Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1889-12-12

The law requiring the purchase, by the
treasury, OF $lOOJ,000 worth OF silver bullion
each month, to be coined into silvJr dollars has
been observed by the department; but neither
the present Secretary or any OF his predecessors
has deemed IL safe TO exercise the discretion
given by law to increase the monthly purchases
to 1900, 900. The evil anticipations which have
accompanied the coinage and use OF the silver
dollar have no. been realized. As coin IL
has not had general use, and the public
treasury has been compelled to store it.
But this is manifestly owing to the fact
that It's paper representative is more convenient.
The general acceptance and use OF the silver
certificate shows that silver has not been other
wise discredted / think il Is clear that IL we
should make the coinage of silver at the present
ratio free, we must expect that the difference in
the bullion values of the gold and silver dollars
viii be taken account OF in commercial trans
actions and fear the same result would follow
any considerable increase OF the present rate OF
coinage. Such a result would be discreditable
to our financial management and disastrous
to all business interests. Any safe legs-
lation upon this subject must secure
the equality Of the two coins in their CONNER:
cial uses. have always been an advocate OF
the use OF silver in our currency. We are large
producers of that metal, and should not dis
careful consideration, but the general plan sug-
gested by the Secretary OF the Treasury seems
to satisfy the purpose-to continue the use OF
silver In connection with our currency. and at
tho same time to obviate the danger OF which
have spoken. At a later day may commune
cate further with Congress upon this subject.
Exclusion of the Chinese.
The enforcement OF tho Chinese exclusion act
has been found to be very difficult on the
Northwestern frontier. The Secretary of the
Treasury has authorized the employment of adj
dntv and eyerv effort viii he male 70 enforce
the law. The Dominion exacts head tax OF so
for each Chinaman, and when these persons, in
fraud of our law, cross into our territory and
are apprehended, our officers do not know what
to do with them, as the Dominion authorities
will not suffer them to be sent back without a
second payment of the tax An effort will be
made to reach an understanding that will re-
move this difficulty
Our Coast Defensos.
Judged by modern standards we are practical
ly without coast defenses. Many OF the struct-
ures we have would enhance rather than dimin-
ish the perils of their garrisons IL subjected to
the fire of improved guns. The security Of our
coast cities against foreign attack should notrest
altogether in the friendly disposition Of other
nations. There should be second line wholly
in our own keeping 1 very urgently recon-
mend an appropriation at this session for the
construction of such works in our most exposed
harbors. approve the suggestion of the Secre-
tary of War that provision DC made for encamp-
ing companies of the National Guard in our
coast wol ks 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 desirable is also in this
connection commended to the consideration OF
Congress.
River and Harbor Improvement.
The improvement Of our important rivers
be
that the Government is not committed
TO the prosecution OF works not OF pub
relative usefulness of works of that class
il not overlooked. SO far as this
work can ever be said to DO completed. do not
doubt that the end would be sooner and more
economically reached IL fewer separate works
were under AIKEN at the same time, and those
selected for their greater general interest wero
more rapidly pushed TO completion. work
once considerably begun should not be- subjected
TO the risks apd deterioration which interrupted
or insufficient appropriations necessarily occa-
sion.
In view of the assault made by David s. Terry
upon the person OF Justice Field, OF the Su-
Cal, in August last, and the killing of the as
saiant by Deputy United States Marshal,
recommend that more definite provision be
made by law, not only for the protection of
Federal officers, but for u full trial OF such
cases in the United States courts. Events which
have been brought TO my attention, happening
i'm other parts of the country, have also sug-
gested the propriety OF extending, by legisla-
tion, fuller protection to those who may be
called as Witnesses In the courts of the United
States The Investigations OF criminal offenses
are often rendered futile 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 Intermediate
courts, having final appellate jurisdiction of
certain classes of questions and cases, has,
think, received more general approval from
the bench and bar OF tho country than any
other. recommend that provision be made for
the establi shment OF such courts.
1ho salaries OF the Judges Of the District
Courts in many Of the districts are, in my judy
ment. inadequate. l recommend that all such
salaries now below 5000 be increased to that
amount.
Regarding Trusts.
Earnest attention should be given by Congress
to n considera ion of the question how far the
restraint OF those combinations OF capital COM
monty called trusts" is a matter of federal
jurisdiction. When organized, as they often are,
TO crush out all healthy competition and to
monopoize the production or sale OF article
of commerce and 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 an international copyright has
been frequently commended TO the attention OF
Congress by my predecessors. The enactment
of such a law would be eminently wise and