Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1889-12-06

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 a second payment of the
tax. An effort will be made TO reach an under
standing that will remove this difficulty.
Seal Fishing.
The proclamation required by section 3. of the
act of March =, 1899. relating to the killing of
seals and other fur bearing animals, was issued by
on the 2ISt day of March and a revenue vtaS7
sci was dispatched to enforce the laws and pro
tect the interests of the United States The es-
tabIishment of refuge station at Point Barrow,
as directed by congress, was successfully accom-
plished.
Coast Defense.
Judged by modern standards we are practically
without coast defemSeS Many of the structures
we have would enhance rather than diminish the
perls of their garrsons if subjected TO the fire of
improved guns; and very few are 50 located as to
give full effect to the greater range of such guns
are now making for coast defenses. This
general subject has had consideration in congress
for some years, and the appropriation for the
construction of large ritied guns made one year
ago, was. / am sure, the expression of a
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 Sc
curity of our coast cities against foreign attack
should not rest altogether in the friendly DISPOSE
ton of other nations. There should be a second
line wholly in our own keeping. / very urgently
recommend an appropriation at this session for
the construction of such works III our most eX-
posed harbors.
The National Guard.
l approve the suggestion of the secretary of
war, that provisions 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. His suggestion
that an increase of the artillery force OF the army
is desirable as is also in connection, commended
to the consideration of congress.
Public Improveme
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 overlooked. So far as this work eau
ever he said TO be completed, do not doubt That
the end would be sooner and more economically
reached. ii fewer separate works were under
taken at the same time and those selected for
their greater general interest We're more rapidly
pushed to completion. Work once considerably
begun should not be subjected to the risk and de
teriOratiOn which interrupted or insufficient ap-
preparations necessarily occasion.
Protection of Federal Officers.
The assault made by David S Terry upon the
person of Justice Field of the supreme court Of
the United States at Lathrop. California, in Au-
gust last. and the killing of the aSSailant by q
deputy United States marshal, who had been de
putcd TO accompany Justice Field and to protect
him from Anticipated violence at the hands of
Terry. in connection with the legal proceedings
which have followed, suggest questions which, in
my jud gment, are worthy the attention of con
greSS. recommend that more definite provision
be made 10y law, not only for the protection OF
federal otIicers, but for full trial for such
cases in the United States courts. In recon-
mpuding such legislation | do not at ali impGach
either the general adequacy of the provision
made by the state laws for the protection of all
citizens or 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 its officers such and of
punishlng those VINO assault them on account OF
their official acts should not be dCvOlVed express
ly or by acquiescence upon the local authorities
Protection of Witnesses.
Events which have been brought to my atten.
ton happening in other parts of the country
have also suggested the propriety of extending
by legislation fuller protection to those who may
be called witnesses i'll the courts of the United
States. The law Compels those who are supposed
TO have knowledge of public OfenseS to attend
upon our courts and grand JulleS and to give evil
dence. There is a manifest resulting duty that
these witnesses shall he protected from injury on
account of their testimony. The Investigations
of criminal offenscs are often rendered futile and
the punishment of crime impossible, by the in
nmldatOn of witnesses.
Needs OF the Supreme Court.
The necessity of providing some more speedy
method for disposing of cases which now come
for final Indication to the supreme court becomes
every year more apparent ard urgent. The plan
of providing some intermediate courts having
final appellate jurisdiction of certain classes OF
questions and cases. has, | think, received a more
general approval from the bench and bar of the
country than any other Without attempting to
be made for the establishment of such courts
How the Surplus Can be Reduced.
The salaries of judges of the district courts in
many of the districts are, in my Judgment mad
equate. / recommend that all such salaries
below 5000 per annum be increased TO that
amount. 1t is quite true that the amount of labor
performed by these judges is very unequal. but
as they cannot properly engage in other pursuits
TO supplement their incomes, the salary should
he such, i'll all cases, to provide Independent
and comfortable support.
Not Private Affairs.
Earnest attention should be given by congress
to a consideration of the question how far the
restraint of those Combinations of capital com
monty called trusts" is Il matter of federal
jurisdiction. When organized. they often are,
to crush out all healthy competition and to mon
opoZe the production or sale of an article of
commerce and general necessity, they are dan
geruus conspiracieS against the public good and
should be made the subject of prohibitory and
penal legislation
The subject of an International copyright has
been frequently commended to the attention of
congress h, my predecessors The enactment of
such law would be eminently wise and just.
Naturalization and Bankrupt Laws g
Our naturalization laws should he revised as
to make the inquiry into tie character and good
disposition towards our government of the per
applying for citizenship more thorough.
This can only be done by taking fuller control of
the examinations. by fixing times for hearing
such applications and by requiring the presence
of some one who shall represent the government
in the inquiry Those who are the enemies of
social order who come to our shores to swell the
injurious influence and TO extend the evil prac-
tees of any association that defieS our laws,
should not only he denied citizenship but domicIe.
The enactment OF a national bankrupt law of a
character to be a permanent part OF our general
legislation is desirable 1t should be simple in its
methods and inexpensive in its administration.
THE DEPARTMENTS.