The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1883-12-08


vessels of other nations. A fourth vessel,
the Dolphin, is to be constructed Of similar
material, and Is intended to serve as fleet
dispatch boat. The double turreted mont
tors, Puritan. Amplerite and Terror, have
been launched on the Delaware river, and a
contract has been made for the supply OF
their machinery. A similar monitor, the
MonadnOck, has been launched in Califor'
mia. The Naval Advisory Board and the
Secretary recommend the completion OF the
monitors, the construction OF four gunD0ats,
and also of three additional steel vessels,
like the Chicago, Boston and Dolphin, as an
important measure of material defense.
INTERNAL WATERWAYS.
The Secretary urges, also, the immediate
creation OF an internal fast line OF water
ways: across the pennsular of Florida,
along the coast from Florida to Hampton
Roads, between the Chesapeake bay and
Delaware river, and through Cape Cod.
feel bound to impress upon the attention
of Congress the necessity Of continued pro-
gress in the reconstruction of the Navy.
The condition of the public treasury, as !
have already intimated, makes the present
an suspicious time for putting this branch
of the service in state of efficiency. 1t is
no part of our policy to create and maintain
a navy able to cope with that of the other
great powers of the world. We have no
wish for foreign conquest, and the peace
which we have long enjoyed is in no SEEM
ing danger of interruption. But that our
navy should be made adequate for the de
fence of our harbOrs, the, protection of our
commercial interests and the maintenance
of our national honor, is proposition from
which no patriotic citizen can withhold his
assent.
POSTAL MATTERS.
The report of the Postmaster General
contains gratifying exhibit of the c0ndi-
ton and prospects of the interesting branch
of the public service entrusted to his care.
1t appears that on Juue 80 1883, the whole
number of postoflices was 47,SG3, Of which
1882 were established during the previous
fiscal year. The number of offices opera
ting under the system of free delivery was
154. At these latter offices the postage on
local matter amounted to ~ III, 800, Il
sum exceeding by Sl,Wl ,S4.0l the entire
cost of the carrier service to the country.
The rate of postage on drop letters is now
fixed by law at two cents per half ounce OF
fraction thereof. In offices where the car
rier system has not been established the
bered that in 1868, when free delivery was
first established by law, the uniform single
rate postage upOr local letters was one cent,
and so it remained until 1872, when in those
cities where carrier service was established
it was increased, to defray the expense OF
such service. 1t seems to me that the old
rate may now with propriety be restored,
and that, too, even at the risk of diminish
ing, for time ut least, the receipts from
postage upon 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 collection
and delivery, but the collection and deliv-
cry of all other classes, and am confident,
after full consideration of the subject, that
al, nftl ,nr To m
by such a growing accession of business as
to occasion but slight and temporary loss to
the revenues of the pOstOfiicc
POSTAL TELEGRAPIIY.
The Postmaster General devOtes much Of
his report to the consideration, in its vari-
GUS aspects of the relations OF the Govern
ment to the telegraph. Such reflections as
/ have been able to give to this subject since
nv last annual message has not led me to
change the view which there expressed in
dissenting from the recommendation OF the
Postmaster General, that the government
assume the same control over the telegraph
that it has always exercised over the mail.
Admitting that its authority in the premises
is as ample as has ever been claimed for 1t,
it would not, in my Judgment, be wise use
of that authority to purchase or assume the
control of existing telegraph lines, or to
construct others with view of entering IN
prise. The objections which may be Justly
urged against either of these projects, and,
indeed, against any system which would re-
qlire an enormous increase in the clvll ser
vice list, do not, however apply to some or
the plans which have lately provoked pub
lie comment and discussion. 1t has been
claimed for example, that Congress might
wisely authorize the Postmaster General to
contract with some private person or cOrpO-
ration for the transmission OF messages at
specified rates and under government super
vision, 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 ana OPP
posed have doubtless attracted your nttcn-
ton. 1t is likely that the whole subject viii
be considered by you at this session. In the
nature of things, it involves so many qhes-
tons of detail that your deliberations would
probably be aided slightly, at all, by any par
licular suggestions which might now SUD
nit. ! avow my belief, however, That the
government should be authorized by law 70
exercise some sort of supervision over inter
state telegraph communication, ana eX,
press the hope that for attaining that END
some measure may be devised which Will
receive yOnr appreciation
JURORS AND WITNESSES IN FEDERAL
COURTS.
The Attorney General criticiScS, in his re-
port the provisions of the existing law flN-
ing the fees of jurors and witnesses III the
Federal courts. The provisions are chiefly
contained in the act of Feb. -, 1855, though
some of them were introduced into that see
ton from statutes that had been passed
many years previous 1t is manifest that
such compensation as might, when these
laws were enacted, have been just and rea-
sonabe, would in many instances be justly
regarded ut the present day as Inadequate.
concur with the Attorney General in the
belief that the statutes should be revised by
which these fees are regulated. so, too,
should the laws which regulate the com
pensation of District Attorneys and Mar
shalS. They should be paid wholly by Sala-
ries, instead of in part by fees rs is now the
case. The change would prove to be a
measure of economy, and would discourage
the institution of needless and oppressive
legal proceedings which, it is 10 be feared,
have, in some instances, been conducted for
the mere sake Of personal gain.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Much interesting and varied Information
is contained in the reIort of the secretary
of the interior. particularly call your at
ton to MS presentation 0i ctr'aln phases
of the Indian question; IL his rcro'n,nrn-
datiOnS for the repeal OF tue presumption
and timber cnlture acts, aud for more
stringent legislation to prevent frauds uil-
der the pension laws The statutes which
prescribe the definitions and punlShments