The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-12-16
The Sea1;ng Confereuces,

Reference is made to the recent confer
ences at Washington on the subject or the
protection of seal life. the result of which
places beyond controversy, 1t Is said, the
duty of the governments concern to adopt
measures without delay for the preservation
of the herds. Negotiations to this end are
now in progress.
international arbitration is declared by the
President to represent the best sentiment of
the civilized world and treaties embodyinS
these humane principles on broad nneS,
without in any way imperiling our interests
or honor. will have its constant encourage
ment.
A liberal appropriation is bespoken In Or
der that the United States may make
credtable exhibit at the approaching Paris
exposition, in which the people have SHOWN
an unprecedented interest.
Under the head of the navy, the President
| points to the necessity for speedy legislation
| TO procure armOr for the three battieshlps
now building which would be otherwise use
| less He speaks In terms of praise OF the
| quality Of our ships and thinks that the time
| has now arrived when the Increase to which
| the country Is committed should Tor time
| take the form of increased facilities com.
| mensurate with the Increase OF our naval
| vessels. He refers to the lack of docks and
urges that three or four of the largest docks
be provided Gu the Atlantic, at least one on
| the Pacific coast and floating dock. In the
| Gulf There should also be ample provision
| for munitions of war and an increase or
| officers and enlisted men. Additions are also
| necessary to navy yards and, as there are
| now on the stocks five large battleships, 1t
| Is recommended that an appropriation be
! made but for one more battleship on the
Pacific coast Several torpedo boats are also
necessary.
Legislation for Alaska.
| Attention Is called to the need for prompt
| legislation as to Alaska and the extension OF
| civil authority within the territory. Ihere
| is need for surveys and for the establishment
| Ct another land office at some point In the
Yukon valley, for which an appropriation Is
| asked Military force is also necessary ana
| the establishment of some flexible govern
ment. If the startling reports as to the PROB
able shortage Of food for the miners De iully
verified, every effort should be made at any
cost to carry them relief. go
| The message deals at some length Win Ihe
unsatisfactory condition of affairs In the IN
dian Territory. The large white element Is
| said to be without protection anu Wlt9out
! schools or other rights or cltlzens' ieauiiis
| Indians have absorbed great tracts or LANDS
and created an aristocrocy. and the friends
| of the Indians believe that the best interests
of the FIVE civilized tribes would be found
In American citizenship. Reference Is maze
to the failure so far OF the Dawes commls-
sion to secure the consent of the tribes to an
! extingulshment of the tribal titles and a
division of the lands. 1t Is said that should
the tribes still fail to ratify the agreement
tten some legislation should be had by Con-
gress.
| The President approves the recommended
ton of the Secretary of the Treasury for an
extension of the quarantine laws ana also
suggests the appointment of n special COM
mission to ascertain the cause OF yellow
| fever.
Speaking of the pending sale of the Kan
sas Pacific Railroad. 1t Is said that II no bet
ter bid is received than the upset price
fixed by the court, the government would re-
ceive only $500, 600 on its claim of nearly
$13. 100000. He believes that the govern.
ment has the authority to bid on the road and
has directed the Secretary of the Treasury to
make the deposit of 100000 required to
qualify as a bidder and to bid at the sale
:: sum at least equal to the principal of the
debt to the government. He suggests. how
ever. that in q matter so important as the
government becoming possible owner OF
the railroad Congress should enact some leg
isiation to define it, views. 1t is clear tC
him, however, that the government should
not permit the property to be sold at price
less than one-half the principal OF Its deb1