The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1881-12-07

OF The United clates. lhls use OF the
army would not seem to be within the
alleged evil against which that legisla-
ton was aimed. From sparseness of
population and other circumstances, Il
is often quite impracticable to summon
civil posse in places where officers Of
justice require assistance and where a
military force is within easy reach.
MAIL MATTERS.
The attention Of congress is again
system of savings repositories in con.
nection with the post0fiice department.
The statistics Of mail transportation
show that during the past year railroad
routes have been increased in length
9, 249 miles and in cost 81, III, 1892, while
steamboat routes have been decreased
in length 2, 1872 miles and in cost Sl34,-
054. The so-called star routes have
been decreased in length 3,949 miles
and In cost 1884, 144. Nearly all of the
more expensive routes have been super
ceded by railroad services. The cost Of
the star route service must therefore
rapidly decrease in the western states
and territories.
The report of the postmaster general
is gratifying exhibit of the growth aud
efficiency of the postal service. The
whole number Of letters mailed in this
country in the last fiscal year exceeded
one thousand millions. The registry
system is reported to be in an excellent
condition, having been remodelled dur
ing the past four'years with good results.
The amounts OF registration fees col
lected during the last fiscal year was
$712, 1892. 20, an increase over the fiscal
year ending June 80, III, of S345, ,443. 40.
The entire number Of letters and pack
ages registered during the year was
8, 1888, 919, of which only 2,06l were de-
stroyed or lost in transit. The opera
tions of the money order system are
multiplying yearly.
Under the impulse Of immigration, the
rapid development of the newer states
and territories, and the consequent de-
mand for additional means Of inter-
communication and exchange during
the past year, 1888 additional money
order offices have been established,
making total of 5.499 in operation at
the date of this report. During the
year the domestic money orders aggre-
gated in value Sl0J, ,0I5. 769,35. A mod
ification of the system is suggested of
reducing the fees for money orders not
exceeding five dollars from ten to five
cents, aud making the maximum limit
500 in place Of $50. Legislation for
the disposition of unclaimed money Or
ders in the possession of the postoffice
department is recommended, in view of
the fact that their total value exceeds
$100, ,000, 900.
The postmaster general, however,
calls attention to the constantly in
creasing cost of the railway mail SER
vice, as serious difficulty in the way
of making the department self sustain
ing.
Our postal intercourse with foreign
countries has kept pace with the growth
of the domestic service within the past
year, and several countries and colonies
have declared their adhesion to the
postal union.
The investigation OF the depart
ment OF justice and the
postoffice department have resulted in
the presentation of indictments against
persons formerly connected with that
service, accusing them of offences
against the United States. have en-
Joined upon the officials who are charg-
ed with conduct Of the cases on the
part of the government and upon the
eminent counsel who before my acces-
sions to the presidency were called to
their assistance the duty of prose-
cutting with utmost vigor of the law
all persons who may be found charga-
BILE with frauds upon the postal ser.
vice.
PoLYGAMY.
For many years the executive in his
annual message to congress has shows
the necessity of stringent legislation fol
the suppression of polygamy in the ter
ritories, especially in Utah. The exist
ing statute, for the punishment Of thi.
odious crime, so revolving to the mora
religious sense of christianity has beer
persistently violated ever since its
enactment. Indeed in spite of COM
mendable efforts on the part of the au-
thorities who represent the United
States in that territory, the law has OIL
very rare instances, been enforced and
for a cause to which reference will
presently be made is practically dead
letter. The fact that adherents of th,
mormon church which rests upon polyg
amy as its corner stone, have recently
been peopling in large numbers,
Idaho, Arizona and other of our ives.
tern territories. is we'll calculated to ex
cite the liveliest interest and apprehen.
sion it. Imposes upon congress and the
executive the duty of using agains
this barbarious system all the powe
which under the constitution and Law
xr,tolI fu
Reference has been already made to tn,
encountered in their efforts to to pnnisf
violations of the law. Prominent
among the obstacles is the difficulty ol
procuring legal evidence sufficient t
warrant a conviction even in the cast
of the most notorious offenders. Yon
attention is called to the occupation o
! the supreme court of the United State
explaining its judgment of reversal il
the case of Miles who had been con
victed OF bigamy in Utah. The cour
refers to the fact that the secrecy at
tending the celebration of marriages il
that territory makes that part of polyg
amy very difficult, and the propriety
suggested Of modifying that law of evi
dence which now makes a wife incom
petent to testify against her husband
This suggestion is approved. | recon
mend also the passage of an act pro
viding that in the territories of thes
United States the fact that womal
has been married to perso
charged with bigamy shall not dis
qualify her as witness upon his tris
for that offense. further recommen
Legislation by which any person solem
nizlng a marriage in any of the terrific
ries shall be required under stronges
penalties for neglect or refusal, to I'll
a certificate Of such marriage in til
supreme court of the territory, unles
congress make other practicabl