Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-12-04
A DIFFICULT TASK.
THE CHINESE CONTINUE TO CROSS
THE BORDER,
Some New Measures Will Have to be Adopts
ed II They Are to be Entirely Rx-
cluded-Necessity of Coast
nafanaae-Rivara md

Some New Measures Will Have 70 pc Adopf-
ed II They Are to be Entirely Rx-
cluded-Necessity of Coast
Defenses-Riyers and
HnrbOrs, Etc.
The enforcement of the Chinese exclusion
act has been found to be very difficult on
the Northwestern frontier. Cinnamon land
ing at Victoria find it easy to pass our bor-
der, owing to the impossibility, with the
force at the command of the custom officers,
of guarding so long an inland line. The
Secretary Of the Treasury has authorized the
appointment OF additional officers, who will
be assigned to this duty, and every effort
will be made to enforce the law,
The Dominion exaets head tax of $50 for
each Chinaman, 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 tax,
An effort will be made to reach an under
standing that will remove this difficulty.
TO PROTECT THE SEAL.
The proclamation required by section 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 a revenue vessel was dispatched
to enforce the laws and protect the interest
of the United States. The establishment of
a refuge station at Point Barrow, as di-
reeted by Congress, was successfully. accom-
plished.
Judged by modern standards, we are
practically without coast 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 ars 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,
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 ad-
vance 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
lot rest altogether in the friendly disposi-
tion of other nations. There should be q
second line wholly in our own keeping. very
urgently recommend an appropriation at
this session Tor the construction OF such
works in our most exposed narDOfs'
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
1 approve the suggestion Of the Secretary
of War that provision be made for encamp-
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
the artillery force of the army is desirable
is also in this connection commended to the
consideration OF Congress.
The improvement of our important rivers
and harbors should be promoted by the
necessary appropriations. Care should be
taken that the Government is not committed
to the prosecution of works not OF public
and general advantage and that the relative
usefulness OF works Of that class is not over
looked. 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 under
taken at the same time, and those selected
for their greater general interest were more
rapidly pushed to completion.
A work once considerably begun should
not be subjected to the risks and deteriora-
tion which interrupted or insufficient nppro-
priations necessarily occasion.