River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1890-12-04

may be so harmoniZed as 10 save the essential
features Of TINS very ImPGIr'sna measnrs, IN
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 IS 600 per annum.
SPANISH AND MEXICAN LAND GRANTS.
The subject OF the unadiusted Spanish and
Mexican land grants and the urgent necessity
for providing some commission or tribunal Tor
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 viii put an end
to the delay which has attended the settle
settlers and the claimants under these
grants These disputes retard the pros
perity and disturb the peace Of 1arge
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 10
the small holdings OF farm lands. ] commend
TO your attention the suggestions OF the Seere-
tary Of the Interior upon this subject
NATIONAL BANKRUPT LAW NEEDED
The enactment of Rational bankrupt law
/ still regard as very desirable The constitu-
ton having given to Congress jurisdiction Of
this subject IL should be exercised, and uni
form rules provided for the administration OF
the affairs Of insolvent debtors. The inconve-
nIences resulting from the occasional and tenn
porary exercise OF this power by Congress, ana
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.
also renew my recommendation in favor OF
legislation afording lust copyright protection
to foreign luthors on a footing OF reciprocal ad
vantages foT our authors abroad.
IN BEHALF OF rRAINMEN
II may still be possible for this Congress 10
inaugurate, by suitable legislation, move
ment looking TO uniformity and Increased safe
ty in the use of couplers and brakes upon
freight trains engaged in inter State commerce.
The chief difficulty in the way is to secure
agreement as TO tie best appliances, simplicity
effectiveness and cost being considered. This
difficulty will only yield to legislation, whicn
should be based upon full inquiry aud impartial
tests. The purpose should be to secure the co
operation of all well-disposee managers and
owners. but the fearful fact that every years
| delay involves the sacrifice of 900 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 c. n
| gress but has not as yet been put upon pee
/ 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 eaten 5 Rasns may i ia
|
| corporal as aud be used to render subservient
/ the large areas dependent upon such supply.
| The owner OF the water Is the owner OF inc
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
| home stead settlers who will eventually take
| up these lands. The United States should not
| in my opinion, undertake the construction Of
dams or canals, but should limit IT'S work te
| such surveys and observations as will de
| termine the water supply, both surface
| and subterranean. the areas capable o.
| irrigation, and the use, location OF
| the use of the water ana OF the reservoir sites
l'might be granted to the respective States anc
/ Territories, or to individuals or associations
| upon the condition that the necessary work.
| should be constructed and the water furnished
| IL fair rates. without discrimination. the rate:
| to be subject TO supervision by the Legislatures
| or by boards OF water commissioners duly con
| stituted. The essential thing TO be secured l.
| the common and equal use at fair rates OF thu
| accumulated water supply IL were almos
| better that these lands should remain arit
| than that those who occupy them should be
come the slaves OF unrestrained monopolies
controlling the essential element OF land value
| and crop results.
| A GoVERNMENT TELEGRAPH.
The use of the telegraph by the Post-Onic'
Department as a means for the rapid trans
| mission Of written communications is, be
IeVe upon proper terms, quite desirable IN
| Government does not own or operate the rail
| roads and il should not. think, own or operat
| the telegraph lines II does, however, seem L
| be quite practicable for the Government TO con
| tract with telegraph companies as il does will
| the railroad companies, 10 cary at specine
| rates such communications as the senders ma,
| designate for this method of transmission.
| recommend that such legislation be enactei
| as will enable the Post Office Department fan
| ~ to thoroughly experiment the advantages Q
| such use of the telegraph.
THE RECIPROCITY FEATURE.
| In many of the products of wood and iron
| and in meats and breadstufs, we have advani
| ages that only need better facilities OF intel
course and transportation to secure for then
| large foreign markets. The reciprocity claus
of the tariff act wisely and effectively opens tn
| way TO secure a large reciprocal trade IN eS
change for the free admission TO our ports 9
certain products. The right OF Independent
| nations 10 make special reciprocal trade cor
sessions is well established, and does no
impair either the comfy due 70 other powers o
| what known as the favored nation clause
so generally found in commercial treaties
| What is given the one for an adequat
agreed consideration can not be claime
by another freely. The state OF tn
revenues was such that we eoul
| dispense with any import dutle
upon tea, hides and the lower grades OF suga
| and molasses. That the large advantage re
| sultiug to the countries producing and export
ing these articles by placing them on the ire
list entitle us to expect fair return IN way
| customs concessions upon articles exported o
| us to them was so obvious that to have gratu
ituously abandoned this opportunity to enlarg
our trade would have been an unpardonaol
error
There were but two methods of maintainin
control OF this question open TO Congress. II
place all OF these articles upon the dutlaol
list subject TO such treaty agreements as coui
be secured. or to place them all presently upo
the free list, but subject to the reimposition 9
specified duties II the countries from whic
we receive them should refuse 10 give TO u
suitable reciprocal benefits This latte
method, l think, possesses great ao
vantage II expresses IN advance IN
consents. Congress to reciprocity arrange
ments affecting these products, which mus
otherwise have been delayed ard unascel
tanned until each treaty was ratified by thu
Senate and the necessary legislation enacte
by Congress. Experience has shown tina
some treats looking TO reciprocal trade hay
failed to secureo a two-thirds vote in tn
Senate for ratification, and others hav
ing passed the stage have for year
awaited the concurrence OF the Hous
and Senate in such notifications OF our revt
| nue. laws as were necessary to give effect
their provisions. We now have the concur
renee OF both houses in advance in a distinC
| and definite offer OF free entry to our ports
| specifc articles The Executive is not n
quired TO deal in conjecture as to what Cor
| gress will accept. Indeed this reciprocit
| provision is more than an offer. Our part {
the bargain is complete; delivery has bee
made and when the countries from which W
! receive our sugar, coffee, tea and hides nav
placed on their free lists such of our product
as shall be agreed upon, as an equivalent fe
| our concession, a proclamation OF that fac
completes the transaction, and In the meal
time our own people have free sugar, tea, co
fee and hides.
LOOKING FORWARD
The indications thus far given are very hop
, | full Of early and favorable action by the coul
| tries from which we receive our large import
Of coffee and sugar, and 1t is confidently b
lieved that If steam communication wit
| these countries can be promptly improved an
| enlarged the next year VIII show most graf
fying increase in our exports of breadstufs an
provisions, as well as of some important line
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