St. Landry democrat., 1883-12-15
TIE POST OFFICE.

her of Post-ofiiceS was 47.S63, OF which 3D.
were established during the previous yea.f
the system of free. delivery was. l54;
At these latter offices the postage on local
matter amounted to - ,l95, 20 s., sum ex-
carriers service of the country. The rate OF
postage on drop letters passing through these
offices Is now fixed by law at two cents per
half ounce or fractions thereof. In Offices
where the carrier system has not been estab-
lished the rate is only half as large. 1t will be
remembered that in 1868, when free delivery
was first established by law, the uniform single
rate postage upon local letters was one cent,
and SO it remained until 1872 when in those
cities where carrier service was established
n was increased in order to defray the eX-
penses of such service. 1t seems to me that
the old rate may now with proprety be re-
stored, and that too even at the risk OF dimln-
ishng, for time at least, the receipts from
hostage upon local letters. CO : see no rea-
SON why that particular class O. :nuil matter
should be held accountable for = entire cost
OF not only its own collection ana delivery, but
the collection and delivery of all other classes
and am confident, after full consideration
of the subject, that the reduction of the rate
would be followed by such growing access
sion of business as to occasion but slight and
temporary loss to the revenues of the Post
office Department.
THE TELEGRAPH.
The postmaster-G eneral deyotes much of his
report to the consideration in it's various as
meets OF the Governments relation to the tele-
graph SiIch reflection as have been able to
give to tkis subject since my last annual mes
sage, has not led me to change the view which
/ then expressed in dissenting from the rec
ommendation of the Postmaster-G eneral that
the Government assume the same control
over the telegraph which 1t has always eXer-
cised over the mail. Admitting that its au-
thority in the premises is as ample as has
ever been claimed for it, it would not in my
Judgment, be q wise use of that authority to
purchase or assume the control of existing
telegraph lines or to construct Others, with
view of entering into general competition
with private enterprises. The objections
which may be justly urged agalnst either OF
which would require an enormous increase IN
the civil service, do not, however, apply to
some of the plans which have lately provoked
comment and discussion. 1t has been
claimed, for example, that Congress might
wisely authorize the Postmaster General to
contract with some private persons or corpo-
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 attracted 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 so many questions or detall
that your deliberations would probably be
| aided slightly, if at all, by any particular sng
my belief, however, that the Government
should be authorized by law to exercise some
sort of supervision over interstate telegraph
communication, and express the hope that
for attaining that end some measure may be
devised which will receive your appreciation.
JURORS FEES. tF
The Attorney General criticises, in his re-
port the provisions of existing laws fixing the
| fees of jurors and witnesses in the Federal
Courts. These provisions are chiefly contained
| in the act of February q, 1853. though some OF
| statutes which had been 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 MARsHALs' FEES.
So, too, should the laws which regulate the
compensation of District Attorneys and Mar
| 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 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
dian question: to his recommendations tol
the repeal of the presumption and timber cut
! -.
/ to prevent frauds under the pension laws
| The statutes which prescribed the definitions
and punishments of crimes relating 20 pen
| sions could doubtless be made more effective
/ by certain amendments and additions whicl
| are pointed out in the Secretary s report.
ILIITERACY. an 5s.gs
I have previously referred to the alarr, ing
| state of illiteracy in certain portions OF the
country and again submit for the c9nside n =
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
1 Secretary of the Interior its second annual re
port-thesresult of its labors in supervising
the recent election in the Territory, pursuant
! to the act of March ~, 1882. At appears tina
the persons by that act assurance; ~. TO t tn
1 polls. This fact, however, affords little cause
for congratulation, and fear that It is far iron
indicating any real and substantial progres:
! 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 COY
efforts in that regard win be more likely te
encounter their opposition than receive tneil
i announcement and support. Even II TINS
view should happily be erroneous Son the law Law
acting should be made more effective by the
incorporation of some such stringent meas
ures as they recommend. as were lneIlced II
Il bill No 225S on the calendar of the Senate a
1 its last session am convinced, however, thai
polygamy has become SO strongly 1ntrenchee
in the Territory of Utah that 1t IS prohtless t.
attack it with any but the stoutest weapons
which constitutional legislation can fashion
4 favor, therefore, the repeal OF the act. upor
4 the existing Government depends the assump
ton by the National Legislature OF the entire
political control of the Territory. and the es
4 tablishment of commission with such pow
ers and duties as shall be delegated to 1t o!
law.
CATTLE DISEASE.
The Department of Agriculture is accom-
Z plishing much in the direction OF the agricul
tural development of the country, and the re
mort of the Commissioners giving the result
of his investigation and experiments, will b.
found interesting and valuable. AT his in
stance, convention OF those interested Il
the cattle industry of the country was latel,
held at Chicago The prevalence Of pleuro