Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1884-12-05

vauced, aud the construction Of the vessels can be
undertaken AS you shall grant the necessary
authority.
THE JEANETTE EXPEDITION.
The act Of Congress. approved Aug 7, 1882, author
lied the removal to the United States OF the bodies OF
Lieutenant Commander George W. DcLong aud his
companions OF the Jeanette expedition. This re-
moya has been successfully accomplished by Leutcn-
ants HARDER and Schultz. The remains were taken
from their grave in the Lena Delta in March, 1883,
and were retained at Yakutsk until the following win
ter the season being too far advanced to admit of
their immediate transportation. They arrived at NeS
York Feb. 20, lssi, where they were received with
suitable houors.
THE GREEDY RELIEF.
In pursuance Of the Joint resolution Of Congress,
approved Feb. 10, 1884, naval expedition was fitted
out for the relief of Lieutenant Greedy, United States
Army, and OF the party who had been engaged under
his command in scientific observations at Lady Frank.
lin Bay The fleet consisted of the steam sealer The
tbs, purchased in England the Bear, purchased at st.
Johns, N. f., and tue Alert which was generously
provided by the British government. Preparations
for the expedition promptly made by the secre-
tary of the navy with the active cooperation OF the
secretary Of war. Commander Geo W. CONN was
placed in command Of the Alert, and Lieut.. VIM. II.
Emory in command Of the Bear. The Thetis was in
trusted to Commander Winfield Schley, to whom also
assigned the superinteudence of the entire eIpe
dtion. immediately upon its arrival at UpernaNk
the fleet began the dangerous navigation of Melville
Bay, and in spite of every obstacle reached Litteton
Island June %, fortnight earlier than any vessel
had before attained that point. On the same day 1t
crossed to Cape sabine where Lieutenant Gree
ly and the other survivors Of his party discover
ed. After taking on board the living and tue bodies
of the dead, the relief ships sailed for st. Johns
where they arrived July II. They were appropriately
received at Portsmouth, n. H., Aug /, and at New
York Aug. g. One of tue bodies was landed at the
former place. the others put on shore at Cover
nor's Island, and, with the exception of one, which
inferred in the national cemetery were forward
ed thence to the destinations indicated by friends
The organization and conduct of this relief eNpedi-
ton reflects great credit upon all who contributed to
its success.
REBUILDING THE NAVY.
In this the last of the stated messages shall have
UTRtta
States cannot too strongly on it's attention the
duty Of restoring navy rapidly as possible to
the high state OF efficiency which formerly character
lied it. As the long peace that has luned US into
Of fancied security may at any time be disturb
ed it is plain that the policy Of strengthening THIS arm
Of the service is dictated ny considerations Of wise
economy, Of just regard for our future tranquility,
and Of true appreciation Of the dignity aud honor OF
the republic.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the Postmaster General acquants you
with the present condition aud needs OF the postal
service 1t dscoses the gratifying fact that the loss
of revenue from the reduction in the OF letter
postage as recommended in my message of Deem
ber 1882 and effected by the act OF March B. 1885, has
been much less than was generally anticipated. My
accommodation of this reduction based upon the
belief that the actual falling of in receipts from let
ter posages for the year succeeding the change OF rate
would be s3O0O,000 It has proved to be only t2215,
co., Thsisa Trustworthy indication that the revenue
will soon be restored to its former volume by the in-
| crease Of sealed correspondence. confidently re-
peat therefore, the recommendation of my last mes
sage that the single rate Of postage upon drop letters
be reduced to one cent wherever the payment of two
cents is required. The double rate is only at oth-
ces where the carrier system in operation, aud It
appears that at those Offices where the carrier system
is in operaton the increase of the tax upon local
tiers defrays the cost not only of its collection
and delivery, but OF the collection and delivery Of all
other mail matter Tnis is an Inequality that ought
no longer to exist approve the recommendation OF
the Postmaster General that the unit Of weight IN the
rating OF hrstclass matter should be one ounce in
stead of one-hai ounce, as 1t now is. lu view OF the
statistics furnished by tue department it may well be
doubted whether the change would result in any loss
OF revenue. That 1t would greatly promote the con-
| venence Of the public is beyond dispute.
