Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1882-12-11


for extending our commerce are
greatly restricted, while the nations
which build and sail the ships and I
carry the mails and passengers OBJ
tain thereby conspicuous advantages
in Increasing their trade.
The report of the postmaster-gen-
eral gives evidence of the satisfacto-
ry condition of that department, and
contains much valuable data and ac-
companying suggestions which can
not fail to be of interest. The infor-
nation which it affords that the re-
ceipts for the fiscal year have ex-
ceeded the expenditures must be very
gratifying to congress and to the
people of the country.
At the last session of congress
several bills were introduced into the
house of representatives for the re-
duction of letter postage to the rate
of two cents per half ounce. [ have
given much study and reflection to
this subject and am thoroughly per-
suaded that such q reduction would
be for the best interests of the pub
lie. 1t has been the policy of the
government from it's foundation to
defray as far as possible the ex-
penses of carrying the mails by a di-
rect tax in the form of postage. 1t
has never been claimed, however,
that this service ought to be produc-
tive of a net revenue. AS has been
stated, the report of the postmaster
general shows that there is now CON
siderable surplus in his department,
and that henceforth the receipts are
likely to increase to a much greater
ratio than the necessary expendi-
lures. Unless some change is made
in the existing laws, the profits of
the postal service will in few years
swell the revenues of the government
many million dollars. The time
seems suspicious, therefore, for some
reduction in the rates of postage.
In my message of December last I
referred to pending criminal proceed
ings growing out of alleged frauds in
what is known as the star route SER
vice of the postoffice department, and
advised you that / enjoined upon the
encouragement and associate coun-
sci, to whom the interests of the
government were intrusted, the duty
of prosecuting with the utmost rigor
of the law all persons who might be
found chargable with those offences.
A trial of one of these cases has since
occurred. 1t occupied for many
weeks the attention of the supreme
court of this district, and was con-
Quoted with great zeal and ability.
1t resulted in disagreement of the
jury. But the cause has been again
placed upon the calendar and will
shortly be retired. If any guilty per-
sons shall finally escape punishment
for their offenses it will not be for
lack of diligent and earnest efforts
on the part of the prosecution.
/ trust that some agreement may
be reached which will speedily ena-
BILE congress, with the concurrence of
the executive, to afford the CONNER
cial community the benefits of ma
, tional bankrupt law.
No survey of our material condi-
, ton can fail to suggest inquiries as
to the moral and intellectual progress
7 of the people. The census returns
disclose an alarming state of illitera-
r cy in certain portions of the country.
where the provision for schools is
7 grossly inadequate. 1t is a moment
t Gus question for the decision of con
a gress whether immediate and sub.
: stantial aid should not be extended
: by the general government for sup
Y plementing the efforts of private be
n neficence and of state and territorial
: legislation in behalf of education.
). The results which have thus far at
: tended the enforcement of the recen
h statue for the suppression of polyg
l. amy in the territories are reported b,
: the secretary of the interior. 1t i
e not probable that any additional leg
II islation in this regard will be deem
d ed desirable until the effect of exist
d ing laws shall be more closely oh
IS sered and studied. | congratulate
1T you that the commissioners unde
rs whose supervision these laws hav
), been put in operation are encourage
ID to believe that the evil at which the
Sc are aimed may be suppressed withou
D. resort to such radical measures as i
a. some quarters have been thought il
n dispensible for success.
N The report of the commissioner {
D. agriculture presents an account {
the labors of that department durin
e. the past year and includes inform;
of ton of much interest to the gener
Y public. The condition of the fores
It. of the country and the wasteful mai
e. ner in which their destruction is tai
tn ing place give cause for serious a.
b. prehension. Their action in protec
40 ing the earth's surface, in modifyiI
ed the extremes of climate and in reg
rs lating and sustaining the flow
he springs and streams, is now well u
Is. derstood, and their Importance in +
". lation to the growth and prospect
.st of the country cannot be safely di
,u- regarded. They are fast disappea
N ing before destructive fires and t
.