Indianapolis Journal, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 December 1883 — Page 3

DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. THIS POSTAL SERVICE. Recommend at lons Concerning: First and Third-Class Matter—Postal Telegraph. Washington, Deo. I.—The report of Poet-master-general Gresham opens with a brief tribute to the memory of his predecessor, the late Timothy O. Howe, which is followed by the financial statement of the operations of the department for the fiscal year ended Juue 30, 1883, as follows: Ordinary postal revenue $15,097,073.24 Net revenue from money-order business 411,619.37 $45,508,692.61 The expenditures on account of the service of the year, not including amount credited to Pacific railroad companies 42,816,700.56 Balance available for outstandingliabilities $2,691,092.05 Deduct estimated ainouut of outstanding liabilities for the year 775,000.00 Estimated balance after discharge of outstanding liabilities $1,916,992.05 Deduct amount credited to the Pacific railroad companies for mail transportation for the year 915,710.22 Estimated surplus of revenue over estimated total Co9t of tiie service for the year $1,001,281.83 In addition to the expenditures for the service of the year, $4(56.243.87 was paid on account of liabilities for previous years, making the total amount disbursed during the year, not including credits to Pacific railroads, $*13.28*2,914.43. The receipts for the year were $3,632,282 46. or 8 6 per cent., more than those of the previous fiscal year. The estimated total cost of railroad transportation for 1883 Is 812,719,832 88, wbieh includes the amount earned by the Pacific railroad companies. As compared with the previous year the expenditure for star service has decreased $1,042,939.58, or 18 percent. The aggregate appropriations /or the service of the year were $44,870,600.18, or $1,284,899.62 more than the total expenditures and estimated liabilities for the same, exclusive of the amounts credited to the Pacitto railroad companies. The estimates for 1885 are: Ordinary postal revenue $46,674,078.31 Hot money-order reoeipts 430,000.00 $47,104,078.31 Expenditures exclusive of amounts to be credired to Pacific railroad companies - 50,062,189.60 Deficiency to be supplied out of the general treasury $2,958,111 29 The report states that unusual difficulty is experienced In forecasting the postal revenues by reasou of the recent reduction in postage, but a series of careful calculations, based on the tbree-cent rate, gives the following results: Estimated ordinary postal revenue for the year ending Juno 30, 1885, ou basis of three-ccnt letter rate $54,567,458.61 Deduct estimated lo*s occasioned by reduction of letter rate to two cents 7,893.380.30 $46,674,078.31 Add net profits from moneyorder business for the year ending June 30, 1885. as estimated by superintendent of the mon-ey-order system 430,000.00 * Gives total estimated revenue for the year, ending Jnne 30, 1885, on basis of two-cout lettei rate. $47,104,078.3,1 The total number of employ es in the service is 09,020. The free delivery system i9 in operation in 154 cities and the number of carriers was 3,680. The total cost of this service was $3,173,336.51. The postage on local matter at the Various offices amounted to $4,195,230.52, an increase over the preceding year of $378,654.43 ana over the total cost of the service of $1,021,895.01.

Tiie aggregate of tile salaries of postmasters cf presidential offices, according to the adjustment for October 1, 1883, will be about $3,750,000, and for ilie year ending June 30,1885, is expected to reach $4,000,000. Attention is directed to gross inequaltiies in expenditures for clerk hire, as compared with receipts, in a number of the larger offices, A comparison of figures shows a variation of more thau IX per oent. The Postmastinaster-general directs a general revision of the allowances for clerk hire, with a view to making reductions, without impairing the efficiency of the service. One thousand nine hundred and fortv-four claims of postmasters for reimbursement for losses by burglary, lire aud other unavoidable casualty, were filed during tho year. Os these, 825 were disposed of; 274 were allowed amounting to $4,211.45. One hundred and ughty-two claims were disallowed, and 369 were abandoned or withdrawn. The cost of railway service, including postal cars and clerks, was $17,720,229, orabout 10.75 cents per mile; tbe steamboat service cost 14.96 cents per mile, and the star service 6.08 tents per mile. The total cost of inland mail service for the year ended June 30,1883, was $19,234,899, au inorease.of 1.9 per cent, over the cost of the same item for the previous year. Concerning the star service, the Postmastergeneral says: The present status of the star service shows for 1883 a cost of $4,739,478, with 77.998,782 miles of annual transportation, againsta cost of $7,321,499, with 76,070,995 miles of annual transportation in 1880, being au increase from 1880 of 1,927,787 miles of transportation and $2,582,021 decreasepn cost. This service is now all performed under contracts made upon proposals submitted in response to advertisements. The only change in the contract rate of pay, fixed by competition, has