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

against the pupllc good and should be
made the subject of prohibiting and even
penal legislation.
The subject OF an International copy
right has been frequently commended to
the attention of Congress- by my prede-
cessors. The ensctneut of such law
would be er,inently wise and just.
NATURALIZATION LAWS.
Our naturalization laws should be SO re-
vised as to make the inquiry into the
character and good disposition 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
time for hearing each application, and
by requiring the presence OF someone
who shall represent the Government in
the inquiry. Those who are the enemies
of social order, who come to our shores
to swell the injurious influence and to
extend the evil practices Of any associa-
ton tina. defies our laws, should not only
be denied citizenship but dcmicile.
The enactment OF national bankrupt
law Of a character to be permanent part
OF our general legislation, is desirable.
" should be simple in its methods and
inexpensive in its administration.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The report OF the Postmaster General
not only exhibits the operations OF the
Department for the fiscal year but con-
tains many valuable suggestions for the
improvement and extension of the SER
vice, which are commended to your at
tention. No other branch of The Gov
eminent has go close contact with the
daily life OF the people. Almost everyone
uses the service 1t offers, and every hour
gained in the transmission Of the great
commercial mails has an actual and pos
eible value that only those engaged in
trade can understand. The saving of
ono day in the transmission of the mails
between San Francisco and New York,
which has recently been accomplished,
is an incident worthy of mention. The
plan suggested of supervision of the
postoffices in separate districts that shall
involve instruction, and the suggestion
Of the rating of the efficiency of the post
masters, would, have no doubt, greatly
improve the service.
An express necessity exists for the
erection of o building for the Joint use
of the Postofice Department and of the
Washington city postofice. The Depart
ment was partially relieved by renting
outside quarters for part of it's force,
but It is again overcrowded. Tue build
ing used by the city Office never was fit
for the purpose, and is now inadequate
and unwholesome.
The unsatisfactory condition of the
law relating to the transmission through
the mails of lottery advertisements and
remittances is clearly stated by the Post
master and his suggestion az to
It's amendment should have your favor
able consideration.
THR NEW NAVY.
The report OF the Secretary Of the
Navy shows reorganization of the bu.
reaus OF the Department that will, we
do not doubt, promote the efficiency of
each. In general satisfactory progress
has been made in the construction Of the
new ships of war authorized by Con-
gress. The first vessel of the new
navy, the Dolphin, was subjected to very
severe trial tests, and to very much criti-
cism, but it is gratifying to be able to
state that a cruise around the world,
from which she has recently returned,
has demonstrated that she is first class
vessel of her rate.
The report OF the Secretary shows that
while the effective force of the navy is
rapidly increasing by reason of the i'm
proved build and armament OF the new
ships, the number of our ships fit for sea
duty grows very slowly. We had on the
4th of March last thirty-seven service
able ships, and though four have since
been made to add to this list, the total
has not been increased because in the
meantime four have been lost or con-
demned. Twenty-six additional vessels
have been authorized and appropriated
for, but it is probable that when they
are completed our list will be increased
only to forty-two. The old wooden ships
are disappearing almost as fast as new
vessels are added. These facts carry
their own argument. One of the new
ships may in fighting strength be equal
to two Of the old, but it cannot do the
cruising duties of two. 1t is important,
therefore, that we should have more
rapid increase in the number OF service
able ships. concur in the recommend
alton of the Secretary that the construc-
ton Of eight armored ships, three gun
boats and FIVE torpedo boats be author
lied.
THE SAMOAN DISASTER.
An appalling calamity befell three of
our naval vessels on duty at the Samoan
islands, in the harbor of Apia, in March
last, involving the loss Of four officers and
forty-eeven seamen, and of two vessels,
the Trenton and Vandalia, and the dis
abliug of third, the Nipsic. Three ves-
sells of the German navy also in the har-
Dor shared with our ships the force of the
hurricane, and suffered even more
heavily. While mourning the brave
officers and men who died facing with
high resolve perils greater than those of
battle, it is gratifying to state that the
credit of the American navy for seaman
ship, courage and generosity was magnif-
Gently sustained in the storm in the bar
Dor Of Apis.
THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
The report of the Secretary of the In
terror exhibits the transactions of the
Government with the Indian tribes.
Substantial progress has been made in
the education of the children of school
age, and in the allotment of lands to
adult Indians. 1t is to be regretted that
the policy of breaking up the tribal rela-
tioD and of dealing with the Indian as an
individual did not appear earlier in our
legislation. The large reservations held
in common, and the maintenance of the
authority of the chiefs and head men,
have driven the individual from every
incentive to the exercise of thrift, and the
annuity has contributed an affirmative
pulse towards state of confirmed pau
perism.