Saturday press. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1880-1885, 1883-12-29

himself under like circumstances to give place
TO such officer as congress may by law appoint
to act ~ president ! have set forth numer
Gus interesting inquiries which are suggested
10y these words Of the constitution. They were
fully stated in my frs, communication 10 con.
gross, and have been the subject Of frequent
discussion in that. body. II is greatly to be
hoped that these pioncntous questions will find
speedy solution, lesst an emergency may arise
when a long delay will be impossible, and any
determination, albeit the wisest, may furnish
cause for anxiety and alarm.
DEPARTMENTAL REroRrs.
Secretary Of the Interior Teller deals at
length with the Indian question and suggest a
plan for its solution which may be summarized
as follows Disarm the Indian, reduce re.
scryaions to agricultural needs, cease to give
the Indian support in money and goods, but fit
him out with the tools and stock OF the farm,
furnish him teachers Of agriculture and stock.
raising, and give him to understand that he
must take care Of himself Commenting upon
this IN American paper says "Of course
this plan involves looking after him until he /,
able to stand alone. But experience show,
that he can he relied upon very soon, that he
learns readily, and i, iractable scholar whct
taken young enough" The secretary contend,
that, as a matter Of economy his plan will be
Of vast advantage, besides forever settling tn,
whole yexed Indian question lie reports
that we are largely indebted to many Indiar
tribes under treaties to pay them sums for con
sidcrations we have received, and to cnahl,
them to establish schools and build dwellings
'but without particle Of reason or the slight
est excuse Congress has deliberately refuse,
add coolly neglected for years to keep faitl
and recognize its own obligations. We mus
he honest before we ask the Indian to be de
cent"
Secretary of war Lincoln wants the pay o
common soldiers in the United States Ann,
raised at once TO $40 month. lie says futihe
that soldiers employed in manual labor ough
to be paid extra. He calls attention to tn
forcial condition Of the hlrbor and coast dchn
ses OF the United States and urges upon con
gress the expenditure of enough money TO pro
test the most important seaport TO cities
none Of them having, at present, defense
adequate to withstand the attack of half
dozen modern iron clads.
The report of the postmaster-general
largely devoted TO giving statistical data Of til
various branches of postal service for tht pas
( year. The entire revenues of the deparmer
for the fiscal year ending June so, 1885,
amounted to $45, S,692.6I. This is an il
crease Of over 8 per cent. above the receipts {
the previous year There were S,aS3 postoli
ces established during the year, and ,62I wei
( discontinued. The total number Of offices Jun
80, 1883, was 47,S65, being an increase {
1862 over the whole number existing June &c
1882. Thefrcedelivery system was in operatio
ones, and $3.50 carriers were employed. TIL
total cost of the Tree delivery service w
$5,173,356 The receipts for postage O
local matter in these I54 offices W;
: 81, I95, 23o 81, making an excess Of postae
on local matter in those cities having the frC
delivery system OF Sl,osI ,Soi.oI. The St;
servicefor 1883 cost $4,73o,47S, with II, ,99S, rs
miles of annual transportation, against a co
Of So, 5aI,49o, with 76,o7o,o ,oo5 miles of annu
transportation, in 1880, being an increase fro
1880 of I,927,7S7 miles Of transportation an
S., 5S2,o2I decrease in cost. This service
now all performed under contracts made upo
: proposals submitted in response to advertis
, ments.