been for increase or decrease in tripe or distance, and it may therefore be said to be upon a heaithy basis. The sharp competition brought about by speculating binders has so reduced tho compensation for carrying the mails on star routes as to preclude the employment of any other than the cheapest outfits, and while tho mails may be dragged through ■m schedule tune, the result is accomplished ny means inferior to those used in private business. To secure the superior grade of service desired, restrictions have been plaoed upon subletting by prescribing a form of sub-contract through which greater responsibilities are imposed upon those undertaking to redder tbe service. It is expected that this will add somewhat to the cost, bnttt will undoubtedly result in a material improvement iu the service. The relations between the government and the companies owning the subsidized Paoitlo roads are unsettled and unsatisfactory. Os railway postal clerks and their salaries Gen. Gresham says: "At the close of the year there were 3,855 railway postal clerks, an increase of 2.85 per rent, over tile preceding year, while tile increase In annual salaries paid averaged only 47 cents per clerk. The superintendent asks for an appropriation for the next fiscal year of $4,295,289.60, an increase of $318,169 60 over the current year, which seems to be reasonable. All increased appropriation of $50,000 is asked to pay for additional postal cars. Clerks in this branch of the service are appointed ou urobaTiun for six months, during whioh time they are frequently examined to test their Illness. ' Only those who are then found to be capable receive permanent appointments. This practical application of civil service rules has been productive of excellent results. During tbe year there were 114 casualties, in which one olerk was killed, thirty-five Seriously injured aud fortytwo slightly injured. I renew tiie recommendation of my predecessors, that tile Postmastergeneral be authorized to pay the widow or tbe guardian of the minor children of a railway postal clerk who is killed in the service a sum equal to one year’s salary of the grade which ho held at the tune of his death. The money-order business has increased s'eadily daring the year. Thesuperintemleut of Vie money order system states that the new postal notes, the issue ot which was authorized by the aot ot March, 3, 1883. are being extensively employed for remittancee of small sums, and reports that tho postal notes paid at tbe New York city pttsrolfleefrom tlio commencement of business on Sept. 3 until Oct. 20. 1883. numbered 57,374, and amounted to $106,854.81, while during the same time 89.120 motley orders were paid, amounting to $1,136,498.81. The other provisions of tile act modifying t.iic postal jnmipy-order system have neen duly put into effect, as slated iu his report. The amount of postage collected on second-

class matter during the rear was $1,705,177.53, an increase of $140,074.25, or 9.01 per cent., over the previous yeur. Os the business of the dead-letter office the report says: At the close of the preceding fiscal year there wore 1,454 letters containing $2,880.51 on hand io the office awaiting final disposition; also 1,325 letters containing $2,870.84 in money, amt 969 letters containing $160,897.81 in drat is, checks, etc., outstanding in the hands of postmasters. Os the letters and parcels which were opened during the year for the purpose of restoring them to the writers, 15,301 were found to contain money, amounting to $32,647.23; 18,095 contained drafts, checks, money-orders, etc., representing a value of $1,881,991.47: 96,808 contained merchandise, saiimles, bonks and miscellaneous articles: 66.137 contained postagestamps; 40.215 contained receipts, paid notes, canceled drafts, insurance papers, etc.; 35,160 contained photographs. From letters for which the Department railed to find owners the sum of $7,782.16 was separated and deposited in the United States Treasury. This snra included sl,040.30 of uncurrent money'which had been separated from undelivered letters in previous years, but converted into depositabie funds since the beginning of this fiscal year. The proceeds of the dead-letter office sale in December last amounted to $4,497.67, which sum was deposited l the Treasury to the credit of the Post office Department. The value of stamps received to pay postage upon parcels of third and fourthclrms matter returned to the senders, and upon insufficiently prepaid letters forwarded to the addressees, was $3,693.27. The number of letters ami parcels sent through the registered mails during Uie year was 10,594,716. The amount of registry fees collected was $926,549.70, an increase of $85,057.8'), or 10.10 per cent, over the previous year. The actual and estimated losses (a number of cisf*s still being under investigation), were only 627, or, sav, one out of every 16,897 letters and parcels forwarded. This small proportion of loss is unprecedented. The report discusses the subject of foreign mails and ocean service at some length, and urges the importance of frequent, regular and rapid mail communication with Central and South America, the Australian colonies, and the populous countries of eastern Asia.

