Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1874-12-10


Much has also been ACCOMPLISHED during
the year in aid of science and to increase the
sum of general knowledge and further the
interests of commerce and civilization Ex-
tensive and much needed soundings have
been made for photographic purposes, and
to fix the proper routes of ocean telegraphs
Further surveys Of the great isthmus have
been undertaken and completed, and two
vessels of the navy are now employed in con-
junction with those of England, France, Ger
many and Russia in observations connected
with the transit of Venus, useful and inter
esting to the scientific world
The estimates for this branch of the public
last year, the general support of the service
being somewhat less, and those for improve
ments at various stations rather larger than
the corresponding estimates made year ago.
The regular maintenance and a steady in
crease in the efficiency of this most important
arm, in proper ton to the growth of our
maritime intercourse and interests, is recon-
meDded to the attention of Congress.
The use of the navy drring peace might be
further utilized by direct authorization of
the employment of naval vessels in surveys
of the supposed navigable waters of other
nationalities on this continent. especially the
tributaries of tie two great rivers of South
America, the Orlnoco ard the Amazon. Moth
ing prevents, under existing laws, su CHI ex-
plorations, except that expenditures must be
made in such expeditions beyond those usually
provided for by the appropriations. The field
designated is unquestionably one of interest.
and one capable of large development of
commercial interests, advantageous to the
people reached, and 10 those who may estab-
lish relations with them
The education of the people entitled to ex-
ercise the right of franchise regard essential
to general prosperity everywhere and especi-
ally 20 in lepublics, where neither educ ition
nor previous condition enters into
account in giving suffrage. Next to
the public school, the Postcffice
is the great agent of education
over our vast territory. The rapidity
with which new sections are being settled.
increases the cost of carrying the mails in
more rapid ratio than heincrease of receipts
The report of the Postmaster-G eneral, here
with attached, shows that there was an in
crease of 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
port of the Postmaster-General gives inter
esting statistics of his department, and COM
pairing them with the corresponding statistics
of year ago, shows growth in every branch
of the department.
A postal convention has been concluded
with New South Wales, an exchange of postal
cards Established with Switzerland. and the
negotiations pending for several years past
with France have terminated in convention
with that country, which went into effect last
August
An International Postal Congress was con-
vened in Berne, Switzerland, in September last,
at which the United States was represented bv
an officer of the Postofice Department, of
much experience and of qualification for the
position. A convention for the establishment
of an International Postal Union was agreed
upon by the delegates of the countries
represented, subject to the approval of the
proper authorities of those countries
1 respectfully direct your attention to the
report of the Postmaster-General,a and to his
suggestions in regard to an equitable adjust
ment of the question Of compensation to rail-
roads for carrying the mails.
Your attention will be drawn to the unsettled
condition of affairs in some of the Southern
States. On the 18th of September last, the
Governor of Louisiana called upon me- a.
provided by the Constitution 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
ID. B. Penn, stating that he was elected Lieu
tenant Governor in 1872, and calling upon the
militia of the State to arm. assemble and
drive from power the usurpers, as he desig-
mated the officers of the State government.
On the next day l Issued my proclama-
ton commanding the insurgents to dispense
l,
and subsequently learned that on that day
they had taken forcible possession of the
State House. Troops were taken by me to
support the existing and recognized State
government, but before the expiration of the
five days the insurrectionary movement was
prsct ca1ly abandoned. and the officers of the
State government, with come minor excep-
tons, resumed their powers and duties. Con-
sideling that the present State administration
of Louisiana had been the only government
in that State for nearly two years; that it had
been tacitly acknowledged and acquiesced in
as such by Congress, and more than once ex-
pressly recognized by me, regarded it as my
clear duty, when legally called upon for that
purpose, to prevent it's overthrow by an
armed mob, under pretense of fraud and ir-
regularity in the election of 1872 l have
heretofore called the attention of Congress
to this subject. stating that on account of the
frauds and forgeries committed at said cleo
ton, and because it appears that the re urps
thereof were mover legally canvsssed, it was
impossible to tell thereby who were chosen !;
bur from the best sources of information at
my command 1 have always believed the
present State officers receive q maj ority of
the legal votes actually cast at that election.
repeat what l said in my special message Of
February -, 1878, that in the event Of no
action by Congress must continue to recog-
nize the government heretofore recognize ed
by ma.
regret to say that with the preparations
for the late election a decided indication APP
peared in some locations in the Southern
States of determination, by acts of violence
and intimidation, to deprive citizens of the
freedom of the ballot because of their politi-
cal opinions. Bands of men masked and
armed made their appearance White Leagues
and other societies were formed large guam
titles Of arms and ammunition were impoi ted
and distributed to these organizations mill
tary drills, with menacing demonstrations,
were held, and with all these murders enough
were committed to spread terror among those
whose political action was to be suppressed
if possible by these intolerant and criminal
proceedings. In some places colored laborers
were compelled to vote according to the
wishes of their employ els, 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 they made. 1 under
stand that the Fifteenth Amendment to
the Constitution was made to prevent this and
the like state of things, and the act of May
81, 1870, with the amendments, was passed to
enforce Its provisions, the object of this being
to guarantee to all citizens the right to vote
and TO protect them in the free enjoy nent of
that right enjoined by the Constitution, to
take care that the laws be faithfully executed:
and, convinced by undoubtcd evidence that
violations of said act had been committed,
and that widespread and fragrant disregard