The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-12-04
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war Lldt provision DC tl4le Tor HnEampfNr
companies OF the National Guard in our coast
works for a specified time ZACH year. ami 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 connec-
ton, commended 70 the consideration of
Congress.
RIVER AND HARBoR IMPROVEMENTS.
The improvements 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 prose-
cution OF works not OF public and general ad-
vantage and that the relative usefulness of
works OF that class is not overlooked. So far
as this work can ever be said to be coulpleted
do not doubt that the end would be sooner
and more economically reached if fewer sonar
ate works were undertaken at the same time
and those selected for tneir greater general in
terest were more rapidly pushed to compile
ton. work once considerably begun should
not be subjected to the risks and deterioration
which interrupted or insufficient appropriations
necessarily occasion.
THE KILLING OF FIELD.
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
August last, and the killing of the assaiant by
a deputy United States marshal. who had been
deputed TO accompany Justice Field and to pro-
tect him from anticipated violence at the hands
OF Terry, in connection with the legal proceed
lngs which have followed, suggest questions
which, In my Judgment, are worthy of the at
tention of congress. / recommend that more
definite provision be made by law, not
only Tor the protection OF federal Off
GERS, but for full trial OF ouch
cases in the United States courts In recon-
mending such legislation do not at all i'm
peach either the general adequacy of the pro-
vision made by the state laws for the protection
OF all citizens, or the general cool 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 on
GERS, as such, and of punishlng those who as
a. FheAa ~ ehafR -
should not be devolved expressly or by acqui-
essence upon the local authorities.
PROTECTION OF WITNESSES.
Events which have been brought to my atten-
tention, happening in other parts of the coun-
try, have also suggested the propriety of ex-
those who may be called as witnesses in the
courts OF the United States. The law compels
these who are supposed to have knowledge of
public Offenses to attend upon our courts and
grand juries and to give evidence. There is d
manifest resulting duty that these witnesses
shall be protected from injury on account of
their testimony. The investigation of criminal
ofenses is often rendered futile, and the pun
ishment of crime impossible by the intimda-
tton of witnesses.
INTERMEDIATE COURTS.
The necessity of providing some more speedy
method for disposing of the cases which now
come for final adjudication to the supreme
court room are every year more apparent
and urgent The plan of providing some inter
mediate courts having final appellate jurisdic-
tion OF certain classes Of questions and cases
has, think received q more general approval
from the bench and bar of the country than
any other. Without attempting to discuss de-
tails, recommend that provision be made for
the establishment of such courts.
SALARIES OF JUDGES.
The salaries of the judges of the district
courts in many of the districts are, in my iudg-
ment, Inadequate. | recommend that all SUCH
salaries now below $4,000 per annum be in
creased to that amount. 1t is quite true that
the amount of labor performed by these Judges
is very unequal, as they cannot properly engage
in other pursuits to supplement their incomes
The salary should be such in all cases as to pro
vide an Independent and comfortable support.
DEALING WITH TRUSTS.
Earnest attention should be given by congress
to consideration of the question how far the
restraint of those combinations Of capital, com
monty called trusts" is matter of federal
Jurisdiction. When organized as they often
are, to crush out all healthy competition. and
to monopolize the production or sale of an
article of commerce and general necessity, they
are dangerous conspiracies against the public
good and should be made the subject of pro-
hibltory, and even penal Legislation,
INTERNATIONAL coPYRIGHT.
The subject of an international copyright has
been frequently commended to the attention of
congress by my predecessors. The enactment
of such a law would be eminently wise and
just.
KEEPING OUT BAD CITIZENS.
Our naturalization laws should be so revised
as to make the inquiry into the moral charac-
ter and good disposition toward our govern
| ment OF the persons applying for citizenship
more thorough. This can only be done by TAX
ing fuller control of the examination, by fixing
the time for hearing such application, and by
requiring the presence of some one who shall
represent the government in the inquiry. Those
who are the avowed enemies of social order
who come to our shores to swell the injurious
influence and extend the evil practices of any
association that defes our laws should not only
be denied citizenship, but domicile.
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW.
The enactment of a national bankrupt law of
character to be permanent part Of our gem
eral legislation is desirable II should be simple
in its methods and inexpensive in its admins
tration.
NEED OF FAST MAILS.
The report of the Postmaster General not
only exhibits the operations of the department
for the last fiscal year, but contains many
valuable suggestions for the Improvement and
extension OF the service, which are commended
to your attention. No other branch of the
government has so close a contact with the
daily life OF the people. Almost every one uses
the service it offers, and every hour gained in
the transmission of the great commercial
mails has an actual and possible value that
only those engaged in trade can understand
The saving of one day in the transmission of
the mai betwe enSewY ork and San Francisco,
which has recently been accomplished, is an in
cident worthy OF mention. The plan suggested
of supervision of the postofflces in separate
districts that shall involve instruction and sug-
gestion and rating of the efficiency of the
postmasters would, have no doubt, greatly i'm
prove the service.
A pressing necessity exists for the erection of
building for the joint use of the department
and the city postoffice. The department
partially relieved by renting outside quarters
for a part of its force. but it is again over
crowded. The building used by the city Office
never was fit for the purpose, and is now in
adequate and unwholesome The unsatisfac-
tory condition of the law relating to the trans
mission through the mails of lottery advertise
ments and remittances is clearly stated by the
Postmaster General, and his suggestion as to
sideration.
REORGANIZATION OF THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
department that WILL do not doubt promote
the efficiency Of each. In general satisfactory
progress has been made in the construction Of
the new ships of war, authorized by congress
The first vessel of the new navy, the Dolphin,
was subjected to very severe trial tests, and to
very much adverse criticism, BUTT is gratifying
to be able to state that cruise around
the' world from which she has recently
returned, has demonstrated that she is first
Rotary shows that while the effective force of
the navy is rapidly increasing, by reason of the
improved build and armament OF the new ships
the number Of our ships fit for sea duty grows
very slowly. We had on March last, thirty
seven serviceable ships, and though four have
since have been added to the list, the total has
not been increased, because in the
condemned. Twenty-six additional vessels
annFODriafad