DROP*LETTER POSTAGE. Concerning the proposed reduction of postage on drop letters the report says: Some desire has been expressed for a reduction of postage on drop-letters, from two cents to one cent. That two cents should be charged for delivering a letter in the city where it is mailed, while the same price will transport it across the continent, is said to be anomalous. Whatever force there may be in this argument might be urged against charging the same price for carrying a letter from New York to Brooklyn as for carrying one from New York to San Francisco. The plan of rating postage according to the distance of the carriage was wisely abandoned almost forty years ago. It might be said that it is an anomaly to charge two cents for carrying a letter weighing half an ounce when that sum will carry two ounces of merchandise or four ounces of books. It- might be plausibly urged as equally inconsistent for the government to hire a carrier in one city to deliver letters at a charge of one cent each, and in another city compel the people to go to the postoffice for their letters on which a similar charge is exacted. If the proposed change is made, two cents will be charged for carrying a letter from the New York postoffice to Jersey riity, and only one cent for carrying a letter from the New York post office to Westchester county, within the delivery limits of that- office. The free-delivery system was established on tho Ist of Jnly, 1863, leaving the drop-letter rate uniform at one cent at alt offices. This rate was maintained until the act of June 8, 1872, increased it at carrier offices to two cents, in order to defray the cost of the carrier service. That cost had theretofore largely exceeded the receipts from local postage, though the flj'stera was confined to fifty-two of the principal cities. For the year ended June 30, 1872, the amount of postage collected on local matter was $907,351 93, and the expenditure of carrier service $1,385,905.76. If the charge for drop-letters is made uniform at ail offices, without regard to this service at a portion of them only, the cities and towns not accommodated by carriers will not. long remain quiet under the discrimination. It is true that, at the offices where the carrier service is in operation, the total postage on local matter ex ceeds the total cost of the service; but to claim the entire receipts from local matter as due to the currier system is manifestly unfair. At the close of the last fiscal year that system was in operation at 154 postoffices. The postage collected on local matter at these offices during tlie year amounted to $4,195,230.52, and the total cost of the service was $3,173,336.51, an excess of postage of $1,021,894.01. At fourteen offices only did the local postage exceed the c<*sr of the service. At the remaining 140 offices rlie amount of local postage collected was $939,187 73, while the cost of the carrier service at the same offices was $1,519,102.05. At eightyseven offices the amount of local postage collected was less than one-half of tlio expenditure for carrier service. These eightv-seven offices in the aggregate collected $220,559.84 on local matter, and expended $583,356 36 for carrier service, an excess of expenditure of $362,796.52. A reduction of the local rate to one cent, on the present volume of business, would leave the carrier service a heavy charge upon the general revenues of the department at every office save that at New York. It is true that an increase of business is to be expected, but that would require additional carriers, and thus'augment the present expense. At sow offices, if any, is such an increase probable as would compensate for the loss by a reduction of the rate. Certainly, at a great majority of the offices, where the system is now conducted at a loss, a lower rate would only increase the charge upon the general fund. The proposed step would lead to a clamor for the extension of the carrier system to an indefinite number or tho smaller cities and towns, where its maintenance would be almost wholly at the expense of the general revenue. Such extension will not be urged on tho score of profit, and if it be put upon the ground of public convenience it will bo difficult to assign a reason for making discriminations, when the local rate is uniform at all offices. A large deficiency of revenue from the carrier service would, it is feared, be followed by scant appropriations for this service, with the result of impairing its efficiency, even at the places where it is now conducted at a profit. An important. reduction of postace has just been effected by changing the domestic letter rate from three cents to two. This change, unlike the one proposed, is of benefit to all the people of the country in proportion to the extent which they patronize the mails. For a time at least, it will sensibly diminish the postal revenue and impose a burden upon the general treasury. It would seem to be prudent to wait until the deficiency shall have been recovered, or at least more definitely ascertained, before maklug a further inroad upon the revenues through a reduction of the present rites of postage. The carrying of the malls should not be looked to as a source of revenue, but the service should be rendered as nearly self-sustaining as possible. FIRST AND THIRD-CLASS MATTER. After careful consideration, I am of opinion that the unit of weight for rating first-class matter should bo changed from one-half an ounce to one ounce. This change, in connection with the recent reduction of letter postage from three to two cents, would place this country on an equality with any other in respect of cheap postage. Great Britaiu maintains a more liberal unit of weight for rating letters and packages than we do. The postage on third class matter, embracing newspapers and periodicals sent by others than the publishers, is one cent per two ounces. Some of the larger newspapers weigh more than two ounces. There seems to be a popular impression that one cent per copy is the uniform roje for all newspapers. Many persons, under this Impression, deposit In post offices newspapers that weigh more than two ounces, and pot exceeding three ounces, bearing a one-cent stamp. Such papers are not entitled to be sent, and. perhaps as a rule, are not sent. This creates dissatisfaction aud complaint. In order to obviare this, I recommend that the rate of postage ou newspapers and periodical publications sent, by others than the publishers or news agents be made one cent per three ounces. The Postmaster-general refora at some length to the contest with the Louisiana Lottery Company, aud makes the following recommendations: I recommend, aR in keeping with our legislation, and with a view to fender it more efficacious, the passage ot an act providing that every newspaper which contaius an advertisement of a lottery, or any agency thereof, shall be excluded from the mails, and rendering the person who deposits It lor sending by mail liAble to tho penalties which, under existing laws, be incurs for so depositing a letter or circular concerning lotteries. I also recommend that so far as they are applicable the provisions of the Revised Statutes relating to the District or Columbia upon the subject of lotteries be extended to all the Territories of the United States. PORTAL TELEGRAPH. In discussing this subject Postiuastcr-general Gresham mentions three plans widen have been suggested as substitutes for tho present system; 1. The acquisition and operation of tlio existing lines by the government. 2. The construe-

THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, MONDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1883.

