, 1888-12-04

will probably be of fifteen inch calibre and
fire a proiectile hat. will carry a charge
each of about 500 pounds of explosive
galatin with full calibre proiectiles. The
guns will probably be delivered in from
six TO ten months from the date OF the
contract, so that all guns OF this class that
can be procured under the provisions OF
this law will be purchased during the year.
| earnestly request that the recommend
atoms contained in the secretary's report,
all oil which are, in my opinion, calculated
10 increase the usefulness and discipline
of the army, may receive the considera-
ton of the congress. Among these. the
PROPOSAL that there should be provided a
plan Tor the examination of officers to test
their fitness for promotion is of the ut
most importance. This reform has been
before recommended in the reports OF the
secretary and its expediency is so fully
demonstrated by the argument presented
in its favor that its adoption should no
longer be neglected.
II POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the postmaster general
shows a marked increase of business in
every branch of the postal service. The
number of postofices on July /, 1888,
was 81, 376. an increase of 6.l24 in three
years and OF 2,2l9 for the last fiscal year.
The volume of business in the money
order division, including transactions in
postal notes received upwards of SAB
000,0 00 for the year. A department
whose revenues have increased from
$l9. 772.0 900 in 1870 to $50. 100 90 In
1883. despite the reductions of postage,
which have enormously reduced the
rates of revenue. while greatly increasing
l - ,R.AA I-.-1- A.
sideration of the congress.
OF the total number of postmasters,
54.S74 are of the fourth class. These of
course receive no allowances whatever for
expenses i'll the service and their compen-
sation is fixed by per centages on the re-
ceipts Of their respective offices. Simple
justice requires attention to this subject,
to the end that fourth class postmasters
may receive at least an equivalent to that
which the law, fixing the rate, intended
for them.
SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR.
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 de-
partment and its operations during the
past year are fully exhibited But a brief
reference to some of the subjects discussed
in this able and interesting report can be
here made, but | commend the entire
report to the attention of congress and M
most sensible aud valuable the recon
mendations it contains will secure careful
consideration.
PUBLIC LANDS.
| cannot too s~trenuously insist upon the
Importance of proper measures to insure a
right disposition of our public lands, not
only a matter of present justice, but In a
forecast of the consequence to future gen
e%ratlons.
The broad, rich acres of our agrlcul-
tural plains have been long preserved by
nature to become her untrammeled gift to
a people civilized and free, upon. which
should rest in well acknowledgements
the numerous homes of enlightened, equal
and fiaternal citizens. They came into
national possession with the warning ex-
ample in our eyes of the entail of the in
EQUITIES in landed proprietorship which
other countries have permitted and still
suffer. We have no excuse for the viola.
ton OF principles c1gcnLly taught by rea-
son and example, nor for the allowance of
a prctext which has sometimes exposed
our land to
COLOSSAL GREED.
The laws which open the door TO fraud
ulent acquisition, or an administration
which permits favor to rapGcious seizure
by n iavOritc few Of the expanded areas
that many should enjoy, arc accessories to
offences against our national welfare and
humanity, and cannot be too severely
condemned or punished,
IL IL gratifying TO know that something
has been done at last 10 redress tho in
jurios TO our people aud check the porilous
tendency OF tho reckless seizure Of the
national domain. That over eighty mil
lion acres have been wrcstcd from Illegal
usurpation, improviuont grants and fraud
ulcnt entries and the claims 10 be taken
for the homestoads Of honest industry, al
though less than tho greater areas un
Justly lost, must afford II profound grnti
~icatiJn TO right feeling citizens, M il Ia y
rocompenso for tho labors and struggle
for their recovery. Our dear experience
ought sufficiently to urge the speedy
enactment of measures Of legislation which
will contine the future disposition Of our
remaining agricultural lands to the use of
actual husbandry and genuine homes.
Nor should our vast tracts Of 40 called
desert lands be yielded up TO the monop-
oily Of corporations or %grasping indiyid.
ualH, as appears 10 be much the tendency
under the existing statute. The lands
require but the supply of water 10 become
fertile and productive. | cannot but
think 1t p]erilous 10 suffer either these
lands or the sources OF their irrigation 70
fall into the hands Of ~monopolies. which
by such means may exercise lordship over
areas dependent on their treatment for
productiveness. Already steps have been
taken to secure accurate and scientific in
formation Of the conditions which has the
prime basis Of intelligent aston. and until
this shall be gained the course of wisdom
appears clearly to lie in a suspension Of
further disposal, which only promises to
create rights ~antagonistic to the common
interest.
PENSIONS.
The number Of pensioners added 10 the
rolls during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1883, is G0,252, and an increase Of pen
sions was granted in 1910 cases. The
names Of Is. 1870 pensioners we're dropped
from the rolls during the year for various
causes, and at the close Of the year the
number OF persons Of all classes receiving
pensions was 1852, 557. Of these there
were yOG survivors Of the war Of 1910