Daily Yellowstone journal., 1888-12-08

Ito nonfSty'
OF the total DSmber of the poStmast.
ers. A,s74 are of the fourth class. Thess, |
of course, receive no allowance what
ever for expenses in the service. and their
compensation is fixed by percentages
in 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
necessarially cut down the compensation
of these officials, while il undoubtedly
increased the amount of business per-
formed hv them, and simple justice re-
uuired attention to this subject to the
end that fourth class postmusters may
receive ut least an equivalent to tina
which the law itself fixing the rate in.
tended fmt them.
Another class of postal employees whose
condition SEEMS to demand legislation
is that oi clerks in postotfices, and | call
especial attention To the report recon-
mendations Of the postmaster general
for their classification. Proper legisla-
ton of this character for the relief Of
carriers in the free deli cry 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 appro-
priated for the current year to provide
for them. though the total number OF
offices where they are employed is but
SIS for the fiscal year, with an increase
for the current year OF but 40, while
the total appropriation for all clerks in
offices throughout the United States
is $780, 600.
Railway Mail Service.
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 postotfice department in render
ing excellent service, vet, under the law
as il 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-
thority rrpoSed anywhere to compel the
owner of a railroad to take and carry the
United States mail. The only a~lterna-
tive provided by act of congress in case
Of refusal is for the postmaster general
TO send mail forward by pony express.
This is hut an illustration Of ill-fitting
legislation, Reasonable and proper nj the
time Of its enactment. but long since out
grown and requiring readjustment.
1t is gratifying to note, from the care
fully prepared statistics accompanying
the postmaster generals report. that,
Notwithstanding the great expansion Of
| fha garRtga tho rata of ag1.Atltfllra 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 10 the depart
ment are far less than ever before.
Ths Department Of Justice.
The transaction OF the department Of
Justice for the fiscal year ended June 30,
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 to receive considera-
ton. II is stated in tins report that
though judgments in civil suits amount
ing to S552. 02l .0s were recovered in ia
vor of the government during the year,
only the sum of Sl32, 1884 was collected
thereon. and that though fines, penalties
and forfeitures were imposed amounting
TO $54l 500. 43, only sos, 6iS,42 Of that
sun was paid on account thereof. These
facts may furnish an illustration of the
sentiment which extensively prevails
that a debt due the government should
cause no inconvenience TO the citizen.
II also appears from this reports that
though prior 10 March. 1885. there had
been but six convictions in the terri
tories of Utah and idaho under the laws
of 1862 and 1889 furnishing polygamy
and unlawful conabitation as a crime,
there have been since that date nearly
800 convictions under these laws and
the statutes of 1887 .0and the opinion is
expressed that under such a firm and
vigilant execution of these laws. and the
advance Of ideas opposed to the forbid
ben practices, polygalny within the
United States is virtually NJ an end.
Suits instituted by the government I'M
der the provisions of the act of March 3,
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 10 more than
$500, 600 is in the hands Of a receiver,
pending further proceedings, an appeal
having been taken 10 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 its operations during
the past year are fully exhibited. Buta
brief reference to some of the subjects
discussed IN this able and interesting re-
port can here be made. hut ! commend
the entir, report 10 the attention of the
congress and trust that the sensible aud
valuable recommendations it contains
will secure careful considerations.
cannot but ~strenuously insist upon the
importance of proper measures 10 issue
a right disposition Of our public lands.
not only as a matter Of justice. but in
forecast Of the consequence a. future
generations. The broad. rich azores of
N agricultural plains have hprn long
preserved by nature 10 become her un-
irammeled gifts Ia a propir ri, ilizel and
free, upon which should rrst ia well dis.
tributed ownership the numerous
homes Of enlightened. equal and fra
ternal c%itizon, They cam b. national