The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1871-12-14

a Y, DECEMBER Il,
it. This is due TO the policy which has been.
adopted and is being extended. as far as Our
material will admit, of using smaller vessels
as c1 c1uisers on the several stations. By this
means we have been enabled to occupy at
once larger extent Of cruising ground to
visit more frequently the ports where the
presence of our flag is desirable. and gem
orally to discharge more efficiently the appro-
pirate duties Of the navy in time OF peace,
without exceeding the number of men or the
expenditures authorized by law. During the
past year the navy has, in addition 70 its reg
tular service, supplied the men and officers for
the vessels of the coast survey, and has com
pleted the survey, authorized By Congress, of
the Isthmus Of Darien and rehauntepec, and
sent out an expedition, completely furnished
and equipped; I'd explore the unkeoW WT ocean
lof the North. The suggestion Of thesr
AZ to the necessity for increasing andsIn
proving the material Of the navy, and the
plan recommended for red 6Tng slie Service
| TO standard, by the gradual abolition vf
certain grades Of officers; the reduction of
OF others, and the. employment of some in
the service Of the commercial marine, are all
considered and deserve the thoughtful atten-
| ton of Congress:
also recommend that profnotions III the
navy, above the rank OF Captain, be made by
selection instead Of by seniority. This
course will secure In the higher grades greater
efficiency, and hold out an incentive to young
officers to improve themselves in the knowl-
edge Of their profession. The present cost
of maintaining the navy, its cost compared
with that of the preceding year and tile esti-
mates for the ensuing year are contained in
the accompanying report of Che Secretary Of
| the Navy.
POST oFFIGE DEPARTMENT. ~
Tho enlarged receipts of the Post Office
| Department, as shown by tine accompanying
report of the Postmaster General, exhibits a
| gratifying increase In that branch of the pub
| lie service. It il the index Of the growth of
education, and the prosperity Of the people,
| two elements highly conducive to the power
of Republics. With vast territory like ours,
much of it sparsely populated, but all parts
| requiring the service of the mail, it is not at
present to be expected that this Department
| can be made selfsustaining; but gradual
approach to this end, from year to year, is
confidently relied on, and the day is not far
distant when the Post Office Department OF
the Government will prove much greater
blessing to the people than it is now. The
suggestions of the Postmaster General for
| improvements in the Department presided
over by him, are earnestly recommended to
| your special attention; especially the doctl-
ments favorable to the consideration of the
plan for uniting the telegraph system of the
United States with the postal system. It is
believed that by such course the cos. Of tel
egraphing could be much reduced and the
service as we'll, If not better, rendered. 1t
would secure the further advantage by ex-
tending the telegraph through portions OF
the country where private enterprise will not
construct it. Commerce, trade, and above ali
the efforts to bring a people widely sepa-
i
/ ways benefited by rapid intercommunica-
ton. Education, the groundwork of repub-
lican institutions is encouraged by increasing
the facilities, together with speedy news from
all parts of the country. The desire to reap
the benefits of such improvements will stin-
ulate education. I refer you to the report Of
the Postmaster General for full details of the
/ operations of last year, and for comparative
statements of the results with former years.
/ THE TWIN RELIC.
| In Utah there still remains remnant OF
barbarism repugnant to civilization, decency,
and to the laws Of the United States. Terri
torial officers, however, have been found, who
are willing toperforIn their duty in q spirit Of
equity, and with a due sense of sustaining
the majesty of the law. Neither polygamy
nor any other violation of the existing stat
utes will be permitted within the territory Of
the United States. It is not with the religion
of the self-styled saints that we are now deal
/ ing, but their practices. They will be pro-
tected iii the worship OF God according to
to the dictates of their conseiences, but they
will not be permitted to violate laws under
the cloak of religion. Il might be advisable
for Congress to consider what. III the execu-
tion Of laws against poly samy, is to be the
status Of plural wives and their offspring
| The propriety Of Congress passing an en-
abling act, authorizing the Territorial Legis-
lature of Utah to legitimize all born prior to
a time fixed lii an act, might be justified by
its humanity to these innocent children
This is a suggestion only, and not q recon-
mendation.
i INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The policy pursued towards the Indians has
resulted fayorably, SO far as can be judged
from the limited time during which it has
been in operation through the tribes, by the
various societies of Christians to whom has
been entrusted the execution Of the policy
and the Board of Commissioners, authorized
| by the law of April 10, 1863. Many tribes
i of Indians have been induced to settle upon
reservations !; to cultivate the soil, and per
form productive labor of various kinds, and
to partially accept civilization. They are be-
4 ing cared for IN such way, il is hoped, as to
4 induce those still pursuing their old habits q
life to embrace the only opportunity which i
left them to avoid DETERMINATION. recon-
4 mend liberal appropriations to carry out the
Indian peace policy, not only because I'll