The free delivery system has been lstely applied to
five cities aud the total number Of Offices IN which 1t
is now in operation is 159 Experience shows that its
adoption under proper conditions is equally an accom-
mediation to the public and advantage to the postal
service 1t is more than sef-susaining, and for the
reason urged by the Postmaster General may properly
be extended. In the opinion Of that officer Is prop
er to provide means whereby exceptional despatch IN
dealing with letters in free delivery Offices may be
| cured by payment of extraordinary postage. This
! scheme might be made effective by the employment
Of special stamp, whose cost should be commensu-
rate with the expense of the extra service In some
of the large cities private express companies have uD
dertaken to outstrp the government mail carriers by
aOrding for the prompt Transmission OF letters bet
ter facilities than have hitherto been at the command
of the postOce. 1t has always been the policy Of the
Government to discourage such enterprises and in ne
| better mode that policy be maintained than in
| supplying the public with the most efficient service
that with due regard to its own best interests eau he
furnished for its accommodation.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The Attorney General renews the recommendations
contained in his report OF last year touching the ieei
of witnesses aud jurors. He favOrs radical changer
IN the fee BILL the adoption of system by which at
torneys and marshals of the United States snail be
compensated solely by salaries, and the erection 10y
the government of penitentiary for the confinement
nf offenders against Its laws.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
AIusion has been made already to the crcumstanc,
that both as between the different Indian tribes and
a between the Indians and the whites the past yea
has been one of unbroken peace. In this circum-
stance the President is glad to NATURALIZATION of thu
policy of the government in its dealing with the In
dian question, and confirmation Of the views which
were fully expressed in his first communication t.
the 47th Congress. The Secretary of the interior
urges the enactment of statute for the punish
ment of crimes committed on the Indian reservations
and recommends the passage Of the bill now pendpl
in the House of Representatives for the purchase of
tract of 900 square miles from the Sioux
ton. Beth these measures are worthy of approval.
RADICAL MEASURES AGAINST PoLYGANY.
The report of the Utah commission will be reat
with interest. 1t dsclOses the results of recent egs
lation looking to the prevention and punishment o
poygamy in that territory. still believe that If th
abominable practice can be suppressed by law, it
only be by the most radical legislation consistent will
the restraints of the constitution. l again recon
mend, therefore, that Congress assume absolute pOlt
teal control Of the territory Of Utah, and provide 70
the appointment Of commissioners with such govern
mental powers as in its judgment may wisely be pu
into their hands
EXTENSION OF OUR FOREIGN TRADE.
In the course of this commu nicaton reference ma
been made TO the policy OF this government as regard
the extension of our foreign trade l. seems prope
to declare the general principles that should, in m
opinion, underie our national efforts in this direc
ton. The main conditions of tue problem may b.
thus stated We are people active in mechanica
pursuits and fertile in invention. We cover vas
extent of territory rich in agricultural products AM
in nearly all the materials necessary for
full manufacturer we have a system of productive es
tablishment more than sufficient TO supply our owl
demands. The wages of labor nowhere else 81
great. The scale Of living of our artisan classes
such tends TO secure their personal comfort AM
the development OF those higher moral aud intelec
tuAl qualities that go to the making up of good citi
Zens. Our system of tax and tariff legislation /
yielding a revenue which s in excess Of the presen
needs OF the government, These are elements from
which 1t is sought to devise scheme by which, with
out unavorably changing the condition OF the work
ingmEn, our merchant marine shall be raised from
its enfeebed condition and new markets provided 70
the sale beyond borders Of the manifold fruits o
our industrial enterprises. The problem is complex
and be solved by no single measure of innovation
reform. The countries of the American continen
and the adjacent Islands for the United States tn
natural marts of supply and demand II Is from then
that should obtain what we do not produce, d
not produce in sufhciency and it to them that til
surplus productions of our fields our mills and GU
workshops should now under conditions that wi
equalize or favor them in comparison with fOreig
competition, Four paths of policy seem to point
this end: First, a series Of reciprocal commercil
treaties with the countries of America, which sha
D foster between us and them an unhampered move
ment of trade, The conditions of these treatie
should be the free admission Of such merchandise
this country does not produce, in return for the ad
mission, free or under favored scheme of duties
) our own products the benefits Of such exchange t
apply only to goods carried under the flag of the par
ties to the contract the removal both sides, froI
the vessels so privileged of all tonnage dues and
tonal IMPORTS so that their vessels may ply unhiu
dered between ports and those of the other cor
I tracing parties, though without infringing on th
reserved home coasting trade the removal or reduC
ton of burdens on the exported products Of thOs
countries coming within the benefits O. the treaties
and the avoidance OF the technical restrictions au
penalties by which Onr Intercourse with those couu
tries is at present hampered.
Secondly. The establishment of the consular SCI
vice OF the United States a saared footing, thu
permitting the REIMBURSEMENT Of consular fees No
only respects vessels under the national nag, but
respects vessels of the treaty nations carrying good
entitled to the beueht Of the treaties.
} Thirdly. The enactment of measures to favor th
construction and maintenance of a steam earryiu
marine under the flag Of the United States.
Fourthly. The establishment Of an uniform cur
rency basis for the countries OF America, that ID
coined products OF mines may circulate equa
terms throughout the Wh0ls system Of common