The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1889-12-07
trhe president here refors to the amount OF
moneY in circtilnEion ~ Gonna lnr,.rAh

Of -four hundred and twelve and one-haif grains
mas been observed by the department; but neither
the present secretary nor any Of his predecessors
has deemed t safe TO exercise the discretion given
by law TO increase the monthly purchases to -four
million dollars When the law was enacted CFeb
81 1873 the price of silver ia the market was
el.2y 40 per ounce, making the bullion value Of
tle dollar 0S cents Since that time the price has
,alen as low as 91.S cents per ounce reducing the
bullion value Of the dollar to 70.6 cents within
me last few months the market price has some
What advanced, and on the LIST day Of November
iast the bullion value Of the silver dollar was 72
cents
The silver Dollar.
The evil anticipations which have accompanied
tqe coinage and use of the silver dollar have not
peen realized. AS coin It has not had genera
nse, ana tue public treasury has been compelled
20 store IT, Bui this is manifestly owing to tht
tact that its pa ler representative is more con
qeuieut. The general acceptance and use of the
SILVER certhcat, show that silver has not been
otherwise discredited Some favorable conditions
nave contributed to maintain this practical
equality, in their commercial use between the
gold and silver dollars But some of these are
trade conditions that statutory enactments do
not control aud Of the continuance of which We
cannot be certain.
think II is clear that II we should make the
coinage of silver at the present ratio free-we
must expect Tint the difference in the bullion
values of the gold and silver dollars will be taken
rear the same result would follow any consider
itle Increase OF the present rate Of coinage
81 ch result would be discreditable to our finan
ebl management and disastrous TO all business
'nierests. We should not tread the dangerous
edge OF such peril. Aud, indeed, nothing more
harmful could happen TO the silver interests
any safe legislation upon this subject must Sc
eure the equality Of the two coins in their com.
iicrcial uses. m
have always been an advocate Of the use Of
liver in our cur ency. We are large producers of
mt metal, and should not dscredt it To the
ilnn which will be presented by the secretary Of
ne treasury for the issuance OF notes or certih-
ates upon the deposit of silver bullion at its mar.
et value, have been able to give only hasty
summation, ing TO the press of other matters
nj TO the fact that 1t has been SO recently formu-
7ied The details of such law require careful
onsderation, but the general plan suggested by
i'm seems to satisfy the purpose--to continue the
use OF silver In c)nnection with our currency and
At The same time to obviate the danger of which l
nave spoken Ata later day l may communicate
uther with congress upon this subject
president Harrison here makes brief ref
3rcnce 10 the Chinese Exclusion act and the
3ehring Sea pi pioclamation.)
Coast Defenses.
Judged by molern standards, we are practical
y without coast defenses Many Of the structures
we have would enhance rather than diminish the
pers of their garrsons II subjected to the fire of
improved 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 sub iect has had consideration in con
gross for some years. and the appropriation foi
che construction OF large rified guns, made one
year ago, was, am sure, the expression of pur.
pose to provide suitable works In which these
guns might be mounted. An appropriation now
made Tor that purpose would not advance the
completion Of the works beyond our ability to
SUI ply 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
sec pnd line wholly In our own keeping I very
urgently recomni end an appropriation at this ses
sion for the con itruction Of such works in our
mo t exposed ha rbors.
l approve the suggestion Of the -eecretary of
wal that provision be made for encampjng com
paries Of the Nj tional Guard in our coast works
for specified time each year, and for their train
ine in the use Of heavy guns. His suggestion that
an increase of the artillery force Of the army is
desirable is also in this connection commended TO
the consideration Of congress.
he improvement Of our important rivers and
hai should lie promoted by the necessary an
preparations. Care should be taken that the gov.
ern nent is not committed TO the prosecution of
works not of public and general advantage, and
tha the relative usefulness of works Of that class
is not overlooke l. So far as this work can ever
be said to be completed, do not doubt thas the
end would be sooner and more economically
rea ched If fewer separate works were undertaken
at the same time, and those selected for theii
gre lter general interest more rapidly puahed
10 completion. work once considerably begun
she aid not be subjected to the risks and deteriora
ton which interrupted or insufficient appropria-
toils necessarily occasion
Protection of Federal Omcsrs and wit
nesses.
The assault made by David s. Terry upon the
- Et.NA a.
the United States, at Lathrop Cal In August
last and the killing Of the assailant by deputy
On ted States marshal who had been deputed to
accompany Justice Field and to protect him from
anticipated violence at the hands OF Terry in con
0aclion with the legal proceedings which have
Oh owed, suggest questions which, in my judg
ne it, worthy of the attention of congress-
1 recommend that more definite provision be
Fna ie by law not only for the protection OF fed
sra officers, but for full trial OF such cases In
The United States courts. In recommending such
ap Station do not at all impeach either the gen.
eral adequacy OF the provision made by the state
Law for the protection OF all citizens or the gen
era good disposition OF those charged with the
ext cution OF such laws TO give protection to the
off ,ers Of the United States. The duty of pro
tee ing its officers, as such, and OF furnishing
those who assault them on account OF their Off
cis acts should not DO devoved expressly or by
acc uiescence upon the local authorities.
L vents which have been brought TO my atten
lion, happening in other parts of the country
have also suggested the propriety OF extending
iegslation fuller protection TO those who may
le called as witnesses In the courts OF the United
ic 5es The law compels those who are supposed
have knowledge of public offenses TO attend
pm our courts and graud juries and to give evil
Alce. There is a manifest resulting duty that
q witnesses shall be protected from injury on
Junt OF their testimony. The Investigations
griminal offenses are often rendered futile and
punishment OF crime impossible, by the IN
dation Of witnesses.
The necessity Of providing some more SPEEDY
hod for disposing Of the cases which nov
for fual adjudication 20 the supreme couri
'1es very year more apparent and urgent
TIC plan of providing some intermediate courts.
having final appellate jurisdiction of certain
alaqses Of questions and cases, has, l think, re-
selt cd more general approval from the bencl
md bar Of the country than any other Withoui
attempting to discuss details recommend thai
provision be made for the establishment Of sue
sourts.
The salaries of the Judges Of the district count
y many Of the districts are In my Judgment IN
adequate. / recommend that all such salaries
now below $1,000 per annum be increased to thai
imount. II is quite true that the amount Of laho
performed by these judges is very unequal; hui
rs they cannot properly engage in other pursuit
10 supplement their incomes, the salary should b.
uch IN all cases as TO provide an independent and
comfortable support
Earnest attention should be given by congres
20 consideration Of the question how far the r.
strnint OF those combinations Of capital commonl,
called trusts" Is matter OF federal jurisdiction
When organized, as they often are, TO crush oul
an healthy competition aud 10 monopolize the
production or sale of an article Of commerce ano
general necessity they are dangerous conspira.
cles against the public good, and should be made
the subject Of prohbitory ana even penal legis
lation.
. The subject Of an international eopvrieht has
been frequently commend 20 the attention OF
congress by my predecessolt The enactment OF
sneh law would be eminer y wise and Just.
Our naturaiizatlon laws srould be so revised as
70 make the inquiry into tbe moral character
ana good disposition towards our government OF
the persons applying Tor citizenship more thor.
ough' This can only be done by taking fuller
control Of the examination, by hxiug the times
Tor hearing such applications and by requiring
the presence Of some ono who shall represent the