The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1889-12-06

trade conditions that statutory enactnients do
not control, and of the continuance Of which we
cannot be certain
think 1t is clear that IL we should make the
coinage Of silver at the present ratio free, we
must expect that the difference in the bullion
values of the gold and silver dollars will be taken
account of in commercial transactions, and l
fear the result would follow any consider
able increase Of the present rate of coinage.
Such a result would be dscredtable TO our finan.
cial management and disastrous to all business
interests. We should not tread the dangerous
edge Of such peril. And, indeed, nothing more
harmful could happen to the silver interests.
Any safe legislation upon this subject must Sc
the equality OF the two coins in their com.
mercial uses.
! have always been advocate of the of
silver In currency. We are large producers Of
that metal, and should not discredit it. To the
plan which will be presented by the secretary Of
the treasury for the issuance Of notes or certin-
Gates upon the deposit Of silver bullion at its
ket value, have been able to give only hasty
examination, owing to the press Of other matters
and TO the fact that II has been recently formu-
lated. The details of such a law require careful
consideration, but the general plan suggested by
him seems TO satisfy the purpose-to continue the
use of silver in connection with our currency and
at the same time to obviate the danger of which
have spoken. At later day may communicate
further with congress upon this subject.
president Harrison here makes brief ref
eTeuCe W lhe IulileSe EAClublOu dCb anu tue
Behring Sea proclamation)
Coast Defenses.
Judged by modern standards, we are practical.
ly without coast defenses. Many Of the structures
We have would enhance rather than diminish the
perils of their garrisons II subjected TO the fire Of
improved guns; and very few are so located as to
give full effect to the greater range of such guns
as are now making for coast defense uses.
This general subject has had consideration in con
gress for some years, and the appropriation for
the construction Of large rifed guns, made
year ago. was am sure, the expression of pur-
pose 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 ability ~
supply them with fairly effective guns
The security Of our coast cities against foreign
attack should not rest altogether in the friendly
disposition Of other nations. There should be
second line wholly in our own keeping l very
urgently recommend an appropriation at this ses-
sion for the construction of such works in our
most exposed harbors.
l approve the suggestion Of the secretary of
that provision be made for encamping com
panies Of the National Guard in coast works
for specified time each year, and for their train
ing 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 important rivers and
harbors should be promoted by the necessary ap-
preparations. Care should be taken that the gov
ernment 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 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 undertaken
at the same time, and those selected for their
greater general interest were more rapidly pushed
ito completion. A work once considerably begun
should not be subjected TO the risks and deteriora
tion which interrupted or insufficient appropria-
tions necessarily occasion
Protection of Federal Officers and wit
nesses.
The assault made by David S. Terry upon the
person OF Justice Field, Of the supreme court Of
the United States, at Lathrop Cal, in August
last, and the killing OF the assailant by deputy
United States marshal who had been deputed to
accompany Justice Field and to protect him from
anticipated violence at the hands of Terry in con-
nection with the legal proceedings which have
followed, suggest questions which, in my judg-
ment, are worthy of the attention Of congress-
recommend that more definite provision be
made by law. not only for the protection OF fed
eral officers but for full trial of such cases In
the United States courts. ln recommending such
legislation do not at all impeach either the gen.
eral adequacy Of the provision made by the state
laws for the protection of all citizens, the gem
eral good disposition Of those charged with the
! execution Of such laws to give protection to the
officers of the United States. The duty of pro-
| tecting its officers, as such, and of Furnishing
those who assault them on account OF their off,
cial acts should not be devolved expressly or by
| acquiescence upon the local authorities.
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 cal.,d as witnesses in the courts of the United
| Statss The law compels those who supposed
| to have knowledge of public ofenses TO attend
| and grand iuripS and n o. wi
dence. There is a manifest resulting duty that
these witnesses shall be protected from injury on
account of their testimony The Investigations
of criminal offenses are often rendered futile and
the punishment OF crime impossible, by the in
| timidation of witnesses.
The necessity Of providing some more speedy
method for disposing of the cases which now
come for final adjudication to the supreme court
becomes every year more apparent and urgent.
| The plan of providing some Intermediate courts,
having final appellate Jurisdiction of certain
Glasses of questions and cases, has, think, re
ceived more general approval from the bench
and bar of the country than any other Without
attempting to discuss details, recommend that
| provision be made for the establishment of such
courts.
The salaries of the judges of the district courts
In many Of the districts are, in my Judgment, in.
adequate. recommend that all such salaries
now 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 be
such in all cases to provide an independent and
comfortable support,
Earnest attention should be given by congress
TO a consideration of the question how far the re
straint OF those combinations of capital commonly
called trusts" IS matter of federal jurisdiction
When organized, as they often are, TO crush ou
all healthy competition and to monopo.ize tn,
| production or sale of an article of commerce anC
general necessity, they dangerous conspira
cies against the public good, and should be mad,
the subject of prohibitory and even penal legis
| lation.
The subject of an international copyright ha
been frequently commended to the attention o
congress by my predecessors. The enactment o
such law would be eminenty wise and just.
Our naturalization laws should be so revised a
10 make the inquiry into the moral charACte
and good disposition towards our government o
the persons applying for citizenship more thoI
ough. This can only be done by taking file
control of the examination, by fixing the time
Tor hearing such applications, and by requiring
the presence Of some one who shall represent th
government in the inquiry Those who are tn
avowed enemies OF social order or who come to ou
shores TO swell the injurious influence and to e1
Tend the evil practices of any association that dt
hes our laws should not only be denied either
ship but domicile.
The enactment of a national bankrupt law of
character TO be permanent part Of our genert
legislation is desirable It should be simple in /,
methods and inexpensive in its administration
The Postmas Generals Report.
The report of the postmaster general not onl
exhlhits the operations of the department for IN
last hscal year, but contains many valuable su,
gestions for the improvement and extension
the service, which are commended TO your atteI
tion No other branch OF the government has
close contact with the daily life OF the people
Almost every one the service il offers an
every hour gained in the transmission Of th
great commercial mails has an actual and poss
BILE value that only those engaged in trade ca
understand
The saving Of one day In ehe transmission Of IL
mails between New York and San Francisc
which has recently been accomplished, is an inc
dent worthy Of mention.
The plan suggested Of a supervision Of the pos
offices In separate districts that shall involve [
structlon and suggestion and a rating Of d
efficiency Of the postmasters would have /
doubt greatly improve the service
Secretary Tracy's Report.
The report OF the secretary OF the navy shows
reorganization OF the bureaus OF the departme
that will, do not doubt, promote the efficiency
each.
In general, satisfactory progress has bee
made in the construction of the new ships
war authorized by congress The first vessel
the new navy, the Dolphin, was subjected
very severe trial tests and 10 very much advcr
criticism. But II is gratifying 10 be able TO sta