The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-05

vides subsidies for certain American steamship
lines and also the cost of transporting the ordinary
foreign mails. These are all indispensable, and must
be paid II the laws authorizing them are TO be duly
complied with. It may be remarked. however,
Mr.. Cresweh continues that the increase OF
$685. 900 IN the subsidy for the Pacific mail VIII net
probably be needed, owing to the inability OF the
company to comply with tine law under which the
contract for semi-monthly service was provided
for. In conclusion the Postmaster General OBJ
serves that the estimates submitted will be In
adequate to due performance OF the work OF the
department. for the year 1875 without the enforce
ment OF a rigid system OF economy Should Con-
gress however. reduce still further the appropria
ton, and thereby compel a denial OF reasonable
and proper postal facilities, the department. will,
Mr.. Creswell says. cneerfully cooperate and
accept the amount OF the several appropriations
as the measure OF its expenditures.
Esttma ties OF tho Light House Board Re-
duced One Million.
The estimates OF the Light House Board have
been cut down about 81, oo0 900, leaving them one
half the sum submitted at the beginning OF the
session.
In Favor OF Liberal Improvement Of
Harbors and Rivers.
The Senate Committee on Transportation re-
on their Southern tour Atlanta. MOBILE and New
Orleans. The committee are almost unanimous in
recommending an appropriation for the improve
ment of the mouth OF the Mississippi River. The
Southern and Western members OF Congress who
have returned say that the demand for an increase
OF circulation Is imperative, while any curtailment
in appropriations for the Improvement Of rivers
and harbors Will be blow to the republican party.
Alexander HI. stephens Views ON the Civil
Rights Question.
According to programme, the Civil Rights bill
will be the first thing alter the morning hour In
the House OF Representatives and Mr.. Stephens
OF Georgia, is to open the debate. In order 10
guard against any mistake or Misrepresentation
Of his views, Mr.. Stephens has, Tor the twenty
second time in his life, prepared written
speech. In This address Mr.. stephens states,
arst, the grounds upon which he does not oppose
the bill; and, next, some OF those upon which he
does oppose it. In this order OF division he de-
cares, first, that he is not opposed to the bill be-
cause OF any dissemination to have awarded to the
colored race the full enjoyment OF all their civil
rights. He is not opposed to the colored race hav
ing the ampest justice done them as equals
before the law. Second his opposition springs
from no prejudice against race, color or pre-
vious condition OF servitude. He is for
equal justice to all. Third, in the administration
OF justice, which he maintains to be the real source
Of peace harmony in all societies States govern
meuts, In his opinion, should not be Influenced by
the common yet pernicious dogma of the greatest
good to the greatest number" but the higher,
better rule of the greatest good to all
without detriment or injury to any. In
stating his reasons affirmatively for opposing
the bIl according to his method OF treating 1t,
Mr.. Stephens assigns but two. First, the want Of
rOu cfff u,io IN IN hio booA
Mr.. Stephens goes into full discussion or the
powers conferred by the new articles OF the
amendment OF the constitution as they stood, and
without any inquiry as to how they be-
came Incorporated into the organic law.
He quotes largely from decision OF
the Supreme Court OF the United States
delivered at its last term known as the slaughter
House cases." and also from another decision
afterwards made by the same Court at the same
term, which, he maintains, fully sustains him on
the constitutional question. The fourteenth and
fifteenth amendments, so far as they relate to the
subject under consideration, he contends, are
only protection against State legislation,
and confer no new powers upon Congress-
The rights secured to the colored race are
to be enforced In the same way that the rights
secured to that race, well the white race under
other like prohibitions IN the constitution before
ncipal acts OF Congress operating over the people
OF the several States but by the judgment of ali
courts declaring that all such hostile State legsla
rion is null and of erect. Secondly, Mr.. Stephens
opposes the bill upon the ground Of expediency;
even II there was any necessity for the passage Of
any such measure, it should be left to the State
Legislature. On this point he maintains that the
powers claimed by the BILL even If vested in Con-
gress had better be left to the States view OF the
whole nature, spirit and history Of our govern
ment II there is any truth more prominent
than all Others in that history it is the fact
that the germinal principle OF all our free
institutions was the great right OF local self.
government by the States. The great issue Of
constitutionalism on the one side and centrasm
on the other must soon be met IN this country.
The Dawn Of new epoch In the politics OF the
United States is upon us. The elements Of present
party organizations will soon fall into new align
ment or this issue Mr.. Stephens maintains that
whatever party, by whatever name, whether re-
publican, democratic or any other which shall
plant itself on the old Jerersonian creed, WILL at
no distant day, win as signal q triumph as the
same party did in 1890.
The Indian Tribes and Condition OF the
Indians-Report and Proportions Of
the Special Commission.
Major Powell and Mr.. G. W. ingalls,, who were
selected last spring TO visit the Indian tribes IN
Nevada, Utah. Southern Idaho, Nort1ern Arizona
and Southeastern California nave completed their
labors ana are now at work upon their report,
which they expect TO have ready in about q week.
1t will be accompanied by maps Of some Of the
localities visited, and will contain great amount
OF information the subject which viii be entirely
new.
The party started from Salt Lake City in April,
and pursued their Investigations until late in
November. An actual census Of the Indians was
taken, and where heretofore sc, 900 had been sup
posed to exist but 5000 were found. The commits
sion visited So tribes examined into their condition
and made agreements with the members to 60 on
reservations next year. The commissioners have
selected three reservations-one IN East Utah, OF
$4,000 acres, capable OF cultivation; in South
ern Idaho OF the same size, and one in Nevada Of
10000 acres. They will make the following recon-
mendations for the civilization of these Indans:-
Fbst-Their concentration on the reservations.
Second-Provide them with farming implements.