Morning journal and courier., 1880-12-07
9rw lgaren 9ailg s10orning igonrnal and Gpnrier

 ;hese valuable collections Such building 1 'hould be absolutely fire proof no expend- ;ure for mere architectural display IS re- luired. It is believed that suitable struc- | 5ure can be erected at a cost not to exceed | TWO hundred and fifty thousand dollars | .$25O, ,000.)
 GENERAL GRANT. I commend to the attention of Congress 1 the great services of the commander-in-chiefI | of our armies during the war for the Union, 1 whose wise, firm and patriotic conduct did so much to bring that momentous conflict to close. The legislation of the United States contains many precedents for the recognition of distinguished military merit, authorizing rank and emoluments to be conferred for eminent services to the country. An act of Con- gross authorizing the appointment of Cap tain-General of the Army, with suitable pro- visions relating to compensation, retirement and other details, would, in my judgment, be altogether fitting and proper, and would be warmly approved by the country.
 THE NAVY.
 The report of the Secretary of the Navy exhibits the successful and satisfactory man. agement of that department during the last fiscal year. The total expenditures for the year were $12, ,916, 639. .45, leaving unexpend- ed at the close of the year $2, Al, ,682. .23 of the amount of available appropriations. The appropriations for the present fiscal year end 1uR uuo OO 1CO1J dE0 dAo the total estimates for the next fiscal year ending June 30, 1882 are $15, 1858, 751.61 The amount drawn by warrant from July l. 1880, to November 1, 1880, is $5, ,041, ,570 45.
 The recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy, that provision be made for the es- tablishment of some form of civil govern ment for the people of Alaska, is approved. At present there is no protection of persons orpropertyin in that Territory, except such as is afforded by the officers of the United States ship Jamestown. The vessel was dispatched to Sitka because of the fear that without the immediate presence of the national au thority, there was impending danger of anarchy. The 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, now exist. If, however, the Jamestown should be withdrawn, leaving the people, as at present, without the ordinary judicial and administrative authority of orga- nized local government serious consequences might ensue.
 The laws provide only for the collection of revenue the protection of public poperty and the transmission of the mails. The problem is to supply a local rule for a population so scattered and so peculiar in it's origin and condition. The natives are reported to be teachable and self-supporting, and, if prop erly instructed doubtless would advance rap idly in civilization. and a new factor of pros perity would be added to the national life. I therefore recommend the requisite legislation upon this subject.
 The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps towards the establishment of naval coaling stations at the Isthn1us of Panama, to meet the requirements of our commercial relations with Central and South America, which are growing in importance. Locations eminent ly suitable, both as regards our naval pur- poses and the uses of commerce, have been selected, one on the east side of the Isthmus, at Chiriqui Lagoon, in the Caribbean Sea, and the other on the Pacific coast, at the Bay of Golfito. The only safe harbors, sufficient 1y commodious, on the Isthmus, are at these points, and the distance between them is less than one hundred miles. The report of the Secretary of the Navy concludes with valuable suggestions with respect to the building up of our merchant marine service which de- serve the favorable consideration of Congress.
 THE POSTAL SERVICE.
 The report of the Postmaster General ex- hibits the continual growth and the high state of efficiency of the postal service. The operations of no department of the govern ment, perhaps, represent with greater exact ness the increase in the population and the business of the country. In 1860 the postal receipts were $S, SIS, ,O67.4O; in 1880 the re- ceipts were $33, ,315, 479.34. All the inhabi- tants of the country are directly interested in having proper mail facilities, and naturally watch the postoffice very closely. This care ful oversight on the part of the people has proved constant stimulus to improvement. During the past year there was an increase of 2,134 postoffices, and the mail routes were extended 27, 177 miles. making an additional annual transportation of 1O,SO4 191 miles. The revenues of the postal service for the ensuing year are estimated at $38, S45, 174. 10, and the expenditures at $42, 475, ,932, leaving deficiency to be appropriated out of the Treasury of S, ,63O, 757.9O.
 The Universal Postal Union has received the accession of almost all the countries and colonies of the world maintaining organized postal services, and it is confidently expected that all the other countries and colonies out side the Union will soon unite herewith, thus realizing the grand idea and aim of the found CTS of the Union, of forming, for purposes of international mail communication, single postal territory embracing the world, with complete uniformity of postal charges, and conditions of international exchange, for all descriptions of correspondence. To enable the United States to do its full share of this great work additional legislation is asked by the Postmaster General, to whose recommen- dations especial attention is called.
 The suggestion of the Postmaster General that it would be wise to encourage, by ap- propriate legislation, the establishment of American lines of steamers by our own citi- zens, to carry the mails between our own ports and those of Mexico, Central America South America, and of trans-Pacifc countries, is commended to the serious consideration of Congress.
 The attention of Congress is also invited to the suggestions of the Postmaster General in regard to postal savings.
 AN INTERMEDIATE COURT.
 The necessity for additional provision, to aid in the transaction of the business of the Federal courts, becomes each year more ap- parent. The dockets of the Supreme Court and of the circuit courts, in the greater num- Der of the circuits, are encountered with the constant accession of cases. In the former court and iH many instances in the circuit courts, years intervene before it is practica- ble to bring cases to hearing.
 The Attorney General recommends the es- tablishment of an intermediate court of er- TOTS and appeals. It is recommended that the number of judges of the circuit court in each circuit, with the exception of the second circuit, should be increased by the addition of another judge; in the second circuit, that two should be added; and that an interme- diate appellate court should be formed in each circuit, to consist of the circuit judges and the circuit justice, and that in the event of the absence of either of these judges the place of the absent judge should be supplied by the judge of one of the district courts in the circuit. Such an appellate court could be safely invested with large jurisdiction, and
 
 cases where appeals would still be allowed to the Supreme Court. The expense incurred for this intermediate court will require very moderate increase of the appropriations for the expenses of the Department of Justice This recommendation is commended to the careful consideration of Congress.
 It is evident that delay of justice, in many instances oppressive and disastrous to suitors, now necessarily occurs in the federal courts, which will in this way be remedied
 THE INDIAN PROBLEM.
 The report of the Secretary of the Interior presents elaborate account of the opera tions of that department during the past year It gives me great pleasure to say that our In dian affairs appear to be in more hopeful condition now than ever before The Indians have made gratifying progress in agriculture, herding and mechanical pursuits. Many who were few years ago in hostile conflict with the government are quietly settling down on farms where they hope to make their perma nent homes, building houses and engaging in the occupations of civilized life. The intro duction of the freighting business among them has been remarkably fruitful of good results in giving many of them congenial and remunerative employment, and in stimu- lating their ambition to earn their own sup port Their honesty, fidelity and efficiency