The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1883-12-11
CHESTER'S CHAT.
GContinued from sx.L page. ]


particular class of mail matter should be
held accountable for the entire cost OF moi
only its own collection and delivery, but
the collection and delivery of all other
classes and am confident, after full con-
sideration of the subject. that the reduc
ton of the rate would be followed by such
a growing accession Of business as to occa-
sion but slight and temporary loss to the
revenues of the postoffice The postmaste
general devotes much of his report TO the
consideration, in its various aspects, OF the
relation of the government
TO THE TELEGRAPH.
Such reflection as have been able to give
10 this subject since my last annual mes
sage has not led me TO change the views
which there expressed, in dissenting from
the recommendation of the postmaster-gen-
eral that the government assume the same
control over the telegraph which 1t has
always exercised over the mail. Admitting
that its authority in the premises is as am,
ple as has ever been claimed for II, 1t
would not in my judgment, be wise use
CT that authority to purchase Oh assume
the control of existing telegraph lines, or
tn construct others with a view of entering
into general competition with private en-
terprise. The objections which may be
Justly nrged against either Of these projects,
and indeed against any system which
would require
AN ENORMOUS INCREASE
in the civil service list, do not however ap-
NV to some of the plans which have lately
nroyoke8 public comment and discussion.
Ii hos been claimed, for example, that con-
sress might wisely authorize the post
master general TO contract with some
private persons or corporation Tor
the transmission of messages at specified
rates, under government supervision
Various schemes of the same general ma
ture, 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.
II is likely that the whole subject will be
considered by you at the present session.
In the nature of things il involves so many
questions of detail that your deliber-
atoms would probably be aided
slightly, if at all, by any particular
suggestion which / might now submit.
avow my belief now that the government
should be authorized by law to exercise
some sort of supervision over interstate
telegraph communication, and i express
the hope that for attaining that end some
measure may be devised which will receive
your appreciation.
The ATTORNEY GENERAL
critizises in his report the provisions OF the
existing law. fixing the fees of jurors aud
witnesses in the federal courts. These pro-
visions are chiefly contained in the act of
F. bruary, 18th, 1858, though
some of them were introduc
ed into that action from statutes
which had been passed many years previ-
Gus. 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. / con-
cur with the attorney general in the belief
that the statutes should be revised by
which these fees are regulated. So too
should the laws which regulate the
OF district attorneys and
marshals. They should be paid wholly
BY salaries instead of in part by fees, as is
DOW the case. The change would prove to
be a measure of economy and would dis |
the instigation of needless and op-
Dressive legal proceedings. which, it is TO
be feared, have in some instances been con-
Quoted for the mere sake Of personal gain. |
Much interesting and varied information |
IS contained in the report of the
SECRETARY Of THE INTERIOR.
particularly call your attention to his
of certain phases of the ID0ian |
question, and to his recommendation for
he rereal of the pre- emp
ion and timber culture acts and !
or more stringent legislalation TO prevent
rsuds under the pension laws. The
tatutes which prescribe the definitions aud
of crimes relating to pensions
,ould doubtless be made more effective by
ertain amendments and additions which
re pointed out in the secretsry's report.
have previously referred to the alarming
tate of illiteracY in certain portions OF
be country and again submit for the con-
Iteration of congress whether some fed
raj law should be extended to public pri-
nary education wherever adequate pro
isiops therefor has not already been made.
THE UTAH COMMISSION
as submitted to the secretary Of the inte-
Tor it's second annual report. AS result
il
ion in the territory, pursuant 20 the act of
iarch Odd, 1882, it appears that the per
ons by that act disqualified, to the number
T about 1900, were excluded from the
oils. This faci, however, affords but little
ause for congratulation, and fear that it
5 far from indicating any real and substsn-
al progress toward the extirpation of
olygamy. As all the members of the leg ,
10 /
, believe that they are In sympathy
18th the practices that this government is
eeking to suppress, and that its effort in
nat regard will be more likely to encoun- :
n their opposition than to receive their
and support. Even if this
lew should happily be erroneous the law
nder which the commissioners have been
citing should be made more effective by :.
be cooperation of some such l.
STRINGENT MEASURES S