The National tribune., 1890-12-04


Much is hoped from the Customs Admins
tration Board, which has been selected with
great care, and is composed, IN part, Of men OF
rich experience IN the administration Of the
old custom sregulatiOnS. The chief aim Of the
law is 10 secure honest valuation, and make
this valuation uniform az all places. IL is inn
possible 20 sec how this legislation can be re-
garded by any country as unfriondly.
Several gratifying results have obtained In
the War Department by wise and unostenta-
tious methods. The percentage Of desertion
from the army has been reduced until il is SO
per cont. less than last year.
BENEFIT OF THE VETERANS.
1.-THE results attained by reorganization
and consolidation OF Divisions having charge
Of the hospital and service records Of the vol
unteer soldiers are very remarkable. This
change was effected in July, 1889. aud at that
time there were 40,65s cases awaiting attention,
more than half OF these being calls from the
Pension Office for information necessary 10 the
adjudication OF pension claims. On the 30th
day OF June last though over 100000 new
cais.had come in, there was not a single case
that had not been examined and answered"
Adequate and regular appropriations for
coast defense works and ordnance are strongly
urged. Plans having been practically agreed
upon, there is no good reason for delaying work
for which there is SO much need.
The encouragement which has been given the
National Guard should DO continued and en-
larged.
CITIZENSHIP.
The Department of Justice Is complimented
upon the effective work done In the way Of
bringing yioators OF law 20 justice, while
avoiding frivolous and annoying actions The
number Of convictions secured for violations Of
election laws wall have, il is hoped, r sautary
influence. The vacation OF nearly 100 fraudulent
naturalization certificates has done much good,
and the recommendation is renewed that the
" laws be 50 amended rs 30 require a more full
and searching inquiry into Rll the facts neces-
sary TO naturalization before any certificates
arc granted. IL certainly is not too much to
require that an application for American citi-
zenship shall be heard with ~ much care and
recorded with as much formality as are given
TO cases involving the pettiest property right"
THE PosToFFICE DEPARTMENT.
"The report OF the Postmaster General shows
the most gratifying progress in the important
work committed 10 his direction. The business
methods have been greatly improved. largo
economy IN expenditures ana al increase Of
four aud three quarter millions in receipts have
been realized. The deficiency this year is S.
'oh,aeO rs against S6,3j0 ls5 last year, notwth-
standing The great enlargement Of the service.
Mai ToutCs have been extended and qnickeBed
anu lHtAlAI H'tulatg anu al1fiaACh it uleLIibu-
ton aud delivery have been attained The
report will be found 10 be full Of interest aud
suggestion, not only TO Congress, bat 10 those
thoughtful citizens who may be interested 10
know what business methods can do for that
department OF public administration which
most nearly touches all our people.
T" The passage If the act 90 amend certain
sections OF the Revised Statutes relating 10
lotteries, approved Sept - 1890 has been re-
sr.d Nit,
The POstOiiCe Department and the Department
ofJustice at once entered upon the enforcement
Of the law with sympathetic vigor. and already
the public mails have been largely freed from
The fraudulent and demOralzing appeals and
Literature emanatiug from the lottery COM
pauies."
THE NAVY.
The construction and equipment of the
new ships for the Navy have laade very salts
factory progress. Since March 4, 1859, nine
new vessels have been put Ia commission, and
during tins Winter four more, including one
monitor, viii be added. The construction 0f
the other vessels authorized is being pushed,
both IN the Government aud private yards,
with energy and watched with the most scru-
pul0us care.
The experiments conducted during the
year TO test the relative resisting power Of
aFnOr plates have been 30 valuable rs 20 attract
great attention in Europe. The only part Of
the work upon the new ships that is threatened
by unusual delay is the arnor plating aud
every effort is being made 10 reduce that 10 the
minimum. lt Is source Of c0ugTatulatiOn
that the anticipated influence Of these modern
vessels upon the esprit de cgJpS Of the officers
and seamen las been fully realized. Conf
dcncc and pude in the ship among tic crew
arc equivalent 10 a secondary battery. Your
favorable consideration is invited 70 the recon-
mondatiOns Of the Secretary"
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The acts Of Congress looking TO tho ro3uc-
ton Of the larger Indian reservations by the
more rapid settlement Of the indians upon in
dividual allOtmcnts and the restoration 90 the
public domain OF the lands not needed for this
purpose, have been largely carried into effect.
Since March 4, lss3, the United States has
gained Ia this way about ia, 726O00 acres. The
Land Office has carried out the policy outlined
IN the last message relating 10 patenting lands
70 settlers No mere suspicion OF imputation
has been allowed TO delay the adjudication oil
cases upon their merits The intention has
been 10 perfect the title Of honest settlers
with such pr0mptncss that the value of an
entry might not be swallowed up by the ex-
pense Of delay. The average monthly issue OF
patents has been increased about 6O00.
TIE DISABILITY PENsIos hill
"The disability pension act, which was ap.
proved on the 9th Of June last has been pu:
into operation az rapidly a. was practicable
The increased clerical force provided was 50.
lrcted and assigned % work, and a consider
able part o. the force engaged iu examinations
IN the field was recalled aud added 20 the work.
ing force Of the Office The examination and
adjudication Of claims have, by reason Of iu.
proved methods, been more rapid than ever
before. There ls no economy 70 the Govern.
ment IN delay, while there Is much hardship
and injustice 10 the soldier. The anticipated
expenditure while very large, will not IL i,
! believed, be IN excess Of the estimates mad,
before the enactment Of the law. This liberia
enlargement o, the general law should suggest
more careful scrutiny Of bills for special re
lief both as 10 the cases where relief is granted
and Is 10 the amount allowed
POLYGAMY.
"The increasing numbers and influence o
I the npn-Mormgn population Ia Utah are Oh
/ served with satisfaction. Tie recent letter o
I Nii.ord Woodruff, President Of the Mormon
/ Church, ia wi.ch Ag advised bis people 70 r.
+ Train from contracting amy marriage forbidden
! By the laws II the land has attracted wild,
attention. aud il is hoped that its in fluence vii
! be highly beneficial. lu restraining infraction
i ~ the laws n 90, United States. But the FAC
! should not bc overlooked that The doctrine O
] belief oil the church that p0ygamogs marriage
/ arc rgblul and supported hy Divine revelation
remains unchanged President Woodruff doe
/ not rcn9uuCo the doctrine but refrains from
teaching Il, aad advises against The practice q
/ IL because the law is against ID. Now, il /
! quite irac that the law should not attempt I
! deal with The faith or belief Of any one: but
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