Sacramento daily record-union., 1888-12-04

lut lTte-uSllSeIy SeTElCe has Deen iIequeAI.
Provision is made for their promotion,
substitutes for holidays, and limiting their
hours of labor Seven million dollars have
been appropriated for the current year to
provide for them, though the total number
of offices where they are employed IS but
1858 for the past fiscal year, with an esti-
mate increase for the current year OF but
forty, while the total appropriation for all
clerks in offices throughout the United
States is $5,950,00O.
RELATIONS WITH RAILROADS.
The legislation affecting the relations of
the Government with railroads is in need
of revision. While, for the most part, the
railroad companies throughout the country
have cordially co-operated with the Post
Office Department in rendering excellent
service, yet under the law as ii stands,
while the compensation TO them for
carrying the mail is limited and regu-
lated, and, although the railroads are
made post roads by law, there is no author
ity reposed anywhere to compel the owner
of a railroad to take and carry the United
States mail. The only alternative provided
by Act of Congress in case OF refusal is for
the Postmaster General TO send the mail
forward by pony express. This is but an
illustration of ill-htt;ng legislation, reason
able and proper at the time of its enact
ment, but long since outgrown and requir-
ing readjustment.
MAIL RoBBERIEs OVERLOOKED.
1t is gratifying to note, from the care
fully prepared statistics accompanying the
Postmaster Generals report that, notwith-
standing the great expansion of the service,
the rate to expenditures has been lessened
and the efficiency has been improved in
every branch; that fraud and crime have
decreased; that loss from the mails have
been reduced, and that the number of COM
plants of the service made to Postmasters
and to the Department are far less than ever
before.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The transactions of the Department of
Justice for the fiscal year ended June 80,
1883, are contained in the report of the
Attorney General, as well as a number of
valuable recommendations, the most of
which are repetitions of those previously
made, and ought 10 receive consideration.
1t is stated in this report that though judg
ments in civil suits amounting to s., ,520,
OILS were recovered in favor of the Govern
ment during the year, only the sum of
S132 934 was collected thereon, and that
though fines, penalties and forfeitures were
imposed amounting to S541, sos As, only
$10964S AZ of that sum was paid on ac-
count thereof. These facts may furnish an
illustration of the sentiment which exten-
siyely prevails that debt due the Govern
ment should cause no inconvenience to the
citizen.
THINKS PoLYGAMY IS DEAD.
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 Furnishing polygamy and unlaw-
full cohabitation as crimes, there have been
since that date nearly 600 convictions un-
dor these laws and the statutes of 1887, and
the opinion is expressed that under such a
firm and vig1lant execution of those laws
and the advance of ideas opposed to the
forbidden practice, polygamy within the
United States is virtually at an end.
The suits instituted by the Government
under the provisions of the Act Of March
3, 1887, for the termination of the corpora
tions known as the Popular Migration Fund
Company and the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter Day Saints have resulted in de-
cree favorable to the Government, declar-
ing the charters of these corporations for
feited and escheating their property. Such
property, amounting in value to more than
$500, 600 is in the hands of Receiver pend
ing further proceeding, an appeal having
been taken to the Supreme Court of the
United States.
THE 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
domestic affairs connected with that De-
partment and its operations during the
past year, are fully exhibited, and as but
brief reference to some of the subjects dis
cussed in this able and interesting report
can be here made, | commend the entire
report TO the attention of Congress, and
trust the sensible and valuable recon-
mendations it contains will secure careful
consideration. l cannot too strenuously
insist upon the importance of proper meas
ures to insure a right disposition of our
public lands, not only as a matter of pres
ent justice, but as forecast of the conse-
quences to future generations. The broad,
rich acres of our agricultural plains have
been long preserved by nature to become
her untrammeled gift to people civilized
and free, upon which should rest, in well
distributed ownership, the numerous homes
of enlightened and fraternal citizens. They
came to the National possession with the
warning example in our eyes that
with the entail of iniquities in landed
proprietorship which other coun-
tries have permitted and still suffer,
we have no excuse for the violation of
principles cogently taught by reason and
example, nor for the allowance of protests
which have at some time exposed our
lands to colossal greed. Laws which open
the doors to the fraudulent acquisition, by
an Administration which permits a rapa-
cious seizure, by favor, of few of the ex-
panded acres that many should enjoy, are
accessory TO offenses against our national
welfare and humanity, not to be too Sc
yerely condemned or punished.
1t is gratifying to know that something
has been done at last to redress the injuries
TO our people and check the perilous ten
dency of the reckless waste of national do
main that over so 600, 900 acres have been
arrested from illegal usurpations, improvi-
dent grants and fraudulent entries and
claims, TO be taken for the homestead of
honest ndustry-although less than the
greater areas thus uniustly lost-must afford
q profound qualification to right-feeling
citizens as it is recompense for the labors
and struggles for the recovery. Our dear
experience ought sufficiently to urge the
speedy enactment of measures of legisla-
ton which will con6ne the future disposi-
ton of our remaining agricultural lands to
the use of actual husbandry and genuine
homes. Nor should our vast tracts of
so-oALLED DESERT LANDS
Be yielded up to the monopoly of corpora
tions or grasping individuals, as appears to
be much the tendency under the existing
statute. The lands require but the supply
of water to become fertile and productive
1t is problem of great moment how most
wisely for the public good that factor shall
be furnished. l cannot but think it peril
ous to suffer either these lands or the
sources OF their irrigation to fall INTO the
hands. of monopolies, which by such
means may exercise a lordship over areas
dependent on their treatment for product
iveness. Already steps have been taken to
secure accurate and scientific information
of the conditions which are the prime
basis of intelligent action. Until this
shall be attained, the course of wisdom ap
pears clearly to lie in suspension of fur
ther disposal, which only promises to Gre
ate rights antagonistic to the common in
terest. No harm can follow this caution
ary conduct II he land will remain, and
the public good presents no demands for