The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1893-12-07

OF course, after the
RECENT FINANCIAL PERTURBATION,
time is necessary for the re-establishment Of
business confidence When, however,
| through this restored confidence, the money
which has been frightened into boarding
places is returned 10 trade and enterprise, a
survey Of the situation will probably disclose
a safe path leading to permanently sound
currency abundantly.
We should resolutely turn away from all
Turing and temporary expedients, determined
to be content with nothing less than last
ing and comprehensive financial plan. In
| these circumstances, am convinced that a
reasonable delay in dealing with the subject,
instead OF being injurious will increase the
| probability Of wise action.
The authority now vested in the secretary
OF the treasury
TO ISSUE BONDS
is not as clear as it should be and the bonds
authorized are disadvantageous to the gov
ernment, both as to the time of their ma
turty and rate of interest The snperinten-
dent Of immigration, through the secretary
/ of the treasury, reports that during the last
fiscal year there arrived at our ports 44o,-
| 7e3 immigrants. The total arrivals were
,o34 less than for the previous year.
THE SECRETARY OF WAR
reports that the strength of the army on the
| goth day of September last, was 25,77S en-
listed men, and 2,I44 officers. The total
expenditures Of the department for the year
ending June 80, 1893 amounted TO $5r,-
| o66,o74. SO, Of this sum $3.50, ,5SI.os was for
| salaries and contingent expenses, Sz3,377,-
S2S. IS for the support of the military estab-
lishment, p6.o77,o33.IS for miscellaneous
objects and 500 SIS, 63I Al for public works.
This latter sum included $I5, z96, 5000 for
river and harbor improvements and $3.
200, ,I4I.2 20 for Notifications and other works
Of defense.
The total enrolment of the militia Of the
several states was. on the 3Ist Of October of
the current year, 1857 officers and en-
listed men.
! should be re- organization of our army on
| the lines Of the present necessities of the
country.
It is gratifying TO note that we have be-
| gun to attain completed results in the COM
prehensiye scheme of
sEA-coAsT DEFENSE
and fortihcation, entered upon eight years
ago.
THE REPORT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
contains the usual summary Of the affairs
and proceedings of the department of justice
for the past year, together with certain rec
concentrations as to needed legislation on
various subjects. | cannot too heartily
ndorse the proposition that
THE FEE SYSTEM
as applicable to the compensation OF United
States attorneys, marshals, clerks Of federal
courts and United States commissioners,
should be abolished with as little delay as
possible. 1t is clearly in the interest of the
community that the business Of the courts,
both civil and criminal, shall be as small and
as inexpensively conducted as the ends OF
Justice win allow.
The system is therefore thoroughly vicious
which makes the compensation of court
officials depend upon the volume OF such
business and thus creates a conflict between
proper execution OF the law and private
gain, which cannot fail to be dangerous to
the rights and freedom of the citizen and an
Irresponsible temptation to the unjustifable
expenditure OF public funds. II in addition
to this reform another was inaugurated which
would give 10 United States commissioners
the final disposition OF
PETTY OFFENCES
within the grade OF misdemeanors, especially
those coming under the internal revenue
laws. great advance would be made towards
more decent administration OF the criminal
law.
The expense Of the United States courts
exclusive Of judges salaries for the year
ending July /, 1855, was $2,S74,733.II and
for the year ending July I, 1893, So 52S.-
R-6 IL fc fb.refprA MT that the
reasons given in 1855 for change in the
manner OF enforcing the federal criminal law
have gained cogency and strength by lapse
OF time.
also heartily join the attorney general
in recommending legislation
FIXING DEGREES OF MURDER
within federal jurisdiction, as has been done
in many OF the states, authorizing writs of
error on behalf of the government in cases
where final judgment is rendered against the
suf6ciency OF an indictment or against the
government upon any other question arising
before actual trial; limiting the right Of re-
view in case Of felony, punishable only by
fine and Imprisonment 10 the circuit court of
appeals, and making speedy provision for
the construction Of such prisons and refor-
matories as may be necessary for the con-
hnement Of United States convicts.
THE REPORT OF THE PosTMAsTER- GENERAL
contains detailed statement Of the opera
tions Of the postoffice department during the
last fiscal year, and much interesting infor-
nation touching this important branch OF the
public service. The business OF the mails
indicate with absolute certainty the condition
OF the business Of the conntry and depression
in financial affairs inevitably and quickly re-
duces the postal revenues. Therefore
A LARGER DISCREPANCY
than usual between the postofice receipts
and expenditures is the expected and un-
ayoidable result OF the distressing stringency
which has prevailed throughout the country
during much Of the time covered by the
postmaster generals report.
AT date when better times were antici-
pated, it was estimated by his predecessor
that the deficiency on the goth day OF June,
1893, would be but a little over million
and half dollars. 1t amounted, however,
to more than FIVE millions. At the same
time, and under the influence OF like aniie
pations, estimates were made for the cur
rent fiscal year ending June 80, 1894, which
exhibited a surplus Of revenue over expen-
ditures Of $S72, ASH; but now, in view Of
the actual receipts and expenditures during
that part Of the current fiscal year already
expired, the present general es-
Inmates that at its close, instead Of a surplus,
there will be deficiency Of nearly $1,000,
| 600.
The postofhce receipts for the last fiscal
year amounted to SIS. So6,o33.4 and its
expenditures to SST, T,o74, Io4.9o. This post
Office deficiency would disappear or be inn
meusely decreased if less matter was carried
free through the nails an item Of which, is
upward Of three hundred tons Of seeds and
grain from the Agricultural Department
1 The total number OF postotfices in the United
States on the goth day Of June, IS93 was
/ 6S S,4os, an increase Of 1884 over the preced-
| ing year. OF these, $500 were presidential,
an increase in that class Of 2o4 over the pre-
\ ceding. II appears that the total issue OF
[ ,,,one,, oyderc and ,,nsfal notes for the wear