The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1883-12-13

tablished tho rnto 70 one-half - lsrsa - wfn
be remembered that IN 1888, when free-deiivery
was first established by law, the uniform single
and 20 it remained until 1871, when in those cif.
les where carrier service was established 10 was
increased, 70 defray the expense OF such service.
propriety be restored, and that, too. even
at the rfsk Of diminishing. for q time at least,
the receipts from postage upon local letters.
mail S matter should Se held acconntable for the
entire coet of not only its own collection and
delivery, but the collection and delivery OF all
other classes and am confident, after full con- a,
the rate would be followed by such growing ac-
cession of business as TO occasion but slight and
temporary loss to the revenues of the post
Office.
Postal Telegraphy.
The Postmaster General devotes much Of his
report to the consideration, In its various as
poets, Of the relations 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
recommendation OF the Postmaster General,
that the Government assume the same control
over the telegraph which it has always eNer-
cised over the msil. Admitting that its author
has ever been claimed for it, 1t would
not, In my Judgment, be wise use
or that authority to purchase or assume the con-
troll of existing telegraph lines, or to construct
others with view Of entering into general COM
petition with private enterprise. The objections
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 list, do not, however, apply to
some Of the plans which have lately provoked
public comment and discussion. 1t has been
might wisely authorize the Postmaster
General to contract with some private person
at specified rates and under Government super
vision. Various such schemes of the same gem
eral nature, but widely differing in their special
characteristios have been suggested in the pub
have been supported and opposed have doubt
less attracted your attention. II is likely that
the'p present session. In the nature of things, it
involves so many questions of detail that your
deliberations would probably be aided
sss Witch vt ALL might any now pa snS%t
/ avow nv belief, however, that the
Government should be authorized by law to ex-
ercise some sort of supervision over inter State
telegraph communication, aud / express the
hope that for attaining that end some measure
may be devised which will receive your approba-
ton.
Jurors and Witnesses I'm Federal Courts.
The Attorney General criticizes in his report.
the provisions of the existing law fixing the fees
OF jurors and witnesses In the Federal courts.
The provisions are chiefly contained in the act
OF Feb. 26, 1853, though some of them were in
PRODUCED into that action from statutes
which had been passed many years previous.
1t il manifest that such compensation IA
might when these laws were enacted, have been
just and reasonable, woald In many instances
be Justly regarded at the present day as mad
equate / concur 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 compensation of
District Attorneys and Marshals. They should
be paid wholly by, salaries, instead of impart by
prove to be measure OF economy. and would
discourage the institution OF needless and OPP
pressive legal proceedings, which, it
Is to be feared, have in some instances, been
conducted for the mere sake of personal gain.
Interior Department.
Much interesting and varied information is
contained In the report OF the Secretary OF the
Interior l particularly call your attention to
his presentation of certain phrases OF the Indian
question; 10 his recommendations for the re-
peal OF the Presumption and Timber-Culture
acts, and for more stringent legislation to pre-
vent frauds under the Pension laws. The stat
utes which prescribe the definitions and punish
ments OF crimes relating TO pensions could
doubtless be made more effective by certain
amendments and additions which are pointed
out in the Secretarys report.
Primary Education.
/ have previously referred to the alarming
state OF illiteracy in certain portions OF the
country, and again submit for the consideration
of Congress, whether some Federal aid should
wherever adequate provision therefor has not
already been made.
The Mormons.
The Utah Commission has submitted to the
Secretary Of the Interior its second annual re-
port as a result of its labors in supervising the
recent election in that Territory. pursuant
to the act OF March %, 1882 1t appears
that the persons by that act disquali-
were excluded from the polls. This fact how
ever, affords little cause for congratulation, and
fear that it is far from indicating any real and
substantial progress toward the extirpation OF
polygamy. All Of the members OF the Legisa-
ture are Mormons. There is grave reason TO
believe that they are In sympathy with the
suppres and that its efforts in that regard will
be more likely TO encounter their opposition
than receive their announcement and
support Even If this view should
which the commission have been acting, should
be made more effective by the incorporation OF
mend, as were included in bill No. 223s on the
Calendar of the Senate, at its last session. i am
convinced, however, that polygamy has become
so strongly intrenched in the Territory of Utah,
that IL is proitless to attack IL with any but the
strongest weapons which constitutional legisa-
ton can fashion. favor, therefore, the repeal
of the act upon which the existing Government
depends, the assumption by the National
legislation OF the entire political control
of the territory and the establishment of a COM
mission, with such powers and duties as shall
NC uSicBaVCu W ~ ny law
Agricultural Development.
The Department of Agriculture is accomplish
Ing much in the direction of the agricultural
development of the country, and the report of
the Commissioner, giving the results of his in
vestigations and experiments will be found in
teresting AMI valuable. At his Instance, a con-
yention of those interested in the cattle industry
OF the country was lately held at Chicago. The
prevalence Of pleuro pneumonia and other con-
tagious diseases of animals one of the chief
topics OF discussion, and committee of the
Convention will invite your corporation in in
vestRating the causes of these diseases, and
providing methods for their prevention and
cure.
Alaska.
/ trust that Congress will not fail, at its pres
ent session, to put Alaska under the protection
of law. Its people have repeatedly remonstrst-
ed against our neglect to afford them the main
tenance and protection expressly guaranteed by
the terms of the treaty, whereby that Territory
was coded TO the United States. For l6 years
they have pleaded in vain for that which they
should have received without the asking. They
have no law for collection of debts, the support