Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-12-04

year. Inc Star.ROute Service, IL Is estl-
mated, will cost for tho fiscal year 81. $780,
900. which Is more than 5000, 1000 less than
the cost of this service for the last fiscal
year, and 81 ,7B0 900 less than the amount
appropriated for the current year. He
taVors the suggestions of the Postmaster
General for the establishment of Postal
Savings system, and directs the attention Of
Congress to numerous recommendations cal
culated to promote efficiency aud secure
economy in the postal service. For the
next fiscal year the receipts are estimated
in round numbers at S5O,OOO,OOO, and the
expenses OF S46,000,000, an estimated OK
cess OF receipts over expenditures of 81 ,O00,-
600,
That portion of the message which re-
lates to the War Department is of interest
chiefly because Of the concurrence by the
President in the views Of the Secretary
touching an increase of the army aud the
curtailment of appropriation for public
works. The President advises Congress
that OF the amounts appropriated in the last
River and Harbor Appropriation bill there
remains on baud large unexpended bal
ance, which could not be applied during the
year because of the late day at which these
amounts became available Proceeding on
the theory that taxation is to be reduced,
the President joins with the Secretary of
War in the hope that Congress for the next
fiscal year will make 10 appropriation on
account of rivers aud harbors, except in so
far as may be necessary to prosecute work
already'begun, and forwhich the appropria-
tlons will have been exhausted at the end
of the fiscal year.
The operations of the Navy Department
are very briefly reviewed. The attention of
Congress is invited to the report of the
Board of Advisors of the Navy, in various
recommendations advanced to promote its
efficiency The President concurs with the
Secretary of the Navy in his recommended
tons for placing the navy on better foot
ing, both as to ships aud armament. He
also indor5es the recommendation that the
Revenue Marine aud Life Saving Service
and Coast Survey be transferred from the
control of the Treasury Department, as n
means of combining under single mead all
similar services.
The policy of the Secretary of the Interior
with regard to Indian affairs meets the
Presidents approval He urges that such
treatment Of the Indians rs will tend to
civiizo them should be encouraged, and
calls attention to the firm and yet humaniz-
ing influences which have been thrown
about them during the past year, resulting
i'll an exceptional season of freedom from
turbulence. The Importance of IL law to
| allow the Indians to hold their lands in
severalty is also urged, on the ground that
it would best tend to promote the welfare
and permanent advancement of the Indiana
The President congratulates Congress
upon the passage Of last sessions law for
the suppression of polygamy in the Territory
OF Utah. Tho commissioners appointed
under tho law have been engaged in their
labors in Utah, and have made commend
| able progress. There were, and remain
obstacles of no mean order to be overcome
which tho President hopes may disappear
without occasion for more stringent lcgislA-
ton. The failure of the people of that Ter
rltory to accept the law in its full spirit was,
| he says, perhaps TO have been expected to
| some extent, because Of the radical change
in the election system heretofore prevail
ing, and the natural aversion to the law Of
the great majority of the people Of tho Ter
ritory. lie recommends the continuance of
the commission until it SHALL have been
demonstrated that there is no longer prac-
| tical necessity for its use.
The President recalls the prosecution Of
the Star Route cases under the Department
ofJustice, announcing the progress already
made, and the determination of the Admin
lstration to secure q full investigation and
satisfactory outcome in the Courts. He &C.
clares it to be his purpose, as it is that of the
department., to obtain only just result, and
one that will commend itself to intelligent.
and fairminded opinion. But the Admins
tration will not suffer obstruction at the
hands of its own officials, as has been shown
by removals from Office as the penalty of
Official departures from correct course of
action. The President takes care to empha
size the infection of these penalties as hay
ing been prompted wholly in spirit of loy-
atty to the reasonable demands of the Gov
eminent, and he commends the action ofthc
Department ofJustice in this respect, refer
ring to the Attorney General's report and
correspondence transmitted from the De-
Dartmeht Of Justice
Nor does the President forget the Civil
Service. He is still in favor of its elevation
and some plan which will improve it by rca-
son ola more stable tenure He is opposed
to removals save for inetIiciency, neglect or
malfeasance. He makes no recommends
ton as to what should be done to reform it,
taking the ground that it is within the am.
pie jurisdiction eff Congress-
The message concludes with q review of
the operations of the Commissioners of the
District of Columbia. 1t recites, under this
caption, the fact that the Improvement of
the Potomac fats has been begun, and that
1T will be prosecuted to the earliest compile
ton in the interest OF both the commerce
and health Of the National Capital.
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