Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1890-12-05

frains from teaching it, and advises
against the practice OF it because o
the laws against it. Now, it is tru,
that the law shonld not attempt tt
deal with the faith or belief of anyone
bu, this is quite another thing and the
only safe thing is TO deal with the
territory of Utah so that those who be,
lieve polygamy to be rightful shall not
have the power to make it lawful.
ADMISSION OF WYOMING AND IDAHO.
The admission of the states of Wy
oming and Idaho into the Union are
events full Of interass and congratula-
ton, not only to the people of the
states, happily endowed with full
participation in our privileges and re-
sponsibilities, but to all our people.
Another belt of states stretches from
the Atlantic to the Pacific.
WORK OF THE PATENT OFFICE.
The work of the patent Office has
won from all sources very high COM
nendation. The amount accomplish
ell has been largely increased and all
the results have been such as to Sc
cure confidence and consideration for
the suggestions OF the commissioner.
THE CENSUS.
The enumeration of the people OF
the United States, under the provision
of the act of March |, 1890, has been
completed, and the result will be at
once officially communicated to con-
gress. The completion of the decin-
NAL enumeration devOlves upon con-
gress the duty of making new appor-
tionnent of representatives among the
several states according to their re-
spective numbers.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
At the last session had occasion to
return with my objection severa! bills
making provisions for the erection of
public buildings, for the reason that
the appropriations contemplated were,
in my opinion, greatly in excess of
any public need. No other class sOf
legislation is more liable to abuse or
more likely to degenerate into an un-
seemly scramble about the public
treasury. Then there should be exer-
cised i'm this matter wise economy,
based upon some responsible and im-
partial examination and report as to
each case under a general law.
THE ARMY.
The report of the Secretary of war
exhibits several gratifying results at
tained during the year by wise and
unostentatious methods. The percent
age of desertiOn from the army-an
evil for which both Congress and the
department have long been seeking a
remedv-has been reduced during the
past year a per cent, and for the
months of August and September, dur
ing which time the favorable effects OF
the act of June l6 was felt, 33 per
cent, as compared with the same
months of 1889.
The results attained by the organi-
cation and consolidation of the divis-
ions having charge OF hospital service,
and of the records of volunteer soldiers,
are very remarkable. This change was
effected in July, 1889, and at that time
there were 40,O64 cases awaiting atten-
ton, more than half Of these being
calls from the pension office for infor-
nation necessary to the adjudication
of pension claims. On the 3Oth day
of June last, though over 100000 new
calls had come in, there was not sim
gle case that had not been examined
and entered.
COAST DEFENsEs.
concur in the recommendations of
the Secretary that adequate and regu-
lar appropriations be continued for
coast defense works and ordnance.
Plans have been practically agreed
upon and there can be no good reason
for delaying the execution Of them;
while the defenseless state of eur great
seapOrts furnish an urgent reason for
wise expedition.
THE NATIONAL GUARD.
The encouragement that has been
extended to the militia OF the States,
generally appropriately designated as
the National Guard, should be contin-
ued and enlarged. Those military or
carnations constitute, in q sense, the
army of the United States, while about
five.sixths of the annual cost of their
maintenance is betrayed by the States.
THE FARMERS.
The report of the secretary of agri-
culture deserves special attention, i'll
view of the fact that the year has been
marked in very unusual degree by
agitation and organization among the
farmers, looking to an increase i'm the
profits of their business. 1t will be
found that the efforts of the depart
ment have been intelligently and zeal
ously devoted to the promotion OF the
interest intrusted to its care.
A very substantial improvement in
the market prices of the trading farm
products during the year is noticed.
The price OF wheat advanced from 81
cents in October, 1889, to 1907 cents
in October, 1890; corn from 81 cents
to SOL cents; oats from 29i cents to
43 cents, and barley from 63 cents to
10 cents. Meats showed a substantial
but not so large an increase.
THE EXPORT TRADE
In live animals and fowls show a
very large increase. The total in such
exports for the year ending June 80,
1890, was $33, 900 600, and the increase
over the preceding year was over $15,-