Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-12-11

(C>n!tnusd from First Page)
proceeds Of these prosecutions and settlements
turned into the Treasury far exceed in amount the
euns appropriated by Congress for this pur.
pose. more important result however, con-
stats III the fact that the destruction Of our
pubic forests by depreciation, although such
cases still occur, has been greatly reduced in
extent, ard it is proposed that if the present
policy Is vigorously pursued, and sufficient
provision to that end made by Congress, such
trespasses-at least those on a large scale-can
be entirely suppressed, except in the Ter
ritories, where timber for the daily require
ments OF tho population cannot, under the
present state Of tho law, be otherwise
obtained. therefore earnestly invite the A.
tention Of Congress to the Recommendation
made by the Secretary of the Interior, that q
law be enacted enabling the Government to sell
timber from the public lands without convey
ing the fee where such lands are principally
valuable for the timber thereon, such sales to
be 30 regulated as to conform to domestic
wants and business requirements, while at the
Same time guarding against q sweeping de-
struction of the forests The enactment of such
3 law appears to become . more pressing ne
'essty every day:
The Joint Commission created by the act Of
Congress OF Aug. 2, 1875, for the purpose Of
supervising and directing the completion of the
Washington National monument, Of which
commission the President is member, has
given careful attention to this subject, and al
ready the strengthening Of the foundation has
80 Tar progressed as to insure entire success
Of thispart Of the work. A massive layer of
masonry has been introduced below the origi-
nal foundation, widening the base, increasing
the sta biity Of the structure, and rendering it
possible to carry the shaft to completion. 1t
is earnestly recommended that such further
appropr alton be made for the continued
prosecution Of the work as may be necessary
for the completion Of this national monument
At an early day
The third article Of the treaty with Russia OF
March 81, 1867, by which Alasks was ceded to
the United States, provides that the inhabitants
Of the coded territory, with the exception OF
tho uncivilized native TRIBES shall be admitted
to the enjoyment Of all the rights of citizens Of
tho United States, and shall be maintained
liberty Of property and religion. The unciv-
ilized tribes are subject to such laws and
regulations as tho United States may
from time to time adopt in regard to the
the obligations Of this treaty and the necessi-
ties Of the people require that some organ
lied form Of government over the Terri
tory Of Alaska be adopted. There appears
to be no law for the arrest of persons
charged with common-law ofenses, such as
assault, robbery, and murder, and no magistrate
authorized to issue or execute process in such
cases. Serious difficulties have already arisen
from offeuses Of this character, not only among
citizens Of the United States but Of other ooun-
tries who have engaged in mining fishing, and
other business operations within the Territory
A bill authorizing the appointment OF Justices
Of the Peace aud constables, and the arrest
ard detention Of persons charged with criminal
ofenses, and providing for an appeal to United
States courts for the District Of Oregon of suita
h ~ fiyN0 nY1e cd
TO Congress.
Public Finances.
The attention Of Congress is called to the an
nual report of the Secretary Of the Treasury on
the condition OF the public finances. The Or
binary revenues from al! sources for the fiscal
The ordinary expenditures for the same period
were s265,9i7, 0S5 IS, leaving surplus revenue
for the year OF s6,S79, SOC. 50. The receipts for
the present fiscal year, ending June 81, 1889,
actual and estimated, are as follows: Actual
ing ''p July y l, A' 1s75 u.s. IS, s4s 81; a.
timated receipts for the remaining
three quarters Of the year, SOS, 156, 3S8. SO
Total receipts for the current fiscal year, act
ual and est mated, s2SS, 900, 600. The e1pend--
estimated, as follows: For TIE quarter COM
ansS ~ r remaining eeas
tiers Of the year the expenditures are estimated
at sl7o,3l6,6l4. making the total expend-
surplus revenue for the year ending June 80,
1880, Of s24,ooo,coo. The total receipts
during the next fiscal year ending
juno 50, 1881, estimated according
to existing lava, will be $2SS, Goo, 600,
same period will ne s27S, 49,, S4. SO, leaving q
surplus Of $780,, 635. 81 for that year. The
large amount expended for arrears Of pensions
during the last and present fiscal years,
amounting to SCI, ~, 24a6o, has prevented the
to the sinking fund for the current year, but,
these arrears having been substantially psid, it
is believed that the sinking fund can hereafter
be maintained without any change OF the exist
ing Law.
The PostofHce.
The report Of the Postmaster General bears
testimony to the general revival Of business
throughout the country. The receipts of the
POstofico Department for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1873, were $50, 04l ,9S2 IS, being
S1j4, 463. 81 more than the revenues of the
preceding year. The amount realized from the
sale Of postage-stamps, stamped envelopes
and postAi-csrds was s154, lG5 81 more than in
the preceding year. and s., 5S7, $50 70 moro han
in 1877: The expenditures Of the department
we're $50, AS, 800 5, of which tho sum Of
1916, .t3 was paid Oh liabilities incurred in
preceding years The expenditures during the
year were 1901 200 u less than in the preced-
ing year. This reduction is to be attributed
mainly to the operation Of the law passed June
II, 1873, changing the compensation Of Post
masters from commission on the value OF
stamps sold to commission on the stamps eau
celed. The amount drawn from the treasury
on appropriations, in addition to the revenues
Ct tire department., was s3,03l ,454 81. being
e2,:'6, 1886 less than in the preceding year
Tbs expenditures for the fiscal year ending June
80. 1881. are estimated at $50 420 GtiO. and the
receipts from all sources at So, 2l0 COO, leaving
e deficiency to be appropriated for ont of the
treasury Of s7,7l0,V0 Tie relations Of the
department With the railroad companies have
reduction BY Congress OF their Compensation
by the appropriation for general facilities, and
the railway postal lines have been greatly
extended, especially in the Southern States
me lnfo,csts of the railway mail service would
oe greatly promoted and tho expenditures
could be readily controlled by the classification
OF the employees Of the railway mail Eer-
vice, as recommended by the Postmaster Gener-
al, the appropriations for service with respect
to which the maximum limit is already fixed
~ Law to be made in gross. The Postmaster
General recommends an amendment to the law
regulating an Increase Of compensation for in
creased service and increased speed on star
routes, go as to enable him to advertise for
such increased service and speed. He also
suggests the advantages to accrue to the COM
general law authorizing contracts with
American built steamers carrying the Amer
Jean flag for transporting the mail
between The United States and parts of the
West Indies and South America at fixed
maximum price per mile, the amount to be
expended being regulated by annual appropria-
tons IN like manner with the amount for tho
domestic star service. The arrangement made
by the Postmaster General and the Secretary
OF the Treasury for the collection of duties on
books received in the nail from foreign coun-
tries has proved so satisfactory in its practical
operation that the recommendation is now
Eoade that Congress extend the provisions OF
the act of March 3, 1879, under which this
arrangement was made 80 as to apply to all
other dutiable articles received in the malls
from foreign countriea
District Of Columbia.
In former messages, impressed with the i'm
portance Of the subject, l have taken occasion
TO recommend to Congress the adoption of q
generous policy toward the District Of Column
bia. The report Of the Commissioners Of the
District herewith transmitted contains sugges-
tons and recommendations to all Of which
earnestly invite your careful attention l ask
your early and favorable consideration of the
views which they express as to urgent need OF
legislation for the reclamation OF the marshes of
the Potomac and its eastern branch within the
limits of the city, and for the repair of streets