nts that may be made for reciprocal trade
may not be hindered by the inconvenience of making exchanges through
European money centers or burdened by the tribute which is an incident
of that method of business.

The bill for the relief of the Supreme Court has after many years of
discussion reached a position where final action is easily attainable,
and it is hoped that any differences of opinion may be so harmonized as
to save the essential features of this very important measure. In this
connection I earnestly renew my recommendation that the salaries of the
judges of the United States district courts be so readjusted that none
of them shall receive less than $5,000 per annum.

The subject of the unadjusted Spanish and Mexican land grants and the
urgent necessity for providing some commission or tribunal for the trial
of questions of title growing out of them were twice brought by me to
the attention of Congress at the last session. Bills have been reported
from the proper committees in both Houses upon the subject, and I very
earnestly hope that this Congress will put an end to the delay which
has attended the settlement of the disputes as to the title between the
settlers and the claimants under these grants. These disputes retard the
prosperity and disturb the peace of large and important communities.
The governor of New Mexico in his last report to the Secretary of the
Interior suggests some modifications of the provisions of the pending
bills relating to the small holdings of farm lands. I commend to your
attention the suggestions of the Secretary of the Interior upon this
subject.

The enactment of a national bankrupt law I still regard as very
desirable. The Constitution having given to Congress jurisdiction of
this subject, it should be exercised and uniform rules provided for the
administration of the affairs of insolvent debtors. The inconveniences
resulting from the occasional and temporary exercise of this power by
Congress and from the conflicting State codes of insolvency which come
into force intermediately should be removed by the enactment of a
simple, inexpensive, and permanent national bankrupt law.

I also renew my recommendation in favor of legislation affording just
copyright protection to foreign authors on a footing of reciprocal
advantage for our authors abroad.

It may still be possible for this Congress to inaugurate by suitable
legislation a movement looking to uniformity and increased