Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-04

! eHtlEe change IN inc cOmpleSlop vi oui
currency affairs. | do not doubt that
the ultimate result of this action will be
NEST salutary and far-reaching. 1t Is
impossible to know, at this time, pre-
cisely what conditions will be brought
about by the change, or what, II any,
supplementary legislation may, IN the
light of such conditions. appear to be
essential or expedient. OF course, after
the recent financial perturbation, time
is necessary for the establishment OF
business confidence. When. however,
through this restored confidence the
money which has been frightened into
boarding places is returned to trade
and enterprise, survey of the situa-
ton will probably disclose safe path
leading to a permanently sound curren-
cy, abundantly sufficient to meet every
requirement of increasing population
and business.
In the pursuit of this object we should
resolutely turn away from allurlng and
temporary expedients, determined to
be content with nothing less than a
lasting and comprehensive financial
plan. In these circumstances l am
convinced that a reasonable delay in
dealing with this subject, instead OF be-
ing injurious, will increase the proba-
bilitv of wise action.
| desire to earnestly suggest the wis
dom of amending the existing statutes
in regard to the insurance OF govern
ment bonds. The authority now vest
ed in the Secretary of the Treasury to
issue bonds is not as clear as it should
be. and the bonds authorized are dis
advantageous to the government both
as to the time OF their maturity and
rate of interest.
The admonitions of the last two years
touching our public health and the de-
monstrated danger of the introduction
of contagious diseases from foreign
ports has invested the subject of ma
tional quarantine with increased inter
est. A more general and harmonious
system than now exists, acting prompt
ly and directly everywhere, and con-
stantly operating by preventive means
to shield our country from the invasion
of disease, and at the same time having
due regard to the rights and duties Of
local agencies, would, l believe, add
greatly to the safety Of our people.
The operation of wise laws and the
influences of civilization constantly
tending to relieve the country from the
dangers of Indian hostilities, lead to
the suggestion that the time is fast APP
preaching when there should be a re-
organization of our army. This change
contemplates neither increase in num-
Der nor added expense, but redistri-
button of the force and an encourage
ment Of measures tending to greater
efficiency among the men and improve
ment of the service.
The adoption of battalion formations
for infantry regiments, the strengthen
ing of the artillery force, the abandon
ment of smaller and unnecessary posts,
and the massing of the troops at i'm
portant and accessible stations, all
promise TO promote the usefulness of
the army. The operation of the law
forbidding the re-enlistment of men af-
ter ten years service has not proved
its wisdom, and the experience of the
!. year constrains me to join in the re-
commentator for its repeal.
The manufacture of heavy ordnance
keeps pace with current needs; but to
render these guns available for the pur-
) poses they are designed to meet, en-
placements must be prepared for them.
Progress has been made in this direc-
ton, and it is desirable that Congress
by adequate appropriations should pro-
vide for the uninterrupted prosecution
; of this necessary work
After much preliminary work and
exhaustive examination the board APP
pointed to select a 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 work of manufacture
is now in progress at the National
Armory at Springfield. 1t is confident
ly expected that by the end of the cur
rent year our infantry will be supplied
with weapon equal to that OF the
most progressive armies of the world.
The report of the Attorney General
} contains certain recommendations rs to
needed legislation on various subjects.
can not too heartily indorse the propo-
, sition that the fee system as appli-
cable to the compensation of United
States attorneys, marshals, clerks of
federal courts, and United States COM
misssioners, 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 transacted as the ends of
Justice will allow. The system is there
fore thoroughly vicious which makes
the compensation of court officials de-
pend upon the volume of such business,
and thus creates conflict between
proper execution of the law and private
gain, which can not fail TO be danger
Gus to the rights and freedom of the
citizen and an irresistible temptation to
the uDiustifable expenditure of public
funds. If in addition to this reform
another was inaugurated which would
give to United States commissioners
the final disposition of petty oaenses
within the grade of misdemeanors, es-
pecially those coming under the inter-
nal revenue laws, great advance
would be made toward more decent
administration Of the criminal law. l
also heartily join the Attorney General
in recommending legislation fixing de-
grees of the crime 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 sufficency of an Indictment
L T.