Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-05
NO. 286.

through these Offices is now fixed by law at
two cents per half ounce or fraction thereof.
In offices where the carrier system has not
been established the rate is only half ss
large. II will be remembered that in 1868,
when free delivery was first established by
law, the uniform single rate postage on local
letters was one cent, snd remained so until
1872, when in those cities where carrier ser
vice was established, it was increased in
order to defray the expenses of such service.
1t seems to me that the old rate may now with
propriety be restored and that, too, even
at the risk cf diminishing for a time at least
the receipts from postagesupon local letters.
can see no reason why that particular class
of 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 am confident
after full consideration of the subject that the
reelection of rate would be followed by such
a growing accession of business as to occa-
sion but slight and temporary loss 10 the rev.
enues of the post Office. The Postmaster
General devOtes much of his report to the
consideration, in its various aspects, of the
relation of the government to the telegraph.
Such reflection as have been able to give TO
the subject since my last annual message, has
not led me TO change the view which there
expressed in dissenting from the recommeu-
dation of the Postmaster-General that the
government assume the same control over
the telegraph which it has always exercised
over the mail. Admitting that its authority
in the premises is as ample rs has ever
been been claimed for it, it would not
in my Judgment be wise use of that
authority to purchase or assume the
control of existing telegraph lines, or the
construction of others with view of enter
ing into general competition with private
enterprise. The objection which may be
Justly urged against either of these projects
is indeed against any system which would
require an enormous increase in the civil
ssrv ice list, but do not, however, apply to
some of the plans which have lately provoked
public comments and discussion. 1t has
been claimed, for example, that Congress
might wisely authorize the Postmaster. Cen
eral to contract with some private persons or
corporation for the transmission of messages
at specified rates and under government su-
pervision. Various such schemes Of the same
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,
doubtless attracted your attention. 1t is like
ly that the whole subject will be considered
by you at the present session. In the nature
of things it involves so many questions of
detail, that your deliberations would prob
ably be aided slightly, if at all, by any partic-
ular suggestions which might now submit,
avow my belief, however, that the
Government should be authorized by law to
exercise some sort ofsupervision over interest
in telegraph communication, and l express
the hope that for attaining that end some
measure may be devised which will receive
your appreciation.
FEES AND SALARIES IN THE COURTS
The attorney general criticises in his re-
port the provisions of existing law, fixing
the fees of jurors and witnesses in the federal
courts. These provisions are chiefly con-
tanned in the act of February 26, 1858,
though some of them were introduced
into action from statutes which
had passed many years previous. 1t
is manifest that such compensation as
might, when these laws we're enacted, have
been just ana reasonable in many instances,
be justly regarded at the present day as inad-
equate. ! concur with the attorney general
in the belief that the statutes SHOULD be re-
vised by which these fees are regulated. So,
too, should the laws which regulate the com
pensation of district attorney and marshals.
They should be paid wholly by salaries in
stead of in part by fees, as is now the
case. The change would prove to be
measure OF economy, and would discour-
age the Institution Of needless oppres-
sive legal proceedings, which it is to
be feared. have in some instances been
conducted for the mere sake of personal gain.
REPORT OF SECRETARY OF INTERIOR.
Much interesting and varied information Is
contained in the report of the Secretary of
the Interior. | particularly call your atten-
ton to his presentation of certain phases of
the Ind ian question, to his recommendations
for the repeal of the preemption and timber
culture act, and for more stringent legisla-
tion to prevent frauds under the pension laws.
The statutes which prescribe the definitions
and punishment of crimes in relation to pen
sions could doubtless be made more effective
by certain amendments and additions which
are pointed out in the Secretary's report
EDUCATIONAL MEASURES.
have previously referred to the alarming
state of illiteracy in certain portions of the
country, and again submit for the considera-
ton OF Congress whether some federal aid
should not be extended to public primary
education wherever adequate provision there
for has not already been made.
AFFAIRS IN UTAH.
The Utah commission has submitted to the
Secretary Of the Interior its second annual
report, as result OF its labors in supervising
the recent election in that Territory pursuant
to the act of March 22, 1882. It appears
that the persons by that act disquali-
lied to the number of about 1900
were excluded from the polls. This fact,
however, affords little cause for congratula-
tion, and fear that it is far from indicating
any real and substantial progress toward the
extirpation of polygamy. All of the men,
bers of the legislature are Mormons. There
is grave reason to believe that they are in
sympathy with the practices that this govern
ment is seeking to suppress, and its effort in
that regard will be more likely to encounter
their opposition than to receive their encour-
agement and support. Even il this view
should happily 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 and as were included in bill
2233 on the calendar Of the Senate, at its last
session. I arm convinced, however, that
polygamy has become 30 strongly intrenched
in the territory Of Utah that 1t is profitless to
attack it with any but the strongest weapons
constitutional legislation can command.
favor. therefore, the repeal Of the act upon
which the existing government depends, the
assumptions by the national legislature
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