Los Angeles herald., 1892-12-07

be $Z0, ,99Z, ,377 w. SO far ae these figures
are based on the estimate of receipts
and expenditures for the remaining
months of the current fiscal year, there
are not the usual elements of uncer-
tainty, but some added elements OF new
revenue legislation, or even the expec-
tation of it may seriously reduce the pub
lie revenues during the period of uncer.
tainty and during the press of business
adjustmenG to the new conditions when
they become known; but the secretary
has very wisely refrained from guessing
as to the effect of possible changes in
our revenue laws. Since the scope of
these changes and the time of their
taking effect cannot in any degree be
forecast or foretold by him, ::is esti.
mates must be based upon the existing
laws and upon continuance of existing
business conditions, except 80 far as
these conditions may be affected by
causes other than new legislation.
The estimated receipts for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1898, are $490, ,l2l,-
365 3S. And the estimated appropria-
tions S457 ,26l 1886 SS, leaving al esti-
mated surplus OF receipts over expend.
itures of $32 S60, $50 05. This does not
include any payment to the sinking
fund. In the recommendation of the
secretary that the snking-fund law be
repealed, concur. The redemption of
bonds since the passage of the law to
June 80, 1892, has already exceeded the
requirements by the SUN of 5000 ,510,-
6Sl.49. The retirement of bonds in the
future, before maturity, should be a
matter OF convenience, not OF compul-
sion. We should not collect revenue for
that purpose, but only use the casual
surplus. To the balance OF $32 $50 $780,
05 of receipts over expenditures for the
year 1894. should be added the estimated
surplus at the beginning of the year,
$40, ,922 ,377 33, and from this aggregate
there must be deducted, as stated by
the secretary, about $44,000,00D OF esti-
mated unexpired appropriations.
The public confidence in the pur-
poses and ability OF the government to
maintain the parity of all our money
issues, whether coin or paper, must re-
main unshaken. The demand for gold
in Europe and the consequent calls on
us are in considerable degree the re-
suit of the efforts of some of the
European governments to increase their
gold reserves, and these efforts should
be met by appropriate action upon our
part. The conditions that have created
this drain on the treasury gold are in
an important degree political and not
commercial. In view of the fact that a
general revision Of our revenue laws in
the near future seems to be probable, ii
would be better that any changes should
be part of that revision, rather than
of temporary nature.
During the last fiscal year the secre.
uaLa
OF July IA, 1890, 54,335, ,74S
ounces OF silver, and issued in
payment thereof $5l, sos in notes.
The total purchases since the passage of
the act have been 120, ATS, ,9Sl ounces,
and the aggregate OF notes issues $ll6,-
7S3,599 The average price paid for
silver during the year was "a cents per
ounce, the highest being 81 0234 in July,
1891, and the lowest $0S3, March 81 4,
1892. In view of the fact that the mon.
etary conference is now sitting, and that
no conclusion has as yet been reached,
| withhold any recommendation as to
the legislation upon this subject.
NEEDS OF THE ARMY.
The report OF the secretary OF war
brings again to the attention OF congress
some important suggestions as to the
reorganization OF the infantry and ar
tillery arms of the service, which
his predecessors have before urged that
be passed. Cur army is small, but
its organization should all the more
be put upon the most approved modern
basis. The conditions upon what we
have called the Frontier" have hither-
to required the maintenance of many
small posts, butlnow the policy Of con-
centration is obviously the right one.
The new posts should have the proper
strategic relations to the only frontiers"
we now have, those Of the west and
the north and part of our southern
boundary. l do not think that any
question of advantage IN localities or
states should determine the location of
the new posts.
The organization and enlargement of
the bureau of military information
which the secretary has effected is a
work the usefulness of which will be.
come every year more apparent.
The work Of building heavy guns and
the construction of coast defenses has
been well begun and should be carried
on without check.
THE ATToRNEY-GENERAL's WORK,
the report of the encouragement is
by law submitted directly to congress,
but l cannot refrain from saying that he
has conducted the increasing work of the
department Of justice with great profess
sional skill. He has in several direc-
tions secured from the courts decisions
making increased projections to the Of
ficers of the United States, and bringing
to trial some classes of crime that es-
capped punishment, in the tribunals of
the Unlted States where they could be
tried with lnlpartiality.
The numerous applications for exec
utive clemency presented in behalf OF
persons convicted in the United States
courts and given penitentiary GEN.
tences have called my attention
to fact referred to by the
attorney. general in his report,
namely, that a time allowance for good
behavior for such prisoners is prescribed
by the federal statues only where the
state in which the penitentiary is To-
Gated has made no such provision. Pris
oners are given the benefit of the pro-
visions of the state law regulating the
penitentiary in which they may be sent.
These vary some are perhaps too liberal
and some perhaps too iiliberal the re-
suit is that sentence for five years
means one thing if the prisoner is sent
to one state for confinement, and is
quite different if he be sent to another.
l recommend that uniform credit for
good behavior be prescribed by con-