Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-12-06

MONDAY, DECEMBER
and gratifying improvement during the past
year. A particular account OF its transactions
and condition Is given in the report of the Post
master-Geneml which win be laid before you.
The reduction of the rate O. letter postage In
sustain the md and Susness
also contributing resulted in an excess OF cost for
the fiscal year ended June 30. 1ss5, Of eight and
Onethird millions OF dollars. An additional check
upon receipts by doubling the measure OF weight
In rating sealed correspondence and diminishing
one-hali the charge for newspaper carriage, was
imposed by legislation which took effect with the
beginning OF the past fiscal year; while the con-
slant demand OF our territorial development and
81 mali facilities and machnery ne e ie;e
steady annual advance in outlay; and the careful
estimate or year ago upon the rates OF expendi-
augmentation OF the deficiency In the last fiscal
year by nearly two millions OF dollars The an
ticpated revenue for the last year failed of rea-
economy have so satisfactorily limited the growth
OF expenditure, that the total deficiency In fact
fell below that OF 1885; and at this time the In
crease OF revenue is in gaining ratio over the In
crease of cost, demonstrating the suf1iciency OF
the present rates OF postage ultimately to sustain
the service. This is the more pleasing because our
people enjoy now both cheaper postage, proper
tionably to distances and vaSter and more costly
service, than any other upon the globe.
supplies, some expenditures unwarranted by law
have ceased, and the OUTLAWS for mail carriage
have been subjected to beneficial scrutiny. At
the close Of the last fiscal year the expense of
transportation on star routes stood at an annual
rate OF cost less by $500 900 than at the close
OF the previous year; and steamboat and mall
messenger service at nearly 100000 less.
The service has been in the meantime enlarged
and extended by the establishment OF new Offices
delivery conveniences, and additions to the rail-
way mail facilities, In accordance with the grow
ing exigenc1es OF the country and the long-estab-
nShed policy OF the Government.
The Postmaster General calls attention TO the
existing law for compenSating railroads, and eX-
presses the opinion that method may be devised
when Will prove more just to the carriers and
Denenc1al TO the government; and the subject ap-
pears worthy of your early consideration.
COMMUNICATION WITH SOUTH AMERICA
The dinerencfes which arose during the year
with certain OF the ocean steamship companies,
have terminated by the acquiescence Of all in the
policy OF the Government approved by the Con-
gres in the postal appropriation at it's session;
and the Department now enjoys the utmost SER
vice afforded by all vessels which sail from our
ports upon either Ocean-a service generally
adequate to the needs OF our intercourse Petitions
have however been presented to the Department
by numerous merchants and manufacturers for the
establishment OF direct service to the Argentine
Republic and for semi-mOnthly dispatches to the
Empire OF Brazil; and the subject Is commended
TO your consideration. 1t is an obvious duty to
provide the means OF postal communication which
our commerce requires. and with prudent forecast
OF results, the wise extension of il may lead to
stimulating intercourse and become the harbiuger
OF profitable traffic, which will open new avenues
for the disposition OF the products of our industry
The circumstances Of the countries at the far
south OF our continent, are such as to invite our
enterprise and afford the promise OF sufficient adj
vantages to justify an unusual effort to bring
ABOUT the closer relations which greater freedom
OF communication would tend to establish.
suggest that as distinguished from grant or
subsidy for the mere benefit OF any line OF trade or
m ivpl Tnc ,rn
additional postal service, necessary and proper
and not otherwise attainable should be regarded
as within the limit OF legitimate compensation for
such service.
The extension of the free-delivery service as sug
gested by the Postmaster General has heretofore
received my sanction, and 1t is to be hoped suit
able enactment may soon be agreed upon.
The request for an appropriation sufficient to
enable the general Inspection OF Offices
renew my approval Of the recommendation OF
the Postmaster General that another assistant be
PROVIDED Tor the Post Office Department; and
mendatlOns In his report.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The conduct OF the Department of Justice for the
last fiscal year is fully detailed the report OF the
Attorney General and invite the earnest atten.
ton OF the Congress to the same, and due consid.
Grafton Of the recommendations therein contained
In the report submitted by this officer to the
last session of the Congress he strongly recon-.
mended the erection of penitentiary for the con.
fnement OF prisoners convicted and sentenced In
the united states courts; and he repeats the rec
concentration In his report for the last year.
This is matter Of very great Importance and
should at once receive Congressional action
United states prisoners are now confined in more
tnan thirty different State prisons and penitentia-
r1es scattered in every part OF the country They
are subjected to nearly many different modes O1
treatment and discipline and are far too much re-
moved from the control and regulation OF Govern.
ment so far as they entitled to humane treat
meht ana an opportunity for improvement and
them and society that these things are fOrthcOm.
Ing But this duty can scarcely be DISCHARGED
without more absolute control and direction than
Is possible under the present system.
Many OF our good citizens have interested them.
selves, with the most beneficial results. in the
question OF prison reform. The General Govern
nent should be Ia situation since there must be
United States prisoners. to furnish Important aid
in this movement, and should be able to illustrate
what may be practically done in the direction OF
this reform and to present an example in the
treatment and improvement OF its prisoners worthy
OF imitation.
With prisons under its own control. the Govern.
ment could deal with the somewhat veXed ulles-
ton OF convict labor, far as its cOnvicts were
concerned, according to plan OF its own adoption
ana Win uue regard to the rights and interests OF
our laboring citizens instead OF sometimes aiding
in the operation OF system which causes among
them irritation and discomfort.
Upon consideration OF this subject it might be
thought wise to erect than one of these insti
tutoIs, located In such places as would best sub.
serve the purposes OF convenience and economy in
tanning these c0nvicts as at present in State in
Stttutions, would be saved by the adoption OF the
plan proposed; and by employing them in the
manufacture OF such articles as were needed fol-
use by the Government, quite large pecuniary
benent would be realized in partial return for our
outlay.
CHANGE IN THE FEDERAL JUDICIAL SYSTEM URGED.
/ again urge change in the Federal judicial
system to meet the wants OF the people and Obvi-
ate the delays necessarily attending the present
condition OF affairs in our courts. All are agreed
that something should be done, and much favor is
shown by those well able to advise to the plan slg-
gested by the the last session OF
the Congress and recommended in my last annual
message. This recommendation is here renewed.
together with another made at the same time,
touching change In the manner Of cOmpenSat-
ing district attorneys and marshals; and the
latter subject is commended to the Congress tor
its action, In the Interest OF economy to the Gov
eminent, and humanity, fairness, and Justice to
our people.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT..
The report OF the Secretary OF the Interior pre-
sentS comprehensive summary of the work OF
the various branches OF the public service con-
nected with his department; and the suggestions
and recommendations which it contains for the
improvement OF the service should receive your
careful consideration.
The exhibit made OF the condition of our Indian
population and the progress OF the work for their
enlightenment, notwithstanding the many EN-.
barf;lssments which hinder the better administra-
ton OF this Important branch OF tn service is
a gratifying and hopeful one.
The funds appropriated for the Indian service
for the fiscal year just passed, with the available
income from Indian land and trust moneys,
amounting in all to 81 $50 775.l r. We're ample for
the service under the conditions and restrictions
OF laws regulating their expenditure. There re-
manned balance On hand on June 80, 1886 of
6{Nl O13 ~. of which Al RAJ Norma.