Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1880-12-15


States, but to the world. There are filed in the
Record and Pension Division over 16, 600 bound
volumes of hospital records, together with Z
great quantity of papers, embracing the orig
| insl records of the hospitals of our armies dur.
! ing the civil war. Aside from their historical
value, these records are daily searched, for evi
| dence needed in the settlement Of large mum.
bers OF pension and other claims, for the pro.
lection of the Government against attempted
frauds, as we'll AZ for the benefit OF honest claim.
ants These valuable collections are now in q
5 building which . is peculiarly exposed to the
earnestly recommended that an appropriation
be made for new tire-proof building, ade-
quate for the present needs and reasonable
future expansion Of these valuable collections.
Such a building should be absolutely fire-proof
no expenditure for mere architectural display
structure can be erected at cost not to ex-
coed two hundred and fifty thousand dollar
cease, OOO).
The recommendation of the Secretary Of tho
Navy, that provision be made for the estab-
'lShment Of some form OF civil government for
the people of Alaska, is approved. At present
there is no protection Of persons or property in
that Territory, except such as is afforded by
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. The steps taken to restore
order have been accepted in good faith BY both
white and Indian inhabitants, and the neces-
>ity for this method Of restraint does not. in
my opinion. nov exist. If, however, the James
as at present, without the ordinary judicial
and administrative authority of organized local
government, serious consequences might ens,,e
The laws provide only for 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 so peculiar in it's origin and con-
'ition The natives are reported to be teacha-
Die and self-supporting, and, II properly in
structed, doubtless would advance rapidly in
civilization, and new factor of prosperity
would be added to the national life I, there
fore, recommend the requisite legislation upon
this subject.
The Secretary Of the Navy has taken steps
toward the establishment of naval coalinp-
stations at the Isthmus of Panama, to meet the
requirements Of our commercial relations with
Central and South America, which are rapidly
growing in Importance. Locations elninently
suitable, both as regards our naval purposes
and the uses Of commerce, have been selected,
one on the east side Of the isthmus, at Chirioui
Lagoon, in the Caribbean sea, and the
other on the Pacific coast. at the Bay of Gol6to,
The only safe harbors, sufficiently commodious.
on the lsthmus are at these points, and the
distance between them is less than 100 miles.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy con-
cIudes with valuable suggestions with respect
to the building mp of our merchant-marine
service which deserves the favorable consider
alton of Congress.
Tho report of the Postmaster General exhib-
its the continual growth aud the high state of
efficiency of the postal service. The operations
Of no department of the Government, perhaps,
represent with greater exactness the increase il,
population and the business of the country.
In 1860 the postal receipts we're ss, SIS, o6s 40
in 1880 the receipts were 833, 315, 1884. All
the Inhabitants OF the country are d.
recty and personally interested in hay-
ing proper mail facilities, and
naturally watch the postoffice very closely.
This careful oversight on the part of the peo-
ment. During the past year there was an in
crease OF z, 1874 postoffices, and the mail routes
were extended 27,177 miles, making an add
tional annual transportation of TO- SA, 1Dl miles.
The revenues of the postal service for the ell
suing year are estimated at S38. 845, 174. 10 and
he expenditures at $40, ATS, 1922, leaving def
Of So, $780, 1890.
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 now
outside the Union will soon unite Herewith,
thus realizing the grand idea and aim of the
founders of the Union. of forming, for pur-
"o~es OF international mail communication,
l single postafsterritory embracing the world,
wi n complete upifor' ity Of postal charges,
md conditions of international exchange, for
all de~cr III ms of correspondence. To enable
the Uni ed States to do its full share of this
great work, additional legislation is asked by
! he Postmaster General, to whose recommen-
dations especial attention is called.
The suggestion of the Postmaster General,
that it would be wise to encourage by appro1ri-
ate Legislation. the establishment Of Amor1can
i.nes OF steamers by our own citizens, to carry
IT," mails between our own ports and those OF
Mexico, Central America, South America, and of
'r.n>pacltic cOutrieS is commended to the
ser1 us consideration of Congress.
The attention Of Congress is also invited to
the suggestions of the Postmaster General in
regard to postal savings.
1t ls 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 report of the Secretary Of the Interior
presents an elaborate account Of the operations
OF that department during the past year.
1t gives ne great pleasure to say that
our Ina affairs appear to be in
more hopeful condition now than
ever before. The Indians have made
gratifying progress in agriculture. herding and
pursuits. Many who we're few
years ago in hostile conflict with the Govern
ment are quietly settling down on farms where
they hope to make their permanent homes,
building houses and engaging in the occupa-
tons Of civilized life. Tho introduction Of the
markably fruitful of good results, in
giving many Of them congenial and re-
employment, and in stimulat-
ing their ambition to earn their own
support. Their honesty, fidelity, and efficiency
az carriers are highly praired. The organiza-
ton OF police force of Indians has been equal
y successful in maintaining law and order upon
the reservations, and in exercising wholesome
moral influence among the Indians themselves
concur with the Secretary of the Interior in
The recommendation that the pay Of this force
be increased, as an inducement to the best class
Of young men to enter it.
Much care and attention has been devoted
% the ne. enlargement OF educational faeties
this important Object have been very made
luate A few additional boarding schools
1T Indian agencies have been established, and
The erection Of buildings has been begun for
' 'se ann. more, but an 49,; increase Of
the large humber Of Indian chill
iren of school-age.. The number offered by
heir parents from all parts Of the country for
education in the Government schools is much
arger than can be accommodated with the
means at present available for that purpose.
The number Of Indian pupils at the Normal
School at Hampton, Va, under the direction of
3en. Armstrong, has been considerably in
;reased, and their progress is highly
The Indian school established !
" the Interior Department., in 1879, at Car |
isle, Pa, under the direction Of Capt. Pratt, |
las been equally successful. It has now near
y 200 pupils of both sexes, representing great |
'ariety Of the tribes east Of the Rocky mount |
ins. The pupils in both these institutions re-
GIVE not only an elementary English education, |
,ut arc also instructed in housework, agricult |
Ire, and useful mechanical pursuits. SINH |
ar school was established this year 1T Forest |
3rove, Ore, for the education Of Indian |
'outh on the Pacific coast. In addition to this,
hirty-slx Indian boys and girls were selected |
rom tho Eastern Cherokees and placed in |
in North Carolina, where
hey are to receive an elementary English edu-
alton and training in industrial pursuits. The
interest shown by Indian parents, even among
he so-called wild tribes, in the education Of
heir children is very gratifying, and gives
PROMISE that the results accomplished by the
forts now making will be of lasting benefit.
The Attorney General recommends the
Of an intermediate court of
,rrors and appeals. It is recommended that |
he number Of Judges of the Circuit Court !
n each circuit, with the exception of the |