tionby the government of lines which it will operate in competition with existiug companies. 3. Tho creation of a company by which lines of telegraph are to be supplied to the capital of each Slate, and other places having a given number of inhabitants, or where stations are now maintained, or the business of the country may hereafter require them. The company, in consideration of the special powers conferred by Congress, is, at certain reduced rates to be prepaid in stamps, to transmit messages at a compensation to be paid by the United States not to exceed 10 jer centum upon its authorized capital stock over and above operating expanses. The government is obliged to furnish ateacu station the requisite accommodations for the officers employed in the transaction of business, and to assume the duty of receiving messages, and delivering by mail or otherwise sued an are transmitted. I merely state in the most, general form the leading features of each of these plans. It will be perceived that they are essentially different. The first two contemplate that the government shall own and operate the lines, including all the necessary apparatus; and rhe third that a company shali ba employed to perform the required service at a stipulated compensation. * * * From the best consideration- which I have been enabled to bestow upon the subject, I have reached the conclusion that Congress has the constitutional power in providiug for tlio postal service of the country to avail itself of all the facilities devised by the inventive genius of modern times for transmitting messages and intelligence, and that it has full authority to adopt either of the first two plans which I have mentioned. * * * The establishment of a postal telegraph as a mono: oly, or in competition with private companies, would, it is insisted, reduce rates which are now exorbitant and protect the public against tbe abuses and evils deemed to be inseparable from the service as it exists. In either event an enormous expense must be incurred. Hut without dwelling upon that consideration, it is dear that an efficient execution of either plan w ill necessarily involve the employment of a multitude of operators, messengers, mechanics and laborers, and th%l& largely add to the patronage of the government An increase of that patronage beyond what is indispensable to the public service is to be deprecated aud avoided, and it is one of the dangers which tbrSfiteo the purity and duration of our institutions. In Europe the telegraph is under the control of tbe public authorities. With us, the administration is the government in action, and may. for the time being and for all practical purposes, be considered the government itself. In seasons of political excitement, and, to some extent at other times, is there not ground for serious apprehension that the telegraph, under the exclusive control of the dominant party, might be abused to promote partisan purposes and perpetuate the power of the administration? But, if it could be kept entirely free from such influence, I should hesitate to sanction a measure providing that the United States shall become tbe proprietor of telegraph lines and operate them by its officers aud agents. The incorporation of a company with a charter having the essential features to whioh I have adverted finds in some quarters advocates, and has been heretofore considered by Congress. Its employment for tbe purpose in question is not subject, to some of the objections justly urged against the other* plans, and by many is preferred to either of them. A reduction of rates will, it is believed, be thereby secured. Tho duty of receiving and delivering telegrams will be discharged by the officers of this department. That the adoption of this plan would result in a considerable increase of officials and employes is undeniable. Conceding that Congress has authority to incorporate a company and clothe it with the power necessary for the effectual accomplishment of the purpose in view, such a measure will inaugurate anew policy, the adoption of which I do not feel at liberty to recommend. If Congress can create such a company, it mar incorporate railway and other companies, ams contract with them for rhe carriage of the mails; and if this may be done it will not lie denied that the government mav build railways anil other roads, and construct and equip vessels for postal pnrponefl. The Postmaster-gen-eral in 1800 established, at the expense of the United States, a line of stages for the conveyance ot the mails between Baltimore and Philadelphia, and although the contract system now prevails, Congress may unquestionably direct its abandonment and the substitution of its own vehicles in lieu of those furnished by the contractors. Congress, by such legislation, would thus enter upon anew sphere of action whioh there is renson to fear won Id be the first step in a dangerous direction. The patronage of the general government, would b enormously increased, and its jurisdiction extended to matters heretofore confined to State legislation or private enterprise. The injurious tendency of such legislation cannot well be overestimated. As to telegraphic service wholly within the several States, unless the power to establish postofflees and post-roads be successfully invoked, tho existing rates are beyond governmental control. The opinion has been advanced that inasmuch as Congress has authority to take charge of the telegraph as a part or the postal system, it may do nothing in that direction and yet prohibit citizens and private companies from engaging in the business unless they comply With prescribed terms and conditions. It is said that the greater power-necessarily includes the les9, or In other words, that the absolute power to prohibit includes tbe limited power to regulate This doctrine has evidently no application. It is only by exercising its power in some of the modes already discussed, or in some q}her appropriate way, that the government can prescribe terms upon which competition wm be permitted, or prohibit it altogether. When a line is neither owned, controlled nor operated by the government, nor in its behalf, a telegraph company, in the transaction of so much of its business as is confined within the limits of a State, is beyond the reach of Congress. I have endeavored to maintain tho authority of Congress to assume control of the telegraph because it has hern, arid still is, seriously disputed. The existing companies operate their lines solely for the purpose of making money, and, while it is doubtless true that their rates, as a whole, are unreasonable, yet in view of what has already been said, I do not think tho evils complained of are so grievous as to call for congressional intervention.

