The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1889-12-11

ing. / urgently recommend an appropria-
ton 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 training in the use OF heavy
guns. His suggestion that an increase of
the artillery force of the army is de-
sirable is also in this connection COM
mended to the consideration of congress.
Rivers And HarBors.
The improvement of our important
rivers and harbors should be promoted by
the necessary appropriations. Care should
be taken that the government is not COM
mitted to the prosecution of works not
public and of general advantage and that
the relative usefulness of works of that
class is 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 those selected for their
greater general interest were more rapidly
pushed to completion. A work once con-
siderably begun should not be subjected
to the risks and deterioration which in
terrupted or insufficient appropriations
necessarily occasion.
Needs of the Courts.
The assault made by David s. Terry
upon the person of Justice Field of the
supreme court of the United States at
Lathrop, Cal, on Aug. 10 last, and the
killing of the assailant by deputy L. s.
marshal who had been deputed TO accom-
pany Justice Field and to protect him
from anticipated violence at the hands of
Terry, in connection with the legal pro-
ceedings which have followed, suggest
questions which. in my judgment, are
worthy the attention OF congress. / rec
ommend that more definite provisions be
made by law, not only for the protection
of federal officers, but for a full trial of
such cases in the Z. S. courts. In recon-
mending such legislation, do not at all
impeach the general adequacy of the pro-
vision made blythe state laws for the prOtec-
ton of all citizens, or the general good dis
position of those charged with the execu-
| ton OF such laws to give protection to the
officers of the United States. The duty
OF protecting its officers as such, and of
! Furnishing those who assault them on ac-
count OF their official acts, should not be
devOlved 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 protec-
| ton to those who may be called as wit
nesses in the courts of the United States.
The law compels those who are supposed
to have knowledge of public offenses to at
tend upon our courts and grand juries to
! give evidence. There is a manifest result
ing duty that these witnesses shall be pro-
! tected from injury on account of their tes-
! timony. The investigations of criminal
| Offenses are often rendered futile and the
] punishment of crime impossible by the
| intimidation 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 hav-
ing final appellate jurisdiction of certain
| classes of questions and cases, has think,
received a 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.
The salaries of the judges of the district
courts in many of the districts are, in my
! judgment, inadequate. | recommend that
| all such salaries now below 5000 per an
/ mum be increased to that amount 1t is
! quite true that the amount of labor per-
/ formed by these judges is very unequal,
! but as they cannot properly engage in
other pursuits to supplement their in
! comes, the salary should be such in all
cases as to provide an independent and
comfortable support.
Blaine Says Not ut All.
Earnest attention should be given by
| congress to a consideration of the question
! how far the restraint of those combina-
| tons of capital commonly 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 COM
merce and general necessity, they are dan
gerous conspiracies against the public
good, and should be made the subject Of
prohibitory and even penal legislation.
international Copyright.
The subject of an international copy
right has been frequently commended to
the attention of congress by my predeces-
sors. The enactment Of such law would
be eminently wise and just.
Naturalization.
Our naturalization laws should be so re-
vised as to make the inquiry into the
/ moral character ana gOOu dlSpOSlUOn
toward our government of the persons APP
plying for citizenship more thorough
This can only be done by taking fuller
control of the examination, by fixing the
times Tor hearing such applications, and by
requiring the presence OF some one who
shall represent the government in the in
quiry. Those who are the avowed enemies
OF social order, or who come TO our shores
TO swell the injurious influences and to
extend the evil practices OF any associa-
ton that defies our laws, should not only
be denied citizenship but domicile.
Bank Superinte dent
The enactment of national bank super
intendent law of a character to be a per-
manent part of our general legislation is
desirable. 1t should be simple in its
methods and inexpensive in its admins
tration.
The Postohice.
The report OF the postmaster-general not
only exhibits the operations of the depart
ment for the last fiscal year. but contains
many valuable suggestions for the inn
provement 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 lite OF the
people. Almost every one uses the service
il 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 pnaila batmppu New NOrK and San Fran