Morris tribune., 1880-12-02

hospitals of our armies during the civil |
war, Aside from their historical value these
records are daily searched for evidence needed
in the settlement of large number of pensions
and other claims and for the protection of the
government against attempted frauds rs well
as for the benefit of honest claimants. These
valuable contents are now In building which
is peculiarly exposed TO the danger of destruc-
ton by fire. It is therefore earnestly recon-
meuded that an appropriation be made for .
new FIRE proof building, adequate for the pres
emit needs and future expansion of these valu.
able collections. Such . building shonld be
absolutely fire proof. No expenditure for
mere architectural display IL required. II is
believed that n suitable structure can be erec-
ted ct cost not to exceed $25. 900. zajassdaE
Il ur9 GEN. GRANT. sIea3
commend to the attention Of Congress the
great services Of the commander-in-chiefo of our
armies during the war, whose wise, firm and
patriotic conduct did 30 much to bring that
monentous conflict to . close. The legisla-
ton of the United States contains many pre-
cedents for the recognition OF distinguished
military merit, authorizing rank and emolu-
ments to be conferred for eminent services 70
the country. y An act of Congress authorizing
the appointment of q captain general of the
army, with suitable provisions relating to COM
pensation, retirement and other details, would,
Il
proper, and would be warmly approved by the
oouutEy. it
The report of the secretary Of the navy ex-
hibits the satisfactory management Of that de-
partment during the last fiscal year. The total
expenditures for the year were $l2 GIG, $780, AS,
leaving unexpended at the close of the year
81 14l, $50. % of the amount of available ap-
prppriations.s The appropriations for the pres.
emit fiscal year ending June so, 1881, are $l5-
O95 col 49, and the total estimates for the next
fiscal year ending June 80, 1852, are $l5, $751;
| ISL. 81. The amount drawn by warrant from
July 1. 1880, to November l, 1880, is $5,04l,-
| 57O.45. r., IL. -sa-.,,e III.
The recommendation of the secretary of the
| navy that provision be made for the estab-
| lishment of some form of civil government for
the people of Alaska is approved. At present
there is no protection of persons or DrOpertv in
| that territory except such as 10 afforded BY
| the officers of the United States ship James
town. This vessel was dispatched to Sitka be.
canse of the fear that without the immediate
presence of the national authority 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 tie necessity 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 or.
| binary judicial and administrative authority
of organized local governments, serious conse-
| quenees might ensue. The laws provide only
for the collection of revenues, the protection of
| public property and the transmission of the
mails. The problem is to supply local rule
| for population 80 scattered and so peculiar in
| its origin and condition. The natives are re-
| ported to be teachable and self-supporting, and
l if properly instructed, doubtless would be add
1 ed TO the national life. / therefore recommend
the requisite legislation upon this subject.
L a a - IL 49,
| towards the establishment of naval coaliDg
stations at the Isthmus of Panama to meet
| the requirements of eur commercial relations
| with Central and South Ameri3a, which are
| rapidly growing in importance. 'Locations
eminently suitable, both as regards our naval
| purposes and the uses of commerce, have been
I selected on the east side of the Isthmus, at
1 Ohiriqui Lagoon, in the caribbean Sea, and
| the other ON thePacifc coast at the Bay of Gal
| 6to. The only safe harbors sufficiently cemmo-
dious on the Isthmus are at these points. and
i the distance between them is less than 100
milee. s ssfgiH ~ e4t'
/ The report Of the secretary of the navy CON-
cludes with valuable suggestions with respect
to the building mp Of our present marine SER
vice. which deserve the favorable consideration
| Of Congress.
| POSTAL MATTERS. ea
The report Of the postmaster general ex-
hibits the continual growth and the high state
Of efficiency of the postal service. The opera
lions of no department of the government,
| perhaps, represent with greater exactness the
increase in the population and business of the
country. In 1850 the postal receipts were
/ B5, 51S.O67.40. In 1880 the receipts wer $685.
BIG, 479. "a. ALI the inhabitants of the coun-
1 try are directly and personally interested in
having proper mail facilities and naturally
watch the postofice very closely. The careful
oversight on the part of the people has proved
o constant stimulus to Improvement. During
the past year there was an increase of 8, 134
postofices and the mail routes were extended
%, 1T miles, making an additional annual
transportation of 10 804, 1911 miles. The rev.
enues of the postal service for the ensuing
year are estimated at $39 ,S45, 174.1O and the
expenditures at $42, 475, $50, leaving def
cieDcy to be appropriated out of the treasury
of $3, $50, 757. 80. ,ahtEg 10
The universal postal union has received the
accession of almost all of the countries and
colonies of the world maintaining organized
postal services. and it is confidently expected
that all the other countries and colonies now
Outeide the union will soon unite with it, thus
increasing the grand idea and aim of the union
of forming for the purposes of international
mail communication single postal charge and
condition of international exchange for all de.
scriptions of correspondence. To enable the
United States TO do its full share of this great
work additional legislation ia asked by the
especial attention is called. gEHt zrN E&
The suggestion OF the postmaster general
that it would be wise to encourage by appeo-
q pirate legislation the establishment ofAmeriCan
lines of steamers, by our own citizens, to carry
the mails between our own ports and those of
Mexico, Central America, South America and
to trans-Paciic countries, is commended TO the
serious consideration of Congress. ~ 49,
The attention Of Congress Is also invited to
the suggestions of the postmaster general in
regard to postal savings. a z.tar
THE JUDICIARY.
The necessity for additional provision to aid
In the transaction Of business of the federal
pourts becomes each year more apparent. The
aockets of the supreme court and the circuit
court in the greater number of the circuits, are
encountered with the cause and occasion of
cases in the former court. and many instances
have occurred where years interviewed before it
was practicable to bring cases to bearing,
The attorney general recommends the essab-
lishment of an intermediate court of errors
and appeals. It is recommended that the num-
Der of judges of the circuit court in each cir.
. cult, with the exception of the second circuit,
. should be increased by the addition of another
. judge, and in the second circuit that two
should be added, and that an intermediate and
appellate court should be formed in each cir.
, cult, to consist of three circuit judges and the
circuit justices, and 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 -c0nrts in the circuit. Suck an