Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-12-06

are in q considerable degree the result
of the efforts of some of the European
governments to increase their gold re-
serves, and these efforts should be met
by appropriate legislation on our part.
The conditions that have created this
drain of the Treasury gold are in an
important degree political and not com
mercial In view of the fact that
general revision OF our revenue laws in
the near future seems to be probable, 1t
would be better that any changes
should be part of that revision rather
than ofa temporary nature. The fact
that the monetary conference IS now
sitting and that no conclusion has yet
been reached, I withhold any recon-
mendation as to legislation upon this
subject.
1t is too early to predict what results
may be accomplished by the interna-
tional monetary conference at Brussels.
If any temporary check or delay inter-
venes, I believe that very soon COM
mercial conditions will compel the now
reluctant governments to unite with us
in the movement to secure the enlarge
ment of the volume of coined money
needed for the transaction Of the bust
ness of the world
The Report OF the Secretary of War
brings again to the attention of Con-
gress some important suggestions as to
the reorganization of the infantry and
artillery arms of the service. Our army
is small, but its organization should all
the more be put upon the most ap-
proved modern basis.
have before expressed my concur
renee in the recommendation of the At
torney- General that degrees of murder
should be recognized in the Federal
statutes as they are believe, in all the
States. The recognition of them would
enable the courts TO exercise some dis
cretion in apportioning punishment,
and would greatly relieve the execution
of what is coming to be very heavy
burden.
The aggregate of claims pending
against the government in the Court OF
Claims for the taking of or injury to
the property of persons claiming to be
loyal during the war, the Indian depra-
dation claims and the French spoliation
claims is indeed startling.
The agents Of the government are
sent into the field to rummage for what
evidence they can find. This difficulty
is precautionary great where the fact to
be established is the disloyalty of the
claimant during the war. Congress
should supply thn Department of Jus
tice with appropriations sufficiently
liberal to secure the best legal talent in
the defense of these claims.
The report ofthe Secretary ofthe Navy
exhibits great progress in the construc-
ton of our new navy. 1t is believed as
the result of new processes i'll the con-
structon of armor plate our late ships
will be clothed with defensive plates OF
higher resisting power than are found
on any war vessels afoat. The whole
some influence for peace and the in
creased sense of security which our citi-
zens domiciled in other lands feel when
these magnificent ships, under the
American flag appear, is already most
greatfully apparent.
The report of the commission
er of pensions will attract great
attention. The passage Of what is
known as the disability bill has. as
was foreseen, very largely increased the
annual disbursement TO the disabled
veterans of the civil war. | adhere to
the views expressed in previous mes
sages that the care of the disabled sol
diers of the war of the rebellion IS Il
matter of national concern and duty. |
cannot believe that this process has yet
reached point with our people that
would sustain the policy of renting
the care of these disabled veterans 20
the inadequate agencies provided by 10
Gil law.
In my last annual message called
attention to the fact that some legisla-
tive action was necessary in order to
protect the interest of the government
in its relations with the Union Pacific
Railway. / recommended in my last
annual message that commission be
appointed to deal with this question,
and renew that recommendation, and
suggest that the commission be given
full power.
The report of the Secretary of Agri-
culture contains many suggestions Tor
the enlarged usefulness of this import
ant department. In the successful e.
fort to break down the restrictions to
the free introduction of our meat pro-
ducts in the countries of Europe the
secretary has been untiring.
Quarantine regulations should be
uniform at all our ports. Under the
constitution they are plainly within the
exclusive federal jurisdiction when and
so far as Congress shall legislate. In
nv opinion the whole subject should
be tax Ken into national control and adj
cquate power given to the executive
to protect our people against plague
invasions. On the 1st of September
last I approved regulations establishing
a twenty-day quarantine for all vessels
bringing immigrants from foreign ports.
This order will be continued in force:
Some loss and suffering have resulted
to passengers, but due care for the
homes of our people justifies in such
cases the utmost precaution, There is
danger that with the coming Of spring
cholera will again appear, and liberal
appropriation should be made at this
session to enable our quarantine and
port officers to exclude the deadly
plague.
We are peculiarly subject in our
great ports to the spread of infectious
diseases by reason of the fact that unre-
stricted immigration brings to us out of
European cities, large number of per-
sons whose surroundings make them