Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1889-12-05

. Z
despatched to enforce the law and pro-
tect the interests of the United States
The establishment of a refuge station at
Point Barrow. as directed b9 congress,
was successfully accomplished
Coast Defense.
Judged by modern standards, we are
practically without coast defenses. This
purchase by the treasury Of $4,000, 900
worth of silver bullion each month to be
coined into silver dollars of 4l2 l-2
grains has been observed by the depart
ment. but neither the present secretary
nor any Of his predecessors has deemed
it safe to exercise the discretion given by
law to increase the monthly purchases to
81. .000, 900. When the law was enacted
(F'eb. 2S, 1879 the price of silver in tile
market was 81 20 4-10 per ounce, making
the bullion value of the dollar 03 cents.
Since that time the price has fallen, and
on the first day Of November last the bull
ion value Of the silver dollar was 72 cents.
The general acceptance and use OF the
silver certificate show that silver has not
been otherwise discredited. Some favor
able conditions have contributed to
maintain this practical equality in their
commercial use, between the gold and
| conditions that statutarv enactments do
not control. and Of the continuance of
which we cannot he certain. | think it
| is clear that If we should make coinage
| of silver at present ratio free. we must
expect the difference in bullion values OF
! the gold and silver dollars will be taken
| account of in commercial transactions.
and / fear the same result would follow
| any considerable increase of the present
rate Of coinage Such a result would be
| discreditable to our financial manage
| ment and disastrous to all business inter
ests. We should not tread the danger
GUS edge of such a peril. Any safe legls-
| la,ion upon the s,:.oiect mast secure the
| equality of .he uwo coins in the CONNER
cial uses. AT a later day may commu-
nicate further with congress upon this
subject.
Seal Fisheries.
The proclamation required by section
g. of the act Of March,. 1881. relating
to the killing OF seals and other fur bear
ing animals. was issued by me on the Slst
day of March and a revenue vessel was
general subject has had consideration IN
congress Tor some years and the apinel9-
priation for the construction OF large raale
guns. made one year ago, was, am sure,
able works in which these guns might be
mounted. An appropriation now made
for that purpose would rot advance the
i completion Of the works beyond our
ability to supply them with fairly effect
i've guns. ] very urgently recommend
an appropriation at this session for the
construction of such works in our most
exposed harbors.
Rivers and Harbors.
The improvement of our important
rivers md ilarbors should be promoted
+ by NECESSARY approIy Are
1 should lie taken that the government n;
); 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
; completed. do not not doubt that the
end would he sooner and more seconom-
: ically reached if fewer separate works
were undertaken at the same time and
those selected for their greater general
interest were more rapidly pushed to
completion.
Protection for Jurists.
The assault made by David S. Terry
upon the person OF Justice Field, and the
f killing of the assailant by deputy
a United States marshal, who had been
S deputed to accompany Justice Field and
{; to protect him. suggest questions, which.
e in my judgement are worthy the atten-
S ton OF congress. recommend that
: more definite provisions be made by law.
' not only for the protection Of federal Ot1i-
) GERS but for full trial of such cases i'll the
= United States courts. Events which have
4 been brought to my attention. happen
h ing in other parts of the country, have
Y also suggested the proprietv of extend
i ing. by legislation. fuller protection to
q those who NAV be called as witnesses III
$ the courts Of the United States.
Z intermediate Courts.
The necessity of providing some more
> speedy method for disposing of the cases
e which now come for final adjudication
: to the supreme court becomes every year
e more apparent and urgent. The plan of
:. providing some intermediate courts, hav-
; ing final appellate jurisdiction OF certain
classes of questions and cases. has, !
:, think. received more general approval
y from the bench and bar of the country
u u than any other Without attempting to
y discuss details recommend that proVl-
j., sion should be made for the establish
y :. ment of such courts The salaries of the
- Judges of the district courts in many OF
the Districts are. in my judgment, nad-
e equate l recommend that all such sal
>, aries now below 50 900 per annunl be In
= creased to that amount.
J., Trusts.
II Earnest attention should be given by
e congress to consideration of the ques-
It ton how far the restraint of those COM
e binations of capital commonly called
Il trusts is matter Of federal lurisdic-
= dictiOn When organized, as they often
r are. to crush out all healthy competition
or to monopolize the production or sale
of an article of commerce and general
/, necessity they are dangerous conspira-
- cies against the public good and should
- be made the subject OF proihbltory and
m even penal legislation.
" International Copyright.
If The subject of international copyright
: has been frequently commended to the
= attention of congress by my predeceS
g sors. The enactment uf such law
+ would be elninently wise and Iust,