The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-12-09

turity should be q matter Of convenience, not
of compulsion. We should not collect revenue
for that purpose, but only use any casual sur.
plus 10 the balance OF S $50 Gp o. OF receipts
added the estimated surplus at the beginning
OF the year, $40, ,377.D and from this aggre-
"a tie there must be deducted, as stated by the
secretary, about s4i.OOO,O0O, Of estimated unex.
pended appropriations.
The pubic confidence in the purpose and
ability OF The government to maintain the
parity OF all our money issues, whether coin or
paper, must remain unshaken. The demand
for gold in Europe and the consequent calls
upon us are i'll u considerable degree the result
OF the efforts of some of the European govern
ments to increase their gold reserves, and these
efforts should be mel by appropriate legislation
upon our part. The conditions that have
an important degree political and not CONNER
cial. In view of the fact that general revis-
Ion OF our revenue laws in the near future
seems to be probable it would be better that
any changes should be part Of that revision
rather than of temporary nature
During the last fiscal year the secretary pur-
chased under the act of July IA, $780, 54,355, 74S
ounces OF silver, and issued in payment there
fore Sol, lO66OS in notes. The total purchases
since the passage OF the act have been l2O Alb
sS on I'M ana the aggregae OF notes issued
during the year was "a cents per ounce, the
highest price being Sl02A, July !, 1891, and the
lowest SO.S3 March II, 1892. In view of the fact
that the monetary conference is now sitting
and that no conclusion has as yet be, n reached,
withhold any recommendation as to the legis-
latlon upon this subject.
Secretary of Wars Report.
The report of the secretary of war brings
again to the attention of congress some import
ant suggestions as to the reorganization nf the
infantry and artillery arms of the service,
which his predecessors have before urged that
they be pressed. Our army is small, but its
organization should all the more be put upon
the most approved modern basis. The condi-
tons upon what we have called the frontier
have heIptOfOra rauuiFpd the maintenance Of
many small posts, but now 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 sea coast and OF the northern 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 the en-
largement of the bureau of mill
tary Information which the 2ecretary has
effected is a work the usefulness OF which will
become every year more apparent. Th9 work
OF building heavy guns and the construction of
coast defenses has been well begun, and should
be carried ON without check.
The report Of the attorney-general is by law
submitted directly to congress. but cannot re-
train, from saying that he has conducted the
increasing work of the department of justice
wi h great professional skill. He has ia sew
eral directions secured from the courts deci-
sions giving increased protection to the officers
OF the United States and bringing some classes
of CT imo that escaped local cognizanc and pun
ishmeEt INTO the tribunals OF the United States
where they could be tried impartially.
Enormous Claims.
The aggregate of claims pending against the
government in the court of claims is enormous.
Claims to the amount of nearly lour hundred
million dollars for the taking Of or injury to
the property of persons claiming TO be loyal
during the war are before that court for ex
animation. When to these are added the Indian
depreciation claims and the French spoliation
claims an aggregate is reached that is indeed
startling. in the defens of these claims the
government Is at q DISADVANTAGE. The claim
the government has to send agents to rummage
for what they can find. This difficulty is pc
culiarly great where the fact to be established
war. If this great threat against our revenues
is to have no other check, certainly congress
should supply the department of justice with
best legal talent in the defense Of these claims
and to pursue its vague search for evidence
effectively.