The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-12-08

Germany and Russia, in observation
connected with the transit of Venus, g
useful and interesting to the scientifi
world. The estimates for this branch O
the public service, do not differ material
ly from those of last year, those for tn
general support of the service beint
somewhat less, and those for permanen
Improvements at the various stations
rather larger than the corresponding es
innate made year ago; regular mainten
ance and a steady increase in the efficien
| cy of this most important arm in proper
ton to the growth of our maritime inter
ests and intercourse is recommended to TIT
| attention of Congress. The use Of the
navy in time Of peace mi ght be further
utilized by direct authorization of the
employment Of naval vessels in explora
tions and surveys Of supposed navigablt
waters of other Dationalities on this con.
tinent, especially the tributaries of the
two great rivers of South America, the
Oronoco and the Amazon. Nothing
prevents, under existing laws, such ex,
ploration, except that expenditures must
be made in such expeditions beyond
those usually provided for in the appro,
priations. The field designated is Tn
questionably one of interest and one
capable Of large developments OF
commercial interests advantageous
to the people reached and to
those who may establish relations with
them.
Education Of Negroes.
The education of the people entitled
to exercise the right Of franchise, 1
regard as essential to general prosperity
everywhere, and especially so in repub-
lies where both education and previous
condition does not enter into account in
giving suffrage. Next to the public school
the postoffice is the great agent Of educa-
ton over our vast territory. The rapidity
with which new sections are being settled,
thus increasing the carrying mails in Il
more rapid ratio than the increase of re-
ccipts, is not alarming. The report of the
postmaster general, herewith attached,
shows that there was an increase of reve-
nue. in this department in 1873, over the
previous year of Sl,674,4ll, an in
crease of the cost of carrying the mails
by paying employees, of S304, LAG, S9l
Report OfPostnaster General.
The report of the Postmaster General
gives some interesting statistics of his
Department, and compare them with the
corresponding statistics of n year ago,
will show growth in every branch of
the Department.
A postal convention has been conclud-
cd with New South Wales. An exchange
of postal cards established with Switzcr-
land, and the negotiation pending for
several years past with France, have ter
minated in Il convention with that cOun-
try, which went into effect last August.
An International Postal Congress was
convened in Bcrnc, Switzerland in Sep
TENDER last, at which the United States
was represented By an officer OF the
Postotiicc Department of much eXpcr-
fence, and Of qualification for the
position. \ convention for the cstab-
liShmcnt Of an international postal union
was agreed upon and signed by the dele
gates ofthc countries represented, subject
to the approval ofthc proper authorities
of those countries. | respectfully direct
your attention to the report of the Post
and TO lis suggestions in
regard to an equitable adjustment ofthc
question of compensation to railroads for
carrying the mails.
Affairs in tho Southern STATES.
Your attention will be drawn to the
unsettled condition Of affairs in some of
the Southern States On the 18th of Set
TENDER last the Governor of Louisiana
C llled upon me, aspv Dldcd by the Con-
stitution and laws oftne United States, to
aid in suppressing domestic violence in
hat State. This call was made in view
of a proclamation issued on that day by
ID. b. Penn, claiming that he was elected
Lieutenant Governor in 1872, and calling
upon the militia of the State to to arm,
assemble and drive from power the
usurpers, rs he designated the officers of
the State government. On the next
day issued my proclamation command
ing the insurgents TO dispense within five
DAYS from the date thereof, and subSc-
luently learned that on that day they
had taken forcible possession of the State
House. Steps were taken by me to sup
port the existing and recognized State
but before the expiration Of
the five days the insurrect!onary move
ment was practically abandoned, and the
officers of the State government, with
some minor exceptions, resumed tnelr
powers and duties.
Considering that the present State adj
of Louisiana has been the
,nlv government in that State for nearly
,wo wears that it has been acknowledged
and acquicsccd in rs such by Congress,
and more than ever express y recognized
~ me. | regarded it rs my clear duty
when legally called upon for that pur-
pose, to prevent its overthrow by an
armed mob under the prctence Of fraud
md lrregularity in the election Of 49,.
have heretofore called the attention
If Congress to this subject, stating that
IN account OF the frauds and fOrgerlcs
committed at said election, and because
[ appears that the returns thereof were
Die 90 tell thereby who were chosen. but
rom the best sources of information
Il nv command | have always believed
hat the present State officer received
majority of the legal votes actually cast
At that election. | repeat what | said in
my special message of February %, 1873,
hat in the event of no action ot Congress
must continue To recognize the govern
nrnt heretofore recognized by me.
regret to say that with the preparations
Tor the late election decided indications
appeared in some localities in the South.
.rn States of determination by acts of
violence and intimidation, to deprive the
citizens of the freedom of the ballot !
because of their political opinions;
bands of men masked and armed
made their appearance; White Leagues
and other societies were formed; large
quantities of arms and ammunition were
.mported and distributed to these or