Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-12-13

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 attracted your attention. 1t is
likely that the whole subject viii be considered
by you at the present session. In the nature of
that your deliberations would probably be
gestions which I might now submit. svow
should be authorized by law to exercise some
sort of supervision over interstate telegraph
communicating, and express the hope that
devised which will receive your appreciation
JURORS FEES.
The Attorney General criticises, in his re-
port, the provisions of existing laws hxing the
fees of Jurors and witnesses in the Federal
Courts. These provisions are chiefly contained
in the act of February ~ 1883, though some CT
statutes s which had been pas passed many years
previous. 1t is manifest that such compensa-
ton 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. concur with the Attor-
ney-General in the belief that the statutes
should be revised by which these fees are reg
ulated.
ATTORNEYS AND NARsHALs' FEES.
So, too, should the laws which regulate the
compensation CONF of District Attorneys and , Mar,
instead of in part by fees, rs ia now the case.
The change would prove to be a measure of
of needless and oppressive legal proceedings
which it is to be feared have in some in
stances been conducted for the mere sake of
personal gain.
PENSION FRAUDS.
Much interesting and varied information is
contained in the report of the Secretary of the
Interior. particularly call your attention to
his presentation of certain phases Of the In
the repeal OF the presumption and timber cu1
ture acts, and for more stringent legislation
The Statutes WHICH pr gee te defnitions
and punishments of crimes relating TO pen
sions could doubtless be made more effective
by certain amendments and additions which
are pointed out in the Secretary's report.
ILLlTERACY.
state of illiteracy in certain portions of the
ton of Congress whether some Federal aid
should be extended TO public primary educa-
ton wherever adequate provision therefor
has not already been made.
UTAH PoLYGAMY.
The Utah Commission has submitted to the
Secretary of the Interior its second anpual re-
port-the result of it's lahors in supervising
to the act Of March q, 1882 1t appears that
the persons by that act disqualified, to the
polls This fact, however, affords little cause
for congratulation and fear that 1t is far from
indicating any real and substantial progress
toward the exit rpation of polygamy. All Of
the members of the Legislature are Mormons.
There is grave reason to believe that they are
in sympathy with the practices that the Gov
EFFORTS in that regard viii be more likely to
encounter their opposition than receive their
s and support Even If this t
under which the commissioners have been
acting should be made more effective by the
incorporation of some such stringent meas
ures as they recommend as were included in
bill No. 2,235 on the calendar of the Senate at
its last session am convinced, however, that
cts iV,fSc ,fAd
in the Territory OF Utah that l., proftless to
attack 1t with any but the stodtest weapons
which constitutional legislation can fashion.
l favor, therefore, the repeal of the act. Upon
the existing Government depends the assunp-
ton by the National Legislature of the entire
political control of the Territory. and the es-
ers and duties as shall be delegated to 1t by
law.
CATTLE DISEASE.
The Department of Agriculture is accom-
plishing much in the direction OF the agricul-
tura1 development of the country, and the re-
port of the Commissioner. giving the results
mis- and I Ss
stance, convention of those interested in
the cattle industry of the country was lately
held at Chicago. The prevalence of pleuro-
pneumonia and other contagious diseases of
animals was one of the chief topics of discus
sion. A committee of the convention will in
causes of these diseases and providing meth
DDS for their prevention and cure.
ALASKA.
I trust that Congress will not fail at its pres
ent session to put Alaska under the protec-
ton of law. Its people have repeatedly re-
against our neglect to afford them
the maintenance and protection expressly
by the terms of the treaty where
by that Territory was ceded to the United
States. For sixteen years they have pleaded
in vain for that which they should have receiy-
ed without the asking. They have no laws for
the collection of debIs, the support of cduca-
ton, the conveyance of property, the admin |
contracts. None, indeed, for the punishment |
of criminals, except such as offend against |
certain customs, commerce and navigation
acts. i
The resources of Alaska, especially in fur |
mines and lumber, are considerable in extent |
and m capable e., Of .,. large development, while
and commercial Importance The promptings |
Of interest, therefore. as well as considera-
mediate establishment of civil government in |
that Territory.
Controlling RAILWAYS.
Complaints have lately been numerous and |
urgent that certain corporations controlling,
n whole or in part, the facilities for the inter-
state carnage or persons ana ana merchandise
resorted in their dealings with the public to |
1ivers measures unjust and oppressive in their /
In some instances the State Gov
have attacked and suppressed these |
evils, but in others they have been unable to
afford adequate relief because of the jurisdic-
1ional limitations which are imposed upon
hem by the Federal Constitution. The ques-
ion how far the National Government may
awfully interfere in the premises, and what,
f any, supervision or control it ought to exer-
Use, is one which merits your careful eonsid-
,ratfon. While we can not fail to recognize
he Importance of the vast railway systems of
he country and their great and beneficial in
luences upon the Development of our ma
erial wealth, we. should on the other
and remember that no individual and no
orporation ought to be invested with absolute |
ower over the interest of any other citizen or
lass of citizens. The right of these railway
to award and profitable return
pom their investments and to reasonable free
ON in their regulations must be recognized,
ut it seems only just that, SO far as its consti-
utional authority will permit, Congress should
rotect the people at large in their Interstate
raffic against acts of Injustice, which the
tate Governments are power1ess to prevent.
FOREST PROTECTION.
In my last annual messageI called attention
D the necessity of protecting, by suitable
,gislation, the forests situated upon the pub
C domain. In many portions of the West the
ursuit of general agriculture is only made
by resort to irrigation, while sue
essful irrigation would be impossible with
ut the aid afforded by forests in contributing
D the regularity and constancy of supply of
yater.
During the past year severe suffering and
vIox-a