The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1890-12-02

which this payment has been made i
about to expire, and those colonies hav
refused to renew the contract, unless IN
United States shall pay a more equitable
portion of the whole sum neces sary e
maintain the service. l am advised 10y
the postmaster general that the Dnltet
States receives for carrying the Australian
mails brought 10 San Francisco In thes'
steamers by rail to Vancouver an estl
mated income of SIS, 200, while, as L hav'
stated we are paying out for the suppor
of the steamship line that brings this MAJ
TO MS only $46, 900, leaving an annual sur
plus resulting from this service, OF So, OOO
The trade of the United States witt
Australia, which is in "a considerable par
carried by these steamers. ana the whole
of which is practically dependent upor
the mail communication which thel
maintain, is largely in our favor. OuI
total exports of merchandise TO Australian
ports during the fiscal year ending JUNE
80. 1890, were si1 ,2G6, ,4s4, while the tota
imports Of merchandise from these port:
We're only S4, 217, Go.
If we are rot willing 10 see this i'm
portant steamship line withdrawn, or con
finue with Vancouver substituted for san
Francisco as the American terminal, con
gress should put it in the power Of the
postmaster general to make liberal IN
crease in the amount now PAID Tor the
transportation of this mail.
The South Atlantic and gulf ports
occupy a very favorable position toward
the new and important commerce which
the reciprocity clause Of the act and the
postal shipping bill are designed to pro
mote Steamship lines from these ports
10 some northern port in South America
will almost certainly effect a connection
between the railroad systems OF the conti-
nents long before any continuous line OF
railroads can be put into operation. The
very large appropriation made at the last
session for the harbor of Galveston was
justified, it seems 10 me, by these con
Siderations The great rthwest will feel
the advantage of trunk lines to the sonth,
as well as 10 the east, and Of the new
markets open for their surplus food pro
ducts and for many of their manufactured
products.
AN INTERNATIONAL BANK.
I had occasion in my last message to
transmit to congress report adopted by
the International American conference,
upon the subject Of the incorporation OF
an international American bank, with
view to facilitating money exchanges be-
tween the states represented in that con-
ference Such an institution would great
" promote the trade we are seeking 10
develop. ! renew the recommendation
that careful and well guarded charter be
granted. do not think the powers grant
ed should include those ordinarily eXer
Cised by trust, 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, conven-
lent foreign exchanges
1t is quite important that prompt action
should be taken in this matter of appropri-
mil IONS
these countries, in order that any agree
ment that may be made for reciprocal
trade may not be hindered b. the incOn-
venienceS Of making exchanges through
Europ an money centers or burdened by
the tribute which is an incident of that
method Of business.
THE SUPREME COURT.
The bill for the relief of the supreme
court has, after many years of discussion,
reached position where final action is
easily attainable and it is hoped that any
differences Of opinion may be so harmon
lZed as TO save the essential features of this
very important measure. In this connec-
1ion, ] earnestly renew my recommended
tion that the salaries of the Judges of the
United States district courts be so read |
justed that none of them shall receive
salary OF less than 5000 per annum.
SPANISH GRANTS.
The subject Of the unadjusted Spanish |
and Mexican land grants, and the urgent |
necessity fUr providing for some commits /
sion or tribunal for the trial Of questions |
of title growing out OF them, was twice |
brought by me TO the attention of congress |
at The last session. Bills have been re- |
ported from the proper committees in both |
houses upon the subject, and ! very earu-
estiy hope that this congress will put an I
end TO the delay which has attended the l
settlement of the disputes as to title be- |
tween the settlers and claimants under |
! he-e grants.
These disputes retard the prosperity and /
disturb the peace of large and important !
communities. The governor Of New Mex
leo, in his last report to the secretary of |
the interior, suggests some notifications
of the provisions of the pending bills re-
1ating TO the small holdings of farm lands.
] commend to your attention the sugges-
tions of the secretary of the interior upon
this subject
THE BANKRUPT LAW.
The enactment of a national bankrupt
law, ! still regard as very desirable The
constitution having given To congress
jurisdiction OF this subject, it should he
exercised. and uniform rules provided for
the administration Of the affairs of insolv
ent debtors. The Inconvenience resulting
from the occasional and temporary eXer-
else Of this power by congress. and from
the conflicting state codes of insolvency,
which come into force intermediately.
should be removed 10y the enactment of
simple, inexpensive and permanent
national bankrupt law.
INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT
! also renew my recommendation in
favor OF legislation atfording Just COPY
right and protection to foreign authorities.
"A of al nI. I
our authors abroad.
CAR CoUPLEEs.
IL may still be possible for this congress
20 inaugurate by suitable legislation a
movement looking to uniformity and in
creased safety in She use of couplers and
brakes upon freight trains, engaged in
Interstate commerce. The chief difficulty
i to secure agreement as TO the best aD-
pliances, simplicity, effectiveness and cost
being considered This difficulty will only
yield TO legislation which should be based
upon fun inquiry and impartial tests. The
purpose should be to secure the Co-opera-
tion of all well disposed managers But
he fearful fact that every years delay in
wolves the sacrifice of 1000 lives aud the
of 2000 young men, should plead
both with congress and the managers
against needless delay. Il
IRRIGATION.
The subject Of the conservative and
equal distribution Of the water supply Of
the arid regions has had much attention
from congress. but has not a. yet been put
upon a permanent aud satisfactory basis
The urgency Of the subject does not grow
out OF any large present demand for the
use of these lands for agricultural pur-
poses, but of the danger that the water
supply and the sites for the necessary
ratch-hasins may fall into the hands of
individuals or private corporations, and be
used 10 render suhservient the large areas