Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1884-12-10

5VauOn nI LAuy tIanKNn bay. The feet consisted
the Bear, purchased at st. Johns New Fonnd.
land, ana the Alert, Whlcl was generonslv 'nrr.
ytded by the Britain government. Preparations
secretary Of the navy, with the active co.opera.
ton OF the secretary OF war. Commander Geo.
". Goflin , was placed IN command Of the Alert.
The Thetis was entrusted to Commander WI Windeld
8. 6chley, to whom also was assigned
TIE superintendence Of the entire expedi-
UpenavE the feet began the s1siys e.
staele reached Littleton Island On june q, fort
nlght earlier than any vessel had before attained
that point On the same day 1t crossed over to
Cape Sabine, where Lient Greedy and other sur
ylvors Of ms party We're discovered After taking
the relief ships sailed for St. Johns, where thew
e %dy,e at Pormouth On August and At New
at the former place and the others were put on
shore at Governors Island, and with the excep-
ton OF one which was inferred in the National
ton indicated by friends The organization and
conduct Of this relief expedition reflects great
credit upon al who contributed to its success
In this, the last of the stated messages that I
shall have the honor to transmit to the Con-
gress OF the United States, cannot too strongly
urge on Its attention the duty Of restoring our
efficiency which formerly characterized it. As
the long peace that has lulred us into into a
time
disturbed, It is plain that the policy Of strength
ening this arm of the service Is dictated BY con-
siderations OF wise, economy, of q just regard
tor our future tranquility and Of q true appre-
citation OF the dignity and honor of the republic
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT..
The report of the postmaster-gene raj acquaints
you with the present condition and needs of the
postal service: It discloses the gratifying fact
that the loss Of revenue from the reduction the
rate OF letter postage, as recommended in my
message of December, 1882 and effected by the
generally anticipated. MY recommendation Of
this reduction was based upon the belief that the
actual falling off in receipts from letter postage
Of tate Woaa BE f has q p1oVsS
to be only S2z75,00o This is q Trustworthy
indication that the revenue will soon be restored
sealed correspondence and confidently repeat,
therefore, the recommendation of my last annual
MESSAGE, that the single rate of drop letters be
by donD ct txe
Is only exacted at offices where the carrier sys-
TEN Is in operation, and It appears that at those
defrays the cost, not only Of its own collection
and delivery, but of the collection and delivery
OF all mail matter. This is an inequality that
ought no longer to exist. I approve the
recommendation Of the postmaster general that
the unit Of weight in the rating of rstclass mat
ter should be one ounce instead of one-hali
nished by the department 1t may be well doubt
ed whether the change would result in any loss Of
revenue That 1t would greatly promote the
The free-d delivery system has been lately appiied
to five cities, and the total number of offices in
which It ls now In operation is 159 Experience
is equally an accommodation to the public and
an advantage to the postal service 1t is more
than self-sustaining and, for the reasons urged
tended. It is the opinion Of that oficef that it
proper PEI to provide means whereby exceptional
off aoW hnH H.,
Night &c maSe eesetg7e p ~ the scheme e%
Ployment of a special stamp whose cost
extra service In some of the large cities private
express companies have undertaken to outstrip
the government mail carriers by Attending far
ties 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 main
tanned than in supplying the public with the
most effective mail service that with due regard
to its own interests, can be furnished for its &C
commodation,
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The attorney general renews the recommends
tons contained in his report Of last year touching
ees Of witnesses and Jurors. He favors radical
changes in the fee bill; the adoption of a system
by which attorneys and marshals of the United
States should be compensated solely by salaries,
and the erection by the government Of pnniten.
laws.
Of the varied governmental concerns in charge
OF the interior department, the reports of its Sec
rotary present an interesting summary. Among
the topics deserving particular attention I refer
| you to his observations respecting our Indian,
affairs. the pre- emptlOn and umber-culture acts,
the failure of railroad companies to take title to
| lands granted by the Cover nment and the opera
tons OF the pension Office the patent office the
| census bureau and the bureau of edu-
cation. Allusion has been made already
| to the circumstance that both as between
| different Indian tribes and as between Indians
1,n hoo 1oov, 80
| broken peace. In this circumstance the presi-
dent is glad to find justification for the policy Of
! the government in dealing with the Indian ques-
| ton and confirmation of views which were fully
expressed in his first communication to the For
ty-seventh Congress The secretary urges a new
enactment of statue for the punishment Of
recommends the passage of q bill, now pending
in the House Of Representatives, for purchase Of
tract OF Is. 600 square miles from the Sioux res.
| ervat1On. Both these measures are worthy of ap-
| proval. concur with him, also, in advising the
| repeal of the presumption law, the enactment
OF statutes resolving the present legal complica-
! tons touching lapsed grants to railroad COM
panies, and the funding Of the debt of the several
Pacific railroads under such guaranty shall ef-
1ectualIy insure Its ultimate payment. The re-
| port of the Utah Commission will be read with
interest 1t discoses the results of recent legisla-
| ton looking to the prevention and punishment of
polygamy in that territory Istill believe that if
that bominable practice can be suppressed by
law, 1t can only be by the most radical It gisla-
ton consistent with restraints of the constitution.
Two would again IeSommend therefore, that Con-
| ritory of Utah and provide for the appointment
of q commission with such governmental powers
| as In its Judgment may justly and wisely be put
! THE EXTENSION OF TRADE
In the course of this communication reference
has more than once been made to the policy Of
this government as regards the extension Of our
foreign trade. It seems proper to declare
the general principles that should, in my opinion
gnderlie our national efforts in this direction.
thus stated We are people Of mechanical pu IT.
suits, and fertile in invention. We cover a vast
extent of territory, rich. in agricultural
materials necessary for successful NE m la%
ufacture, we have a system of production
establishments more than sufficient to supply our
SO great The scale of living of our artisan
classes Is such as tends to secure their personal
| comfort and the development of those higher
making Of good citizens. Our system Of tax and
| tariff legislation is yielding revenue which is
in excess Of the present needs OF the government.
| There are elements from which it is sought to
| devise a scheme by which without unfavorably
changing the condition of workingmen our mer-
chant marine shall be raised from its enfeebled
condition and new markets provided for that
sale beyond our borders of the manifold fruits
Of our industrial enterprises. The problem is
complex and can be solved by no single measure
American continent and the adjacent islands are
| for the United States the natural market of sup
ply and demand. 1t is from them that we should
obtain what we do not produce. or do not produce
in suficiency, and it is to them that the surplus
production of our fields, our mills and our work.
shops should flow under conditions that will
equalize or favor them In comparison with for.
eign competition. Four paths of policy seem to
point to this end. The first, a series OF
reciprocal commercial treaties with the countries
| of America, which shall foster between us and
them an unhampered movement of trade The
conditions Of these treaties should be the free
admission Of such merchandise as this country