Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1882-12-14

/ other countries and sailing un der foreign flags.
| WIKI no United States steamer on the principal
| fccan lines, or for any foreign parts, our facli-
ties for extending our commerce are greatly re-
| strcted, while the nations which build the ships
| md carry the mail and passengers, obtain there
| by conspicuous advantages in increasing heir
trade.
| REDUCTION OF LETTER POSTAGE.
| AT the last session Of congress several bills
were introduced into the house of representa-
| tiyes for the reduction OF letter postage the
| rate of two cents per one-half ounce have
| given much study and reflection to this subject,
aud am thoroughly persuaded that such re-
| d4ctlon would be for the best interests OF the
/ public. 1t has been the policy OF the govern
mcnt, from 10 foundation, t, defray as far
as possible the expense of carrying the mails by
direct tax in the form Of postage. 1t has
| never been claimed however, that this service
ought to be productive OF net revenue.
AS has been stated already the report of the post
master general sh6wS there is now very consid-
cradle surplus in his department, and that
henceiorth receipts likely to increase in much
| greater ratio than necessary expenditure. In
Tess some change is made in the existing laws the
profits of the postal service will, in very few
years swell the revenues Of the government
| many millions Of dollars. The time seems
seem7 auspicaus, therefore, for some reduction
IN rates OF postage. In what shall that reduc-
| ZION consist A review O. the legislation which
has been had upon this subject during the last
1rty years discloses that domestic letters consti
! lute the only class Of mail mattec which has
never been favored with substantial reduction
! # rates. | am convinced that the burden
Of maintaining the services falls most unequaliS
IN that class, and that more than any other it is
| entitled to present relief That such relief may
be extended without detrment to other public in
erests will be discovered by reviewing the results
81 former reductions Immediately prior to the
act ct 1915, the postage on a letter composed 0:
a single sheet was, viz L. conveyed thirty miles
or less six cents; between thirty and eighty miles,
! ~ cents; between eighty ami one hundred and
! fifty miles ~ cents between one hundred and
1tty and tour hundred miles l3% conts; over four
hundred miles, % cents. By the act Of 1915 the
postage on single letter conveyed for any dis
;ance under 200 miles, fixed at five cents, and
Tor any greater distance 10 cents BY the act OF
1881, IL was provided that a siugle letterf pre-
paid, should be carried any distance not exceed
ing 500 miles tor three cents, aud any greater dis
lance six cents. IL will be noticed that both
these reductions were of q radical character and
relatively quite as important as that now pro-
posed. Ia each case there ensued a temporary
1ss Of revenue, but sndden and large influx o!
business which paid that loss in three years. I'm.
less the experience Of past legislation 10 this
country and elsewhere goes for naught, 1t may be
safely predicted that stimulus of 6fty per
cent. reduction tax for carriage would at once in.
crease the number of letters consigned to the
| mails The advantages Of secrecy would lead to
very general substitution of sealed packets
for post cards and open circulars, aad in divers
her ways the volume Of first class matter would
oc enormously augmented. Such an increase
amounted in England the first year after the
! adoption of penny postage to more than 1875
per cent.
As he result of careful estimate, the details
OF which cannot here he set out have become
convinced that the deficiency for the first wear
re rpl would NJ
seven per cent of expenditures or So 900 900,
while the deficiency after the reduction of 1915
was more than II per cent and alter that 81 1851
t was q per cent.
THE PosToFFIcE DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the postmaster general gives evil
Gence of the satisfactory condition of that depart
ment, and contains many valuable data and sue-
gcstions which cannot fail to be of interest. Ihc
information which it affords that the recepts for
the fiscal year have exceeded expenditures, must
be very gratifying to congress and to the people
OF the country. As matters which may fairly
claim particular attention lreter to his observation
In reference TO the advisability of changing the
present basis for fixing salaries and allowances,
| q; extending the money order system Of Gu
argiug the functions of postal establishments SO
| as 10 place under its control The telegraph sys-
ten of the country; though from this last and
! mos; important recommendation / must with
hold my approval.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The report of the department of justice brings
anew to yours notice the necessity Of enla,ang
the present system OF federal jurisprudence so a.
| 10 efectually answer the requirement Of our in
crossing litigation with which il Is called upon TO
| deal. The attorney general reviews the sugges-
tions OF his predecessor that in the interest Of JUS
tice, better provisions than the existing law affords
should be made in certain judicial dis fets for fix.
| ing the fees of witnesses and Jurors
THE STAR ROUTE CASES.
! In my message of December last, referred to
| pending criminals proceedings growing out of the
| alleged frauds in what is known as the star
route service of the postoffce department and ai-
yised you that had enjoised upon the attor-
ney general and associate counsel to whom the in
| terests OF the governments were intrusted the
| duty OF prosecuting with the utmost vigor
Of the law all persons who might be found
chargeable with those offences A trial Of one
of these cases has since occurred. 1t occupied fer
many weeks the attention of the supreme court
OF this district and was conducted with great zeal
and ability. 1t resulted in disagreement Of the
| jury, but the causes have again been placed upon
the calendar aud will shortly be retired. II auy
guilty persons shall finally escape punishment for
their offences il will not be for lack Of diligent
and urgent work Of the prosecution.
ABANKRyrT LAW.
! tru.t that some agreement will be-cached
which will speedily aid congress, with :he concur
renee Of the executive, to afford the c4Lmercia,
community the benefit Of a national bankrupt
law.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT,
The report Of the secretary of the Interior.
with ils accompanying documents presents a full
statement Of the varied operations Of that depart
incnt In respect TO Indian affairs nothing has
occurred which has changed or seriously II odfed
the views 10 which l devoted much space in a
| io'mer communication to congress. l renew the
! recommendations therein contained as to ex-
| tending to the Indians he protection Of law. al
'oting land n severalty to such as deserved il,
ana making suitable provision for the
education Of the young. Such provision
SIS the secretary forcblv maintains
viii prove unayailiog unless it IS broad
| ,ncugs 20 include 81 tho,s who are able and
willing 10 mako use Of H.. and shaulG not solely
relate 10 intellectual training hat also ias ruciiou
IN such manual labor and simple industrial arts
/ as can be made practically available.
Among other inpoitlnt slbj-c which are IN
Guided in the secre.ary's report sai which will
doubtless furnish occasion for congressional ae-
lion, may be mentioned the neglect OF railroad
| -ompanieS, % which large gratis If land were
made By acts Of 1899 and 1854 10 take The title
thereto aud their consequent equitable exemption