The morning call., 1894-12-04

the fee system as a measure of compensation
powers OF United States Commissioners, at
least ID the Territories; the allowance of writs
Of error in criminal cases on behalf of he
United States, and the establishment of degrees
IN the crime of murder.
topic dealt with by the Attorney General
or much Importance Is the condition OF the ad-
mlnlStration OF Justice in Indian Territory.
Inc permanent solution of what Is calico the
Indian problem is probably not to be expected
at once, but meanwhile such amelioratonS Of
present conditions as the existing system Will
admit Of ought not to be neglected. am salts
lied that there should be Federal court eStab-
lishrd for the Territory with sufficient Judges.
ana tnat this court should SIT Within the Terri
tory and have the same jurisdiction as TO Terri
torIal affairs as is now vested Ill the Federal
courts sitting in Arkansas and Texas.
Another subject OF pressing moment referred
TO by the Attorney General Is the reorganization
of The Union Pacific Railway Company on
basis equitable as regards all private interests
and as favorable 10 the Government as existing
conditions will permit. The operation Of
railroad by court through a receiver is au
anomalous state OF things which should be ter
minated, on all grounds, public and private. at
the earliest possible moment. Besides not to
enact the needed enabling legislation at the
present session postpoDes the whole matter
until the assembling of new Congress and
inevitably increases all the complications of The
situation, and could not but be regarded as a
signal failure to solve problem which has
practically been before the present Congress
ever since its organization.
Federal Prisons,
Eight years ago. in my annual message, 1
urged upon Congress as strongly as l cOuld
the location and construction of two prisons
for the confinement of United States prisoners.
similar recommendation has been m de
from time TO lime since, and few years ago
law was passed providing for the selection of
sites for these Institutions No appropriation
has, however, been made TO carry the act into
enect, and The old and discredtaDle condition
still exists. 1t Is no. my purpose at this time
to repeat the considerations which make an
lmpregnable case in favor of the ownership
and management by The Government Of the
penal institutions In which Federal prisoners
are confined. l simply desire to again urge
former recommendations on the subject and
to particularly call the attention of Con-
greSs TO that part Of the report OF the Secretary
Of War in which he states that the military
prison at Fort LeaVeuWorth, Hans, can be
turned over 10 the Government as prison for
Federal convictS without the least difficulty
ana with an actual saving OF money from every
point OF view.
Pending more complete reform, hope that
by the ADOPTION OF the suggestion OF tie Secre-
tary of War this easy step may be taken in the
direction OF the proper care of its conyicts by
the Government OF the United States.
Postotfice Buildings.
The report OF The PostmaSter-General pre-
SCENTS comprehensive statement of the opera
lions OF the Postof1ice Department for the last
fiscal year. The receipts Of The department
during the year amount 10 SIS OSO.479 Oh
and tile expenditures 10 SS4S24,4l4 10. The
transactions OF the ioStal service Indicate with
baromeiric certainty the fluctuations in the
" H.
plications continued TO exist throughout The
last TO an unforeseen extent it is not sur
prlSlng that there is deficiency of revenue to
me the expenditures OF the POStotfice Depart
ment, which was estimated in ADVANCE at
about $8.000,0O0. The ascertained revenues
OF the last year, which were the basis Of cacu-
latiOn for the current year, being less than
estimated. the deficiency for the current year
will be correspondingly greater, though the
Postmaster. General states that the latest in
dicatiOnS are so favorable that he confidently
predicts increase Of at least s per cent in
the revenues OF the current year over those of
the last year.
sarily with the growth and needs OF The couu-
Try, so that the deficiency is greater or less in
any year. depending Upon the volume of re-
ceIptS. The Postmaster General states that
tins deficiency is unnecessary and might be OBJ
waited at once if The law regulating rates upon
mail matter OF the second class was modified.
The raie received for the transmission of this
second class matter is l cent per pound, while
the cost OF such transmission TO the Govern
ment is eight times that amount. la The gen.
tral terms of the law his rate covers newspa-
perS aud periodicals. The extensions of the
meaning of the terms from time to time have
admitted 10 tue privileges Intended for legiLi-
mate newspapers and periodicals a surprising
range of publications and created abuses the
cost Of which amount In The aggregate 10 the
total deficiency of the Postoffice Department.
Pretended newspapers are started by bust
ness houses for the mere purpose of advertis-
Ing goods. complying with the law IN form only
and disseminating publication as soon the
period of advertising is over sample copies
OF pretended newspapers are issued in great
numbers for like purpose only. The result is
a great loss of revenue TO the Government. be-
sides its humllatlng use as an agency TO aid in
carrying out the scheme OF business house TO
advertise Its goods by means Of trick upon
both its rival houses and the regular and legitl-
mate news papers. Paper covered literature.
consisting mainly of trashy novels, to the eX-
tent of many thousands OF tons, is sent through
the mails at one cent per pound, while the pub
liSherS OF standard works are required TO pay
eight times that amount III sending their publ
Gallons
Another abuse consists in the tree carriage
through the mails of hundreds of tons OF seed
and grain uSeiesSY distributed through the
Department of Agriculture. The Postmaster
General predicts that If thr law be so amended
As to eradicate these abuses not only viii III
PoStoffice Department not show deficiency,
but he believes that i'll the near future all
legitimate newspapers ana periodical maya
zines might be properly transmitted through
the N lis TO their subscribers free of cost. l
invite your prompt consideration of this sub
ject and fully indorse the views OF the Post
master General.
The total numbrr of postoffices in the United
States on the 30Ih day OF June, 1894 was
69,S05, an increase of 1403 over the proceed
ing year. or these 3423 were presidential, an
increase in that class of siXiy-eight over the
preceding year.
SIX hundred ard ten cities and towns are
provided with free delivery ana ninety-three
ether cities aud towns entitled 10 This service
under the law have not been accorded il on
account OF Insufficient funds The expense of
free delivery ior the current fiscal year VIII be
more than S12,3O0,O0O, and under existing
legislation this item OF expenditure is subject
to constant increase. The stimated cost of
rural free delivery generally is so very large
that 1t ought not to be considered in the present
condition of affairs.
During The year $50 additional domestic
money order Offices were established. the
total number OF these Offices at the close of the
year was 1896. There were 14,4OS, o4I
money orders ISSUED during the year, being AN
increase over the preceding year of 994, 306.
The value OF these orders amounted To Sl3S,.
1888, 579 40, an increase OF ST., PIT, las 81.
There were also issued during In year postal
notes amounting to S12.649,094 55.
During the year 2lS International money
order offices were added To those already es-
tablshed. making total of 2G25 such offices in
operation June So 1894 The number OF in.
ternatloDal money ordeS issued during the year
was 81, 1913, d crease III nu mber of 1875 l76;
and their value was $13,792. 455 81, decrease
in amount OF $2,549,3 S2 90. The plumber of
orders paid was SCI 100, an increase over the
preceding year CT 60,263 and their value was
SO, 560, 493 rs, an Increase OF 81, 2S5, 11S 03.
From the foregoing statements II appears that
the total issue OF money orders and postal notes
for the year announced TO S165, 235, 129 80.
The number OF lie ters and packages mailed
during the year for especial delivery WAS
1885, $40. The special delivery stamps used
upon these letters and packages amounted 10
S343.697. The messengers fees paid for their