Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-12-12

ent session has fixed limit, and il these
measures are not now brought to a final
vote. all the work that has been done upon
them by this congress Is lost. The proper
consideration Of these, of an apportionment
bill and of the annual appropriation bills
will require not only that no working day
OF the session shall be lost, but that meas
ures OF minor and local interest shall not
be allowed to interrupt or retard the
progress of those that are of universal in
terest. In view Of these conditions, I re-
frain from bringing before you, at this time,
some suggestions that would otherwise be
| made, and most earnestly invoke your at
tentlon to the duty of perfecting the import
ant Legislation now well advanced. To some
| ofothese measures which seem to me most
important, now briefly call your attention.
l desire to repeat, with added urgency,
the recommendations contained In my last
annual message In relation to
THE DEVELOPMENT OF AMERICAN STEAM
SHIP LINES.
The reciprocity clause of the tariff bill
will be largely limited and its benefits re-
tarded and diminished II provision is not
contemporaneously made to encourage the
establishment of first class steam communi-
cation between our ports and the ports of
such nations as may meet our overtures for
enlarged commercial exchanges.
The present situation of our mail COM
munication with Australia illustrates the
importance of early action by congress.
The Oceanic steamships company main
tains line of steamers between San Fran
cisco, Sydney and Auckland consisting of
three vessels. The United States pays
for the Australian mail but SAC, coo, while
the colonies of New South Wales and New
Zealand pay $4,000. This contract is
about TO expire and the colonies refuse to
n nf nf
carrying the mails, as the United States
inland postage from San Francisco brings
surplus of $4,000. Our total exports Of
merchandise to Australian ports during the
hscal year ending June 80, 1890, were
sll ,266, zS4, while the total imports of
merchandise from these ports were only
"a ,277 ,676. If we ero not willing TO see
this important steamship line withdrawn,
or continued with Vancouver substituted
for San Francisco as the American termi.
nal, congress should put 1t in the power of
the postmaster general to make liberal
increase in the amount now paid for the
transportation Of this important mail. :
THE SOUTH ATLANTIC AND GULF PORTS
occupy very favored position towards the
new and important commerce which the
reciprocity clause of tho tariff act and the
postal shipping bill are designed to proi
mote. Steamship lines from these ports
TO some northern port of South America
VIII almost certainly effect connection
between the railroad systems of the con-
tlnents long before any continuous line of
railroads can be put into operation. Thd
very large appropriation made at the last
session for the harbor Of Calves
ton was justified, as it seemed to
be, by these considerations. The great
northwest will feel the advantage of trunk
lines to the south as well as to the east and
OF the new markets opened for the suppiy
OF food products and for many of their
manufactured products.
had occasion in Nay last to transmit TO
congress report adopted by the intcrna-
tlonal American conference upon the sub
Ject OF the incorporation OF
AN INTERNATIONAL AMERICAN BANK
with view tofaclitating money exchanges
between the states represented In that con
ference. Such an institution would greatly
promote the TRACE we are seeking 10 de
Neiop. renew the recommt ndation that a
careful and wel-guarded charter be
granted. 1t Is quite Important that prompt
action should be taken 10 avoid
the necessity Of European ex-
changes being used in our transactions.
The bill for the
RELIEF OF THE suPHEMr CoUEr
has after many years Of discussion reached
position where final action is easily at
tainable, and 1t is hoped that any differ
cnces or opinion may be so harmonized rs
to save the essential features of this very
important measure.
1 renew my recommendation that the
sl.%TlrS of the judges of the United States
district courts he 5000 per annum.
The subject of the unadjusteI
SPANISH AND MEXICAN LAND GRANTS
were twice brought by me to the attention
of congress at the last session.
| earnestly hope that this congress will
Put an end to the delay which has attended
Me settlementof the disputes as to title be-
tween settlers and the claimants under
those grants. These disputes retard tho
prosperity and disturb the peace of large
and Important communities.
The enactment of
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW
still regard as very desirable. The con-
stitution having given to congress jurisdic-
ton OF this subject, it should be exercised
and uniform rules provided for the admin
istration of the affairs of insolvent debtors.
1 also renew my recommendation in favor
OF legislation affording just copyright pro-
lection for foreign authors on a footing of
reciprocal advantage for our authors
abroad.
1t may still be possible for this congress
to inaugurate, by suitable Legislation a
movement looking to uniformity and in
creased safety in the use OF
SAFETY coUPLERs AND BRAKES
upon freight trains engaged in interstate
commerce. The chief difficulty in the way
is to secure agreement as to the best april
ances. simplicity, effectiveness and cost
being considered. This difficulty will only
yield to legislation, which should be based
upon full inquiry and impartial tests. The
purpose should be 20 secure the co-opera-
ton of all well disposed managers and
owners, but the fearful fact that every
years delay involves the sacrifice of 1000
lives and the manning of 10000 young
men should plead both with congress and
the managers against any needless delay.
The subject OF the conservation and
equal distribution of the water supply Of
the arid regions. mas had much attention
from congress, but has not as yet been put
upon permanent and satisfactory basis.
The urgency of the subject does not grow
out OF any large present demand for the use
OF the lands for agriculture, but out of
the danger that the water supply and t'lo
sites for the necessary catch basins may
fall into The hands of individuals or private
corporations and be used to render subser-
Went the large areas dependent upon such
supply. Tile owner OF the water is the
owner Of the lands, however the titles may
run. All unappropriated natural
water sources and all necessary reservoir
sites should be held by the government for
the equal use, at fair rates, of the home
stead settlers who will eventually take up
these lands. The United States should