measures
should be taken to secure it. 1t is equally
desirable that questions affecting rates
and classiications should be promptly de-
cided.
The preparation OF a new schedule OF
customs duty is a matter OF great deli
cacy because of its effect upon the bust
ness of the country; OF great difficulty BY
reason of the wide divergence OF opinion
AS to the objects that may be promoted by
such legislation. Some disturbance OF
business may perhaps result from con-
sideration of this subject by congress, but
this temporary i~ll-effect will be reduced to
a minimum by prompt action and the as
surance which the country enjoys that any
necessary changes will be SO made as not
to impair the Just and reasonable protec
ton OF our home industries.
'The inequalities of the law should be
adjusted. bat the protective principles
should be maintained and firmly applied
to the products of our farms as well as our
shops. These duties necessarily nave re
lation to other things besides the public
revenues. We cannot limit their effects
by fixing our eyes on the public treasury
alone. They have a direct relation to
home productions, to work. to wages and
to the commercial independence of our
country and the wise and patriotic legisla-
tor should enlarge the field OF his vision to
include all of these.
The necessary reduction in our public
| revenues can. | am sure be made without
making the small burden more onerous
than the larger by reason of the disabili-
ties aud limitations which the process of
reduction puts upon both capital and la
Dor. The tree list can very safely be ex-
tended by placing thereon articles that do
not offer injurious competition to such
| domestic products as our home labor can
supply.
The removaItof the internal tax upon
tobacco would relieve an important agri.
cultural product from a burden which was
imposed only because our revenue from
customs duties was insufficient for the
public needs. If safe provision against
fraud can be devised the removal of the
tax upon spirits used in the arts and in
manufactures would also offer an uDobiec
tionable method Of reducing the surplus. "
He does not think the present silver
coinage of $1,000, 900 a month can be
increased with safety. He may send
another message to congress on this sub
iect.
Better sea coast defenses are demanded
by our improved armament. He sug-
gests federal protection for federal judges
assaulted for performance of duty as in
the case of Judge Field. The establish
ment OF intermediate appellate courts.
with final jurisdiction in certain cases is
recommended to relieve the burthens OF
the United States supreme court. The
question of trusts is referred to congress
tor consideration accompanied by a word
or two about the luoseness of the pre-
vailing naturalization laws.
The president goes quite extensively
into the Indian question. He thinks re-
lief may be found in breaking up the
farms and educating the young. For this
ment OF schools in the states or territories
in which the Indians are located.
The negotiations with the Indians in re,
lation to the Cherokee outlet" and the
opening OF Oklahoma are treated with
great attention to detail. The latter now
has 60, 200 people but no government. He
recommends that n territorial govern
ment be at once formed.
H LAND LAWS.
10 the administration of the land laws
the policy of facilitating in every proper
way the adjustment of the honest claims
of individual settlers on the public lands
has been pursued. The number of pend.
ing cases had during the preceding ad-
ministration been greatly increased under
the operation of orders for a time sus
pending final action in a large part of the
cases originating in the west and north
west, and by the subsequent use of ur
usual methods of examination.
Only those who are familiar with the
conditions under which our agricultural
lands have been settled can appreciate the
serious aud often fatal consequences to
the settler of a policy that pats his title
under suspicion. or delays the issuance Of
his patent. While care is taken to pre-
vent and to expose fraud, it should not be
imputed without reason. The manifest
purpose of the homestead and pre-emp,
ton laws was to promote the settlement
o. the public domain by persons having
a bona ide intent TO make a home on the
selected lands. Where this intent /. well
established and the requirements of the
law have been substantially complied with
claimant is entitled to a prompt and
friendly consideration OF his case.
But where there is reason to believe
that the claimant is the mere agent Of
another who is seeking to evade a law
intended to promote small holdings and
to secure BY fraudulent methods large
tracts of timber and other lands, both
p%rincira al and agents should not only be
thwarted in their fraudulent purpose but
should be made to feel the full penalties
of our criminal statutes. The law should
be so administered as not to confound