Bismarck weekly tribune., 1888-12-07
offices throughout the United States

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 postofice department in render
ing excellent service, yet, under the law
as it stands, while the compensation to
them for carrying the mail is limited and
regulated, and, although railroads are
made post roads by law, there is no au-
thorlty reposed anywhere to compel the
owner of a railroad to take and carry the
United States mail. The, only alterna-
tive provided by act Of congress in case
OF refusal is for the postmaster general
to send mail forward by pony express.
This is but an illustration of ill-ftting
legislation, reasonable and proper at the
time of it's enactment, but long since out
grown and requiring readjustment.
It is gratifying to note, from the care
fully prepared statistics accompanying
the postmaster generals report, that,
notwithstanding the great expansion of
the service, the rate of expenditure has
been lessened and efficiency has been i'm
proved in every branch; that fraud and
crime have decreased; that losses from
the mails have been reduced, and that
the number Of complaints of the service
made to postmasters and to the depart
ment are far less than ever before.
The Department of Justice.
The transaction of the department of
justice for the fiscal year ended June 80,
1888, 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
n eIn$ In
ton. It is stated in this report that
though judgments in civil suits amount
ing to 1861, ,021.0S were recovered in fa-
vor OF the government during the year,
only the sum of $132. 1884 was collected
thereon, and that though fines, penalties
and forfeitures were imposed amounting
to $541 ,8OS. 4S, only $109, ,648.42 of that
sum was paid on account thereof. These
sentiment which extensively prevails
that debt due the government should
cause nofnconvenience to the citizen.
1t also appears from this reports that
though prior to March, 1885, there had
been but six convictions in the terri
tories of Utah and Idaho under the laws
of 1852 and 1889 furnishing polygamy
and unlawful conabitation as crime,
there have been since that date nearly
900 convictions under these laws and
the statutes of 1887, and the opinion is
expressed that under such firm and
vigilant execution of these laws, and the
advance of ideas opposed to the forbid
ben practices, polygamy within the
United States is virtually at an end.
Suits instituted by the government un-
der the provisions Of the act of March 8,
1887, for the termination of the corpora
tions known as the Perpetual Emigrat-
ing Fund company and the church Of
Jusus Christ of Latter Day Saints have
resulted in a degree favorable to the
government, declaring the charters of
these corporations forfeited and escheat-
ing their property. Such property
amounting in values to more than
$500, 900 is in the hands of a receiver,
pending further proceedings, an appeal
having been taken to the supreme court
of the United States.
The Interior Department..
In the report of the secretary of the
interior, which will be laid before you,
the condition of the various branches of
our domestic affairs connected with that
department. and it's operations during
the past year are fully exhibited. But q
brief reference to some of the subjects
discussed in this able and interesting re-
port can here be made, but l commend
the entire report to the attention of the
congress and trust that the sensible and
valuable recommendations it contains
will secure careful considerations 1
cannot but strenuously insist upon the
Importance of proper measures to issue
a right disposition of our public lands,
not only as matter of Justice, but in
forecast of the consequences to future
generations. The broad, rich acres of
our agricultural plains have been long
preserved by nature to become her un-
trammeled gifts to people civilized and
free, upon which should rest in well dis
tributed ownership, the numerous
homes of enlightened, equal and fra
ternal citizen. They came to national
possession with the warning example in
our eyes of the entail of iniquities in
landed proprietoship which other coun-
tries have permitted and still suffer.
Laws which open the doors to fraudu-
lent acquisition or administration which
permits favor to rapacious seizure by a
favored few of expanded areas that
many should enjoy are accessory to
ofenses against the welfare of human
ity not to be too severely condemned or
punished. It is gratifying to know hat
something has been done at last to re-
dress the injuries to our people and
check the perilous tendency Of the reck-
less waste of national domain, that over
80, ,O00, 600 acres have been arrested from
illegal usurpers, improvident grants and
fraudulent entries and claims to be taken
for the homesteads of honest industry
less than the greater areas thus
lost-must afford a profound
qualification to right feeling citizens, as
it is a recompense for the labors ana
struggles for the recovery. Our dear
experience ought sufficiently to urge the
speedy enactment of measures of legisla-
ton which will confne the future dis
position of our remaining agricultural
lands to the uses of actual husbandry
and genuine homes.
Nor should our vast tracts of so-called
desert lands be yielded up to the mon
opoly of corporations or grasping indi-
viduals, as appears to be much the
tendency under the existing statute.
These lands require but the supply of
water to become fertile and productive.
It is problem of great moment how
much wisely for the public good that
factor shall be furnished. / cannot but