Dodge City times., 1889-12-05

The details of such a law require careful
consideration, but the general plan sug.
| gested by him seems to satisfy the pur-
| pose to continue the use of silver in con-
nection with our currency and at the same
time, to obviate the danger of which l
have spoken. At later day may COM
municate 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 impossibility 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 will be assigned to this duty and
every effort will be made to enforce the
law. The dominion exacts head tax of
$50 for 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 will be made to reach
an understanding that will remove this
difficulty.
THE SEAL FISHERIES.
The proclamation required by section
of the act of March 2,lSS9, relating to the
killing of seals and other fur bearing ami
mails, was issued by me on the 21st day
of March, and a revenue vessel was dis
patched to enforce the laws and protect
the interests of the United States.
The establishment of 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 perils 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 rifled guns made one
year ago, was, l 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 second line wholly in our own
keeping. l very urgently recommend an
appropriation at this session for the con-
struction of such works in our most ex-
posed harbors.
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-
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 |
do not doubt that the end
would be sooner and more economically |
reached if fewer separate works were
at the same time, and these |
selected for their greater general inter
est, were more rapidly pushed to compli
a hIvy
should not be subject to the risk and de-
which interruptions and insult
ficient appropriations necessarily occa-
sion.
THE ASSAULT ON JUSTICE FIELD.
The assault made by David S. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field of the
court of the United States, in
California, in August last and
The killing of the assailant by deputy
United States marshal, who had been
1eputized to accompany Justice Field
and to protect him from anticipated vio-
ence at the hands of Terry, in connec-
ion with the legal proceedings which
have followed, suggest questions which
in my judgment are worthy of the atten
ion of congress. recommend that more
1efinite provisions be made by law not
,nly for the protection Of federal
officers, but for q full trial of such
:ases in the United States courts. In
of such legislation do
Tot at all impeach either the general ade-
Iuacy of the provision made by the state
avs for the protection of all citizens, or
he general disposition of those charged
With the execution of such laws to give
to the officers of the United