Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1883-12-06

mail matter should be held accountable
for the entire cost OF not only Its own cOllec-
ton and delivery, but the collection and de-
livery OF all other classes. and 1 am confident
after full consideration OF the subiect that =
reduction OF the rate would be followed by
such growing accession OF business as to 90
casion but slight and temporary loss TO the
reyende OF the postOdice.
GOvkRNMENT TELEGRAPHs.
Tho Postmaster General devOtes much OF his
report 10 the consideration, In its various
uspccts, OF the relations OF the Government
TO the telegraph. As such reflection As have
been abb to give to this subject siace my last
annunl message has not led mo TO change the
view which there expressed In dissenting
from the recommendation OF the Postmaster
General, that the Government assume some
control over the telegraph which IL has always
exercised over the mail, admitting that its
authority in the premises is us ample rs has
ever been claimed for IT. ii would not in my
judgment be wise to use. IL that authority 10
purchase or assume tho control OF exlsting
telegraph lines or TO construct others with
view OF entering Into general competition
with private enterprises.
PLANS PROPOSED.
The objections which may be Justly urged
against either of these projects, and indeed
against any system which would require any
enormous Increase in the civil service listed
do not, however, apply to some of the plans
which have lntely provoked public comment
and discussion. 1t has been claimed. for ex-
ample, that Congress might wisely authorize
the Postmaster General to contract with some
private persons or corporation for the trans
mission of messages ut specified rates and un-
der Government supervision. Various such
schemes of some general nature but widely
differing in their special characteristics, have
been suggested in the public prints, and the
arguments by which they have been supported
and opposed have doubtless attracted your
attention.
1t is likely that the whole subject will be
considered by you at the present session. In
the nature OF things il involves so many ques-
dol fhnt fffas.a xrf,tNtA
probably be aided but slightly il at all by any
particular suggestions which l might now
submit. avow my belief, however, that the
government should be authorized by law to
exercise some sort of supervision over inter
state telegraphic communication and ex-
press the hope that for attaining that end
some measure may be devised which will re-
ceive your appreciation.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The Attorney General criticises in his report
the provisions OF the existing law fixing the
fees OF jurors and witnesses in the Federal
courts. These provisions are chiefly contained
in the act of February 26, 1853, though some of
them were introduced into that uotion from
statutes which had been passed many years
previous 1t is manifest such compensation
might when these laws were enacted, have
been just and reasonably would in many in.
stances be justly regarded at the present day
as inadequate.
belief that the statutes should be revised by
which these fees arc regulated. So, too,
should the laws which regulate the compen.
sation of district attorneys and marshals.
They should be paid wholly by salaries instead
Of in part by fees, as is now the case The
change would prove to be measure of econ
omy and would discourage the institution of
needless and oppressive legal proceedings,
which 1t is to be feared have in some instances
been conducted for the mere sake of personal
gain.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
Much interesting and varied information is
anf n and frN - Co.. -
the Interior. particularly call your atten-
tion to his presentation of certain phases of
the Indian questions, to his Recommendation
Tor the repeal OF the presumption and timber
islation to prevent frauds under the pension
laws.
PENSION FRAUDS.
The statutes which prescribe the definitions
and punishment of crimes relating to pen.
sions could doubtless be made more effective
by certain amounts and additions which are
pointed out In the Secretary report.
ILLITERACY.
have previously referred to the alarming
state OF iliiteracy in certain portions of the
country and again submit for the considera.
ton or Congress whether some Federal aid
should sinm be extended to public primary edaoa
has not already been made.
THE POLYGAMY PROBLEM.
The Utah Commission has submitted to the
Secretary Of the Interior its second annual
report. AS result of its labors in supervis
ing the recent election in that Territory pur
suant to the act of March ", 1882, 1t appears
that the persons by that act disqualified, to the
| number Of about 120o0, were excluded from
the polls This fact, however, affords little
cause for congratulation, and fear that it is
far from indicating any real and sub
| stantial progress. toward the extrpatioI
of polygamy. All of the members OF
the Legislature are Mormons. There is grave
| reason to believe that they are in sympathy
with the practice that this Government i:
seeking to osuppress, and that its efforts in that
| regard Will be more likely to encounter op
| position than receive their encouragement
and support. Even if this view should hap
| PLY be erroneous the law under which the
Commissioners have been acting should
be made more effective by the incor
| poration of some such stringent measures
| as they recommend as were included ir
| bill No. 223S on the calendar of the Senate al
| its last session. l am convinced, however
| thakpolyl pmy has become so strongly en-
| trasEhed m the Territory of Utah that it Ii
| proftless to attack it with any but the stout
est weapons which constitutional legislation
can fashion. / favor therefore the repeal of
the act upon which the existing goyernment
depends, the assumption by the National Leg
| islkure of the entire political control of the
Tel ktorynand the establishment of commits
| sion witffYuch powers and duties as shall b,
delegated to it by law.
| AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
| The Department of Agriculture is accom-
plishing much in the direction of the agricu
report of the Commissioner giving the result
of his investigations and experiments will b
| found interesting and valuable. At his in
stance convention OF those interested in th
cattle industry of the country was lately he'll
at Chicago. The prevalence of pleuro pneu
| monia and other contagious diseases OF an
mails was one of the chief topics of discus
sion. A committee of the convention vii
causes of these diseases and providing
methods for their prevention and cure.
| GOVERNMENT FOR ALASKA.
| tru st that Congress will not fail in its pres
ent session to put Alaska under protection 0
law. Its people have repeatedly demonstrated
against our neglect to afford them maintenance
and protection, expressly guaranteed by tn
was ceded to the United States. For sixteeii
years they have pleaded in vain for that whicl
they should have received without the asking
They have no law for the protection of debts
the support Of edusation the
istratiOn of estates, or the enforcement
of contracts, none indeed for the punish
ment of criminals except such as often,
against certain customs, commerce and nav
| cation acts. The resources of Alaska, es
pecially in fur, mines and lumber, are con
| siderable in extent and capable of large de
velopment, while its geographical situation il
one OF political and commercial Importance
| The promptings of interest, therefore, a
well as considerations of honor and goot
| faith. demand the immediate establishment
of civil government in that territory.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Complaints have lately been numerous ant
| urgent that certain corporations controliin,
in whole or in part the facilities for the inter
| State carriage of persons and merchandise
| over the great railroads of the country have
resorted in their dealings with the public tt
divers measures unjust and oppressive II
| their character.
In some instances the State governments
have attacked and suppressed these evils, bu
in others they have been unable to afford ad
eauate relief because of the jurisdictiona
limitations which are imposed upon them b.
the Federal Constitution. The question how
far the National government may lawfully
interfere in the premises, and what, IL an,
supervision or control it ought to exercise, I