Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-12-07


OF course, after the recent financial per-
turbation, time is necessary for the rees-
tablishment 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 safe path leading to a |
sound currency abundantly |
sufficient to meet every requrement-of our
Increasing population and business. In |
the pursuit of this object we should reso- |
lutely turn away from alluring and tenn |
porary expedients, determined to be con
tent with nothing less than q hsting and |
financial plan. In these |
am convinced that reas- |
enable delay in dealing with this subject |
instead of being injurious will increase the |
probability of wise action.
The Monetary Conference
which assembled at Brussels upon our in
vitation was adjourned on the 30th day Of
November, IL the present year.
The considerations just stated and the
fact that definite proposition from us
seemed to be expected from us upon the re-
assembling of the conference, led us to ex-
press willingness to have the meeting
still further postponed.
II seems to me that it would be wise to
give general authority to the president to
invite other nations to such conference at
any time. when there should be fair pros
pect of accomplishing an international
agreement on the subject OF coinage.
desire also to earnestly suggest the wis
dom of amending the existing statutes in
regard to the issuance of government bonds.
The authority now vested in the secretary
of treasury to issue bonds is not as clear as
it should be, and the bonds authorized are
disadvantageous to the government both
th,1 . a ov.A 20 IF
interest
The superintendent Of immigration,
through the secretary of the treasury, re-
ports that during the last fiscal year there
arrived ut our ports 440,793 immigrants
Of these 1,063 were not permitted to land
under the limitations of the law, and ST.
were returned to the countries from whence
they came by reason OF their having be
come public charges The total arrivals
were Ill ,034 less than for the previous year.
S% War.
The secretary of war reports that the
strength of the army on the 30th day OF
September last was 25 773 enlisted men and
q IA officers.
The total expenditures OF the department
for the year ending June 80. 1893, amounted
to $51, ,966, ,074. 50. OF this sum 81 1892 5S1. .95
was for salaries and contingent expenses,
$23, ,377, ,S2S. 35 for the support of the mill
tary establishment, SCOT ,OS3 Is for miscel-
laneous objects and $40, SIS, $751; Al for public
works. This latter sum includes SIS, ,296,-
.46 for river and harbor improvements,
and 50 266, 141 20 for Notifications and other
works of defense
The total enrolment of the militia of the
several states was on the 31st Of October
of the current year, 112,537 officers and en-
listed men. The officers of the army de-
called for the inspection and instruction Of
4. =
that increased interest and marked prog
ress are apparent in the discipline and
efficiency of the Organization.
| Neither Indian outbreaks nor domestic
violence have called the army into service
| during the year and the only active mill
tary duty required of it has been in the de
partment of Texas, whefe violations OF the
| neutrality laws Of the United States and
Mexico were promptly and efficiently dealt
proval of the civil and military authorities
OF both countries.
1t is gratifying to note that we have be
gun to attain completed results in the COM
prehensive scheme of sea coast defense and
fortification, entered upon eight years ago.
| A large sum has been already expended
! but the cost of maintenance will be incon.
siderable as compared with the expense OF
construction and ordnance.
The manufacture Of heavy ordnance
keeps pace with the current needs, but to
render these guns available for the pur
poses they are designed to meet, emplace
ments must be prepared for them. Pro
gress has been made in this direction, and
it is desirable that congress, by adequate
appropriations, should provide for the un
interrupted prosecution Of this necessary
work
After much preliminary work and exam
lnaton III accordance with the require
meiits of the law, the board appointed tC
select magazine rifle Of modern type with
which to replace the obsolete Springfield
rifle of the infantry service completed its
labors during the last year, and the worl
of manufacture is now in progress at The
national armory at Springfield. 1t is con
1idently expected that by the end Of til,
current year our infantry will be supplied
with weapon equal to that of the mos
progressive armies of the world.
The work on the projected ChickamaugG
and Chattanooga National Military parh
has been prosecuted with zeal and judg
ment, and its opening will be celebrated
during the coming year.
The reports OF the Military academy a.
West Point aud the special schools fo
special instruction Of officers show marked
advance in the education OF the army anC
commendable ambition among its officer!
to excel in the military profession and *
fit themselves for the highest service to the
country.
The Report OF the Attorney General
contains the usual summary of the affair;
and proceedings OF the department Of JUS
tlce 1or the past year, together with Ger
tain recommendations as to needed legisla
ton on various subjects. | can not tot
heartily lndorse the proposition that tn,
fee system as applicable TO the compensa
ton OF United States attorneys, marshals
clerk OF federal courts and United States
commissioners, should be abolished witt
as little delay Us possible.
The report of the postmaster genera
contains d detailed statement of the opera
tions Of the postofiice department during
the last fiscal year and much interesting
information touching this important
branch of the public service.
The business of the mails indicate witt
absolute certainty the condition of the bus
mess OF the country, and depression ir
financial affairs inevitably and quickly re
duces the postal revenue. Therefore
larger discrepancy than usual between the
postoffice receipts and expenditures is thu
expected and unavoidable result of the dis
tressing stringency which has prevailed
throughout the country during much O.
the time covered by the postmaster gener
al's report. There was deficiency las
year of nearly $S0J0,000.
The total number of postoffices in thu
United States on the 30th day of June, 1898
was 6S, 403, an increase of 1884 over the pre-
ceding year. OF these $3.50 were presi
dental, an increase in that class Of 204 ovel
the preceding year.
The report Of the secretary Of the navy
contains u history of the operations of hi,
department during the past year. and ex
hibits a most gratifying condition of The
personnel of our navy. He presents salts
factory account of the progress which ha.
been made in the construction of vessels
and makes a number of recommendation:
to which attention is especially invited.
Progress in the construction of new yes
sells has not been as rapid as was antici
pated. There have been delays in the com
pletion Of unarmored vessels, but for the
most part they have been such as are con
stantly occurring even in countries having
the largest experience in naval ship build
ing. The most serious delays, however
have been in the work unon arrnorad shine