The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1894-11-24
IN THE GREAT DEPARTMENT.
Report on Mail Transportation-Indi
Territory Problems.

Washington, Nov. flowing to the
Illness of Second Assistant Postmaster
General Nelson. the report of his office
is made by George f. Stone. who is act
ing in his stead. The report deals with
rsat branch of the postal service which
looks after the mail transportation. For
star service, ii is shown that there are
1885 routes, with an aggregate length
of 25l,5 S7 miles, and the total miles trav-
eled 1880, 1888, at an expense of 1885,
$50. The estimate for the next year is
$5,S75, 000.. Consideration is being given
the feasibility of utilizing electric and
other rapid motor street. car lines to
facilitate the transportation of malls in
important cities between the main post
office and branch postoffices, and to and
from the main station. A plan of this
kind will probably be included in the
running of special cars of street lines
for the exclusive use of the mail service,
not only for carrying locked pouches,
but in which a certain amount of distri-
button will be possible. OF course, such
an arrangement could be effected only
by the hearty cooperation of the street.
car companies with the department for
the improvement of the service. This
office hopes to accomplish some such
substantial result in the direction i'm
dicated within the next year.
The cost of the railway mail service
was IS, 1872, 1856, and the estimate for next
year is $3,250000. The railway postoffice
clerks cost $6,S78,1 and the estimate
for next year is $685. 900. The total
number of pieces of mail handled was
1882, 234, 255, in which but 1881, 094 err
rors were made. The foreign mail SER
vice cost $1,239, 1862. The estimate for
next year is 1918, 400.
INDIAN TERRITORY PROBLEM.
Washington, Nov. 1.-THE annual re-
port of Indian Agent Wisdom at Mus
kogee, /. t., to the Indian office throws
considerable light upon the conditions
in the territory which have resulted in
troubles of considerable moment in the
Indian country, such as the reign of
terror caused by bands of robbers and
marauders, He points out in the first
place the necessity of the enlargement
of the courts in Indian territory, say
ing: "Since the act of March /, 1889,
| establishing a federal court in Indian
territory, there has been no special Leg
| islation by congress extending it's juris-
diction or increasing the number of
judges
AS one of the evils to be eradicated,
Wisdom points out land-grabbing. The
Indian is satisfied with a small tract of
| land, but those who have intermarried
with Indian women have fenced in and
apportioned to their own use thousands
of acres. The land is held in common
He says: THE Indians are reluctant to
break up their tribal relations and to
assume the status of United States citi-
zens with attending responsibilities. If
am not mistaken, however, a concen-
sus of opinion among the Indians is that
/ some change is inevitable and that, too,
in the near future"
Mr.. Wisdom has something to say
about the beverage known as "Choctaw
beer" He says: Good Choctaw beer,
drink compounded of barley, hops, to-
bacco, fishberries and small amount
af alchohol is manufactured without
stint in many portions of the agency.
1t is certain that it's sale is a fruitful
source Of evil, disorder and crime" He
advises legislation for the suppression of
this traffic.
ONLY FOR CONVENIENCE,
! Washington, Nov. 17.-There is moth
ing sensational in the statement that
Assistant Secretary Hamlin has been
designated by the president to act for
the coming six months as secretary of
| the treasury, during the absence of
| Carlisle from the department. The de-
signation of Mr.. Hamlin to act as Sec
rotary is in continuation of the custom
which has prevailed in the treasury de-
partment ever since Carlisle has been
secretary. Each of the three assistants
serves in his capacity for half a year
in rotation, and as acting secretary,
they sign all papers of a routine charac-
| ter, thus relieving the secretary from
this onerous duty. This official designa-
ton is necessary, under the law, which
requires that certain specified papers
shall be signed by the secretary or an
acting secretary. The secretary does
not contemplate leaving Washington,
! but much of his time for the next two
weeks will be devoted to the prepara-
ton of his annual report.
INTERNAL REVENUE TAXES.
Washington, NOV I1.-Secretary Car
/ Isle has approved of the regulation
under section of the tariff act. This
section provides that articles may be
manufactured in whole or in part Of
| imported materials or of materials sub
] iect to internal revenue taxes intended
! for expectation, provided the same is
done in a bonded warehouse and under
regulations to be prescribed by the sec
rotary of the treasury. The regulations
cover over go typewriter pages and
prescribe, in detail, all requirements as
to applications, bonds, etc, thought ne
! cessary to protect the government from
loss or imposition of any character.
| The regulations were sent to the public
| printing Office today.