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. Salaries of Marshals and Attorneys—Failure of Justice in Washington Courts. Washington, Dec. I.—The report of Attorneygeneral Brewster details the routine business of the department at great length. The expenditures of the department average about $3,000,000 a year. The Legislature of Utah Territory refuses to appropriate money for the execution of the Territorial laws under congressional legislation, and the Attorney-general recommends the appropriation of $26,000 for the purpose of securing enforcement of the laws. Mr. Brewster recommends that the maximum compensation of all clerks in United States courts be umformlv the same. The maximum compensation of each of these clerks is $7,000 per annum. The maximum compensation for clerks of corresponding courts in other States throughout the country is $3,500. There appears to be no good reason why this discrimination shall he made in favor of the clerks of California. They are now allowed to receive double the maximum compensation of other clerks throughout the country. Concerning protection to civil olfieers, the report says: I renew the recommendation that additional legislation should he had to protect the executive civil officers of the government in the performance of their duties, and also against outrages committed upon them because thev have faithfully performed them. The punishment now attached to the resistence of process is not commensurate with iiiauy offenses which have been committed upon and against these officers. There is no United States punishment lor the murder of one of these officers while engaged in discharging his duties, or because lie has discharged them. Tins is a matter which should not be left to the administration of justice in the State courts. A proper regard for the safety of the officer requires that the legislation should be ample and cover all outrages, but especially the highest outrage, upon his person. One of the most important recommendations of the report is as follows: The practice of compensating the United Btates marshal by fees is an expensive one. Examiners of the Department of Justice who have been detailed to examine tbeir accounts report that, in order to make the maximum fees of the offices6,ooo per annum, unscrupulous marshals in some instances, though their deputies, have encouraged frivolous prosecutions, outraging the rights of citizens, and involving the United States in unnecessary and excessive expenses, it is estimated that it costs the government ten dollars expenses for every dollar’s emoluments of tho marshal. Thus it will appear that it would be to the interest of the government to give tho marshal a fixed compensation, so as to remove all inducements to practice frauds upou tho government on tho one hand, or wrongs upon the citizens on the other. If tho deputy were to bo paid fees for executing process. It would insure the same efficiency as the present foe system, and at the same time relievo tho department of the extraordinary expense complained of, as the marshal would have no interest in encouraging such practices. The same reasons in favor of salaried offices apply with even tu >re force to the United Stated

attorney. By law Ire is requited to examine tho accounts of marshals, clerks and commissioners. It i, therefore, clear that the emoluments oi his office ought nor, be contingent upon the amount of business done by officers upon the correctness of whose accounts ho must pass. With a view to remedying defects iu the methods of criminal procedure in the courts, the At-torney-general submits a lengthy hill proposing numerous changes in existing processes. The adoption of anew code of laws for rhe District of Columbia is strongly urged. “JURY-FIXISG** IN Till; DISTRICT. A considerable portion of the report is devoted to a consideration of the causes leading to the frequent failures of justice in the Washington courts. On the topic of "jury-fixing” Mr. Brewster says: It is the subject of belief amt common r eport that the business of "jury-fixing” flourishes to n alarming extent in the District. It is asserted that men live, support their fan. Hies, and even become rich in the practice of this nefarious profession. Such a practice or profession exists to some extent in nearly every large city, under the best devised jury systems, aud not,with- i standing the care, attention and safeguards thrown around the juries to prevent their being j tampered with. But, as the jury system now ! exists, that unscrupulous men should safely conduct a lucrative business in debauching j juries in the District should occasion no surprise. < With but twenty-six jurors, such as usually serve, an arrive jury -fixer would become acquainted with at least two or three of them in a few hours, and that would give him a strong beginning in liis. efforts to thwart justice. With j but twenty-six jurors, serving for three months, it would not require one-third of That time for the combineu force of jury-fixers to become thoroughly acquainted with tho habits, associations, character and business of each Juror, and the influences, if any, that, could be ! used to reach him aud bring him within their power. Then again, what is there to prevent ! one or more well-dressed and apparently re- j spectable-looking rogues placing themselves in tbe way or tbe marshal or his deputies, to be , brought into court as talesmen, and serving j npou rhe juries to acquit their friends or confect- j crates? Such devices, unhappily, are not on- ' kiipWU in tho District, and others could be enu- j morHteL nod will naturally suggest themselves, I after a caret";*! consideration, but endugh lias j been shown to the fact that unneo- 1 essarv responsibility Is plffced upon officers who, although acting from the and most con- . selections motives, are liable at S*oy time to censure and reproach, and that the ooßrt and , prosecuting officer should not any longer be compelled to struggle with the limited maebin- • cry placed at their disposal. Tt is recommended, \ in t he interest of justice and as a matter of economy, that tiie number of jurors should be in- ’ creased to forty-eight; that, the time of service should be reduced to one month; that where a | deficiency exists in the jury that deficiency j should be supplied from the box, and that an improved system of drawing, selecting and summoning Juries should be adopted without delay. * * * j All plans to defraud the government or to steal from the public treasury, no matter where con- 1 trived. are mostly consummated iu Washington, . and when Die gniity parties are arrested their j trial must of necessity take place before a jury i drawn in tbe District. The arrest of one set of j defendants brings to them the sympathy and active aid of all others who are engaged in similar schemes. If the defendants ate wealthy, as is often the case, bv a liberal expenditure of money they secure the acquaintance and friend- 1 ship of prominent men who are of a social disposition, and whoso open and public association and companionship with tbe defendants is not wit hout its helpful effect. When the case is called for trial, the government stands alone, and opposed by many disadvantages, while the defendants, aided not only by their wealth, the encouragement and Influence of their friends, bur, by a certain feeling of indiffe.rence which seems to prevail in Washington concerning such crimes, are permitted to depart from tbe courtroom triumphing in their acquittal, escaping punishment and scandalizing the administration of justice. Such has been tho case before, and such will occur again, so long as the national treasury is confided solely to the protection of local juries. It is not easy to determine what method to adopt for the trial of these public cases, as any change will be objected to because it may increase expense. Change of venue and special or struck juries have, been adopted elsewhere, to secur-* protect inn from a failure of justice because of tbe defects of local juries, and both methods, wherever existiug, are commended. It, is of the utmost importance that either or both methods should prevail in rhe District. I submit that rhe desired end might bo attained by extending (in such form and under such limitations as may be advisable) the jurisdiction of the United Stares circuit and district courts for the judicial district of Maryland, so as to include the'cognizance of crimes committed in the District of Columbia. By this the circuit and district courts of that judicial district would have original jurisdiction over all crimes committed In the District of Columbia which are offenses against the general laws of the United Stares, and their jurisdiction would be concurrent with that of tno courts In the District, of Columbia, so that the prosecutions and trials could be proceeded within either court. The advantages to be derived are, that where the trials take place in the circuit or district court in Maryland, the jury would be drawn in tho manner now prescribed by law, from toe people of tiie entire State of Maryland, and the chances of obtaining an impartial jury would be greatly increased.

