The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-12-09
THE PRESIDENTS Mi SSAGE.
Continued from sixth page.

crossed over TO cape Sabine, where Lieuten-
ant Greely ana the other survivors of his
party were discovered. After taking on board
the living and the bodies of The dead
THE RELIEF SHIPS
sailed for 81. Johns, where they arrived on
July 18th. The, were appropriately re-
ceived ct Portsmouth, New hamp-
shire, on August 9Th. One of the
bodies was landed at the formrr place,
Others were put on snoTe al Governors
island, with the exception of one which
was inferred in the National Gem terry,
were forwarded thence to The destination
indicated by friends. The organization and
conduct Of this rslief expedition reflects
great credit upon ali who contributed 10
its success. La this, the last Of the stated
messages that / shall have the honor TO
transmit TO the congress of the United
States, cannot too
STRONGLY URGE
of its attention the duty of restoring our
navy IS rapidly as possible TO the high
state of efficiency which formerly cbarac-
ter;ztd it. As the long peace that has lull
ed into a sense Of fancied security may al
that the policy OF strengthening
sideratiors of use, economy of just regard
for our future tranquility and of true APP
probation of t.ne dignity and honor of the
republic. The report of the postmaster
general acquaints you with the present
condition and needs OF the
POSTAL SERVICE.
1t discloses theerstifying fact that the loss
of revenue from the reduction in the rate
of letter postage is recommended in my
message of 1882. and effected by the act of
March Sd, 1883, has been much less than
was generally anticipated. My recomen-
dation of this reduction was based upon the
belief that the actual falling off in receipts
from letter postage for the year imme date
ly succeeding the change of rate could
be 100000. 1t has proved 10 be only
$2,275 900. This is trustworthy indica-
ton that the revenue will soon be restored
to Its form.r volume by the natural in
crease of sealed correspondence. / confident
ly repeat, therefore, the Recommendation Of
my last annual message, that single rate
postage upon drop letters be reducedSC one
cent wherever the payment of two cenlsAi
now required by law. The double rate is
only expected at Offices where the
CARRIER SYSTEM
is In operation, and il appears that at the
Offices where she carriers system is In oper-
alton, and il appears that at Offices that
the increase In tax upon local letters de-
trays cost not only of lis own collection
and delivery, but of the collection and de-
livery of all other mail matter. This is
an equality that ought no longer exist. /
approve the recommendation of the post
Il al fho e l.. -,
the rating of first clsss matter should be
one ounce instead of one-hsH ounce, as it
is now. In view of statistics furnished by
the department it may well be doubted
whether the change would result in any
loss of revenue. That it would greatly
promote the convenience of the public is
beyond dispute. The free delivery system
has been lately applied TO FIVE cities and
the total number of Offices In which il is
now in operation is one hundreG
and fifty nine.
EXPERIENCE SHOWS
that its adoption under proper conditions
is equally an accommodation to the public
and an advantage to the postal service. 1t
is more than sustaining, and for the reason
urged by the postmaster-general, may
properly be extended. 1t is the opinion of |
that officer that it is proper TO provide |
means whereby exceptional dispatch In |
dealing with letters in free delivery Offices |
may be secured by paying extraordinary
postage. This scheme might be made
effective by the employment of a special
stamp, whose cost should be commensur-
ate with the expense with extra service in
express companies have Under
fob to ~ ha<
riers by affording for the prompt trans
mission of letters better facilities than have
hitherto been at the command of the post
office. 1t has always been the policy OF the
government TO discourage such enterprises
and in no better way can that policy be
maintained than in supplying the public
with the most efficient mail service thar.
with due regard to It's own best interest,
can be furnished for lis own accommoda-
ton.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
reviews the recommendation contained in
his report of last year. touching the fees of
witnesses and jurors. He favors
radical changes in the fee ,
bill, the adoption of a system by ,
which attorneys and marshals of the Unit
ed States should be compensated solely by
salaries, and the erection by the govern
ment OF penitentiary for tie confinement
of offenders against its laws of the varied
concerns in charge of inter.
ior department The reports of its secre-
tary presents an interesting summary,
among the topics deserving particular at
tention. ] refer to his observations re- I
specting our q
INDIAN AFFAIRS. ii
The presumption and timber culture acts,
the failure of railroad companies to take /
title to lands granted by the government,
and the operations of the pension Office, C
the patent Office, the census bu- e
reau and the bureau of education.
Allusion has already been made to the cir &
that both, as between different .