Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-12-16
SURVEYS AND OBSERVATIONS

| taken and COM lcted and two vessels of the
navy are now elnpt yed, in conjunction with
those OF EDglahQ. france, Germany and Russia,
IN observations connected with the transit of
Venus, useful and interesting to the scientific
world. The estimates for this branch of nuh.
nc service do not differ materially from those
! OIL last year, the general support of the SER
vice being somewhat less, and thus far i'm
provements at the various stations rather
| larger than the corresponding estimate made
| year ago. The regular maintenance and
steady Increase in the efficiency of this most
| important arm, LII proportion to the growth of
| our maritime intercourse and interests. ia rec
commended to the attention of Congress. The
use OF the navy during peace might be further
utilized by a direct authorization of the ON
/ ployment Of naval vessels in SURVEYS of the
supposed navigable waters of other national
tiles on this continent, especially the tributa-
res OF the two great rivers of South America
the Orinoco and the Amazon. Nothing pre-
vents, under existing laws such explorations
except that expenditures must be made for
such expeditions beyond those usually provid-
ed for by the appropriations The field desig-
mated IS PROFESSIONALLY one Of interest and
one capable of large development of CONNER
clal interests, advantageous to the people
reached, and to those who may establish rela
tons with them.
THE PosTOFFICE DEPARTMENT
The education of the people entitled to ex-
ercise the right of franchise I regard as essen
tlal to the general prosperity everywhere, and
especially so In republics, where both education
ana previous condition do not enter into &C
count IN giving suffrage. Next to the public
school, the postofice is the great agent of edu-
cation over our vast territory. The rapiditv with
which new sections are being settled thus in
creaslng the carrying of the mails in more
rapid ratio than the increase of receipts, is not
| alarming. The report of the Postmaster GEN
herewith attached hot tboro
an increase in revenue in this department in
1873 over the previous year Of 81, 674, ALL and
an increase OF the cost of carrying the mails
and paying the employees Of $3,041,-
476.91. The report of the Postmaster
General gives interesting statistics of his
department, and compares them with the cor
responding statistics Of year ago, showing
growth III every branch Of the department A
postal convention has been concluded with
New South Wales, an exchange of postal
cards established with Switzerland, and nego-
tlatlOns, pending for several years past with
France have terminated in a treaty with that
country which went into effect last August. An
international postal congress convened in
Berne, Switzerland, in September last, in which
the United States was represented by an officer
of the Post Office Department Of much expe-
rience and of qualification for the position A
convention for the establishment of an inter-
national postal union agreed upon by the
delegates OF the countries represented, sub
ject to the approval of the proper authorities
Of those countries. i}s8 ~ a9f Ft.1t-
1 respectfully direct your attention to the
report OF the POstmaster-G General and his sug-
gestions in regard to an equitable adjustment
OF the question of compensation to railroads
for carrying the mails.
'At THE oUTHERN TROUBLES AI.yI-r i.
Your attention will be drawn to the unset
tied condition of the Southern States. On the
18th of September last the Governor of Louis
lana called upon me; as provided by the Con-
stitution and laws Of the United States, to aid
in suppressing domestic violence in that State
This call WAS made in view Of a proclamation
issued on that day, by D. C. PENN stating that
he was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1872,
and calling upon the militia Of the State to
arm, assemble and drive from power the usurp-
ers, as he designated the officers of the State
government. On the day issued my procla-
nation [ commanded the insurgents to dis
perse within five days from the date. thereof,
and subsequently learned that on that day thew
had taken forcible possession of the State
House. Steps were taken by me to support
the existing and recognized state government.
but before the expiration of the five DAYS the
lnsurrectlonaryg movement was practically
abandoned, and the officers of the state gov
eminent, with some minor EXCEPTIONS resumed
their powers and duties. Considering that the
present administration of Louisiana has been
the only government in that state for nearly
edged and acquiesced in as such by Congress,
and more than once expressly recognized by
me, regarded it as my clear duty when legal
~ called upon for that purpose, to prevent it's
overthrow by an armed mob, under pretence
of fraud and irregularity in the election of
1872. "3E-
I have heretofore called the attention of
Congress to this subject, stating that on oc-
count of frauds and forgeries committed at
said election, and because it appears that the
-etyl- rs thereof were never lie lily canvassed,
it " impossible to tel ttiereby who we're
chosen. But fl en- the est sources of infor-
nation at my command have always believed
the present state officers received majority
of the legal votes actually cast at that election.
| repeat what [ said In my special message of
February 18th, 1878. that in the event of no &C
ton by Congress, must continue to recognize
the government heretofore recognized by me.
regret to say that with the preparations
for the late election decided indications ap-
peared in some localities in the southern states
OF determination, by acts of malice and in
to deprive citizens of the freedom
of the ballot because of their political opin-
ions. Bands of men masked and armed, made
their appearance, white leagues and other So
cletles were formed, large quantities of arms
and ammunition were imported and distribute
ed to these organizations, military drills with
demonstrations he'd, and with all
these, murders enough were committed to
spread terror among those whose political &C
ton was to be suppressed, if possible. By
these intolerant and criminal proceedings in
some places, colorcd laborers were compelled
to vote according to the wishes of their en-
ployers under threats of discharge if they acted
otherwise: and there are too many instances
in which, when these threats were disregarded,
they were remorselessly executed by those by
whom made.
I understand that the Fifteenth Amendment
to the Constitution was made to prevent this
and like state of things, and the act of May
31st, 1870, was passed to enforce its provisions,
the object of this being to guarantee to all
citizens the ight to vote and to protect them
in the free enjoyment of that right. Enjoined
by the Constitution to take care that the laws
be faithfully executed and convinced by I'M
doubted evidence that violations of said act
had been committed, and that widespread
and fragrant disregard of it was contemplated,
the proper officers were instructed to
pros ecute the offenders, and troops
were stationed at convenient points
to aid those officers, If necessary,
in the performance of their official duties.
Complaints are made of this interference by
federal authority, but if said amendment and >
act do not provide for such interference, under
the circumstances as above stated, then they
are without meaning, force or effect, and the
,uboJa scheme of cOlored acknowledgements 10