THE WAR OF I ICE. Expenditures and Estimates The Signal Service and tlie State Militia. Washington, Dec. I.—The expenditures for the fiscal year ended June 30,1883, were $19,791,055.42. Tho appropriation for- the. fiscal year 1884 is $31,766,952.03, and the estimates for 1885 amount to $41,386,206.78. The appropriations for the snpport or the signal service for the fiscal ypar ended Jane 30, 1883, have been found insufficient, and estimates will be submitted to supply the deficiencies. Some difficulty was experienced in carrying out the provisions of the act of Aug. 7, 1882 (22 Statutes, 319), which limited the expenditures to $300,000 from appropriations for support of the array, in addition to the so ciH' appropriations for that service. Thirty-eigln days of The fiscal year had already expired, and, ah Imugn the best efforts of the department were exercised to keep tho expenditures within Uve limit of the appropriations, its endeavors were not completely succesfful. Brief reference is made to the retirement of General Sherman and the accession to command of Lieutenant-general Sheridan. The history of the army during the past year has been one of almost unbroken quiet, during which the troops have been engaged in no more active duties than those of guarding the Indian reservations, and in keeping themselves prepared for any service upou which they might be called. The only exception to this record occurred In Arizona,where, last March, the Apaches made a raid and killed nine persons. This outbreak was followed by General Crook’s campaigu, the results of which are familiar. The number of desertions from the ariuv in tlie past year was nearly 3,600; only a few less than the extraordinary number of the year before. The most earnest efforts are being made to ascertain, and. so far as possible, do away with the causes of desertion. I beg leave to renew the recommendation made last year, that a partial remedy may be found by increasing the pay to what it was in 1865, that is, sl6 per month for a private soldier and a proportionate amount for non-commissioned officers. THE SIGN AT. SERVICE. The report refers as follows to the Weather Bureau: The chief signal officer calls attention to the insufficiency of the appropriations made last year for this work, arisiugpiiauily from the specific appropriations made in the last act being less in amount than the customary expenditures of the service, but in part out of what was no no doubt an Inadvertent omission to appropriate, In the detailed appropriation bill enacted especially for tliis service, for certain items of expense necessary if this service is to be maintained. Undoubtedly omissions of this character should be corrected if the sei vice is to be supported; buts trust that the temporary prohibitory legislation enacted at the last session of Congress, preventing the Secretary of War from making unlimited drafts at his discretion upon military appropriations to carry out the provisions of sections 221 and 222 of the Devised Statutes, which havc;no relation to military matters, will tie mnde permanent at the approaching session of Congress; and that tho making of separate appropriations for the signal service will be continued, so that the amount for it w ill not be upon the sole responsibility of the Secretary of War. Tlie annual report of Ute operations of the United States signal otVrcc shows tlie number of sraiions in operation to lie 376. or 118 less than at the close of the previous year. The number of stations from which telegraphic reports have been received is 139. a decrease of 13. Daily reports have also been receive,d from 335 foreign stations. Irregular reports from 605 sea-going vessels, and monthly reports front 339 voluntary observers have keen received. Tlie service has 19 officers and 500 enlisted men. Out of 1,557 cautionary sigiialkdisplnyctl dtir-

! lug the year for the benefit of mariners. 83.9 percent, were justified by the remits. The iinlieationsof weather furnished to the press were I verified iu 88 percent, of tbe coses. Last year I the justifications and verifications were 83 per , cent, and 86.6 per cent. There has thus been a i further slight gain in accuracy >f prediction. On the Pacific coast, where weather only* was predicted, the prcentage of venfioatious rose to 90.5 per cent. In flf.y-four cities meteorological committees have been appointed and nave given valuable i assistance. An interesting study was the invesI ligation of a suggested relation between rainfall and the growth of population an I extension of railroads and telegraphs in the Northwest, arid a careful study of the. river Hoods of 1882, made for the purpose of discovering some means of predicting suen phenomena. Among the improved methods