Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-12-02

the service done by this line in carrying
the mails we pay annually the sum OF 49,
600, being as estimated the full sea and
United States inland postage. winch Is the
hnit fixed by law. ,
The colonies of New South wales ana
New Zealand have been paying annuaiiy
10 these lines f37 900 for carrying the inaiis
from Sydney and Auckland 20 San Fran
cisco. The contract under which this pay
ment has been made is now about 10 ex-
pre-. and those colonies have refusedt 10 re-
new the contract unless the United states
shall pay more equitable proportion OF the
whole sum necessary to MAINTAIN the ser
vice. I am advised bv the Postmaster
General that the United States receives Tor
carrying the Australian mails brought 10
San Francisco IN these steamers oy ran 70
Vancouver an estimated annual income OF
S75. 200, while, as have stated, we are pay
ing out for the support OF the steamship
line that brings this mail 10 us only Sfo,VVV,
leaving an annual surplus resulting from
this service of 500 600 The trade OF the
United States with Australia which y IN
considerable part carried by these steam
ers and the whole Of which Is practically
dependent upon the mail communication
which they maintain is largely n our favor.
Our total exports Of merchandise 70 Aus
tralian ports during the fiscal year
ending Juno 80. 1890, were 81, 1861 5S.
while the total imports of merchandise
from these ports were only S4.N7,6Io. ~
we are not willing 20 see this important
steamship line withdrawn or continued
with Vancouver substituted for San Fran
cisco as the American terminal Congress
should put it in the, power o. the Post
master-General TO make liberal increase
in the amount now paid for the trGnspor-
tation Of this important mail.
The South Atlantic and Gulf ports oc-
cupy a very favored position towards the
new and important commerce which the
reciprocity clause Of the tarl1 act ana the
posta-shipping bill are designed 10 pro-
mote. Steamship lines from these ports
% some northern port OF South America
will almost certainly effect connection
between the railroad systems Of the cont:
nents long before any continuous line Oh
railroads can be put into operation.
The very large Appropriation made NJ
the last session for the harbor OF Calves
ton was justified, as It seemed 10 me. ~
these considerations. The great North
west will feel the advantage OF trunk lines
TO the South as well % to the East ana OF
the new markets opened for their surplus
food products and for many OF their manu-
featured products.
INTERNATIONAL BANK.
: had occasion in May last TO transmit 10
Congress report adopted by the lnterna-
tional American Conference upon the SUD
iect Of the incorporation OF al interna-
tional American bank with a view 10 tacili-
tating money exchanges between the
States represented in that conference.
Such an institution would greatly promote
the trade we are seeking TO develop.
renew the recommendation that a careful
and well-guarded charter be granted. /
do not think the powers granted should IN
clude those ordinarily exercised Dy trust,
guaranty and safe deposit COMPANIES or
that more branches in the United states
should be authorized than are strictly
necessary 10 accomplish the object phi
marily IN yiew-namely, convenient foreign
exchanges. IL j. quite important that
prompt action should be takenin tins mat
ter IN order that any appropriations Tor
better communication with these coun-
tries and any agreements that may be made,
for reciprocal trade may not be hindered
by the Inconvenience OF making eXcuange
through European money centres OF nuf-
daned by the tribute which Is an incident
of that method Of business.
DISTRICT JUDGES SALARIES.
The hin for the relief of the supreme
Court has after many years of discussion
reached "a position where tnal action IS
easily atteilable and It IS hoped that any
differences OF opinion may be so harmO.
nized as 20 save the essential features OF
this very important measure. IN tins con-
necti0n earnestly renew my recommends
ton that the salaries OF the judges Of the
United States District Court be- so read
justed that none of them shall receive less
than 5000 per annuin.
UNADJUsrTU LAND GRANTS.
Tho subject Of the unadiuste1 Spanish
and Mexican land grants and the urgent
necessity for providing some commission
or tribunal for tho trial If questions ot
title growing out If them, were 'twice
brought by me % the atteDtiOnof Congress
~ the last session. Bills have been report
cd from the proper committees N bOtn
houses upon the subject and livery earn
! estly hope that this Congress viii put er
end to the delay which has attended tl'
settlement of the disputes as % the tltl
/ between tine settlers and tho claimants IN
| der these grants. These disputes retarl th'
prosperity and disturb the peace Oh llrg'
| aud important communities. lie Gov
ernor OF New Mexico, in ms last report q
| the Secretary of the Interior, suggeste.
some notifications OF the provision
| Of tho pending bills relating 20 th
/ small holdings OF farm lands. ! com
| mend 10 your attention the suggestion o.
the Secretary of the Interior upon TN
subject.
NATIONAL DANNRUPT-LAW.
The enactment of n national bankrupt
! law / still regard as very desirable. IN
| Constitution having given % COngr
| jurisdiction 81 this subject IT should p
! exercised and uniform rules provided IL
! the administration of the affairs or lnsQ
vent debtors. The inconvenience result
| inc from the occasional and temporar
exercise of this power by Congress an
from the conflicting State codes OF ~
! solyency which come into force lmm,
! diately should be removed by the enact
| nent of a simple, inexpensive, and perma
nent national bankrupt-law.
FOREIGN AUTHORS RIGHTS.
yalso renew nv recommendation in IA
vOr of legislation affOrdlng just copyrgn
protection 10 foreign authors on tOotini
| Of reciprocal advantage for our author
II NAV still be possible for this Congress
| TO iuaucurate by suitable legislation
| movement looking - uniformity and tn
increased safety in the use of cOuplers an
| brakes upon freight trains engaged IN IN
tsrsfate commerce. The chief difficult
N the way "a 20 secure agreement rs 10 Ut
best appliances, simplicity, .effectiyen,es..
and cost being considered. This din
culty will only yield 10 Legislation
which should be based upon full inquir
and impartial tests. The purpose shoul,
be 10 secure the cooperation OF al Wei
! disposed managers and owners, but On
fearful fact that every years delay ma
wolves the sacrifice Of two thousand 1--we
and the manning Of twenty thousan
Young men should plead both with Con
gress and the managers against any need
less delay.
WATER or ARID REGIONS.
The subject Of the conservation an
equal distribution OF the water supply q
the arid regions has had much attentio
from Congress but has not as yet bee
put upon permanent and satlsiat
tory basis. The urgency Of the SUI
iect does not grow out 81 an
large present demand for the use Of thes
lands for agriculture, but out Of the dar
GER that the water supply and the sites 10
the necessary catch-basins may fall INT
the hands of individuals or private corp