The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1874-12-11

the Oronoco and the Amazon. Nothing
prevents, under existing laws, such explo-
ration, except that the expenditures must
be made in such expeditions beyond those
usually provided for in the appropriations
The field designated is uuquestionably one
ment ofour conn ercial interests alike advan-
tageous to the people reached and to those
WHO may establish relations with them.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The education Of the people entitled to
exercise the right Of franchise l regard
essential to the general prosperity every.
where, and especially so in republics, where
both education or previous condition does
not enter into account III giving suffrage.
Next to the public school the p0stotice is
the great agent Of education over our vast
territory. The rapidity with which new
sections are being settled, thus increasing
the carrying of mails in a more rapid ratio
than the increase OF receipts is not alarming.
The report OF the Postmaster General here
with attached, shows there was M i'll
crease Of revenue in his department in 1873
over the previous year of 81 ,674, All. and an
increase Of the cost Of carrying the mails
The report Of the Postmaster General gives
Interesting statistics OF his department and
a comparison with the corresponding statis-
tics of q yearago, showing 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
with that country, which went into effect
last August An international postal Congress
was convened in Berne, Switzerland, Sep
TENDER last, at which the United States was
represented by IN officer of the post Office
department OF much experience and qualifi-
cation for the position. A convention
for the establishment Of IN international
post union was agreed upon by the dele.
to the approval of the proper authorities OF
those countries. respectfully direct your
attention to the report of the Postmaster
General, and to his suggestions in regard to
an equitable adjustment Of the question Of
compensation to railroads for carrying the
mails.
AFFAIRS IN THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Your attention will he drawn to the un-
settled condition Of affairs in some of the
Southern States. Onthe l4th Of September
last the governor Of Louisiana called upon
me. as provided by the constitution and
laws Of the United States, to aid in Suppress
ing domestic violence in that State. This
call was made in view OF proclamation is
sued on that day by D. B. Penn, stating that
he was elected Lieutenant Governor in 1872,
and calling upon the militia Of the State to
ann, assemble and drive from power the
usurpers, a, he designated the officers Of the
my proclamation, commanding the insur.
gents to disperse within i've days from the
date thereof l subsequently learned that
on that day they had taken forcible posses.
sion Of the State House. Troops were taken
by me to support the existing and recognized
State government, but before the expira-
ton Of the ,d tive days the
tically abandoned, and the officers of
the State government, with some minor ex-
ceptions, resumed their powers and duties.
Considering that the present State admins
tration ofLouisiana has been the only GOV
eminent in that State for nearly two years,
that it has been tacitly acknowledged and
acquiesced in as such by Congress, and moe
than once expressly recognized by me, Ire
overthrow by an armed mob, under the pre-
tense Of fraud and irregularity in the election
OF 1872. have heretofore called the atten-
ton OF Congress to this subject, stating that
on account Of the frauds and torgeries com.
mitted at said election, and because it ap-
pears that the returns thereof were never
legally canvassed, it was impossible to tell
.neAeOs WIZ were c1ioscH. Dut UOu the
best sources Of information at my command
l 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 Febru.
a1y 18th, 1873, that in the event of no action
w Congress must continue to recognize
the government heretofore recognized by
me.
Iregret to say that at the late election de.
ciOe6 Indications nnreara1 Il, Coma ooa1;+;os
III the Southern States of a determination by
acts Of violence and intimidation to deprive
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 ammu-
milton were imported and distributed to
these organizations. Military drills with
Menaclng demonstrations were held, and
with oil these, murders enough were COM
mitted to spread terror among those whose
politica, action was to lie suppressed
ii possible by these intolerant and
criminal proceedings. In some
places colored laborers were compelled to
vote according to the wishes Of their employ
ers under threats of discharge, it they act.
ed otherwise-and there are too MANY in
stances in which, when these threats were
disregarded, they were remorselessly execu-
TED by whom made. understand that tile
fifteenth amendment to the Constitution was
made to prevent this or q like state of things,
and the act Of March 81, 1870, was passed to
enforce its provisions; the Object Of this be-
ing to guarantee to all citizens the right to
vote and to protect them in the full enjoy
ment Of that right
Enjoined by the Constitution to take cafe
that the laws be faithfully executed. and
convinced by undoubted evidence that viola.
lations Of said act had been committed. and
that widespread and fragrant
disregard Of it was contemplated, the prope-
officers We're instructed to prosecute the Off
tenders, and troops We're stationed at conven-
lent points to aid these officers, if necessary,
in the performance of their official duties.
the federal authority, but if the said amend
ment and act do not provide for such inter-
ference, under the circumstances as above
stated, then they are without meaning. force.
or effect, and the whole scheme Of colored
Acknowledgement is worse than q mockery.
and little better than crime.
Possibly Congress may find it due to truth
ana justice to ascertain by means Of a COM
mission, whether the alleged wrongs to COL
ored citizens for political purposes are real
or the reports thereof were manufactured for
The whole number of troops in the States
OF louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida,
south Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Ar
at the time Of the election were 4.Os2 This
embraces the garrisons Of all the forts from
the Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas
Article 80 of the Constitution of the State.
which was adopted in 1863, and upon the
approval Of which by Congress the State was
restored to representation as one Of the
states OF the Union, provides that in effect
that before any of the amendments proposed
to this constitution shall become part there
OF, they shall be passed by two successive
assemblies and then submitted to and ratified
ny majority Of the voters of the State yot-
1ng thereon. The 18th of May, 1874, the
0oVernor convened an extra session Of the
A1Aol IL