Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-04


 prisoners have been established in agricuI- ture under conditions favorable to their advancement.
 In recognition of the long and dis tinguished military service and faithful discharge of delicate and responsible civil duties by Maj, Gen. John NJ. Scho- field, now the general commanding the army, 1t is suggested to congress that the temporary revival of the grade of leuten- ant-general in his behalf would be just and gracious act, and would permit his re- tirement, now near at hand, with rank be- fitting his merits.
 REPORT OF tS~s ATTORNEY GENERAL.
 The report 6 ae attorney general notes the gratify.-s progress made by the su- preme cou v overcoming the arrears of its businf = nd in reaching a condition in which UN' 1 be able to dispose of cases as they ayAS' without any delay. He calls att on tGS successful operation of the plan ofine$ 4ratiug circuit courts of appeals. In ct to these tribunals the suggestion is in quarters entitled to the highest e3Ss iteration that an additional circuit tsS e for each circuit would greatly (. ngthen these courts and the conti- -> nee reposed in their adjudications, and that such an addition would not create greater force of judges than lhe increas- ing business of such courts requres. l commend the suggestion 10 the careful con- slderation of congress. Other important topics are adverted to in the report, accom- panied by recommendations, many of which have been treated at large in pfevi- messages, and at this time theietore- need only be named. l refer to tue abo- ltion oI the fee system as measure of compensation to federal officers, the largement oi the powers of United States commi issioners, at least in the territories, the allowance Ut writs of error in criminal cases on behalf of the United States and the establish hment of degrees in the crime of murder.
 topic dealt with by the attorney-gen- eral of much importance IS the condition of the ad inistratlon of justice in the Indian territory. The permanent solution of what is called the Indian problem is probably not 10 be expected at once, but meanwhile such amelioratious Of present conditions as the existing system will admit of ought not to be neglected. l am satisfied lhero should be federal court establis h ed tor the territory and have the same jurisdiction as to territorial affairs as is now vested in the federal courts sitting In Arkansas ana Texas.
 Another subject of pressing moment re- ferred to by the attorney general is the re- organization of the Union Pacific Railway company on basis equitable as regards all private interests, and as favorable to the government as existing conditions will per- init. The operation of a railroad by court, through a receiver, is an anomalous state of things, which should be terminated on all grounds, public and private, at the earliest possible moment: besides, not to enact needed enabling legislation at the present session postpones the whole matter until the assembling of a new congress and inevitably increases the complications of the situation, and could not but be re- garded as a signal failure to solve a problem which has practically been before the pres. ent congress ever since it's organization.
 FEDERAL PRISONS.
 Eight years ago in my annual message l urged upon the congress as strongly as l could the location and construction of two riu for ha fl n e | nf Uni ted Statqa prisoners. similar recommendation has been made from time to time since, and few years ago law was>passed proyialnG for the selection of sites for rnfae such institutions. An appropriation has not, however, been made to carry the act into effect, and the old and discreditable condi- tion still exists.
 It is not my. purpose at this time to re- peat the considerations which make an inpregnabie case in favor Of the ow uership and management by the government of the penal institutions in which federal pris- oners are confined. l simply desire to again urge former recommendations on the subject, and to particularly call the atten- ton of the congress to that part of the report of the secretary of war in which he states that the military prison at Fort Leav- enworth, ks., can be turned over to the government as prison for federal convicts without the least difficulty, and with an actual saving of money from every point of view.
 Pending more complete reform, hops by the adoption of the suggestion of the secretary of war this easy step may be taken in the direction of the proper care of its convicts by the government of the United States.
 POSTAL DEPARTMENT.
 The report of the postmaster general pre- sents comprehensive st1temens of the operations of the postoffics department for the last fiscal year. The receipts of the de- partment during the year amounted to S75,- 080. AIS. CA, and the expenditures to Ss4,- 324 ,4l4. l5. The transactions of the postal service indicate with barometric certainty the fluctuations ia the business of the country. Inasmuch, therefore, as business complications continued to exist through out the last year to an unforeseen extent, it Is not surprising that the deficiency of revenue to meet the expenditures of the postoffice department, which was estimated in advance at about $50 ,000, 900, should be exceeded by nearly Sl, ,250, ,000. The ascer- tained revenues of tue last year, which were tho basis of calculation for he current year will be correspondingly greater than was thought. The postmaster general states that the latest indications gre so favorable that he con6depty predicts an increase of at least 8 per cent in the revenues of the current year over those of last year.
 The expen ditures increase steadily and necessarily with the growth and needs of the country, so that the deficiency is greater or less la any year depending upon
 
 The postmaster general states that this deficiency is unnecessary and misht bs ob- viated at once if the law regulating rates upon mail matter of the St cond class was modified. The rate received for the trans- T, sson of tbis second class matter Is cent per pound, while the cost of such transmits oneto the government is eight times that amount. In the general terms of the law thls raie covers newspapers and periodic The extensions of the meaning of these terms from time to tims have ad- uni ted to the privileges inteudei for leglti- mate newspapers and psriodicdls surpris- ing range Of publications, and created abuses the cost Of which amount in the as- gregate to the total d4fi,iency of the post office department. Pretended news papers are started by business houses for the mere purpose of advertising goods. com plying with the law in form only and discontinuing The puDlicalions as soon as the period of advertising is over. Sample copies of pretended newspapers are issued in great numbers for Ike purpose only. The result is great loss of revenue baciA Ia ffi