The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1889-12-11

AAo NV AtuuhhHb tAo IuAth"scg ~ VIC
treasury, OF s2,00J000 worth OF silver bullion
each month, To be coined into silver dollars, has
been observed by the department. but neither
the present Secretary or any OF his predecessors
has deemed IL safe TO exercise the discretion
given by law To increase the monthly purchases
To Si,OO0 900. The evil anticipatons which have
accompanied the coinage and OF the silver
dollar have no. been realized. As "A coin IL
has not had general use, and the public
treasury has been compelled to store IL.
But this Ia manifestly owing to the fact
that it's paper representative is more convenient
The general acceptance and use OF the silver
certificate shows that silver has not been other
wise discredited. think IL is clear that IL we
should make the coinage OF silver at the present
ratio free, we must expect That tie dlferenee IN
will be taken account OF in commercial trans
actions, and fear tho same result would follow
any considerable increase OF the present rate of
coinage. Such "A result would be discreditable
10 our financial management ana disastrous
TO all business interests Any safe legis-
latiOn upon this subject must secure
the equality OF the two coins in their CONNER
cial uses. 1 have always been an advocate OF
the use OF silver in our currency. we are large
producers of that metal, ana should not dis
credit il. The details of "A perfect law require
careful consideration but the general plan sug-
gested by the Secretary of the Treasury seems
to satisfy the purpose-to continue the use OF
silver In connection with our currency ana at
the same time TO obyiate the danger OF which L
have spoken. At "a later day L may commune
cate further with Congress upon this subject.
Exclusion of the Chinese.
The enforcement of tho Chinese exclusion act
has been found TO be very dihicult on the
Northwestern frontier. The Secretary OF the
Treasury has authorized the employment of adj
ditiOnal soldiers, who will be assigned To this
duty, and every effott will DO made To enforce
the law. The Dominion eXacts a head tax OF go
for each Chinaman, and when those 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 Dominion authorities
will not suffer them TO be sent back without Il
second payment OF the tax. An effort will be
made TO reach understanding that will re-
move this difficulty.
Our Coast Defenses.
Judged by modern standards practical
ly without coast defenses. Many of the struct-
ures we have would enhance rather than dimin-
sh the perils of their garrison If subjected To
the fire OF improved guns. The security Of our
coast cities against foreign attack should not rest
altogether in the friendly disposition OF other
nations. There should be n second line wholly
in our own keeping. / very urgently recon-
mend an appropriation ut this session Tor the
construction OF such works in our most exposed
harbors. L approve the suggestion of the Secre-
tary of War that provision be made Tor encainp-
ing companies of the National Guard IN our
coast works for specified time each year and
for their training in the use of heavy guns. HIS
suggestion that an increase of tho artillery
force OF the army is desirable is also in this
connection commended 70 the consideration OF
Congress.
River and Harbor Improvement.
The improvement Of our important rivers
and harbors should be promoted by the neces-
sary appropriations. Care should be taken
that the Government is not committed
to the prosecution OF works not OF pub
lie and general advantage and that the
relative usefulness OF works OF that class
is not overlooked. So far this
work can ever be said TO be completed L do not
doub. that the end would be sooner and more
economically reached il fewer separate works
were under AIKEN at the same time, and those
selected for their greater general interest were
more rapidly pushed TO completion. work
onco considerably begun should not be subjected
60 the risks and deterioration which interrupted
m I'm sufficient anUrODrlHtiOQ8 necessarily OccN-
sion.
The Law Department.
In view of the assault made by David S. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field, OF the SUI
pr enc Court Of Che United States, at Lathrop,
Cal, I'm August last, and the killing OF the as
saiant by a Deputy United States Marshal,
recommend that more definite provision be
made by law, not only for the protection OF
Federal officers but for full trial OF such
cases in the United States courts: Events which
have been brought TO my attention, happening
i'm other parts OF the country, have also sug-
gested the propriety OF extending, 10y legi sla-
ton fuller protection TO those who may be
called as witnesses in the courts of the United
States. The Investigations OF criminal onensos
are often rendered futile by the intimidation OF
witnesses
The necessity OF providing some more speedy
method for disposing Of the cases which now
come for hnal adjudication 10 the Sdpreme
Court becomes every year more apparent ana
urgent. The plan OF providing intermediate
courts, having final appellate jurisdiction OF
certain classes Of questions and cases, has, L
think, received moro general hppfONai rom
the bench and bar OF the country than any
other. / recommend that provision be made for
the establishment of such courts.
1hs salaries OF the Judges Of the District
Courts i'm many OF the districts are in my iudg-
| ment inadequate. / recommend that all such
salaries now below - 00J be increased 10 that
amount.
Regarding Trusts.
Earnest attention should be given by Congress
| to a considera ion Of the question how far tho
estraint of those combinations of capital COM
monty called trusts" is matter OF federal
Jurisdiction. When organi zed, as they often are,
| TO crush out all healthy competition and 10
monopolize the production or sale OF an article
| Of commerce aud general necessity, they are
| danoerOue con sDiracias against the pubic good.