The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1888-12-05

penditures sor the three years ending June 80,
THE PosToFFrcE DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Postmaster General shows a
marked Increase OF business in every branch OF
the postal service. The number of ostofiices
on July l. 1885, was 81, S6 increase OF d, 2f I'm
three years, and OF 2.2ls for the last fiscal
from $50 in the fiscal year ended june
-, 1887, 70 35s in the year ended June 30,
1888. In the railway mail service there has
be n an increase in one year OF lSs routes and
in the number OF miles travelled per annum
increase OF 15O,70j97. The estimated increase
but the amount OF new railroad service actually
put ON was II p4.5O miles The volume OF
business in the Money-ord Division.
including transactions in postal notes reached
the sum OF upward OF Sli3OOO,OOO Tor
the year. During the past year parcel-post con-
ventions have been concluded with Barbados,
the bahamas, British Honduras and Mexico,
and are now under n. gotiation with all
the Central and South American States
The increase of correspondence with foreign
countries during the past three years 10
gratifying, and is especially notable and excep-
tional with the Central and South American
States and with Mexico. As the greater part of
mail matter exchanged with these countiie 3 il
commercial in its chara ter. this increase is
evidence OF the improved business relations with
them. The practical operation of the parcel
post conventions, 30 lar as negotiated, has
served 70 fulhll the most favorable predictions
as TO their benefits.
The bill TO provide for public buildings, where
the oss receipts of the postoiice exceeded
certain sum, IL commended SCm9 more lust
method OF determining the amount to DO
paid fourth-class POstmasters Is demanded
some leg Station for the relic of post
office clerks and carriers should be passed
The total appropriation for all clerks in offices
throughout the United states is - $500 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 tho country have
daily co-ole ated with the Fostoifice Depart
ment IN rendering excellent service, yet
under the law IA IL stands, viii o the compensa-
tion To them for carrying the mail is limited
and re suated and although railroads are made
post roads by law, there is no authority reposed
anywhere 10 compel he owner OF railroad TO
load and carry the United States mail. The
only alternative provided by act OF Congress
in case OF refusal Is for tho Postmaster General
TO send mail forward by pony express.
THE DEPARTMENT or JUSTICE
The report OF the Attorney General states that
though judgments in civil suits amounting TO
- 2,O2l.0S were recovered in favor OF the Gov
eminent during the year. only Sl32, 94 was
collected thereon. and that, though fines,
penalties and forfeits were imposed. amount
ing TO Sal, . S43, only S1Cg,6iS.i2 was paid
on account thereof. The report also
shows that since March. 1885, there have been
nearly Goo convictions for polygamy IN Utah and
Idaho, and the opinion is expressed that under
the vigilant execution of the law polygamy
within the United States is virtually ut an end.
The suits agninst the perpetual emieratng fund
OF the Mormon Church have resulted in a degree
favorable to the Government and the property
amounting to some ssO,OO0, is in the hands OF
receiver.
THE PUBLIC LANDS
In the report OF the secretary Of the Interior
the condition OF the various branches OF our do
mestic afaiSs connected with that department
and lis operations during the past We IT are
fully exhibited. / can not too strenuously insist
upon the importance of proper measures to in
only as n matter OF present justice, but
in forecast OF the consequences TO
future generations. The broad. rich acres Of our
ayr cultural plains have been lone preserved by
nature TO become her untramme ed gift 70 n peo-
pie civilizeI and Free upon which should rest
in well-distributcd ownership the numerous
homes OF enlightened, equal and fraternal citi-
zens. They came 10 national possession wi n the
warning example in our eyes of the entail of
iniquities in landed proprieJorship which other
countries have permitted ana still suffer
We have no excuse for the violation OF princi-
pies cogontly taught by reason, by o ample,
nor for the allowance of pretexts which have
sometimes exposed our lands to colossal greed
Laws which open the doors to fraudulent acqui-
sftion or administration which permits favor TO
areas that many should enjoy, are ac-
cessory to offenses against our ma
tional welfare and humanity not 70
be too severely condemned or punished
1t Is gratifying 10 know that something has
been done at last to redress the injuries to our
people and check the perilous tendency of the
reckless waste Of national domain; that
SO00O.0OO acres have been wrested from IL
legal usurpation, improvident grants and
fraudulent entries and claims and reserved for
the homesteads of honest industry-athough
less than the greater areas thus unjustly lost
must afford a profound qualification TO right
feeling citizens. as it is recompense for
the labors and struggles of the recovery Our
dear experience ought sufficiently TO urge tho
speedy enactment of measures OF legislation
which will mime the future disposition OF our
remaining agricultural lands to he use of actual
husbandry and genuine homes. Nor should
our vast tracts of socalled desert
lands be yielded up TO the monopoly
of corpopations or grasp ng individuals, as
appears TO be much the tendency under the
listing statute. These lands require but the
Of ofaNf g.lNap
tive IL Is problem OF great moment how
most wisely for the public good that factor shall
be furnished. L cannot but think IL perilous
TO suffer either these lands or the sources
OF their irrigation 10 fail into the hands
of monopolies, which by such means may
exercise lordship over areas dependent on
their Treatment for productveness. Already
steps have been taken TO secure accurate and
scientific information OF the conditions which
is the prime basis OF intelligent action. Until
this shall be gained, tho course of wisdom APP
pears clearly to lie in II suspension OF further
disposal, which only promises 10 create rights
antagonist tic TO the c lmmon in crest. No harm
can GLOW this cautionary conduct. The land
will remain aud the pubic Jod presents NJ de-
msnd for hasty dispossesson OF national owner
l commend also the recommendations that
appropriate measures DO taken TO comple.o the
adjustment OF the various lrants made to the
States for internal improvements and OF swamp
and overfowed lands, IA well as to adjudicate
and finally determine the validity and oxtent of
the numerous private land claims.
Tho condition of our Indian population con-
tinues TO improve, and the proofs multiply that
the transforming change 30 much to be desired,
which shall substitute II barbarism enlighteu-
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
tone OF consideration and humanity which has
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 nave had their shares ass gned, aud the
work is still continued. In directing the execu-
ton of this duty L have not aimed so much
ut rapid dispatch To secure just
and fair arrangements, which shall best
conduce 10 the bects of the law. by producing
satisfaction with the results OF tho allotments
made. No measure of general effect
has ever been entered from which more may
be fairly hoped IL ii shall be discrestly admin
istered, 1t proffers opportunity and induce
ment 10 that indept ndence OF spirit and
life which the Indian peculiarly needs, while
AZ the same time the inalienability OF title
affords security against tho risks his mex
periencs OF affairs weakness OF character
may expose him to il dolling with others
Whenever begun upon any res -ryation IL should
be made complete so that all are brought TO the
same condition, nd az soon possible COM
munity I'm landa 6hOuld cla9o bV OponinQ auoh