Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1888-12-06
penditurss for the three years ending June 80
THE PcsToPFIcE DEPARTMENT.

THE csToFFIcE DEPARTMENT..
The report OF the Postmaster General shows a
the postal servicS. The number OF postofficC 9
ON July !, 1888, was 57,Te an increase OF l2i in
snH Oi css sor sno last
f.om l69 In the fiscal year ended Juns
j., 1887, to 9j6 In the year ended June 30,
1888. In the railway mail seryics there has
be n an increase In ono year OF is routes, and
in the number OF miles Travelled per annum an
increase of l50 1887. The estimated increase
OF railroad service for the year was 6,cO0 miles,
but the amount Of new railroad service actually
put ON was l2,764.5O miles. The volume Of
business In the Money-ord Division
including transactions ia postal notes, reached
the year During the past year parcel-p post con-
vent ons have been concluded with Barbados,
the Bahamas, British Honduras and Mexico,
and are now under negotiation with all
the Central and South American States
The increase of correspondence with foreign
countries during the past threo years is
gratify ng, and is especially notable and excep-
tionai with the Central and South American
States ard with Mexico AS the greater part of
mail matter exchanged with these countrits is
commercial in its character, this increase is
evidence of the improved BUSINESS relations with
them. The practical operation OF the parcel
post conventions, so far as negotiated, has
served TO fulhll the most favorable predictions
as to their benefits.
The bill TO provide for public buildings, where
the oss receipts OF the postoflice exceeded a
certain sum- Is commended Sem, more lust
method Of determining The amount to be
paid fourth-class Postmnsters is demanded.
Somo legislation for the reliet OF post
Office clerks and carriers should be passed
The total appropriation for all clerks in offices
throughout the United States is 10, $4,000 The
legislation affecting the relations OF the Govern
ment with railroads is in need Of revision.
While for the most part the railroad COM
panies throughout the country have COR
daily co-ore ated with the Postofice Depart
ment in rendering excellent service, yet
under the law as it stands, whi o the compensa-
tion to them FOR carrying the mail is limited
ard regulated, and although railroads are made
post roads by law, there is no authority reposed
load 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 mail forward by pony express.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The report Of the Attorney General states that
though judgments In civil suits amounting TO
ernment during the year. only S132,94 wal
collected thereon, and that, though fines,
penalties. and forfeits were imposed, amount;
on account thereof The report also
shows that since March, 1885, there have been
nearly 60) convictions for polygamy in Utah and
idaho ana tne opinion Is expressed that under
the vigilant execution OF the law polygamy
within the United States is virtually at an end.
The suits against the perpetual emigratng fund
OF the Mormon Church have resulted in a degree
favorable to the Government, and the property,
amounting to some SS)O,OOO, is In the hands OF a
receiver.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
In the report OF the Secretary OF the Interior
the condition Of the various branches Of our do
mestic affairs connected with that department
and its operations during the past We are
fully exhibited. L can not too strenuously insist
upon the importance of proper measures to in
sure right d sposition of our public lands not
only as a matter Of present justice, but
future generations. The broad rich acres Of our
agricultural plains have been long preserved by
ma, ure to become her untrammeled gift to peo-
lile civilizel and free, upon which should rest.
ia well-distributed ownership, the numerous
homes of enlightened equal ind fraternal citi-
Zens. They came to national possession wi h the
warning example in our eyes of the entail of
iniquities in landed proprieIorship which other
countries have permitted ana still suffer.
We have no excuse for the violation of princi-
pies cogently taught By reason, by ample,
nor for the allowance of pretexts which have
sometimes exposed our lands to colossal greed.
Laws which open the doors to fraudulent acqui-
sition or administration which permits favor to
areas that many should enjoy, are nc
ty eessory to offenses AGAINST our ma
be too severely condemned or pun shed.
1t Is gratifying 10 lnOw that something has
been dCns at last to redress the injuries to our
people and check the perilous tendency OF the
reckless waste OF national domain; that over
90,OO0,0OO acres have been wrested from IL
legal usurpation, improvident grants and
fraudulent entries and claims and reserved for
the homesteads OF honest industry-although
less than the greater areas thus unjustly lost
must afford lrofound qualification to right
feeling citiz ms. as it is recompense for
the labors and struggles OF the recovery. Our
doar experience ought sufficiently to urge the
speedy enactment Of measures OF legislation
which will mime the future disposition OF our
remaining agricultural lands to the use of actual
husbandry and genuine homes. NCr should
our vast tracts of socalled desert
lanls be yieldtd mp TO the monopoly
OF corTopations or grasp ng individuals, as
appears TO DO much the tendency under the ex-
listing statute. Those lands require but the
supply Of water to become fertile ana produc-
tive. 1t is problem of great moment how
most wisely for the plblic good that factor shall
be furnished. / cannot but think it perilous
to suffer either these lands or the sources
of monopolies, which by such mems may
exercise lordship over areas dependent on
their treatment for productivenes 81 lready
steps have boen taken TO secure accurate and
scientific Information OF the conditions which
is the prime basis OF intellgt mt action. Until
this shall be gained, tho coarse of wisdom ap-
disposal, which only promises to create rights
antagonistic to the c c)mmon in crest. No harm
can :olow this cautionary conduct The land
will remain, aud the public good presents NJ de-
mand for hasty dispossession OF national owner
ship and control.
L commend also the recommendations that
appropriate measures be taken to comple.e the
adjustment of the various grants made to the
States for internal improvements and of swamp
and overhowed lands, we'll as TO adjudicate
and finally determine the validity and extent OF
THE INDIANS.
The condition OF our Indian population con-
tinues to improve, and the proofs multiply that
the transforming change so much to be desired,
which shall substitute for barbarism enlighten-
ment and civilizing education, is in favorable
progress. Our relations with these people dur
ing the year have been disturbed by no
serious disorder, but rather marked by bet
ter realization OF their true interests and
increasing confidence and good WILL These
conditions testify to the value of the higher
1.aA Oh
governed the latter methods OF dealing with
them and commend its continued observance.
Allotm nts in severalty have been made ON some
reservations until all those entitled to land
thereon have had their shares assigned, aud the
work is still continued. In directing the execu-
ton Of this duty l have not aimed so much
and fair arrangements, which shall best
conduce TO the objects OF the law, by producing
satisfaction with the results OF the allotments
made. No measure OF general effect
has over been entered from which moro may
be fairly hoped II 1t shall be discrostly admin
istered, 1t profers opportunity and induce
ment TO that indept ndence Of spirit and
life which the Indian peeuliarity needs, while
at the same time the innlienabilty OF title
affords security against the risks his mex
periencs OF affairs or weakness of character
may expose hin to IL dealing with others
Whenever begun upon any reservation II should
be made complete so that all are brought TO the
same condition. nd as soon as possible COM
remain unallotted to settlement. Contact
with the ways OF industrious and success sful
farmers will perhaps add a healthy emulation
which will both instruct and stimulate.
But no agency for tho ameioration Of this
people appears TO me promising as the exten-
sion, urged by. the Secretary. Of such complete
facilities of education as shall, at the earliest
possible day. embrace all teachable Indian
youths, OF both sexes, and restrain thom with a
kindly and benehcent hold until their characters
are formed and their faculties mi dispositions
trained to the sure pursuits OF useful industry.
The average Attendance Of Indian pupils i'm the
year and the total enrolment reached 1J,2l2
This cost OF maintenance was not materially