The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-12-04


has been so recently formulated. The details
of such a law require careful consideration, but
the general plan suggested seems to satisfy the
purpose.
To continue the use Of silver in connection
with our currency and at the same time 10
obivate the danger Of which have spoken,
at later day may communicate further
with Congress upon this subject.
The enforcement Of the Chinese restriction
act has been found to be very difficult on the
Northwestern frontier. Cinnamon landing
at Victoria find 1t easy to pass our border
owing to the imp0ssibllity, with the force at
the command of the custom officers, of
guarding so long an inland line. Thesecre-
tary of the treasury has authorized the en-
plOyment Of additional officers who will be
assigned to this duty, and every effort will
be made to enforce the law. The Dominion
exacts head tax of $50 for each Chlnaman
landing and when these persons In front Of
our law cross into our territory and are ap-
pretended our officers do not
know what to do with them, as the Dominion
authorities will not suffer them to be sent
back without second payment OF the tax.
An effort will be made to reach an under
standing that will remove this difhculty.
The proclamation required by Section OF
the act of March 2, 1899, relating to the kill
ing Of seal and other fur bearing animals
was issued by me on the 9th day OF March
and revenue vessel was dispatched to en-
the United States. The establishment OF a
refugee station at Point Barrow as directed
by Congress was successfully accomplished.
COAST DEFENCE.
Judged by modern standards we are prac-
tically without coast defences. Many OF the
structures we have would enhance rather
than diminish the parts OF their garrison II
subjected to the fire OF improved guns; and
very few are so located as to give full effect
70 ba FOR rop M
making for coast defence use. This general
subject has had consideration In Congress
for some years and the appropriation Tor the
construction Of large rified cannon made one
year ago, was, am sure, the expression OF
purpose to provide suitable works in which
these guns might be mounted. An approp-
ration now made for that purpose would not
advance the completion of the works beyond
our ability to supply them with fairly etec-
tive guns. The security OF our coast cities
against foreign attack should not rest al
together in the friendly disposition 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 In our
most exposed harbors..
/ 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 a specified time each year,
and for their traing in the use OF heavy guns.
His suggestion that an Increase OF the artll-
lery force Of the army is desirable Is also In
this connection commended TO the cOnsidera-
tiOn of Congress.
The Improvement of our important rivers
and harbOrs should be promoted by the ne
cessary appropriations. Care should be
taken that the government Is not committed
TO pros ecutOn Cf work not OF public and
general advantage, and that the relative use
fulness of work of that class is not over
looked. For, as far as this work can ever
be said to be completed, do not doubt that
the end would be sooner and more ecOnomi'
cally 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. A
work once considerably begun should not be
subjected TO the risks and deterlorations
which interrupted or insufficient appropria'
tiOns necessarily occasion.
The assault made by David S. Terry upon
the person of Justice Field Of the Supreme
Court of the United States, at Lathrop, Cal
ifOrnia, 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 hand of Terry, in connection
with the legal proceedings which here fol
lowed, suggest questions which, in my judg-
ment, are worthy Of the attention OF Con-
gress. l recommend that more definite pro-
vision be made by law not only for protection
of federal officers. but for full trial of such
cases in United States courts. In. recon-
mending such legislation do not impeaeh
the general adequacy OF the provision made
by the State laws for the protection of all
citizens, or the general good disposition Of
those charged with the execution Of such
laws toigive protection to the officers OF the
United States. The duty of protecting an
officer as such, and of Furnishing those who
assault them on account OF their official acts,
should not devolved expressly on by
thA nnth
Events which have been brought to my
attentioni happening in other parts Of the
country have also suggested the pr0priety Of
extending by legislation, fuller protection to
those who may be called as witnesses in the
courts of the United States. The law COM
pels those who are supposed 10 have knOwl-
edge Of public offenses to attend upon our
courts and grand juries and to give evidence.
There Is a manifest resulting duty that these
witnesses shall be protected from injury on
account OF their testimony. The investiga.
tions of criminal offences are often rendered
futile, and the punishment of crime impOssl-
BILE by the intimidation Of witnesses.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The necessity of providing some more
speedy method for disposing of the case:
which now come for final adjudication to the
Supreme Court becomes every year more ap
parent and urgent. The plan OF providing
some intermediate court having final appel
ate jurisdiction of certain classes of questions
and cases has, think, received more gen.
eral approval from the bench and bar and
the country than any other. Without at.
tempting to discuss details, L recommend
that provision be made for the establishment
of such courts.
The salaries Of judges OF the district courts
in many Of the districts are in my Judgment
inadequate. recommend that all such sal
aries now below 5000 per annum be In
creased to that amount. 1t Is quite true that
the amount of labor performed by these
judges is very unequal, but, as they cannot
ment their incomes, the salary should be
such in all cases as to provide an independ-
ent and comfortable support.
Earnest attention should be given by Con-
gresS to consideration of the question how
far the restraint of those combinations Of
capital commonly called trusts Is matter OF
federal jurisdiction. When organized, as
they often are. to crush out all healthy ccm-
petition, and TO m0n0pOliZe the production
aud sale of an article OF commerce and gen.
eral necessity, they are dangerous conspira-
cies against the public good, and should be
made the subject of prohibitory and even
penal legislation.
The subject of an international copyright
has been frequently commended TO the atten-
tion of Congress by my predecessors. The
enactment of such law would be emlnently
wise and just.
Our naturalization laws should be so re-
yised as to make the inquiry into the moral
character and good disposition towards our
government Of the persons applying for citi-
Zenship more thorough. This can only be
done by taking fuller control of the examina-
ton, by fixing the time for hearing such ap-
plicatiOns and by requiring the presence Of
some one who shall represent the govern
ment in the inquiry. Those who are the
avowed enemies Of social order, or who come
to our shores to swell the injurious influence
aud 10 extend the evil practice Of any ass0-
citation that defies our laws, should not only
be denied citizenship, but domicile.
The enactment OF national bankrupt law
Of character to be a permanent part OF our
general legislation Is desirable. 1t should
be simple in its method and inexpensive In
its administration,
The report of the Postmaster General not
only exhibits the operation OF the depart
ment for the last fiscal year, but contains
many valuable suggestions for the Improve
ment ard extension of the service, which are
commended to your attention. Ne other
branch Of the government has so close con-
tact with the daily life Of the people. AL
most everyone uses the service 1t offers, and
every hour gained in the transmission
OF the great commercial mails has
an actual possible value that only
those engaged in trade can understand
The saving of one day in the transmission
Of the mails between New York and San
francisco which has recently been accom-
plished, Is an incident worthy of mention.
The plan suggested of supervision OF the
post Offices In separate districts that stll IN
yolve instruction and suggestion, ana rat-
ing OF the pffieianev Of the pOstmaSters