Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-12-02

Legislation is also recommended looking to the
recoinage Of the subsidiary silver coins in the
| treasury. There were on October IS, 1880. sub
| sidiary silver coins in the treasury Of the face
value Of S19. 545, 36271, Of which some e600, 00C
were actually uncurrent, and considerable
| portion Of the remainder consisted of coins nc
longer authorized to be issued.
CANADIAN RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION.
The Secretary's attention has been frequently
directed to the unsatisfactory conditions Of
Canadian railway traffic with the United States,
and many complaints have been made that the
rules and regulations of this department touch
Ing the bonding and sealing Of cars discrimi-
nate against our own people. 1t is manifestly
unjust to accord Canadian railroads privileges
denied to our own. 1t certainly was not the
| intent OF Congress to relieve those roads from
Obligations imposed upon our own transporta-
ton companies. Yet the practical working OF
| the law, under the construction insisted upon
| by the Canadian companies. leads to that re-
suit II their construction be accepted Cana
dian railroads, not under bonds for the pur-
| pose, may transport dutiable merchandise from
| seaports in Canada to places within the United
| States with only nominal customs supervision,
while our own railroads cannot carry like mer-
chandise from Atlantic and Pacific ports in the
United States to points wholly within our own
| territory except under heavy bond and strict
| customs control
1t is also urged with much earnestness and
force that the combined effect of the interstate
commerce act and treasury regulations operate
greatly to the disadvantage of our own trans
portation interests in competition with Cana
dian lines. Those who make these complaints
insist that the conduct of the Dominion govern
ment toward our transportation and other in
terests, both on the land and water does not sug-
gest any ground for the extension of favOrs on
our part, and they protest against such acts of
international courtesy at the expense OF the
very interests which Canadian policy has per-
sistently sought to destroy. Several hearings
have been given to persons interested in this
subject, which will receive careful consideration
with view to removing, as far IA proper and
practicable, any just cause of complaint against
the action Of this department.
THE AMERICAN SHIPPING.
Tables are giving showing that the percent
age of imports and exports to and from the
United States carried in American vessels has
decreased steadily from 7O.5 in 1857 to IL. 20 in
1880. The Secretary continues: 1t is impOssi-
BILE to present a stronger argument than is
contained in the above figures for vigorous and
efficient measures in behalf of our rapidly van
lshlng foreign merchant marine. They show
that the relative decline in our foreign carry
ing trade has been constant and alarming.
This decline has averaged ~ per cent per an
mum since 1857, until in 1880 the percentage of
imports and exports carried in American ves-
sells was less than In any year since the forma-
ton of the government These figures appeal
terests. The folly and the danger of depend
ing upon our competitors for the means of ac-
cess to foreign markets need not be stated.
The humiliation of witnessing the disappear
ance of our flag from the high seas. without one
effort to restore it to its former proud position
cannot be expressed. Surely no subject is of
greater Importance than the enlargement of
our foreign markets and nothing will contribute
more to that end than the command of ample
facilities for reaching them. Aid to our mer-
chant marine is not aid to class. but to the
farmer. the manufacturer and the merchant, as
well as to the shipbuildcr and shipowner. No
interest is more thoroughly interviewer with all
others. or more worthy of the fostering care
and protection of the nation. None has been
so vigorously and effectively assaulted by foreign
governments, nor SO persistently ignored and
neglected by our own. The reasons for our
present hum;liating position we'll known.
The remedy is plain and easily within our
power. In the Secretary's annual report for
1889 are stated somewhat in detail the causes of
present conditions and the practical remedy
for them. These recommendations are now re-
newed and respectfully urged upon the prompt
and favorable consideration Of Congress.
THE METRIC SYSTEM.
The Secretary has also something to say
about the metric system. The metric system
OF weights and measures was optiOnallv estab-
lished by law in 1866. Since that time it has
become obligatory among nearly all civilized
peoples, and it's use in this country was
strongly urged by the international American
conference lately in session at Washington.
Upon consideration OF the matter it is recon-
mended that the metric system be made Obig-
atory in transactions ut our custom houses
from and after the first day of the calendar
year 1898. 4 statutory provision to that effect
would doubtless lead to the general adoption of
the system by the public unaccompanied by
serious Inconvenience.
IMMIGRATION SHOULD BE RESTRICTED.
On the subject of immigration the Secretary
says:
So long as undesirable immigration was a
migration the rule. the rational policy was
pursued OF permitting all to come to our
shores who desired to do so. The conti-
tions are now materially changed and the
tendency OF Congress, az shown by the
alien contract. pauper and Chinese exclusion
acts, has been to limit and restrict immigration.
1t Is a matter Of public knowledge that trans
pOrtatlOn from any part OF Europe to our At
lantic ports Is so cheap and easy as practically
to exclude none. and the consequence is that
our asylums for the poor. the sick and the in
sane and our prisons are crowded with strang-
crs. whose charge upon the public may be said
to have begun with their landing.
Further legislation Is needed to exclude per-
sons unfit for citizenship and it is therefore
recommended that all immigrants be required,
produce evidence attested by our consular Off
GERS OF their moral, mentai and physical quail
ticatiOns to become good citizens.
Our country owes too much III greatness and
prosperity to its naturaized citizens to wish to
impede the natural movement of such valuable
members OF society to our shores and it is an
additional arg ument in behalf of the proposed
plan of certitcation that it would lend encour-
agement to the continuance OF such additions
to over population.
And further
The defence OF our wage workers against
unfair competition Is so essential part Of the
| industrial protective system of the country that
| nothing should be left undOne in legislation or
administration to make it effective. The law
| (alien contract labor should. however, be
! amended, as suggested in my last report, SO as
| to relieve clergymen. teachers and scientists
from its prohibitive features.
The Secretary urges that attention be given
to the need OF some legislation for securing a
record OF titles to real estate now owned or
hereafter to be acquired by the United States,
| and for providing suitable means for exami;,-
ing such titles, pcrfecting those which are de-
fectlve and for the recovery of property wrong
fully withheld from the United States.
THE WORLDS FAIR.
brief report il made of the operations of
the law under which the worlds fair commits
| siOners were appointed.
In accordance with the provisions of section
~ OF the act there have been approved. up to
November IA, vouchers for contingent expenses
OF the commission amounting to $3.50. 66 and
| for the departmental board authorized by SEC
ton l6 amounting to s29485.
The total expenditures for all purposes to
November Is, 1880. are rs follows: