Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1889-12-13

pose 70 commune the use or silver IN cos
nection with our currency and at the same
time, to 0bviate the danger of which
have spoken. At later day / may COM
munieate further with congress upon this
subject.
THE CHINESE AGAIN
The enforcement of the Chinese ex-
ClusiOn act has been found to
be very difficult on the north
west frontier. Cinnamon landing
at Victoria find It easy to pass our border
owing to the impOssibiIitV with the force
at the command of the custom officers in
guarding so long an inland line. The
secretary of the treasury has authorized
the employment Of additional officers,
who viii be assigned to this duty and
every effort viii be made to enforce the
law. The dominion eXacts a head tax of
500 Tor each Chinaman landing and when
these persons in fraud of our law
cross into our territory and are
apprehended our officers do not
know what to do with them as the domin~
ion authorities will not suffer them TO be
sent back without second payment of
the tax. An effort viii be made to reach
an understanding that viii remove this
difficulty.
TIE SEAL FISHERIES.
The proclamation required by section 8
of the act of March 2, 1889, relating to the
killing of seals and other fur bearing ami
mails, was issued by me on the 21st day
of March, and d revenue vessel was dis
patched to enforce the laws and protect
the interests of the United States.
The establishment Of q refuge station
at Point Barrow, as directed by congress,
was successfully accomplished.
OUR DEFENSELESS DEFENsES.
Judged by modern standards, we are
practically without defenses. Many of
the structures we have would enhance,
rather than diminish the periis of their
garrisOns if subjected to the fire Of i'm
proved guns and very few are so located
as to give full effect to the greater range
OF such guns as we are now making for
coast defense uses. This general subject
has had consideration in congress for
some years and the appropriation for the
construction Of large riled guns made one
year ago, was, I am sure, the expression of
purpose to provide suitable 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 effective guns. The security
of our coast cities against foreign attack
should not rest altogether in the friendly
disposition Of other nations. There
should be a second line wholly in our own
keeping. very urgently recommend an
appropriation at this session for the con
structiOn of such works in our most eX-
posed harbOrs.
1 approve the suggestion of the secre-
tary of war that provision be made for
enCamping companies of the national
guard in our coast works for a specified
time each year and for their training in
the use of heavy guns; first suggesting,
that an increase of the artillery force Of
the army "as desirable is also in cOnnec-
ton commended to the consideration of
congress.
THE RIVERS AND HARBORs.
The improvement Of our important riV-
ers and harbOrs should be provided for by
the necessary appropriations. Care
should be taken that the government is
not committed to the prosecution of
works not of public and general advan-
Gage 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 doubt that the end
would be sooner and more economically
reached if fewer separate works were
undertaken at the same time, and these
selected for their greater general inter
est, were more rapidly pushed to cOmpH-
ton. a work once considerably begun
should not be subject to the risk and de
teriOratiOn which Interruptions and insult
hcient appropriations necessarily Occa-
sion.
THE ASSAULT on JUSTICE FIELD.
The assault made by David S. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field of the
supreme court of the United States, in
Latbrop, California, in August last and
the killing of the assailant by a deputy
United States marshal, who had been
! deputized to accompany Justice Field
and to protect him from anticipated VIC
! lence at the hands of Terry, in connec-
! ton with the legal proceedings which
have followed, suggest questions which
/ in my judgment are worthy Of the atten-
ton of congress. recommend that more
! definite provisions be made by law not
! only for the protection of federal
| officers, but for a full trial Of such
/ cases in the United States courts. In
/ recommendation of such legislation I do
not at all impeach either the general ade-
/ quaCY of the provision made by the state
/ laws for the protection Of all citizens. OF
/ the general disposition of those charged
/ with the execution of such laws to give
/ protection to the officers of the United
/ States. The duty of protecting the Off
/ GERS as such and Furnishing those who as
! sault them on account Of their official
/ acts, should not be 0eVOlVed expressly OF
! by acquiesence upon the local authori
ties.
Events which have been brought to rny
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 wit
Resses in the courts of the United States
The law cOmpels those who are supposed
to have knowledge Of public Offenses Il
attend upon our courts and grand iuriei
and to give evidence. There is g mani
fest resulting duty that these witnesses
shall be protected from injury on accoun
Of their testimony The fny6sti cations O.
criminal Offenses are often rendered fu
/ tile and the punishment Of crime fmpos
sibIe by the intimidation Of witnesses.
THE SUPREME COURT.
The necessity Of providing some NOR,
speedy method for dispOsing of the case