San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-12-07

| CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT.
The aggregate of claims pending
against the government in the court of
claims is enormous. Claims to the amount
Of nearly 800, 900 for the taking of or
injury to the property of the persons
claiming to be loyal during the war are
| now before that court for examination.
| When to the others are added the Indian
| depreciation claims and the French Schol-
liam claims, an aggregate Is reached that
is indeed startling. In the defense of these
| the government Is at great diSadvan-
| tage. Congress should supply the de-
partment of justice with app"opsiat
sufficiently liberal to secure the best le-
gal talent In the defense of these claims
and to pursue its vague search for evil
denee effectively.
| DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
The report of the secretary of the de-
partment OF agriculture contains not only
| most interesting statement OF the pro-
| SreSsive and valuable work done under
| the administration of Secretary Rusk,
but many suggestions for the enlarged
| usefulness of this imp rtant department.
| Agricultural products constitute I'll
per cent, OF our exports for the fiscal
| year which closed June 30, 1892.
| In the Behring Sea Arbitration express
ses belief that the United States will
come out best in the the matter.
Throws some taffy at the attorney gem
| eral, aud then talks considerably for
| Postmaster Wannamaker's department;
says the report shows a most gratifying
| increase and most efficient and pro-
| greSSive management of the great bust
ness of that department. The postal rev.
enueS have increased during the last year
| nearly SS,OO0,000. The deficit for the year
| ending June 30, 1892, Is SSfS,34 less than
the deficiency Of the preceding year. The
number OF oSiofices has been
| increased 2,790 during the past four
| years and up to October ~ last
total increase in the number of
offices has been nearly 1900.
Calls attention TO the disgraceful small
| ness of our merchant marine. They
| profit by our commerce in peace they will
become most formidable deStroyerS of our
| commerce In time of war"
NAVAL MATTERS.
The reports of the secretary of the navy
| exhibits great progress in the conStruc-
| ton of our new navy Contracts have been
| let during this administration for the in
crease of the navy, including new vessels
and their appurtenanceS to the amount of
| SS5,0O0,000 aud there has been cXpebded
| during the same period for labor at
| the navy yards upon similar work
IS. 00O0OO without the smallest scandal
or charge Of fraud or partiality,
|
| aud increased sense of security which our
citizens domciled in other lands feel
when these magnificent ships under the
American flag approach is already most
gratefully apparent The ships from our
navy which will appear in the great
naval parade next April in the harbor OF
New York, will be be COW incing de-
mOnStraton to the world that the United
| Stated Is again naval power.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The work of the interior department
| always very burdenSome, has been larger
| than ever before and suggests as neceS-
| Sary some revision of the laws governing
| this department.
| Threatening difficulties with foreign
| countries have been adjusted. Reciprocal
| treaties have been agreed upon with the
| following countries: Brazil, DOMINICAN
| Republic. Spain for cuba and Puerto
| Rico, Guatemala, Salvador, the German
| Empire, Great Britain for certain West
| Indian colonies and British Guiana, Mic
| aragua, Honduras and Austria Hungary.
On the foreign relations there are no
| thing startling in the message.
| Recommends congress to give aid and
| support TO the Nicaragua canal scheme.
| Expressed great results in time from the
| Monetary conference.
THE FINANCES.
The public debt has been reduced since
| March / 1889, $685. 47 600. and the annual
| interest charge $l1, GAS. 400
| The revenues for the fiscal year ending
June 30. 1892, from all sources were 1928
! SG3, 2G09 and the expenditures for all
purposes were S4l5. 953, SOC. So, leaving a
| balance Of $9,9l4.453 Sc There were paid
during the year upon the public debt
| $40. SO, 1878.
The revenue for year ending June 80,
| 1898, is 1868, 1886, 1904, showing a surplus
of receipts over expenditures of S27,OOO,-
! 600. The cash balance in the treasury at
| the end of the fiscal year is estimated at
| $50, g92, 377,03.
MILITARY MATTERS.
Recommends the better equipment of
the Military, building of heavy guns and
construction of coast detenceS.
QUAR- ANTINE.
Quarantine regulations should be uni
form at all our ports. Under the cOnsti-
tuition they are plainly within the eXclu-
Sive federal Jurisdiction. When and so
far as congress shall legislate, i'll my
opinion, the whole subject should be taken
into national control and designated
power given to the executive TO protect
the people against plague invasions.
CHECK IMMIGRATION.
We have, think, a right and owe the
due to our own people and especially to
our workingmen not only to keep out the
vicious, the ignorant, the civil diSturber,
the pauper and the too great flow of i'm
migration now coming by farther limita-
tonS.
THE WORLDS FAIR.
The work of construction and prepare
tion for the opening of the exposition III
May next has progressed most SatlSfactor-
lily and upon scale of liberty and mag
nificence that will worthily sustain the
honor of the United States
UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Some legislative action is necessary in
order TO protect the interests Of the gov
eminent in it's relations with the Union