of distributing weather predictions is that by means of railway trains. The Cleveland, Akron & Columbus railroad lias adopted a system of weather signals, which are displayed on tucir cars, and which thus give warning to the farmers of the country through which the lino passes. The chief signal officer calls attention to the crippled condition in which the signal Rervioe was left by the last appropriation acts, and asks more liberal action. The report recommends that ear y provision be made for fitting out another expedition lor relief of Lieut. Greely and his party. THE MILITIA. Concerning the militia, the Secretary makes the foilowiug recommendations: The report of the Adjutant-general shows that in many of the States much attention is being given to the improvement of the militia. A<* stated in my last annual report, officers of the army are sent, whenever requested by the proper State authorities, to be pivsout at militia encampments to inspect the troops, and to give any assistance in making the encampment successful and profitable to ihose who take part in them, so far as is possible. 011 l *rs were, accordingly, sent during the last year to encampments in nine different States, aud the reports of the inspecting officers given in mil by tiie Adjutant-general are interesting and instructive. I earnestly recommend that tho attention of Congress be invited to the subject of giving substantial encouragement to the formation of volunteer militia organizations in every State, and in the District of Columbia, by liberal appropriations to supply tho necessary arms, equipments, tents, ammunition and other ordnance stores. With our small standing army, onr main dependence for public defense must be on our militia: aud the wisdom of the comparatively small expenditures which would encourage their organization and their efficiency in drill und/discipliue, semis apparent. In the last Congress a bill on this subject was reported from the Seisita committee on military affairs (8. 1,596), by 7'hlch it was contemplated that in lieu of the allud'd stun of $200,000 provided by the act of the 23d April. 1808, the sum of $600,000 should* be anim'Sly appropriated, the purposes for which it should be used being more extended than under the provisions of the old act. A careful consideration of thiß proposed act leads to tho belief that its enactment, would be a great public benefit, and I strongly recommend the passage of such a law. I believe it to be especially the duty of Congress to make anew enactment respecting tin* organization of the militia in the District of Columbia. Tho act now in force, in its essential parts, is nearly a century old, and is not adapted to the present situation of affairs. It is believed that. under appropriate legislation, an efficient ami creditable organization of the militia iu the District of Columbia coaid be easily effected. Horsford’s Acid PhosphateMARKED BENEFIT IN INDIGESTION. Dr. A. L. Hall, Fair Haven, Now York, say 6: "Have prescribed it with marked benefit m indigestion and urinary troubles.”

A WROUGHT ( j IRON Upipe m (iyy and FITTINGS. Selling agents ior National ■fKSjsJ* **.. \ Tube Works Cos. gy T '*'’4 I Globe Valves, Stop Cocks, ge-. -Ori l J Kngine Trimmings, PIPE ■9 E 9 I ‘ ! tongs, ct.ttkks. vim-.s. fcf: j V TAPS, Stocks and Dice, F 7 fIW ' "rcnclics. Bream Tr ips fcjsfl V asa Pumps. Binks. HOSK. KELTfiSH t-M; IKO, EAIIT.ITT METALS Fg2j PeL 1 (25-pound boxes. Cotton Hn [Si Wiping Waste, white and am fS colored (100-pounil baies). MSf I*s and all other supplies used fjwl l fei in connection with STEAM, ip WATER and GAB. in JOB or vll IP RETAIL I JUTS. Do a regu. ftp lnr Steam-fitting business. F(f Estiniaie and contract to Lj- heal Mills, Bliops Factories B and Lumber Dry Houses l; with live or exhaust steam, r pine cut to order by steamI power. V KNIGHT & JILLSON, 75ami77B.Peiiu.SC. INDIANAPOLIS Machine and Bolt Works. Manufacturers of Heavy And Lltrht Machinery Small Steam Kriffinea, Puncues. and Diea, Plan* in? and Moulding Bits, Machine, Bridge. Roof, Piow, and Elevator Bolts, Lag dcrews, Mau and "W at*hers. Taps and Dies. Works. 79 to 85 S. Pennsylvania street. • NEW FRENCH PROCESS SOAP. Clothes washed with this soap look whiter and smell sweeter than when washed with any other soap. No boiling re quired, and consequently no steam or disagreeable smell in the house. The saving in fuel pays for the soap. Grocers will be supplied by A. B. GATES & CO., Nos. 31 and 33 E. Maryland Street. CTA.S STOVES. | i § 1 T ? No Kindling Required. No Coal to Carry. No Ashes to Remove. Prices from $2 to sl6. Bee Otto Silent Gas Engine. We sell to gas consumers in thi9 city only. On exhibition and for sale by the GAS COM PAN Y, Ko, 47 South Pennsylvania Street.

