The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-12-05

membered that in 1868 when free delivery
was first established by law, the
uniform single rate of postage upon
local letters was one cent and soft remained
until 1872, when, in those cities where car
rier service was established, it was increased
in order to defray the expense of such serv-
ice. 1t seems to me that the old rate may
now with propriety be restored, and that,
too, even at the risk Of diminishing-for 4
time at least-the receipts from postage
upon local letters. L car, see no
reason why that particular class
of mail 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. | am con-
fident after full consideration of the SUBJ
iect, that a reduction of the rate would be
followed by such a growing accession of
business as to- occasion but slight and tenn
porary loss to the revenues OF the post
Office.
The Postmaster-general devotes much of
his report to consideration, in its various
aspects Of the relation of the government
to the telegraph. Such reflection as I
have been able to give to this subject
since my last annual message
has not led me to change the view which
there expressed, in dissenting from the rec
ommendaton of the then Postmaster-gene
that the government assume the same con-
troll over the telegraph which it has always
exercised over the mail. Admitting that it's
authority in the premises is as ample as has
ever been claimed for it, it would not, in my
Judgment, be a wise use of that authority to
purchase or assume control of existing tele-
graph lines, or to construct Others, with a
view of entering into general cnmpe.
tition with private enterprises sSS objeC-
tons which may be justly urSa against
either OF these projects, and indeed against
any system which would require an enor.
nous increase in the civil-service list, do not,
however. aDDlV some of the planS which
have lately provoked public comment and
discussion. 1t has been claimed, for exam
pie, that Congress might wisely authorize
the acknowledgement to contract
with some private persons or
corporation for the transmission
OF messages, at specified rates and under
government supervision. Various schemes
OF the same general nature, but widely diff
fering in their special characteristics have
been suggested in the public prints and the
ported and opposed have doubtless attracted
your attention. 1t is likely that
the whole subject will be con-
sldered by you at the present
session. In the nature of things it involves
so many questions of detail that your DELHI
erations would probably be aided slightly, if
at all, by any particular suggestions which I
might now submit. / avow my belief how
ever, that the government should De author
lied by law to exercise some sort of super
NISiOIl over interstate tSleSTapn communities
tlon and | express the hope that, for attain
ing that end, some measure may be devised
which will receive your appreciation.
Departments of Justice and the Interior.
The Attorney-general criticises, in his re-
port, the provisions of the existing law Ak
ing fees OF jurors and witnesses in the foGer-
al courts. These provisions are chiefly con
tanned in the act of Feb 80, 1853 though
some of them were introduced into that act
from statutes which had been passed many
years previous. 1t is manifest that such
compensation as might, when these laws
were enacted, have been just and
reasonable, would in many instances, be
justly regarded at the present day as
inadequate. l concur with the Attorney
general in the belief that the statutes should
be revised by which those ices are regulated;
so, too should the laws which regulate the
mpeusation OF district attorneys and mar
shals They should be paid wholly 10y sala-
ries instead of in part by fees, as is now the
case. The change would prove TO be meas
ure of economy, and would discourage the
institution OF needless and oppressive legal
proceedings, which, it is to be feared have,
in some cases, been conducted for the mere
sake OF personal gain.
THE INTERIOR.
Much interesting and varied inlormationis
contained in the report of the Secretary of
the Interior. l particularly call your atten-
ton to his presentation of certain phases OF
the Indian question, to his recommendations
for repeal OF the presumption and timber cut
ture acts, and for more stringent legislation
to prevent frauds under the pension laws.
The statutes which prescribe the definitions
and punishments of crimes relating to PEN
sions could, doubtless, be made more effec-
tive by certain amendments and additions
which are pointed out in the Secretarys re-
port
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.
The Crime of Polygamy
The Utah Commission has submitted TO the
Secretary of the Interior its second annual
report AS a result of its labors in supervise
ing the recent election in that Territory,
pursuant to the act OF March %, 1882, it ap.
raors that rnrconS nv that dicoualifia5