The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-06

DISCUSS measures OF protection against
contagious diseases in international con-
ference with a view of adopting means
of mutual assistance.
The creation of such a national booI+b
establishment would greatly aid our stand
ing IN such conference and improve orr
opportunities to avail ourselves of +ba;r
Dement'S: earnestly recommend tha
auguratlon of national board of baalth
or similar national institution, firmly he
lieVlng the same to be a needed precan-
ton against contagious diseases and in the
interests OF the safety and health of orr
people. ~ 'ur
LABOR COMMISSIONERS RE-
PORT.
By virtue of q statute of the JTn;to5
States passed in 1888 I appointed in
July last. Hon. John D. Jernan of tho
state of New York and Hon. Nichols r.
Worthington OF the state of Illinois to
form with the Hon. Carol d, Wright
commissioner of labor, who were des;e'
mated by said statute commission for
the purpose of making careful INQUIRY in.
to the causes of the controversies no
tween certain railroads and their en-
ployes which had resulted in an eI-
tensiye and destructive strike, accom-.
panied by much violence and dangerous
disturbance with considerable loss of
The report of the commissioners has
been submitted to me and will be trans.
mitted to congress with the evidence
taken upon their investigation. Their,
work has been well done and their stand
ing and their intelligence gives assurance
that the report and suggestions thew
make are worthy of careful consdera-
ton.
THE TARIFF.
The tariff Drt noSSad of +bo lo.4
sion OF congress needs important amend
ments if it is executed effectively and
with certainty. In addition to such ne
cesSary amendments as will not change
rates of duty L am in favor of putting
coal and iron on the free list
SO far as sugar schedule is concerned
]. would be glad under existing aggrava-
tons to see every particular of differ
entail duty III favor of refined sugar ,
stricken out of our tariff laws. If. with
the favor now extended sugar refining
III our tariff laws still Ian
cuisines to the extent to close refineries 4
and cause thousands of discharged work I
men, it would seem to present hopeless
case for reasonable legislative aid
Whatever else is done or omitted. 1
repeat here the recommenda-
ton | have made in another portion of
this communication that the additional
duty of Ito of a cent per pound laid on
sugar imported from countries paying
Il bounty on its export be abrogated.
1t seems to me that exceedingly i'm
portant consideration point to the pro-
priety of this amendment.
With the advent of a new tariff policy,
not only contemplated to relieve the con-
sumers of our land in the cost of their
daily life, but to invite better develop
ment of American thrift and create for
us closer and more profitable commercial
with the rest of the world, it
follows as logical and imperative neces-
sity that we should at once remove the
chief, if not the only obstacle which has
so long prevented our participation in the
foreign carrying trade of the sea. A tar
if built upon the theory that it is well to
check imports and that home market
should bound the industry and the effort
of American producers was fifty supple
by refusal to allow an Ameri-
can registry to vessels built abroad
though owned and navigated by our own
people, thus exhibiting a willingness to
abandon all contest for the advantages
Of American trans-oceanic carriage Our
new tariff policy, built upon the theory
that it is well to encourage such importa
tons as our people need and that our pro-
iucts and manufacturers should find mar
kets in every part of the habitable globe,
10 cupplCllChLcu Ny Tic SlCdl-
est possible liberty to our citizens in the
ownership and navigation of ships in
which our products and manufactures.
may be transported. The millions now
paid to foreigners for carrying American
and products across the sea
should be turned into American hands.
Ship building, which has been protected
% strangulation, should be revived by \
he prospect of profitable employment of \
TrYhn hull hA
)r should be resurrected and again take
lis place-a sturdy and Industrious cit
zen in time of peace and a patriotic and
safe defender of American interests in
he day of conflict.
The ancient provision of our law deny
ing American registry to ships built
abroad and manned by Americans shows
n the light of present conditions not only
to be failure for good at every point
but to be nearer a relic of barbarism Y
than anything existing under the per-
mission of the statutes of the United
States. | earnestly recommend its
prompt repeal. j.
THE BOND ISSUE. 4
During the last month the gold reserve.
in the treasury for the purpose of redeem
ing the notes of the government circulat-
ing as money in the hands of the people
became so reduced and its further ieple-
hon III the near future seemed so Ger.
rain that in the exercise of proper care.
for the public welfare it became necessa-
~ to replenish this reserve and thus
maintain popular faith in the ability and
determination of the government to meet
as agreed its pecuniary obligations.
1t would have been well if in this emer-
gency authority had existed to issue the
bonds of the government bearing a low
rate OF interest and maturing within
special PERIOD but congress having failed
to confer such authority resort was nee
essarily had to the resumption act Of
1919, and pursuant to its provision bonds
issued drawing interest at rate of ; per
cent per annum and maturing 10 years
after their issue, that being the shortest
term authorized by the act / am glad to
say, however, that on the sale of these
bonds the premium received operated 10
reduce the rate of interest to be paid by
the government to less than 3 per cent.
Nothing could be worse or further re-
moved from sensible finance than the re-
!atlons existing between the currency.
The government has issued the gold held
Tor Its redemption and the means which
must be resOrted to for the purpose of re-
plenishing such redemption fund when
even if the claims upon this
fund were confined to the obligations
intended, and if the REDEMPTION
)t these obligations meant tbair oopool