Los Angeles daily herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1884-1890, 1889-12-04

other matters and to the fact that it has
been so recently formulated. The details
OF such a law require careful considera-
tion, put the general plan suggested by
him seems to satisfy the purpose to con-
tinue the use Of oliver in connection with
our currency and at the same time to
obviate the danger OF which | have
spoken. At later date may communi-
cate further with Congress upon this
subject.
CHINESE EXCLUSION.
The enforcement OF the Chinese exclu-
sion act has been found difficult on the
northwestern frontier. Cinnamon land
ing at Victoria find it easy to pass cur
border, owing to the mpossibility of the
force at command of the customs officers
to guard go long en- inland line. The
Secretary of the Treasury has authorised
the employ ment of additional forces who
will be assigned to this duty, and every
effort will bs made to enforce the law.
The Dominion exacts head tax of ffty
dollars for each Chinaman landed, and
when these persons in the face of our
law cross into our territory and are ap-
pretended, our officers do not know
what to do with them az the Dominion
authorities will not suffer them to be
sent back without second payment of
the tax. An effort will be made to rush
an understanding that will remove this
difficulty.
The proclamation required by Section
30 of the act of March 2, 1889, relating
to the killing of seals and other fur-bear-
ing animals, was issued by me on the
21st day of March, and revenue vessel
was dispatched to enforce the laws and
protect the interests of the United States.
The establishment of refuge station at
Point Barrow, as directed by Congress,
was successfully accomplished.
OUR DErENsELKss COASTS.
Judged by modern standards we are
practically without coast defenses many
of the structures We have would enhance,
rather than diminish, the psrils of the
garrisons If subjected to the fire of i'm
proved guns, aud very few are 80 located
as to give full effect to the greater range
of such guns as we are now making for
coast defense use. This general subject
has had consideration in Congress for
some years, and the appropriation for
the construction Of large rifledguns made
one year ago, was, am sure, the ex-
preston of the purpose to provide suit
able works in which these guns might
be mounted. An appropriation now
made for that purpose would not advance
the completion of the works beyond our
ability to supply them with effective
guns. The security of cur coast cities
against foreign attacks should not rest
altogether in the friendly disposition of
other nations. There should be second
line in our own keeping. l urgently re-
| commend an appropriation at this
session for the construction of such
works in our much exposed harbors.
approve the suggestion Of the secre.
tary of War that provisions be made for
encamping companies of the National
Guards in our coast works for specified
time each year, and for their training in
the use of heavy guns. His euggestion
that an increase Of the artillery force of
the army is desirable, is also in this con-
nection commended to the consideration
of Congress.
RIVER AND HARBoR IMPROVEMENT.
The improvement of our important
| rivers and harbors should be promoted
by the necessary appropriations. Care
| should be taken that the Government is
not committed to the prosecution of
works not ofpublic and general advan.
tsge, and that the relative usefulness OF
works of this class il not overlooked. So
far as 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 if
those selected for their greater general
interest were more rapidly pushed to
completion. A work once considerably
begun should not be subjected to the risk
and deterioration interrupted or insult
Gent appropriations necessarily occa-
sion.
| PROTECTION OF FEDERAL OFFICERS.
The assault made by David 8. Terry
on the person of Justice Field, of the
Supreme Court of the United States, at
Lathrop, California, in August last, and
the killing of his assailant by deputy
United States Marshal, who had been
deputized to accompany Justice Field
and protect him from 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.
l recommend that more definite provis.
ion be made by law, not only for the
protection of Federal officers, but for the
full trial of such cases in the United
States Courts. In recommending such
legislation, do not impeach either the
general adequacy of the provision made
by the State laws for the protection of all
citizens, or the general disposition of
those charged with the execution of such
laws, to give protection to officers of the
United States. The duty OF protecting
it's officers as such and furnishing those
who assault them on account of their
official act, should not be devolved ex.
pressly or by acquiescence, upon 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 to those who may be
called as witnesses in the courts of the
United States. The law compels those
who are supposed to have knowledge OF
public offenses to attend upon our courts
and grand juries and give evidence.
There is q manifest resulting duty that
these Witnesses shall be protected from
injury on account of their testimony,
The investigations of criminal otfenses
are often rendered futile and the punish
ment of crime impossible by the intimi-
dation of witnesses.
JUDICIAL NECESSITIES.
The necessity OF providing some speedy
method of dieposinp of cases which now