Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-12-04

on this point, will be calculated to obstruct
other much needed legislation, to weaken the
discipline OF the service and to uneettle salu-
tary measures now in progress for the govern
ment and Improvement of the Indians, respect
fully recommend that the decision arrived at
by Congress at its last eession be permitted to
stand.
TIMBER THEFTs.
Tho efforts made by the department of the
interior to arrest the depredations on the tim
Dor lands of the United States have been con
tinued and have met with considerable success.
a large number of cases of trespass have been
prosecuted in the courts of the United States.
Others have been settled, the trespassers Offer
ing to make payment to the government for
the value of timber taken by them. The pro-
ceeds of prosecution and settlements, being
turned into the treasury, Will exceed the
amount of the sums appropriated
by Congress for the purpose. A more i'm
portant result, however, consists in the fact
that the destruction of our public forests by
depreciation. although such cases still occur,
has been greatly reduced in extent, and it is
possible, if the present policy is vigorously
pursued and sufficient provision to that end
made by Congress, such trespasses, at least those
on large scale, can be entirely suppressed
except in the Territories where timber for the
daily requirements of the population cannot
tanned. therefore earnestly invite the atten-
ton of Congress to the recommendation made
by the secretary of the interior that law be
enacted enabling the government to sell tim
Der from the public lands without conveying
the fee, where such lands are
principally valuable for the timber thereon,
such sales to be 30 regulated a. to conform to
domestic wants and business requirements,
while at the same time guarding against a
| sweeping reduction of the forests. The enact
ment of such law seems to become q more
pressing necessity every day.
EDUCATION.
1t is gratifying to learn from the bureau of
education the extent to which educational
privileges throughout the United States have
been advanced during the year. No more fun
damental responsibility rests in Congress than
that of devising appropriate measures of fnan-
cial aid to EDUCATION, supplemental to local
action, in the States and Territories, and in
the District of Columbia. The wise fore
government has not only furnished
the basis for the support of the common school
systems of the newer States, but laid the foun-
dations for the maintenance of their universe
ties, and of colleges of agriculture and me-
phanic art. Measures in accordance with this
traditional policy for the further benefit of all
these interests and the extension of some ad.
hoped will receive your favorable considera-
BILE.
WARRINGTON MONUMENT.
The joint commission, created by the act OF
Congress of August End, 1875, for the purpose
of supervising and directing the completion of
the Washington national monument, of which
commission the President is q member, has
given careful attention to this subject, and al
l.
has so far progressed as to insure
the entire success If this part of
the work. massive layer of masonry has
been introduced below tho original foundation,
widening the base and increasing the stability
of the structure, rendering it possible to carry
the shaft to completion. It is earnestly rec
commended that such further appropriation be
maze for the continued prosecution of the
work as may be necessary for the completion
of this national monument at an early day.
THE PosroFFIcE.
The report of the postmaster general bears
testimony to the general revival in business
throughout the country. The receipts of
the postoffice department for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1879 was $50, 04l, 9S2.S6. being
$764, 81 more than in the preceding year.
and 81, 3s7, $50. % more than in 1877. The ex.
penditures of the department were $33, AS, :
S99.45, of which tho sum of 1876, 46l.63 was
paid on liabilities incurred in preceding years.
Tho expenditures during the year were $780,
209.77 less than in the preceding year. This
reduction is to be attributed mainly to the ope-
ration of the law passed on June II, 1877,
changing the compensation of postmasters
from q commission on the valus of stamps sold,
to commission on the stamps cancelled.
The amount drawn frem the treasury on ap-
preparations, in addition to the revenues of
IN III
ZIG. 1877 6 less than in the proceeding year.
The expenditures Of the fiscal year ending
June 50, 1881, are Estimated at e39, 92O, 900,
and the receipts from all sources at $32, 2l0,-
600, leaving deficiency to be appropriated fol-
out of the treasury Of $7,7lO,9OO.
The relations Of the department with the
railroad companies have been hsrmonized,
Congress OF their compensation by the appro-
priation for general facilities. and the railway
postofice lines have been greatly extended, ee-
pecially in the Southern States.
The interests of the railway mail service
| would be greatly promoted and the expendi-
fcation of the employees of the railway mail,
a. recommended by the postmaster general.
The appropriations for services with respect to
which the maximum limit 10 already fixed by
| law to be made in gross.
The postmaster general recommends an
amendment TO the law regulating An increase
of compensation for increased service and in
creased speed on Star routes 80 as to enable
him to advertise for proposals. for such in.
creased service and speed.
He also suggests the advantages to accrue to
the commerce of the country from the enact
meut of . general law authorizing contracts
with American built steamers carrying the
American flag for transporting the mail be.
tween the United States and ports of the West
Indies and South America at fixed maximum
per mile, the amount to be expended being
equalated by annual appropriations in like
manner with the amount for the domestic Star
service.
The arrangements made by tho postmaster.
general and the secretary of the treasury fo1
the mail from foreign countries has
proved 20 satisfactory ID its practical opera
ton that tho Recommendation is now made that
Copgress now extend the provisions of the act
Of March3, 1879, under which this arrange
ment was made, 20 = to apply to all other
dutiable articles received in tho mails from
foreign countries.
- TIN AGRICULTURAL nuRxAu.
Ny recommendations in former messages are
renewed In favor Of enlareing the facilities of
the department of agriculture Agriculture il
the leading interest and the permanent indus
Try of our people. 1t ID to the abundance of
riculturai productions, q compared with
our home consumption, and the largely in
which We. We have enjoyed in recent
for our present prosperity u , people. We
must look TO its continued maintenance for
substantial resource. Thepsis NO branch Of
industry in which labor directed by scientific
knowledge yields such increased production in
comparison With unskilled labor, and NO branch
ut tina "a