Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1888-12-04

GLeIt1U Dt the KQNGEMlHtut HI P1os>A-A~N 80
poses. II was demonstrated that, aside from
the public convenience and the promotion OF
harmony among citizens-invariably dis
turbed by change Of leasings and Of site--it
was measure OF the highest economy and OF
sound business judgment 1t was found that
thegovernment was paying in rents at the rate
of to 10 per cent par annum on what the
cost of such public buildings would be. A
very great advantage resulting from such
law would be the prevention of a large NUM-
Der of bills, constantly introduced for the
erection of public buildings at places, and IN
volving expenditures not justified by public
necessity / trust that this measure viii be-
come a law at the present session OF congress
OF the total number of posmasters, 81, S14
are of the fourth class These, of course, re-
ceive no allowances whatever for expenses In
the service, and their compensation is fixed
by percentages on receipts at their respective
offices This rate of compensation may have
been, and probably was, at some time, JUST
but the standard has remained unchanged
through the several reductions in the rates OF
postage. Such reductions have necessarily
cut down the compensation of these officials,
while it undoubtedly increased the business
performed by them Simple justice requires
attention TO this subject, to the end that
~N~-SS
an equivalent to that which the law itself, fix
ing the rate. intended for them.
Another class of postal employees whose
condition seems to demand legislation is that
of clerks in postoffices; and call especial at
tention to the repeated recommendations or
the postmaster general for their classified
ton. Proper legislation of this character
for the relief of carriers in the free delivery
service has been frequent. Provision is made
for their promotion; for substitutes for them
ON vacation; for substitutes for holidays and
limiting their hours of labor. Seven million
dollars has been appropriated for the current
year to provide for them, though the total
number of offices where they are employed is
but 35S for the past fiscal year, with an esti
mated Increase for the current year of but
40, while the total appropriation for all clerks
In offices throughout the United States is
S., 9500O0
RELATIONS WITH RAILROADS.
The legislation affecting the relations OF
the government with railroads is in need of
revision While, for the most part, the rail-
road companies throughout the country have
cordially co-operated with the postoffice de-
partment in rendering excellent service, yet
under the law as it stands, while the COM
pensation. to them for carrying the mails is
anu tAAohOu5h Oddc
are made post roads by law, there is no au-
thority reposed anywhere to compel the
owner Of a railroad to take and carry the
United States mails. The only alternative
provided by act of congress in case of refusal
is for the postmater general to send mail
forward by pony express This is but an
illustration of i'll fitting legislation, reasona-
BILE and proper at the time of its enactment,
but long since outgrown and requiring read
justment.
1t is gratifying to note from the carefully
prepared statistics accompanying the posi-
master generals report, that, notwithstand-
ing the great expansion of the service, the
rate of expenditure has been lessened, and
efficiency has been improved in every branch;
that fraud and crime have been decreas 3D.
that losses from the mails have reduced,
and that the number of complaints of the
service made to postmasters and to the de-
partment are far less than ever before.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The transactions of the department of
Justice for the fiscal year ended June 80,
1888, are contained in the report of the at
torney general, as well as a number of valu-
able recommendations, the most of which are
repetitions of those previously made, and
ought to receive consideration.
1t is stated in this report that though judg-
ment in civil suits amounting to $685., 0210S
were recovered in favor of the government
during the year, only The sum of S132, 934 was
collected thereon; and that though fines,
penalties and forfeftures We're imposed
amounting to $54l, sos A. only 500, GAS. AZ of
that sum was paid on account thereof. These
facts may furnish an illustration of the sem
timent. which extensively prevails, that
L. 4
convenience to the citizen.
1t also appears from this report that though
prior to March, 1885, there had been but six
convictions in the territories of Utah and
Idaho under the laws of 1862 and 1882, pun
ishing polygamy and unlawful cohabitation
as crimes, there have been since that date
nearly 600 convictions under these laws and
the statutes of 1887; and the opinion is ex-
pressed that under such a firm and vigilant
execution of these laws, and the advance of
ideas opposed to the forbidden practices,
polygamy within the United States is virtu-
ally at an end.
Suits instituted by the government under
the provisions of the act of March 8, 1887, for
the termination of the corporations known as
the Perpetual Emigrating Fund Company
and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day
Saints have resulted in a decree favorable to
the government, declaring the charters of
these corporations forfeited and escheating
their property. Such property, amounting
in value to more than $500. is in tho
hands of receiver pending further proceed
ings, an appeal having been taken to the SUI
preme court of the United States.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
In the report of the secretary of the in
terror, (which will be laid before you, the
condition of the various branches of our do
mestic affairs connected with that depart
ment and its operations during the past year,
are fully exhibited But brief reference to
some of the subjects discussed in this able
and interesting report can here be made;
but commend the entire report to the at
tentlon of the congress, and trust that the
sensible and valuable recommendations it
contains viii secure careful consideration
cannot too strenuously insist upon the
Importance of proper measures to insure
right dSunSfiou IF rlalio Iar,dc fr,lu