Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-12-05

mail matter should be held accountable for the

entire cost of, not only its own collection and
delivery, but the collection and delivery of all
other classes, and am confident after full con-
slderation OF the subject that the reduction of
the rate would be followed by such a glowing
volume OF business as to occasion but slight
and temporary loss to the revenue of the post
office.
The postmaster general devotes much of
the report to the consideration in its various
aspects of the government to the telegraph
Such reflections as | have been able TO give the
subject SINCE my last annual message has not led
me to change the view which | then expressed
In dissenting from the recommendation of the
postmaster general, that the government assume
the same control over the telegraph which it has
always exercised over the mails. Admitting
that its authority in the premises be as ample
as has ever been claimed for
it, it would not in my Judgment be wise use
OF that authority to pu' chase assume the coz
troll of erecting telegraph lines, or to construct
others with view Of entering into general compe-
tltlon with private enterprise. The objection is
that which may be justly urged against either of
these projects, and, indeed, against any system
which would require an enormous increase in
the civil service. They do not, how
ever, apply to some of the plans which have
lately provoked public comment and discussion
1t has besn claimed, for exa nple, that congress
might wisely authorize the postmaster general
to contract with some private person or
corporation 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 and opposed have
doubtless attrs cted your attention. 1t is likely
that the whole subject will be considered by
you at the present session. In the nature of
things it involves many questions of detail
mr. iaal xy ho o11a cd
slightly. if at ali, by any particular sug-
gestions which l might now submit
L avow my belief, however, that the
government should be authorized by law to ex-
ercise court supervision over interstate tele-
graph communications. L express the hope
that for atalnlniDg that end some measure be
devised which will receive your approba-
uion.
The LAW DEPARTMENT.
The attorney general criticises in his report
the provision of the existing law in fixing the
fees of jurors and tnesses in the federal
courts. These provisions chiefly contained
IN the act of February rs, 1873, though some of
them were introduced into the section from stat
utes which had been passed many years preyi-
Gus. 1t Is manifest that such compensation
might, when these law we're enacted, have been
just and reasonable, would in MANY instances
be- justly remanded at the present day as made
quate. | concur with the attorney general in
the belief that the statutes shouli De revised BY
which these fees regulated. So should be
the laws to regulate the compensation of the
district attorney and marshals. They should
be-. paid wholly by salary instead OF in part by
fees, as is now the case. The change would
prove to be measure of economy and would
discourage the institution of needless and
oppressive legal proceedings which it
is to be feared have in some instances been con-
Quoted for the mere sake of personal gain.
THE INTERIOR.
Much interest and varied information is con-
tanned in the report of the secretary of the in
terror. | particularly call your attention to his
presentation of certain sphases OF the Indian
question, to his recommendations for the re-
peal of The presumption and timber culture acts,
and for more stringent legislation to prevent
frauds under the pension laws. The statutes
which prescribesthe definition and punishments
| of crimes pertaIeing to pensions, could doubt
less be made more effective by certain amend
ments and additions which are pointed out in
the secretary's report
l have previously referred to the alarming
state of illiteracy certain portions of the
country, and again submit to the consideration
of congress whether some federal aid should be
| extended to public primary education, wherever
adequate provision therefor has not already been
made.
| lie Utah commission has submitted to the
secretary of the inferior its second annual re-
port as the result of It's labors in that territory,
pursuant to the act of March %, 1882. 1t ap-
pears that the persons by that act disqualified,
to the number OF about 1850,
were excluded from the polls. This fact, how
ever affords little for congratulation, and
feel that it is far from indicating any real and
and substantial progress towards the extirpation
of polygamy. AS all the members of the legisla-
tur, are Mormons there is grave reason to be-
lieve that they are in sympathy with the prac-
tees that this government Is seeking to sup
press, and that its effect in that regard will be
more likely TO encounter their opposition to
than receive their encouragement and support
Even if this view should happily be erroneous,
the law under which the commissioner have
been acting should be made more effective by
the Incorporation of some such things and
measures as they recommend, were included
III bill No. 22S8, on the calendar of the senate at
its last session. L am convinced that polygamyhas
become 20 strongly intrenched in the territory
of Utah that it is profitless to attack with any
but the state weapons which constitutional gis-
lation can do for them. l favor, therefore, the
repeal of the act upon which the government
depends, the assumption by the national
legislature of the entire political control
of the territory, and the establishment of com
mission with such powers aud duties as shall be
delegated to it by law.
The department of agriculture is accomplish
ing much in the direction of agricultural devel-
opments of the country, and Tire report of the
commissioner giving the results of his investiga-
lions az experiments will be found interesting
and valuable. At his inst ance, a convention of
those interested in the cattle industry of the
country was lately held at hicago. The prev
aience of pleuro Uuemona ard other contagious
diseases of animals was one of the chief tJpics
of discussion. committee of the
commission VIII invite your cooperation in in
vestigatng causes OF these diseas and provid-
+ ing methods for their prevention aud cure.
; trust that congress viii not fail at It's pres
ent session 10 put Alaska under the protection
OF the laws. Its people have repeatedly remon-
strated against our neglect to afford them the
maintenance and protection expressly guaran-
! teed by the terms OF the treaty, whereby that
territory ceded to the United States. For
sixteen years they have pleaded in vain for that
/ which they should have received without asking.
They have no law for the col
lection of debt and the support
of education, the conveyance of property, the
administration of estates, or the enforcement of
contracts. None, indeed, for the punishment of
criminals, except such ofered against
certain customs of the commerce and navigation
acts.
Ihe resources of Alaska, especially iu fuel,
mines and timber, considerable in extent,
and capable of large development, while, in its
geogra phical situation, none of political and
commercial Importance. The promptipgs of
interest therefore well as the consideration of
honor and good faith, demand the immediate
establishment OF civil government in that terri