Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1891-12-07

uer1es for narbOr defense and the manu-
facture of mortars and guns of high power
to equip them have made good progress
during the year. The preliminary work of
tests and plans, which so long delayed a
start, is now out of the way. Some guns
have been completed, and with an en-
larged shop and a more complete equip
ment at Watervliet the army will soon be
abreast of the navy in gun construction.
Pensions and Records.
The great work done in the record and pen
sion division of the department by Major
Ainsworth of the medical corps, land the clerks
under him, is entitled to honorable mention.
Taking up the work with nearly Al 200 cases
behind, he closed the last fiscal year without a
single case left over, though the new cases had
increased 50 per cent. in number over the
previous year by reason of the pension legisla-
lation of the last congress.
The president concurs in the recon-
mendation of the attorney general that
the right in felony cases to a review by
the supreme court be limited
The Chinese Exclusion Act.
The enforcement by the treasury depart
ment of the law prohibiting the coming of the
Chinese to the United States has been effec-
tive as to such as seek to land from vessels en-
tering.our ports. The result has been to di-
vert the travel to vessels entering the ports of
British Columbia, whence passage into the
United States at obscure points along the
Dominion boundary is easy. A very consider
able number af Chinese laborers have, during
the past year. entered tie United States from
Canada and Mexico. The officers of the treas
81 - partmeAt and Of the department Ce
Justice have used every means at their COM
mand to intercept this immigration; but the
impossibility of perfectly guarding our ex-
tended frontier is apparent. The Dominion
government collects a head tax of $50 from
every Chinaman entering Canada, and thus
H.. II l.
only use its ports to reach a position of advan-
tage to eyade our exclusion laws.
More Effective Laws Urged.
There seems to be satisfactory evidence that
the business of passing Cinnamon through
Canada is organized and quite active. The
department of f1stice has construed the laws
to require the return of any Chinaman found
to be unlawfully in this country to China as
the country from which he came, notwith-
standing the fact that he came to the United
States by way of Canada, but several of the
district courts have, in cases brought before
hem, oVerrued this view of the law and de-
cided that such persons must be returned to
Canada. This construction was the law of all
even if the decree could be ex-
ecuted. for the men returned can the next day
re-crOss our borders. But the only apprOpria-
lion made is for sending them back to China
and the Canadian officials refuse to allow
them to re-enter Canada without the payment
If the $50 head tax. | recommend such legis-
atiOn as will remedy these defects in the law.
Free Postal Delivery.
An appropriation was given by the last con-
gress for the purpose of making some expert
nents in free delivery in the smaller cities
md towns. The results of these experiments
have been so satisfactory that the postmaster
general recommends, and [ concur in his rec
that the free delivery system
be extended to towns of 5000 population. His
discussion Ofthe inadequate facilities extended
under our present system to rural communl-
lies and his suggestions with a view to give
these communities fuller participation in
the benefits of the postal service, are worthy
Of your careful consideration. 1t is not just
that the faru.-r, who receives his mail at a
neighboring town, should not only be COM
PEELED TO send to the postofffce for it, but to
pay considerable rent for box in which to
place it, wait his turn at a general. delivery
window, while the city resident has His mail
brought to his door.
In the Interest of Law and Order.
The president calls the attention of con-
yress to the necessity of so extending the
United States cOurss as to make triable
therein any felony committed while in the
tct of violating a Jaw of the United States
These courts cannot have that independ-
snce and effectiveness which the constitu-
ion cOntemplates so long as the felOnious
killing of court officers, jurors and wit
~ reason of their acts as such, is only
,ognisable in the state courts. The work
lane by the attorney general and the Off
,ers of his department, even under the
present inadequate legislation, has pro-
luced some notable results in the interest
If law and order.
Modified Use of Telegraph.
1t is stated that over $4,000 neighborhoods
Re, under the present system, receiving mail
t postoflices where money orders and postal
totes are not issued. The extension of this
ystem to these communities is especially
desirable, the patrons of such Offices are not
possessed of the other facilities offered in more
'OpulOus communities for the transportation
f small sums of money. | have, in message
o the preceding congress-, expressed my views
S to modified use of the telegraph in con-
lection with the postal service
Bureau of Indian fairs.
The report of the secretary of the in
eriOr shows that a very gratifying pro
,ress has been made in all of the bureaus
which make up that complex and difficult
department.. The work in the bureau of
indian affairs was perhaps never so large
S now, by reason of the numerous negO-
iations which have been proceeding with
he tribes for a reduction of the reserva-
ions. with the incidents of labor making
and was never more carefully
choOl facilities for Indian children and
he locating of adult Indians upon farms,
involves the solution of the Indian ques-
iOn"
Our Navy of the Future.
The report of the secretary of the navy
hows a gratifying increase of new naval
essels in commission. The Newark, Con-
ord, Bennington and Miantonomah have
'een added during the year, with an ag-
,regate of something more than II 900
Ons. Twenty-four war ships of all classes
re now under construction in the navy
ards and private shops, but, while the
york upon them is going forward salts
the completion of the more i'm
'ortant vessels will yet require about a
ears time. Some of the vessels under
obstruction, it is believed will be tri-
Imphs of naval engineering. When it is
ecOllected that the work of building q
model navy was emily initiated in the year
1888, that our naval constructors and ship
uilders are practically without expert
nee in the construction of large iron or
teel ships, that our engine shops were I'M
amiliar with great marine engines, and
hat the manufacture of steel forgings for
.uns and plates was almost wholly q
Oreign industry, the progress that has
,een made is not only highly satisfactory,
uG 1uI ULS t1oSbIdliCS U1tU CUO
United States will before long attain SUI
a Problem to Solve.
With regard to the late Indian troubles
n the Sioux reservation the president
avs that the relation of the five civilized
RIDES now occupying the Indian Territory
o the United States is not calculated to
remote the highest advancement of these
indians. That there should be within our
orders five Independent states, having no
except those growing out of
reaties, with the government of the
United States, no representation in the
lational legislature, its people not citi-
ems, is a startling anomaly 1t seems to
re inevitable that there shall be before
ong some organic changes in the relation
these people to the United States. What
Orm these changes should take he does
ot think it DIES, rable now to suggest |
hey should certainly involve the &C
eptance of citizenship by the Indians and
representation in congress.
He also suggests that these Indians |
hould have an opportunity to present
heir claims and grievances upon thefioor,
ather as, now, in the lobby. If a commits |
ion could be appointed tovisit these tribes
o confer with them in a friendly spirit |
pom this whole subject, even if no agree
nent would be developed, discussion |
7ould prepare the way for changes which
nust come sooner or later. The good work |