The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1880-12-10

thOriZing The appointment OF Chptaiu-6eiicf-
al OF the army, with suitable PROVISIONS rciat-
ing to compensation, retirement, and other de-
tails, would, in my judgment, be altogether hit
ting and proper, and would be warmly approved
by the country,
Tue report of the Secretary OF the Navy ex-
hbits the successful and satisfactory manage.
ment OF that department during the last nscal
year. The total expenditures for the year We're
Sl2, 0l6, 639.i5, leaving nncxpended at the
close of the year 81, l41 ,6S2.23 OF the amount
of available appropriations. The appropria-
tons for the present fiscal year, ending June
30, 1884, are ei5 ,06i. 40 and the total estl-
mates for the next fiscal year ending june 3O'
1882, are Sf5, 953, S5l.6l. The amount drawn
10y warrant from July !, 1880, to Nov. !, 1850,
il 50, 04l, 570.45.
The recommendation Of the Secretary Of the
Navy, that provision be made for the estab-
hshment of some form OF civil government for
the people Of Alaska, Is approved. AT present
there il no protection of persons or property IN
that Territory, except such as is afforded by
the officers OF the United States ship James
town. This vessel was dispatched to Sitka,
because OF the fear that, without the
immediate presence of the. national
authority. there was impending danger
OF anarchy. Tho steps taken to restore
order have been accepted in good faith by both
white and Indian inhabitants, and the neces-
sity for this method of restraint does not, In
my opinion. nov exist Ii, however. the James
town should be withdrawn, leaving the people,
as at present, without the ordinary Judicial
and administrative authority of organized local
government, serious consequences might ensue.
. The laws provide only f5f the collection of
revenue, the protection OF public property,
and the transmission Of the mails. The prob
lem is to supply local rule for population 80
scattered and 80 peculiar in it's origin and con-
dition. The natives are reported to be teacha-
BILE and self-supporting, and, /! properly in
strncted, doubtless would advance rapidly in
civilization, and new factor Of prosperity
would be added to the national life. /, there
fore, recommend the requisite legislation upon
this subject.
The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps
toward the establishment OF naval coaling-
stations at tho Isthmus Of Panama. to meet the
requirements OF our commercial relations with
Central and South America, which are rapidly
growing III Importance. Locations eininently
suiiab q, both regards our naval purposes
and the uses of commerce, have been selected,
one on the east side of the isthmus, ut Chiriqui
Lagoon, in the Caribbean sea, and the
other on the Pacific coast, at the Bay of Golfto,
The only safe harbors, sufficiently commodious,
on the isthmus are at these points. and the
distance between them is less than 100 mics.
The report OF the Secretary Of the Navy con-
Guides with valuable suggestions with respect
to tho building up of our notwithstanding
SERVED; which deserves the favorable consider
alton of Congress.
The report of the Postmaster General exhlb-
its the continual growth and the high state OF
efficiency of the postal service. The operations
Of 10 department of the Government, perhaps
represent with greater eXactDess the increase in
population and the business Of the country
In 1860 the postal receipts were SS.5lS.OGS.4 ~ ;
in 1880 the receipts were 33,Sl5, 1884. All
the inhabitants OF the country ere di-
rectly and personally interested in hay
ing proper mail facilities, and
naturally watch the postoflice very closely.
This careful oversight on the part of the peo-
Pile hes proved a constant stimulus 10 improve
ment During the past year there was an in
crease of 2. 1874 postOtlices. and the mail routes
were extended 27,l77 miles making an add
tional annual transportation of 10 S04. 9! miles,
The revenues OF the postal service for the Oh
suing year are estimated at SIS. S45.174 10 and
the expenditures at $40, 475.S22. lea gng deti-
cheney to be appropriated cut OF the treasury
of 80 $50 1879.
The Universal Postal Union has received the
accession of almost all the countries and
colonies Of the world maintaining organized
postal services, and it il confidently expected
thar all the other countries and colonies now
outside the Union will soon unto herewith,
thus realizing the grand idea and aim of the
founders OF the Union. of forming, for pur-
po ses of international mail communication.
single postal territory embracing the world,
wth complete uriforu ity OF postal charges,
and conditions Of international exchange, foI
all descriptions Of correspondence. To enable
the United States TO do its full share of this
great work, additional legislation il asked by
the Postmaster General, 10 whose recommen
dations especial attention il called.
The suggestion of the Postmaster General
that it would be wise to encourage. by appropri-
| ate legislation. the establishments 81 American
| lines OF steamers by our own citizens, to carry
| the mails between our own ports and those OF
| Mexico, Central America, South America and oi
| transpacifc countries, il commended to tn,
serious consideration Of Congress-.
The attention Of Congress is also invited tc
the suggestions of tho Postmaster General il
regard to postal savings.
The necessity for additional provision, to aid
in the transaction of the business of the Fed
erai courts, becomes each year more apparent
The dockets of the Supreme Court and of tin,
| Circuit Courts in the greater number of th'
| circuits are incumbered with the constant &C
cession OF cases. In the former court, and II
many Instances in the Circuit Courts, years in
terveno before 1T Is practicable TO BRING cases t
hearing.
The Attorney General recommends tin
! establishment OF an intermediate court q
errors and appeals. II is recommended thai
| the number OF Judges Of the Circuit Cour
in each circuit, with the exception OF TIT
Second circuit, should be increased by tht
addition Of another Judge; in the SeconC
| circuit, JudJ TWO bnOuiu DC uliu Lila
an intermediate appellate court should b'
formed in each circuit, to consist of the Cir
cult Judges and the Circuit Justice, and tina
in tho event Of the absence of either of thes
Judges the place Of the absent Judge Shouts
be supplied by the Judge of one of the Dis
trict Courts in the circuit. Such an appellat
court could he safely invested with large juris
diction, and it's decisions would satisfy suitor
III many cases wherc, appeals would still be al
lowed to the SuprenI. Court The expense in
CURED for this intermediate court WI, equir
n very moderate increase of the appropriation
for the expenses Of the Department of Justice
This recommendation Is commended to tn
careful consideration of Congress.
II is evident that a delay of justice, in man
instances oppressive and disastrous TO suitors
now necessarily occurs in the Federal courts
which will in this way be remedied.
The report of the Secretary Of the Interio
presents an elaborate account of the operation
Of that department during the past year
II gives me great pleasure TO say tina
our Indian affairs appear to be in
more hopeful condition now tina
ever before. The Indians have mad
gratifying progress in agriculture. herding an,
mechanical pursuits. Many who were fev
years ago in hostile conflict with the Govern
mont are quietly settling down on farms wher
they hope 10 make their permanent homes
building houses and engaging in the occupa
tons of civilized life. The introduction of Tia
freghtlng business among them has been N