Los Angeles daily herald., 1885-12-09

would nave Deen unJust ana suuWise 10
have given it to some and denied it to
others. Nor could contracts have been
let under the law to all at a rate to have
brought the aggregate without such
practic Il pre.arrangement of terms as
would have violated it. The rate of sea
and ialand postage which was proffered
under another statute appears to
be fair compensation for the
desired service, being three times
the price necessary to secure transporta-
tion by other vessels upon any route
and much beyond the charges made by
private persons for services not less bur.
densome. Some OF the steamship COM
panies, upon the refusal OF the POST
master Genoral 10 attempt by the means
provided the distributions OF the sum ap-
proI ated as extra compensation, with
drew the service Of their vessels and
thereby occasioned slight inconvenience,
though no considerable injury. The
mails have been dispatched by other
means. Whatever may be thought of
the policy Of Substituting any line OF pub
lie conveyance or travel, am satisfied
that it should not be done under cover
Of an exps nditure incident to the admin
istration OF u department, nor should
there be any uncertainty as to the re-
cipients of the subsidy or any discretion
left to any executive officer as to its dis
trbulior. If such gifts Of public money
are to be made for the purpose OF aiding
any enterprise in the supposed interest
of the public, cannot but think that
the amount to be paid and the
beneficiary might better be determined
by Congress than any other way.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
Tho message deals at great length Of
the Indian question. After reviewing
the facts about the education of the In.
diana and their tribal relations, the
President says: | recommend the pas
sage of law authorizing the appoint.
ment Of six Commissioners, three 81
whom shall be detailed from the aru +,
to be charged with the duty of a carefal
inspection from time 10 time OF all the
Indians upon our reservations, or sub
ject to the control of the government,
with view Of discovering their exact
condition and needs and determining
what steps should be taken on behalf
OF the government to relieve their situa-
tion in the direction of their self-support
and complete civilization; that the gov.
ernment ascertain from such inspection
what, if any, reservations may be re.
duced in area, and in such cases what
part not needed for Indian occupation
may be purchased by the government
from the Indians and disposed of fol
their benefit; what, II any, Indians may,
with their consent, be removed to Other
reservations with view OF their concen
tration,
The President urges that transconti'
mental roads be held to strict account
ability in the matter of their grants.
NAVAL AFFAIRS.
He recommends legislation to prohibit
the construction OF bridges over naviga-
Bile water in such manner as to obstruci
navigation. 1.-THE report OF the Secre.
tary of the Navy gives history of the
operations OF his department. and the
present condition of the work committed
to his charge. He details in full the
course pursued by him to protect the
rights OF the Government, in respect Of
certain vessels unfinished at the time oi
his accession to Office, and also concern
ing the despatch boat, Dolphin claim
ed to be completed and waiting the ac
ceptance OF the Department. No one
IN fail 10 see from the recital contained
in this report that only the application
Of business principles has been insisted
upon in the treatment OF these subjects,
aud that whatever controversy has aris
en- was caused by the exaciion on the
mart af fba nanarfmanf of fbs
contract obligations, as they were
legally construed in the case o.
the Dolphin" with entire business
to the contractor. Congress in it,
session authorized the construction Of
two additional new cruisers and two
gunboats at cost not exceeding in the
aggregate 1906, 600. Steps have been
taken for the procurement Of such plans
| for the construction of these vessels as
would be likely to insure their useful
ness when completed. We have not a
single vessel Of war that could keep the
sea against a first-class vessel Of any
important power. The nation that can.
not resist aggression is constantly ex.
posed to it; its foreign policy is of ne
cessity weak, and its negotiations are
conducted with disadvantage because il
is not in condition to enforce the ierms
dictated by its sense of right and jus
tice. / deem it my duty to especially
| direct the attention of Congress to the
close of the report of the Secretary O.
the Navy. In which the humiliating fea
lures of the present organization of this
department Is exhibited, The convic
tion is forced upon us that before W.
proceed further in the restoration of q
navy we need thoroughly reorganized
Navy Department.
MORMON MATTERS.
"ln the Territory of Utah the law o
the United States passed for the sup
preston of polygamy has been energeti
eally and faithfully executed during the
past year, with measurably good results
A number of convictions have been Sc
cured for unlawful cohabitation, and il
some cases pleas of guilty have been en-
tered and slight punishments imposed
on promises by the accused that they
would not again offend against the law
nor advise, counsel, aid or abet in an,
way its violation by Others. The Utai
| Commissioners express the opinion
based upon such information as they are
able to obtain, that but few polyga
nous marriages have taken place il
the territory during the last year. They
further report that while there cannot
be found upon the registration lists o.
voters the name of man actually guilty
of polygamy, and while none of thai
class are holding office, yet at the las
election in the Territory all the Officers
elected except in one county, were mer
who though not actually living in the
practice of polygamy subscribe to tbs
doctrine of polygamous marriage as 4
Divine revelation and law unto al
higher and more binding upon the con
scisnce than any human law, local o
national Thus is the strange spectacle
represented of a community protected
by republican form of government
to which they owe allegiance, sustaining
by their suffrage principle and belle
which sets at nsught that obligation o
absolute obedience to the law of th'
land, which lies at the foundation o
republican institutions; the strength
the perpetuity and the destiny of tn
nation rests upon our homes--establishe,
by the law Of God. guarded by parenta
| care regulated Dy parental uutnoflt.
and sanctified by parental love-thcse ar
not the homes of polygamy. The moth
ers of our land who rule the nation a
they mould the characters and guide tn
actions of their sons. live according I,
Gods holy ordinance and each, pure and
happy in the exclusive love of the fathel
of her children, sheds the warm light o
true womauhood, unperverted and un
polluted. upon all within her pure ant
wholesome family circle; these arr
not the cheerless, crushed ant
unwomanly mothers of poiygamy. The
fathers of our families are the best citi
zens of the republic. Wife andchildrer
are the sources of patriotism and coniu
gal and parental affection and beget de
votion to the country. The man who,
undef'el with plural marriage, is sur
rounded in his single home with his wife
and children has a stake in the country
which inspires him with re.
spect for its laws and courage
for ita defense. These are not
the fathers OF polygamous families.