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 a 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 | 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
1t, 1T would not in my judgment be wise use
OF that authority to pu, chase or assume the COZ
troll of erecting telegraph lines, or to construct
others with view OF entering into general compe-
luton 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 been claimed, for example, that coug SIS
might wisely authorize the postmaster general
10 contract with some private person OF
corporation for the transmie sion of messages
at specified rates and under government super
vision. Various such schemes of the same
general nature, but widely differing III their
special characteris' les, have been suggested in
the public prints, and the arguments by which
they have been supported and opposed have
doubtless attrseted your attention. 1t is likely
that the whole subject will be considered by
you at the present session. In the nature of
things 1t involves SO many questions of detail
that your deliberations would probably be aided
slightly. if at all, by any particular sug-
gestons which l might sobmit.
L avow my belief, however, that the
government should be authorized by law 30 ex-
ercIse court supervision over interstate tele-
graph communications. L express the hope,
that for attaining that end some measure be
devised which viii receive YOUR approba-
ton.
THE LAW DEPARTMENT..
The attorney general criticises ia his report
the provision OF the existing law IN fixing the
fees of jurors and w tnesses Ia the federal
courts. These provisions chiefly contained
in the act of February 20, 1893, though some of
them were introduced into the section from stat
utes which had been passed many years previ-
GUS. 1t is manifest that such compensation
might, when these laws were enacted, have been
just and reasonable, would in many instances
be justly remanded at the present Gay as ade-
quate. l concur with the attorney general il
the belief that the statutes shouli be revised by
which these fees regulated. So should be
the laws to regulate the Compensation of the
district attorney and marshals. They should
beh paid wholly by salary instead of in part bv
fees, as is now the case. The change would
prove to be a 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 IL
terror. l particularly call your attention to his
pr esentation of certain Ephases 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 pertaining to pensions, could doubt
less be made more effective by certain amend.
ments and additions which are pointed out III
the secretary's report
l have previously referred to the alarming
state of illiteracy IN 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 proyic;on therefor has not already been
made.
The Utah commission has submitted to the
secretary of the Inferior its second annual re-
port the result of its ]abors 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 i2.0OO
were excluded from the polls. This FACT, how,
ever, affords little cause for congratulations 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 legsla-
fI1r.A Nor 10 L.
lieve that they are ip sympathy with the prac-
tees that this government Is seeking to sup
press, and that its eff ct 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, as were included
in bill No. 2, 2S8, on the calendar of the senate at
its last session. am convinced that polygamyhas
become SO strongly intrenched in the territory
of Utah that it is profitless to attack with any
but the state weapons which constitution al legie-
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.
Inc ue partmonu OF agriculture Is ACCOMPLISH
ing much in the direction of agricultural devel-
opments of the country, and the report OF the
commissioner giving the results Of his investiga-
lions and experiments will be found interesting
aud valuable. At his instance, a convention of
those interested in the cattle industry of the
country was lately held at Chicago. The prev
aience Of pleuro pneumonia and other contagious
diseases of animals was one of the chief topics
of discussion. A committee of the
commission will invite your cooperation in in
Vestigatlng causes of these diseas and provid-
ing methods for their prevention aud cure.
l trust that congress Will not fail at its pres
ent session to 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 was coded to the United Stltes. 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 -operty, the
administration of estates, or the enforcement of
contracts. None, indeed, for the punishment of
criminals, except such as are offered against
certa. N customs of the commerce and navigation
acts.
The resources of Alaska, especially i'll fuel,
mines and timber, are considerable in extent,
and capable of large development !, while, in its
geographical situation, none of political and
commercial Importance. The promptings of
interest therefore well as the consideration of
honor and uood faith daroond tho iyorood;o+a