Brookings County sentinel. (Brookings, Dakota [S.D.]) 1882-1890, 1889-12-06

grains mas been observed by the depaf1-
ment, but neither the present secretary
nor any OF his predecessors has deemed
IL sale 10 exercise the discretion given by
law TO increase the monthly purchases to
S4,Oo0,OO0. When the law was enacted
(feb. u, 1879 the price of silver in the
market was 81 20 4'l0 per ounce, making
the bullion value of the dollar 03 cents,
since that time the price has fallen, and
on the hrst day OF November last the bull
ION value OF the silver dollar was 70 cents.
Inc general acceptance and use of the
silver certificate show that silver has not
been otherwise discredited. Some favor
able conditions have contributed to
maintain this practical equality in their
commercial use, between the gold and i
silver dollars, but some of these are trade
conditions that statutary enactments do /
not control, and of the continuance of
which we cannot be certain. think it
is clear that if we should make coinage
OF silver at present ratio free, we must
expect the difference in bullion values of
the gold and silver dollars will be taken
account of in commercial transactions.
and fear the same result would follow
any considerable increase of the present
rate of coinage. Such result would be
discreditable to our financial manage
ment and disastrous to all business inter
ests. We should not tread the danger
Gus edge of such peril. Any safe legis-
lation upon the subject must secure the
equality of the two coins in the CONNER
cial uses. At later day may commu-
nicate further with congress upon this
subject.
SEAL FISHERIES.
The proclamation required by section
3, of the act of March 2. 1887, relating
to the killing of seals and other fur bear
ing animals, was issued by me on the 2lst
day of March and revenue vessel was
despatched to enforce the law and pro-
tect the interests of the United States.
The establishment of refuge station at
Point Barrow, as directed by congress,
wac successfully accomplished.
COAST DEFENs.a.
Judged by modern standards, we are
practically without coast defenses. This
general subject has had consideration in
congress for some years and the appro-
priation for the construction of large rifle
guns, made one year ago, was, am sure,
the expression OF purpose to provide suit
able works in which these guns might be
mounted. An appropriation now made
for that purpose would not advance the
completion of the works beyond our
ability to supply them with fairly effect.
i've guns. very urgently recommend
an appropriation at this session for the
construction of such works in our most
exposed harbors.
RIVERS AND HARB0RS
Tho snorrpray,apt nf p,,p in,pprfant
rivers and harbors should be promoted
by necessary appropriations Care
should be taken that the government is
works not Of public and general advan-
tage. and that the relative usefulness of
works of that class is not overlooked. So
far as this work can ever be said to be
completed, | do not not doubt that the
end would be sooner and more econom-
ically reached if fewer separate works
were undertaken at the same time and
those selected for their greater general
interest were more rapidly pushed TO
completion.
PROTECTION FOR JtRIsTs.
The assault made by David s. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field, and the
killing OF the assailant by a deputy
United States marshal, who had been
deputed to accompany Justice Field and
to protect him, suggest questions, which,
in my judgement are worthy the atten- !,
tion of congress. | recommend that
more definite provisions be made by law.
not only for the protection of federal Off
GERS, but for a full trial of such cases in the
United States courts. Events which have
been brought to my attention, happen
ing in other parts of the country, have
also suggested the propriety OF extend
ing, by legislation, fuller protection to
those who may be called as witnesses In
the courts of the United States.
INTERMEDIATE COURTS.
The necessity of providing some more
speedy method for disposing OK the cases
which now come for final adjudication
to the supreme court becomes every year
more apparent and urgent. The plan OF
providing some intermediate courts, hav-
ing final appellate jurisdiction OF certain
classes of questions and cases, has,
think, received more general approvai
from the bench and bar of the country
than any other. Without attempting to
discuss details l recommend that proyl-
sion should be made for the establish
ment of such courts. The salaries OF the
Judges of the district courts in many OF
the districts are, in my Judgment, mad
equate. recommend that all such sal
aries now below 50, 600 per annum be IN
creased to that amount.
TRUSTS.
Earnest attention should be given by
congress to a consideration of the ques-
ton how far the restraint of those COM
binations of capital commonly called
trusts" is matter of federal Jurlsdic-
diction. When organized, as they often
are. to crush out all healthy competition
or to monopolize the production or sale
of an article of commerce and general
necessity, they are dangerous conspira-
cies against the public good, and should
be made the subject of prohibitory and
even penal legislation.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
The subject of international copyright
has been frequently commended to the
attention of congress by my predeces-
sors. The enactment of such q law
would be eminently wise and just.
NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Our naturalization laws should be so
revised as to make the inquiry into the
character and good disposition towards
our government of the persons applying
for citizenship more thorough. Those
who are the enemies of social order or