Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-09

crnOI 3 lSiduu, anu Wiph WV
lion of one which was Inferred in the
National Cemetery, were forwarded
thence to the destination indicated by
friends. The organization and con-
duct of this relief expedition reflects
great credit upon all who contributed
to its success. In this, the last of the
stated messages that shall have the
honor to transmit to the Congress OF
the United States, l can not too
strongly urge on its attention the du-
~ of restoring our navy as rapidly
As possible to the high state of etii-
cheney which formerly characterized
it. AS the long peace that has lulled
us into sense of fancied security
may at any time be disturbed, it is
llain that that policy Of strengthen
ing this arm of the service is dictated
by considerations for the Use OF econ
omy in just regarl for our future
tranquility, and OF true apprec i ion
If the dignity and honor of the re-
public.
The report of the Postmaster Gen
rial acquaints you with the present
condition aud
NEED OF THE POSTAL SERVICE.
1t discloses the gratifying fact that
he loss of revenue from the reduction
II the rate of letter postage as recon-
uended in my message OF December,
1882, and effected by the act of March
3. 1888, has been much less than was
generally anticipated. My recon-
mendation of this reduction was
based upon the belief that the actual
falling off in receipts from letter pos
tage for the year Immediately sue
ceeding change of rate would be $3,-
100000. 1t has proved to be only 81
2T5,000. This is trustworthy indi-
cation that the revenue will soon he
restored to former volume by natural
increases of sealed correspondence.
confidently repeat therefore, the re-
commentator of my lastannual mes
sage, that
SINGLE RATE POSTAGE UPON DROP LET
| TIERS
be reduced to one cent wherever pay
ment of two cents is now required b!
| law. The double rate is only eXactet
at offices where the carrier system i
| in operation, and it appears that Il
these offices the increase in tax upol
local letters defrays cost not only o
| its own collection and delivery, bu
of the collection and delivery Of al
other mail matter; this is an Unequal
| ity that ought no longer to exist.
| / approve the recommendation o
the Postmaster General that the uni
Of weight in the rating of frst-clas
matter should be one ounce instead
of one-half ounce, as it now is. Ii
view of the statistics furnished by til
department, it may well be dOubtet
whether the charge would result i
any loss of revenue. That it woul
greatly promote the commerce of th
public is beyond dispute. The fire
delivery system has been lately al
piled TO five cities, and the total nun
Der of offices in which it is now i
, operation is one hundred and fifty
nine. Experience shows that i
It adoption under proper conditions
e equally an accommodation to Il
i public and an advantage to the post
service. 1t is more than self-sustail
= ing, and, for the reason urged by Il
T. Postmaster General, may, proper
J. be extended. It's the opinion of til
d officer tina: it is proper to provi'
=, means whereby exceptional dispat
in dealing with letters in free-deli
II cry offices may be secured by pa
'e ment of extraordinary postage. III
le scheme might be made effective
10 the employment of special STAN
whose cost should be cOmmensura
:" with the expense of the extra servic
In some of the large cities, priva
t. express companies have undertak
4. 10 outstrip the Government mail-ca
n riers by affording. for the prom
- transmission Of letters, better faci
II, ties than have hitherto been at I
n. command of the Postoffice. 1t h
II always been the policy ofthe Cover
= mentto discharge such enterpris
~ and in no better mode can that poll
T. be maintained than in supplying I
k. public with the most efficient m
n. service that, with due regard TO
. own best interests, can be furnish
for its accommodation. The Att
u ney General renews the recomment
H. ton contained in his report of ]
T. year touching the fees of witnes
- and jurors. lie favors radi
changes in the Fee Bill, the adopt
of a system by which attorneys a
marshals of the United States shot
&c. be compensated solely by salari
'. and the erection by the GoverDmt
W of pcnitentiary for the conffnemt
ed of offenders against its laws of the
ed rious governmental concerns
,ti charge Of the Interior Department.
i The reports of its Secretary pres,
10 an interesting summary. AmC
en- the topics deserving particular att
J a ton | refer you to his observat
tie respecting our Indian affairs, the P
,so emption acts, the failure of railrC
''' companies to take title to lal
rs granted by the Government, and
ed operations of the Pension Office,
ne Patent Office, Census Bureau 8
ala the Bureau of Education.
~ Allusion has been made already
eli the circumstance that both as
nd tween different Indian tribes and
20 between different Indians and
,at whites the past year has been
-. ONE OF UNBROKEN PEACE.
' ' In this circumstance the Presid
'u' is glad to find justification for
or policy of the Government in deal
Try with the Indian question, and C
o a firmation of views which were fl
% expressed in his first communicat
u to the Forty-seventh Congress.
at- The Secretary urges anew the
The actment of a statute for the puni
,ht ment of crimes committed OH Ind
=, reservations, and recommends
~ passage of bill now pending in
ION House of Representatives for the p
chase Of tract Of $4,000 SOU