Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1890-12-04
Nrsr HAVE rA1R TEAL

/ as 70 details, and the present law IS no ex-
eeption- But IN its general scope and CT
tecI think Il viii justify the support
Of those who believe that American legislation
should conserve American trade and the wages
OF working men. The misinformatiOn as 10 the
terms Of the act which have been 50 widely
disseminated al home and abroad will be cor
rected by experience, and the evil auguries as
70 It's results COMPOUNDED by the market reports,
/ the savings banks. internal trade balances and
the general prosperity OF our people. Already
we begin TO hear from abroad and from our Gus
Rortatlons imputed to the act IS not justified.
| The imports at the port of New
/ York for the first three weeks Of November
! were nearly per cent greater than for the
| same period in 1889 ans ~ per cent. greater
/ than IN the same period Of 1883. And so far
| from being an act 10 limit exports, I confident
IL believe that under il we shall secure a larger
| and more profitable participation in foreign
trade than we have ever enjoyed, and that
We shall recover pfOportionate partieipa
/ ton IN the ocean carrying trade Of the world
soI1TH ATLANTIC AND GULF PORTS.
The Souta Atlantic and gulf ports occupy a
4 very favored position toward the new and i'm
portant com neree which the reciprocity clause
OF the tafin act anc the postal shipping bill are
| designed TO promote. Steamship lines from
/ these ports TO some northern port OF South
America will almost certainly effect a cOnnec-
/ ton between the railroad systems of the CONT
| nents long before any continuous line of rail
roads can be put into operation. The very large
| appropriation made at the last session for the
/ harDor at Galveston was justified, as il seemed
| to me, by these considerations The great
| Northwest will feel the advantage of new trunk
lines TO the South as well as to the East and
to the new markets opened for their surplus
food products and for many of their manufact-
ured products.
THE INTERNATIONAL BANK PROJECT
l had occasion in May last TO transmit to
Congress report adopted by the international
American conference upon the subject of incor-
poration OF an International American bank,
with view TO facilitating money exchanges be
tween the States represented in that confer
ence Such an Institution would greatly pro-
mote the trade we are seeking to develop. 1
renew the recommendation that careful
and well guarded charter be granted. 1 do
not think the powers granted should in
clude those ordinarily exercised by trusts,
guaranty and safe deposit companies,
or that more branches in the United
states should be authorized than are strictly
necessary to accomplish the object primarily
IN view, namely, convenient foreign exchanges.
1t is quite important that prompt action should
be taken in this matter in order that any appro-
priauons for better communications with these
countries, ana any agreements that may be
made for reciprocal trade, may not be hindered
by the Inconvenience of making exchanges
through European money centers, or burdened by
the tribute which Is an incident OF that method
OF business.
RELIEVE THE SUPREME COURT.
The bill for the relief of the Supreme Court
has after many years of discussion, reached
position when final action is easily attainable,
and it is hoped that any differences of opinion
may be so harmonized as to save the essential
features of this very important measure. In
this connection l earnestly renew my recon-
mendation that the salaries of the Judges of
the United States District Courts be so re-
adjusted that none of them shall receive less
than S. coo per annum.
SPANISH AND MEXICAN LAND GRANTS.
The subject Of the unadjusted Spanish and
Mexican land grants and the urgent necessity
for providing some commission or tribunal for
the trial OF questions Of title growing out of
them, were twice brought by me to the atten-
tion OF Congress at the last session Bills have
been reported from the proper committees in
both houses upon the subject, and very earn
estly hope that this Congress will put an end
to the dc az which has attended the settle
ment of (he disputes as to title between
settlers anu the claimants under these
grants These disputes retard the pros
perity and disturb the peace of large
and important communities. The Governor Of
New Mexico, in his last report to the Secretary
of the Interior, suggests some notifications of
the provisions OF the pending bills relating to
the small holdings of farm lands. j commend
to your attention the suggestions of the Secre-
tary of the Interior upon this subject
A NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW NEEDED.
The enactment of a Rational bankrupt law
/ still regard as very desirable. The constitu-
tion having given to Congress jurisdiction of
this subject, II should be exercised, and uni
form rules provided for the administration Of
the affairs OF insolvent debtors. The inconve-
nlences resulting from the occasional and TEN
porary exercise of this power by Congress- aud
from the conflicting State codes of insolvency
which come into force intermediately, should
be removed by the enactment of a simple in.
expensive and permanent National bankrupt
law.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT.
1 also renew my recommendation in favor of
legislation affording just copyright protection
to foreign authors on footing of reciprocal ad.
yantages for our authors abroad.
IN BEHALF OF TRAlNMEN.
1t may still be possible for this Congress to
inaugurate. by suitable legislation, a move.
ment looking TO uniformity and increased safe.
ty in the use of couplers and brakes upon
freight trains engaged in Interstate commerce.
The chief difficulty in the way is to secure
agreement as TO the best appliances, 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 to secure the co.
operation of all welldisposed 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 managers against any
needless delay.
WATER FOR ARID REGIONS.
The subject of the conservation and equal
distribution of the water supply Of the arid
regions has had much attention from Con
gress, but has not as yet been put upon per-
manent and satisfactory basis The urgency
of the subject does not grow out of any large
present demand for the use of these lands for
agriculture, but out OF the danger that
the water supply and the sites for
the necessary catch. basins may fall
into the hands of individuals or private
corporations and be used to render subservient
the large areas dependent upon such supply.
The owner Of the water is the owner of the
lands, however the titles may run. All unap-
propriated natural water sources and all neces-
sary reservoir sites should be held by the Gov
eminent for the equal USE at fair rates. of the
homestead settlers who will eventually take
up these lands The United States g luld not,
in my opinion, undertake the construction of
dams canals, but should limit Its work to
such surveys and observations as will de-
termine the water supply, both surface
and subterranean. the areas capable of
irrigation and the use location OF,
and storage capacity of reservoirs. This done,
the use of the water and of the reservoir sites
might be granted to the respective States and
Territories to individuals or associations
upon the condition that the necessary works
should be constructed and the water furnished
at fair rates, without discrimination, the rates
to be subject to supervision by the Legislatures
or by boards of water commissioners duly con-
stitUted. The essential thing to be secured is
the common and equal use at fair rates of the
accumulated water supply. 1t were almost
better that these lands should remain arid
than that those who occupy them should be-
come the slaves of unrestrained monopolies,
controlling the essential element of land values
and crop results
A GOVERNMENT TELEGRAPH.
The use Of the telegraph by the Post ONCE
Department as a means for the rapid trans
mission OF written communications is, / be-
heve, upon proper terms. quite desirable.