The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1883-12-08


for the entire cost Of not only its own eolleo-
ton aud delivery, but the collection and de-
after full consideration of the subject that
reduction of the rate would be followed by
such growing accession OF business as TO oc-
casion but slight and temporary loss to the
revenue of the postOfiice.
GOvERNMENT TELEGRAPHs.
The Postmaster General devotes much of his
report to the consideration, in its various
aspects, of the relations of the Government
to the telegraph. As such reflection as have
been able to give to this subject since my last
annual messuge has not led me To change the
view which l 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 It's
authority I'm the premises is as ample a5 has
ever been claimed for it, it would not in my
Judgment be wise to use. If that authority to
purchase or assume the control of existing
| telegraph lines or TO construct others with Il
view OF entering into general competition
with private enterprises.
Tne 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 lately 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 at specified rates and un-
der Government supervision. Various such
schemes of some general nature, but widely
differing i'm 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
1t is likely that the whole subject will be
considered by you at the present session. In
the nature of things it involves so many qucs-
tions of detail that your deliberations would
probably be aided but slightly If ut all by amy
particular suggestions which l might now
submit. l avow my belief, however, that the
government should be authorized by law to
State telegraphiC communication and. | cN-
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 criticise7 in his report
the provisions OF the existing law hNing tue
fees of jurors and Witnesses in the Federal
courts These provisions are chl ely contained
them were introduced into that action from
statutes which had been passed many years
previous. 1t is manifest such compcusat on
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.
| concur with the Attorney General in tho
belief that the statutes should be revised by
which these fees are regulated. SO, too,
should the laws which regulate the compcu-
sation Of district attorneys and marshuls.
They should be paid wholly by salaries instead
OF in part by fees, as is now the case. The
change would prove TO be a measure of econ
omy and would discourage the institution of
needless and oppressive legal proceedings,
which IL 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
contained in the report OF the Secretary of
the Interior. particularly call your atten-
tion to his presentation of certain phases of
the Indian questions TO his recommendation
for the repeal of the pre-emptiOn and timber
cultivation acts and for more stringent leg
lslation 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 aud additions which are
pointed out in the Secretary report.
ILLITERACY.
have previously referred to the alarming
country and again submit for the considera-
ton Of Congress whether some Federal aid
SlUuiu i' ~ pc eNtehued 9 10 pubic primary educa-
mas 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 supcrvis-
ing the recent election in that Territory pur-
suant to the act Of March ~ 1882 it appears
that the persons by that act disqualified, to the
number of about l2OJO, were excluded from
the polls. This fact, however, affords little
cause for congrntulation, anu l fear that il is
far rom indicating any real and sub
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 is
seeking tosuppress, and that its efforts in that
regurd VIII be more likely TO encounter Op-
position than receive their encouragement
and support. Even If this view should hap
commissioners nave been acting should
be nude more effective by the fncor-
poration of some such stringent measures
as they recommend were included in
bill No. 2.s}S on the calendar of the Senate at
its last session. l am convinced. however,
that polygamy has become so strongly en-
trenChed in the Territory of Utah that il is
protitless to attack il with any but the stout
est weapons which constitutional legislation
can fashion. l favor therefore the repeal of
the act upon which the existing government
depends, the assumption by the National Leg
nf entire nOliffnnI of ia
Territory and the establishment of n commits
sion with such powers and duties shall be
AGRICULTURAL AFFAIRS.
The Department of Agriculture is accom-
plishing much in the direction of the agricul-
tural development of the country and the
report of the Commissioner giving the results
of his Investigations and experiments will be
found interesting and valuable. At his in
stance "A convention of those interested in the
cattle industry of the country was lately held
at Chicago. The prevalence of pleurO pneu-
mOnia and other contagious diseases of ami
mails was one Of the chief topics of discus
sion. A committee of the convention will
invite your cooperation in investigating the
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 OF
law. It's people have repeatedly demonstrated
against our neglect to afford them maintenance
and protection, expressly guaranteed by the
was cedsd to the United States. For sixteen
years they have pleaded in vain for that which
They have no law for the protection OF debts,
the support of education, the con-
veyance OF property, the admin
istratiOn OF estates, or the enforcement
Of contracts. none indeed for the punish
ment of criminals except such as offend
against certain customs, commerce and naVi
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 is
one of political and Commercial Importance.
The prOmptings of interest, therefore, as
well as considerations Of honor and good
faith. demand the immediate establishment
of u civil government i'm that territory.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Complaints have lately been numerous and
urgent that certain corporations controlling
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 to
divers measures unjust and oppressive i'm
their character.
In some Instances the State governments