Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-12-02

American Bank, with view to facilitating
money exchanges between States represented
in that conference. Such an institution
would greatly promote the trade we are
seeking to develop.
Some Caution Should be Used.
/ renew the recommendation that careful
and well-guarded charter be granted. 1 do
not think the powers granted should include
those ordinarily exercised by trust, guaranty
md safe deposit companies, or that more
branches in the United States should be au-
thorized than are strictly necessary to accom-
plish the object primarily in view, namely,
convenience to, foreign exchanges.
1t is quite important that prompt action
should be taken in this matter in order that
any appropriations Tor better cOmmunica-
tiors with these countries and any agree
merits that NAV be made for reciprocal
trade may not be hindered by the inconveni-
ence o! making exchanges through Euro
pean money centers, or burdened by the
tribute, which is an incident of that method
of business.
The bill for the relief of the Supreme
Court has, after many years of discussion,
reached a position W here final action is easi-
ly attainable and it is hoped that any differ
ences of opinion may be so harmonized as to
save the essential features of this very i'm
portant measure. In this connection l earn
estly renew my recommendation that salar
les OF the Judges O. United States Courts be
so readjuste1 that none of them shall receive
less than $1,000 per annum.
Land Grants in Dispute.
The subject OF unadjusted Spanish and
Mexican land grants and the urgent necess-
ity for providing some comniission or tri-
bunal for the trial of questions of title
growing out OF the same were
twice brought by me 10 the at
tention OF Congress at last session. Bills
have been reported from the proper commit
tees in both Houses upon the subject and L
very earnestly hope that this Congress will
put an end to delay which has attended the
settlement of disputes as to the title between
settlers and claimants under these grants.
These disputes retard the prosperity and
disturb the peace OF large and important
communities. Tine Governor OF New Mex
leo, i'll his last report to the Secretary of the
Interior, suggests some notifications OF the
provisions of the pending bills relating to
small holdings of farm lands. L commend
to your attention the suggestions Of the
Secretary of the Interior upon this subject.
The enactment of national bankrupt
law still regard as very desirable. The
constitution having given to Congress juris-
and uniform rules provided for the admin
istration of the affairs of insolyent debtors.
The inconvenience resulting from oc-
casional and temporary exercise of this
power by Congress, and from the conflicting
State codes of insolvency which come into
force should be removed by the enactment
OF simple, inexpensive and permanent
national bankrupt law.
An international Copyright Law.
also renew nv recommendation in favor
of legislation atiording just copyright pro-
lection to foreign authors on footing of
reciprocal advantages for our authors
abroad.
1t NAV still be possible for this Congress
to inaugurate, by suitable legislation, q
movement looking to uniformity and in
creased safety in the use Of couples and
brakes upon freight trains engaged in inter-
State 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 test.
The purpose should be to secure the Co
operation 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 20, 900 young men
should plead both with Congress and man.
ayers against any needless delay.
The Question of Irrigation.
The subject of the conservation and equal
distribution OF water supply Of arid regions
has 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 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 indi-
viduals or private corporations and be used
to render subservient large area dependent
upon such supply.
The owner of water is the owner of lands
however the title may run. All unappropri-
ated natural water sources and all necessary
reservoir sites should be held by the govern
ment for the equal use at fair rates of the
homestead settlers who. will eventually take
all these lands.
Limits of Government.
The United States should not, in my
opinion, undertake the construction of dams
or canals, but should limit its work to such
surveys and observations Us will determine
water supply, both surface and subterran-
can, the areas capable of irrigation and the
yoirs. This done, the use OF water and
OF the reservoir sites might be granted to the
respective States or Territories. or to inGi-
viduals or associations upon the condition
that the necessary works should be con-
structed and the water furnished at lair
rates without discrimination, the rates to be
subject to supervision by the Legislatures
or by boards of water commissioners duly
constituted.
The essential thing to be secured is the
common and equitable use at fair rates oi
the accumulated water supply. 1t were al
most better that these lands should remain
arid than that those who occupy them
should become the slaves of unrestrained
monopolies controlling the one essential oi
land values and crop results.
Postal Telegraph Plan.
The use of the telegraph by the Post
office Department as means for
the rapid transmission Of written CON-
munications is, I believe, upon proper
terms, quite desirable The Govern
ment does not own or operate the railroads,
and it should not, 1 think, own or operate
the telegraph lines. 1t does, however,
seem to be quite practicable for the Govern
ment to contract with telegraph Companies.
as it does with railroad companies, to carry
ut specified rates such communications as
the senders may designate for this method
of transmission.
recommend that such legislation be en-
acted as will enable the Postofice Depart
ment fairly to test by experiment the ad-
vantages Of such use Of the telegraph.
FOR THE FORCE BILL.
HARRISON STANDS FIRMLY BY HIS