Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1884-12-05

National credit that would thus De
occasioned can scarcely be oyeresti-
mated.
The message recommends that
some provision be made for the sur
render of outstanding trade dollars
10 the Government, that the designs
of our subsidiary silver coils be
beautifed, and that their weight be
increased so they will bear a due
ratio to the value of the standard
dollars; also the abolition of all ex-
else taxes except those relating to
distilled spirits.
MEANS OF INCREASING OUR FOREIGN TRADE.
The Secretary of the Treasury adj
vises that the duty of inve stieating
this subject be entrusted TO a COM
petent commission. While fully
recognizing the conscientious that
may be urged against this course. l
am nevertheless of the opin." that
no other would be likely :" fleet
speedier or better results. lie Sec
rotary emphatically recommends
that as an incentive to the invest
ment of American capital in Ameri-
can steamships, the Government
shall, by liberal payments for small
transportation, or otherwise, lend its
actual assistance to individual enter
prise, and declares it his belief that
unless this course be pursued, our
carrying trade must remain as it is
to-day, almost exclusively in the
hards of foreigners. One phase of
this subject is now especially promi-
nent in view of the repeal of the act
of June 26, 1864, arbitrarily com!
polling American vessels to carry the
mails to and from the United States.
AS it is necessary to make some pro-
vision to compensate the owners of
such vessels for performing that ser.
vice after April, 1885, it is hoped
that the whole service will receive
early consideration that will lead to
the enactment of such measures for
the revival of our merchant marine
as the wisdom of Congress may de-
wise.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the Postmaster Gen
oral discloses the gratifying fact that
the loss of revenue from the reduc.
ton of the rate in letter postage ns
recommended in my message of De-
cember, 1882, and effected by the act
OF March 3, 1883, has been much
less than was generally anticipated.
My recommendation of the reduction
was based upon the belief that the
actual falling off in receipts from let
ter packages for the year immediate.
ly succeeding the change of rate
would be 100000. It has proved
to be only $2,275,OOO. This is q
trustworthy indication that the rev.
enue will soon be restored to its
former volume by the natural in
crease of sealed correspondence.
confidently repeat, therefore, the
recommendation of my last annual
message that single rate postage
upon drop letters be reduced to one
cent. The double rate is only ex-
acted at Offices where the carrier sys-
tenn is in operation, and it appears
that in these Offices the increase in
the tax upon drop letters defrays
the cost not only Of it's own collec-
ton and delivery, but the collection
and delivery of all other 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 rating frst-class matter
should be one ounce, instead of one
half ounce as it now is. In view of
the statistics furnished by the De-
partment, it may we'll be doubled
whether the change would result in
any loss of revenue. That it would
greatly promote the convenience OF
the public, is beyond doubt.
The FREQ delivery system has been
lately applied to five cities, and the
total number of offices in which it is
now in operation is one hundred and
fifty-nine. Experience shows that
it's application, under proper condi-
tons, is equally an accommodation
to the public and advantage 10 the
Postal Service. It is more than self
sustaining. and for the reasons urged
by the Postmaster General NAV
properly be extended. It is the
opinion of that officer that it is pro.
per 10 provide means whereby ex-
ceptional dispatch in dealing with
letters in free delivery Offices may be
secured by payment of extraordinary
postage. This scheme might be
made effective by the employment OF
stamp, whose cost should be com.
mensurate with the expense of the
extra service. In some of the large
cities private express companies have
undertaken to outstrip the Govern
ment carriers by atforling for the
prompt transmission of letters bet
ter facilities than have hitherto been
at the command Of the Postofice.
1t has always been the policy of the
Government to discourage such en-
terprises. and in no better way can
that policy be maintained than in
supplying the public with the most
efficient service. that with due re-
gard to its own best interests can be
furnished for it's accommodations.
INDIAN AFFAIRS,
The reports of the military com.
manders show that the last year has
been notable from its entire freedom
from Indian outbreaks. In def.
ance of the Presidents proclamation
July /, 1884, certain intruders
sought to make a settlement in the
Territory. They were promptly re.
moved by a detachment of troops.
Allusion has been made already
to the circumstance that both as be.
tween the different tribes and as be.
| fwonn Indiana ouI fbo ,vl,:tnr A.