Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-13
THE NATIONAL CAPITAL. |
THE POSTMASTER GENERAL
AND THE FOREIGN MAILS.


III President.
M WASHINGTON, June 12.-With the ap-
Vnroval of the President, and after consul
M alton with the Cabinet, the Postmaster
UGeperal has decided not to advertise for
Whids to enter into contracts for the trans
Wnortation of foreign mails on a mileage
Wbasis. under the permissive authority
Wconferred by the act Of Congress on March
U3 1885. The subject has been under con-
Wslderatiou 10y the Cabinet fer some time,
Mapd the conclusion above noted was
Wreached after the presentation by the
Wpostmaster General of an exhaustive ar
ament covering the whole matter of
woreign mail transportation.
NJ The Postmaster General summarized
"a areumentas follows: 1t is not neces-
W Wsarv TO make such contracts in order to
rovide for the transportation of these
Msils and the rates now paid give ade-
uare compensation wherever the mails
me Of any considerable volume, while
Brevious statutes afford all the authority
I'm the department necessary to provide
y other cases. This being so. authority
A0uld ONLY be exercised with a view to
re- distribution Of the money, unneces-
A4rv. no fact, to compensate mail car
Miago for the purpose OF aiding American
Mteamsbip companies. Desirable as ia the
sv lonment of these lines, the act does
9t p,0tess to put the money at the Post
Knaater Generals disposal for any other
Murpose than 10 carry the mail. Besides,
~ 40 to be distributed, no reason for nor
Mule Of discrimination between different
Mmeric0n lines is provided and yet 1t
wroud require nearly three times the au-
M lriZed sum 10 give all the
Mxstiug lines authorized the rate Of
d. BE- per mile. No other means
discrimination are given the Postmas-
General except TO reject the bids in
b. s Gis retiOn, and there are but two in
a1oes of American lines 50 plying be-
cen the same ports as to be competi-
ms, III must, therefore, either choose
me line tGr favorable consideration,
Z aluHg tine bids and claims OF
hers, or enter into gene
understanding with all possible
Q Gders before their bids should be made
dE the limit at such figure that while
he contracts should absorb they should
\ o exceed the limit of the appropriation.
Zoe course would be chargeable as un-
araGted faYOritism, and the latter as
Indecent abuse OF an authority pro-
ssedly designed to be so employed as
l excite and not destroy competition.
Neither course could fail OF doing
r.fce to the steamship lines or the
oamsbip service or an increase of the
- a facilities.
I ~ II a general distribution of the appro-
Nriat0n among all American steamship
nes on the bases of mileage were to be
81 3de, the amount to each would be so
IL. nat as to avail nothing as a stimulant
lu increase the number Of vessels or the
Wequeucy or speed Of their voyages.
1 Id tacr, if the whole of the
1V preparation should be distributed on
p basis of the present number of vessels
81 b mileage, no inducement would re-
Main for an increase. 1t has seemed,
70 ereiore, better to remit the subject to
~ ngress for more explicit legislation
are ian TO attempt to distribute large sum
nat public money, not in fact required for
ous use for which it was appropriated,
as erely because the act of Congress gives
or license.
REPORT ON THE MAXWELL GRANT.
90 ECommisslOner Sparks, Of The Land
o. ice, this afternaon submitted to Secre-
= Lamar his report upon the famous
axwell land grant in Northern New
A xico for which nearly 1000, 900 acres
public land were claimed and patented
1915 Official proceedings leading up
es the patent are recited in detail
01 the Commissioner, who then says
Ny ending these proceedings, large num-
in. Of letters, complaints, petitions, pro-
rs and charges were transmitted to this
zee and the department, from citizens of
N II Mexico, alleging fraud in the location
l. dboundariee of this claim; its extension
Va beyond any original claim or possess
Dy the grantees; the invasion OF set
meni and mining rights, and the rights
on nauye inhabitants and Indian recuper-
@ Of Is Nothing more than a mere formal
lter uee OF these various complaints and al
atlens appears to have been taken or
NJ by THIS office. No investigation was
II DUO the claim for this enormous re-
III Oh country appears TO have been car
r through by official readiness.
no0t regard to the interests Of
government, or the rights of the citi-
ol the Territory in actual occupancy
.le land. Evidences Of fraud we're
1hest IN the bold fact Of the pTesenta-
5l "a claim for nearly 100000 acres
- o upon grant of less than 100000
Ele Commissioner described the
l9ds by which tho apparent fraud
affected, and points out colusiVe
'I the department officials, and In
"hon recommends that suitable ac-
We taken looking 10 a vigorous
ecluon Of the suit now pend
~ ih the District Court of
"lg, and that a new suit be COM
IL eu M New Mexico, where the greater
n VI lne lands lie, to set aside the
~ n,s already issued under this grant.
ID Grant has been mGde the basis Of a
III . company, which has absorbed sew
mAnon dollars OF English aud Dutch
IHE ONO GovERNORsHIP.
n 'lslessman Frank Hurd, Of Ohio,
y y now here, thinks that Congress
3euaes, who lives in the same dis
~ senator sherman, VIII probably
.I'hated by the Democrats for Gov
asainst Foraker. lie thinks Geddes
Deaf Foraker. He thinks that
~ ~ platform and the foolish
~, oi Congressman j. ID. Tay-
WI handicap Foraker. lie viii
'4' votes OF many liberal Republic
III ODD account Of them. On tho other
Republicans Of intelligence
.IH they may personally depre-
'ressions IN Tayl0f's speech
N . platform, they recognize
Aillfully designed 10 af-
M1,i great masses OF the
'uSi ,'gn party Of Ohio, and
lnat they will have tull effect
''' expect that John Mclean, by
IrNenge upon the administration
'. liug his heelers into Office, Will
roo. IL '.'l ne can 10 elect Foraker.
81 AfAnEwELL eALAAM.
HNH a.. A. 4. a.