National Republican., 1884-12-02


United States of tho bodies of Lieut.
Comdr. George w. DO Long and his com.
panions of the Jeanette expedition.
This removal has bcen successfully ac-
complishod by Lieuts. HarDer and
Schuet2e. The romans were taken from
their grave in tho Lena delta in March,
1888, and were retained at Yakutsk until
the following winter, the season being too
far advanced to admit of their immediate
TRANSFORMATION. They arrived at Now
York, Feb. 90 1884, whore they were re-
coived with suitable honors.
THE RESCUE OF GREELY.
In pursuance of tho joint resolution of
congress approved Feb. 10, 1884, naval
expedition was fitted out for tho relief of
Lieut. A. w. Greedy, U. s. A., and of the
party who had been engaged under his
command in scientific observations OF
Lady Franklin bay. The fleet consisted
of the steam senlcr Thctis, purchased in
England; tho Bear, purchased at st.
Johns, Newfoundland, and the Alert,
which was generously provided by the
British government Preparations for
the expedition were promptly made by
| the secretary Of the navy, with the active
corporation Of the secretary of war
| Commander George w. Coffin was placed
in command of the Alert and Lieut.
| William II. Emory in command of the
| Bear. The Thctis was intrusted TO Com
mander Winfield s. Schey, TO whom also
was assigned the superintendcnce of tho
ontire expedition.
Immediately upon its arrival at Upor-
navk the fleet began tho dangerous navi-
CATION OF Melville bay, and in spite of
every obstacle reached Littleton island
on juno 22, u fortnight earlier than any
vessel had before attained that point ON
the same day IL crossed over to Cane
Sabine, where Lieut.. Greedy and the other
survivors Of his party were discovered
After taking on board the living and tho
bodies of the dead the relief ships sailed
for st. Johns, where they arrived on July
a. They were appropriately received at
Portsmouth, n. H., ON Aug. /, and at
New York on Aug. s. One of the bodies
was landed at the former place. The
others were put on shore at Governors
island, and, with tho exception of one
which was inferred in the National Gem.
otery, were forwarded thence to the des-
tinations indicated by friends. The or
ganization and conduct of this relief eX-
pedition reflects great credit upon all who
contributed to its success
RESTORATION OF THE NAVY.
In this, tho last of the stated messages
that shall have the honor to transmit to
the congress of the United States, can
not too strongly urge upon its attention
the duty Of restoring our navy az rapidly
as possible to the high state of efficiency
which formerly characterized it. As the
long peace that has lulled US into a sense
OF fancied security may at any time be
disturbed, it Is plain that the policy of
strengthening this arm of the service is
dictated by considerations of wise econ
of iugf Nd for f,t
quillity, and of true appreciation of tho
dignity and honor of the republic.
The Postonlce.
The report of the postmaster general
acquaints you with the present condition
and needs of the postal service.
1t discloses the gratifying fact that the
loss of revenue from the reduction in tho
rate of letter postage recommended in my
message of Doc A, 1882, and effected by the
act of March 3, 1883, has been much less
than was generally anticipated. My rec
ommendation of this reduction was based
upon the belief that the actual falling Off
in receipts from letter postages for the
year Immediately succeeding the change
of rate would bo S3,Oo0,OOO. 1t has proved
to be only $2,275,OO0.
This lisa trustworthy indication that the
revenue will soon be restored to its former
volume by tho natural increase of sealed
correspondence.
confidently repeat, therefore, the rec
ommendation of my last annual message
that the single rate postage upon drop
letters be reduced to one cent wherever
the payment of two cents is now required
by law. The double ratio is only exacted
at offices where the carrier system is in
operation, and it appears that at those
Offices the increase in the tax upon local
LOT daft tbA Il. "a
own collection and delivery, but of the
collection and delivery of all other mail
matter. This is an inequality that ought
no longer to exist.
l approve the recommendation of the
postmaster general that the unit of weight
| in tho rating of first class matter should
be one ounce instead of one-half ounce as
it now is In view Of the statistics fur
nished by the department it may we'll 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 ivo cities, and the total num-
Der of offices in which it is now in opera
tion is l50. 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 self-sustaining, and for
the reasons urged by the postmaster gem
eral may properly be extended.
In the opinion of that officer it is i'm
portant to provide means whereby excep-
tional dispatch in dealing with letters in
Tree delivery offices may be secured by
payment of extraordinary postage. This
scheme might be made effective by en-
ploymenr of a special stamp whose cost
should be commensurate with tho expense
of the extra service
In some of tho large cities private ex-
press companies have undertaken to out
strip tho government mail carriers by
aifording, for tho prompt transmission of
letters, better facilities than have hitherto
been at the command of the postofiice
1t has always lbeen the policy of tho
government to discourage such enter
prises, and in no better mode can that
policy be maintained than in supplying
the public with tho most efficient mail
service that, with duo regard to its own
best interests, can be furnished for its
accommodation.
The Department OF Justice.
The attorney general renews the re-
commendation contained in his report of
last year touching the fees of witnesses
and jurors.
He fayors radical changes in the foe
bill, tho adoption of system by which
attorneys and marshals of tho United
States shall be compensated solely by sal
aries, an d tho erection by the government
of q peuitentiary for tho confinement of
offenders against its laws.
The Interior Department..
or tho varied governmental concerns
in charge of the interior department the
report of its secretary presents an inter
esting summary. Among the topics de-
serving particular attention l refer you
TO his observations respecting our Indian
affairs, tho presumption and timber cul-
ture acts, the failure Of railroad compa-
| nips 10 tnke tiLln To lAnda psAn tod hu Tho