Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-12-08

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Der 1, 1880, is S3504, 157, 045.
ALASKA.
The recommendation of the secretary of tbs
navy that provision be made for the establish
ment 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 as is offered by fhe officers of
the U. s ship jamestown. This vessel was dis
patched to Sitba because of the fear that with
! out the immediate presence of the national all-
| tho11ty there was impending danger of anarchy.
! The steps taken to restore order have been &C
cepted in good faith by both white and Indian
| inhabitants and the necessity 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jamestown should be withdrawn leaving the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 iu-
| dlcial and administrative authority of organized
| local government, serious consequences might
ensue. The laws provide only for the cOllec-
ton OF revenue, the protection Of public prop
erty and the transmission of the mails The
problem is to supply local rule for popua-
ton so scattered and so peculiar in it's origin
and condition. The natives are reported to be
teacbable and self supporting and if properly
instructed doubtless would advance rapidly in
civilization and q new factor of PROSPERITY would
be added to the national life. I therefore rec
commend the requisite legislation upon this
subject.
COAIING STATIONS.
The secretary of the navy has taken steps
toward the establishment of naval coaling sta
tons at the IsthmUs of Panama, to meet the
requirements of our commercial relations with
Central and South America, which are rapidly
opening i'll Importance. Locations emlnently
suitable both as regards our naval purposes, and
the Uses of commerce have been selected, one
on the east side Of the Isthmus at Chirique La
gOon in the Caribbean sea, and the other on
the Pacific coast at the bay of Golfito. The
only safe harbors sufficiently commodeous on
Tho TctI 1of4
lance between them is less than one hundred
miles.
OUR MERCHANT MARINE.
The report of the secretary of the navy con-
cludeS with valuable suggestion with respect to
the building up of our merchant marine service,
which deserves the favorable consideration Of
congress.
THE POST OFFICE.
The report of the postmaster general exhibits
the continual growth and the high state of eff
cheney of the postal service The operations of
no department of the government perhaps
represent with greater eXactness the increase il
the population and the business Of the country
III 1860 the postal receipts were 1851, SOC. 740
In 1890 the receipts were 533, 315. 479. 81,
All the inhabitants CT the country are directly
and personally interested III having proper mail
facilities and naturally watch the postofice vely
| closely. This careful oversight on the part of
| the people has proved a constant stimulus to
| improvement. During the past year there was
an increase of 2,134 postoffces and the mail
routes were extended PITT miles making an
additional annual transportation Of 1O,804 191
| miles. The revenues OF postal service for the
ensuing year are estimated at 1913, 845. la. 10
and the expenditures at S42, ATE, 432, leaving
deficiency to be appropriated out of the treas
ury of $3.50, 1870. The universal postal
union has received the accession of almost all
the countries and colonies Of the world main
tanning organized postal services, and it is con-
fdently expected that all the other countries OF
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 purposes of inter
national mail communication SINGLE postal
currency, embracing the world, with a 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 recommendations especial attention Is
| called. The suggestion of the postmaster gem
! eral that it would be wise to encourage by ap-
! propriate legislation the establishment Of
| American lines OF steamers by our own citize rs
| to carry the mails between our own ports and
| those of Mexico. Central America, South Amer
| lea aud of trans-Pacifc countries is COM
mended 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.
| TIE COURTS.
| The necessity for additional provision to aid
! in the transaction of the business Of the fedora
| courts becomes each year more apparent. The
| dOcsets of the Supreme Court and Of the circuit
courts IN the greater number of the circuits are
| encountered with the constant accession of
! cases. LII the former court and in many in
stances II the circuit courts years intervene be-
fore 1t is practicable to bring cases to hearing.
Ia4 r%olI; ,l
ment Of an intermediate court of errors and
! appeals. It is recommended that the number
| Of judges Of the circuit court in each circuit.
| with the exec ton 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 intermediate appellate court
| should be formed III each circuit to consist of
/ the citcuit judges and the circuit justice, and
that in the event Of the absence of either of
T! these Judges the place of the absent Judge
should be supplied by the judge Of one Of the
district courts III the circuit. Such an Gscpelate
court could be safely invested with large iuris-
| dictiOn, and its decisions would satisfy suitors
! in many cases where appeals would still be
| allowed to the Supreme Court. The expense
incurred for this intermediate court vii require
| a very moderate increase Of the appropriations
| for the expenses Of the department of Justice
| This recommendation is commended to the
| careful consideration Cf congress- Tt is evident
| oppressive and disastrous to suitors now neces-
sallly occurs in the federal courts which viii in
| this way be Temed ed.
THE INDIANS.
The report of the secretary Of the interior
presents an elaborate account of the operations
| of that department during tie past year. Il
gives me great pleasure to say that our Indian
affairs appear to be III more hopeful condition
now than ever before. The Indians have made
| gratifying progress il agriculture, herding and
mechanical pursuits. Many were 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 occupations
of civilized life. The introduction OF the
freighting business among them has been re-
markably fruitful OF good results in
giving many of them congeniaI and
ren1uneratiye employment in stimulating
their ambition t. earn their own support.
Their honesty, fidelity and efficiency as carriers
are highly praised. The organization of a po-
lice force of Indians has been equally success
fui in maintaining law and order upon the
reservations and in exercising a wholesome
moral influence among the Indians themselves.
T concr1r with the secretary of the interior in