The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-12-04

The proclamation required by section OF
the act Of March ., 1880, relating 10 the. -
KILLING OF SEALS,
and other fur.bearing animals, was issued
by me on the 2lst day 81 March, and reve-
nue. vessel was dispatched to enforce the
laws and protect the interests Of the 1 mtea
States. The establishment Of refugee
station at Point Barrow as directed Dy
Congress, was successfully accomplished
Judged by modern standards, we are
practically without
COAST DEFKNsEs.
Many OF the structures we have would en-
hance rather than diminish the perils Oh
their gafrisons il subjected TO the hire OF I'M
proved guns. and very few are so located as
TO give full effect 10 the greater range OF sucn
guns as we are now making for coast ue-
Tense uses. This general subject has had
in Congress for some years,
and the appropriation for the construction
of large rifed guns, made one year az,
was. | am sure, the expression Oh
purpose to provide suitable works IN whicn
these guns might be mounted. An appro-
priation now made for that purpose wou,u
not advance the completion Of the works
beyond our ability TO supply them with
fairly effective guns. The security OF our
coast cities against foreign attack should
not rest altogether in the friendly DISPOSE
ton Of other nations. There should be
second line wholly IN our own keeping.
very urgently recommend an appropriation
nj this session for the construction OF sucn
works in our most exposed harbors.
approve the suggestion Of the secretary
of War that provision be made for encanE-
ing companies Of the National Guard IN our
coast works for n specified time each year.
and for their training in the use OF henfy
gums. His suggestion that an increase OF
the artillery force Of the army is desirable,
is also in this connection commended 10
the consideration OF Congress.
RIVER AND HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
The improvement Of our important rivers
and harbors should be promoted by the
necessary appropriations. Care should he
taken that the government Is not COMMITTED
TO the prosecution Of works not OF pubic
and general advantage, and that the rsla-
tive usefulness Of works Of that class Is not
overlooked. - far as this work can ever
ne said 10 be completed, | do not doubt that
the end would be sooner and more econOm-
ically reached il fewer separate works were
at the same time, and those Sc
lected for their greater general interest were
more rapidly pushed to completion.
work once considerably begun should not
be subjected 10 the risks and deterioration
which interrupted or insufficient appropria-
tons necessarily occasion.
TERRY's ASSAULT on JUSTICE FIELD.
The assault made by David :. Terry upon
the person Of Justice Field, Of the supreme
Court Of the United States, at Lathrop, Cali
fornia, in August last, and the killing OF the
assailant by a Deputy United States mar
shall who had been deputcd TO accompany
Justice Field and TO protect him from an
ticipated violence at the hands OF Terry, IN
connection with the legal proceedings
which have followed, suggest questions
which, in my judgment, are worthy OF the
attentiOn>Of Congress. | recommend that
more definite provisions be made by law.
not only for the protection Of Federal oiii-
GERS, but for full trial OF such
cases in the United states courts. In re-
such legislation, | do not at
all impeach either 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 10 give protection
TO the officers Of the United States. The
duty OF protecting its officers rs such, and
of Furnishing those who assault them on
account Of their official acts, should not be
devolyed expressly or by acquiescence upon
the local authorities.
Events which have been brought to my
attention, happening in other parts Of the
country. have also suggested the propriety
OF extending by legislation fuller protection
10 those who may be called as witnesses in
the courts of the United States. The law
compeIs those who are supposed TO have
knowledge of public Onenscs 20 attend upon
our courts and grand iuries and give evil
dence. There is "A manifest resulting duty
that these witnesses shall be protected from
injury on account Of their testimony. The
Investigation Of criminal Oflenses are often
rendered futile and the punishment OF crime
impossible by the intimidation Of witnesses.
INTERMEDIATE UNITED STATES COURTS.
The necessity Of providing some more
speedy method for dispOsing OF the cases
which now come for final adjudication 10
the Supreme Courtroom is every year
more apparent and urgent. The plan Of
providing some intermediate courts having
fnal appellate jurisdiction OF certain classes
of questions and cases has. | think. received
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.
JUDGES SALARIES.
The salaries Of the judges Of the District
Courts i'm many Of the districts are. in my
Judgment, inadequate. ! recommend that
all such salaries now below five thousand
dollars per annum be increased TO that
amount. 1t is quite true that the amount
Of labor performed by these Judges Is very
inequal. rs they cannot properly engage is
other pursuits TO supplement their incomes.
The salaries should be such IN all cases ~
TO provide an independent and comfortable
support.
Earnest attention should be given by
Congress TO consideration of the ques-
tiOn how far therestraint Of those cOmbi-
nations of capital, commonly called
"TRusTs,"
is a matter Of Federal jurisdiction. When
organized. as they often are, 10 crush out
ali healthy competition and 10 mOnopOlize
the production or sale Of an article Of com
merce or general necessity, they are
dangerous conspiracies against the public
good, and should be made the subject OF
prohibitory and even penal legislation.
The subject OF
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
has been frequently commended TO the at
tentiOn of Congress by my predecessors.
The enactment of such a law would be
eminentlywise and just.
OUR NATURALIZATION LAWS
should be 30 revised as TO make the inquiry
into the moral character and good dispose
ton towards our government Of the persons
APPLYING for citizenship more thorough.
This can only be done by taking fuller con-
troll of the examination by fixing the times
for bearing such applications, and by re-
quiring the presence Of some one who shall
represent the government in the inquiry.
Those who arc the ayOwed enemies OF so
cial orders, who come 10 our shores "a
swell the injurious influence and extend thu
evil practices Of any association that deiies
our laws, should not only be denied citizen
ship, but a domicile. The enactment OF
NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW
Of character TO he permanent part of oul
general legislation is desirable. Ii should
be simple in its methods and Independent
in it, administration.
THE REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
not only exhibits the operations of the de
partment for the last fiscal year, but con
tains many valuable suggestions for III,
improvement and extension Of the service
which are commended TO your attention
No other branch of the government Las 81
close a contact with the daily life of Tn,
people. Almost every one uses the services