ANNUAL STATEMENT statetrllsurer. Showing the receipts and disbursements of the Statu Treasury for the lisoal year ending Out. • 31, 1883. RECEIPTS. Balance in treasury Nov. !. 1882 $098,069.52 Transfer wirritnts.. $631.286 99 Notcasn rtooipts... 3,203,926.14-3,838.213.13 $4,536,282.65 DTSBURSEM ENTS. Transfer warrants.. $634,286.99 Net cash tiisbttrscwutlitt $3,398,063.47-4,032,355 46 $503,027 1J GENERAL fend. Receipts. "Balance Nov. 1,1882 $101,729.92 Revenue, 1881 440,109.58 Revenue, 1882 562.057 57 Delinquent, 1881... 41,547.24 Docket fees,Supremo Court 4,217.15 Docket fees. Circuit Court 17.822.03 Insurance fees 24.405 52 Insurance raxes 56,152.87 Earnings penal institutions 158,314.60 Earnings benevolent institutions 2,169.19 Receipts from counties. benevolent institutions 40,296 93 Telephone eomp’nies 13 97 Express companies. 845.86 Miscellaneous 319,911.75 General fund overdra wi 924.30-1,773,578.4 b Disbursements. Governor’s office $11,332 94 Secretary’s office 7,250.00 Auditor’s office 11.667.94 Treasurer’s office ... 5,502.55 Attorney -gs tier a l’a "Ifie.o 4,000.00 Sup’t l’ublie Instruction’s cilice . 5,53104 State Librarian’s office 3,308.70 Supreme Court 58,479 19 State judiciary 155,807.61 Benevolent institutions 484,971.71 Educational institutions 46,053.92 Penal institutions... 208,639.39 Printing aud stationery 24.014.09 Interest State debt.. 110,449.92 Payment internal imp. bonds 24,000.00 Flood relief appropriation... 46,269.20 Additional insane hospitals 31,565.97 Commissioner fisheries, salary and expense 1,300 00 State Board Health. G. 099 31 Bureau of Statistics. 5,137.08 Department geology and natural history 4,876.55 Legislative 100,612.56 Miscellaneous 410,708.81-1,773,578.4# COMMON SCHOOL FUND. Balance in treasury Nov. 1,1882-3 $3,217.22 No receipts or disbursements during fiscal year. SWAMP LAND FUND. Balance in treasury Nov. 1, 1882 $2,177.01 Receipts during year 289.16 $2,4G6.47 Disbursement during year 50.00 Balance in treasury Nov. 1. 18S3 $2,416.47 SCHOOL REVENUE FOR TUITION. Balance in treasury Nov. 1, 1882 $132,889.44 Revenue, 1881 601,182.77 Revenue, 1882 749.196.06 delinquent 58.186.58 School fund interest. 234,091.18 Unclaimed fees 2,374 25 Transfer warrants. . 234,286.99-2,012,207.27 Disbursements. School distribution..sl,B7B,os4 32 Balance In treasury Nov. 1, 1883 134,152 45-2,012,207.27 PRINCIPLE COLLEGE FUND. Balance on bund Nov. 1, 1882 $18,648.35 Loans paid off' 14,149.01 University land . **><** 792.50 $33,590.16 Loans made during year $15,958.45 Balance in treasury Nov. 1,1883 $17,631.71 INTEREST COLLEGE FUND. Balance in treasury Nov. 1, 1882 A $187.33 Inti rest rec’d during ffscai year 7,750.12 $7,937.45 Disbursements. Professors’ salaries.. $5,009.00 Expended 1,050.75 G. 050.75 Balance in treasury Nov. 1, 1883 $1,886 70 UNCLAIMED ESTATES. | Balance in treasury Nov. 1. 1882 $12,529.63 Received during sis--1 cal year 6.263.11 $18,792 74 Disbursements. Payment of estates.. 418.<43 Balance in treasury Nov. 1, 1883 $18,374.11 ESCHEATED ESTATES. Balance in treasury Nov. 1, 1882 $1,365.97 No receipts during fiscal year $1,365.97 Disbursements. Payment of estates.. 298.72 Balance in treasury Nov. 1,1883 $1,067.25 SINKING FUND. Excess of bids $2,088.52 No receipts or disbursements.. Balance in treasury Nov. 1. 1883 $2,088.52 NEW STATE-HOUSE FUND. Balance in Treasury Nov. 1. 1993 $423,236 S4 Reoeipts during fiscal year 258,725.83-$681.962 67 Disbursements. Coniniisssioners* sal- ; aries $5,453 25 Secretary’s salary .. 1,500.00 Transfer warrant to general fund 100,000 00 Miscellaneous 250.9J12.36 Balance in Treasury Nov. 1. 1883 324.017 06 - f681,962.67 RECAPITULATION. Buht nee bu Fit mis. Common school fund $3,217.22 Swamp-land fund... 2,416.47 School revenue fund 134,1.52.45 College fund—principal 17,631.71 College fund—interest'. 1,886.70 Unclaimed estates... 18,374 II i Escheated ... 1,667.25 Excess bills sinking fund 2.088.52 New State-lions * Pud 324.017.06—5504,851.4!) General fund overdrawn 924.30 • Balance in Treasury Nov. 1,1883 $503,927.19 JOHN J. COOPER, Treasurer of fetate. "

Receiver's Office 'lndiana Ranking Cos,, 1 28 North Delaware street. > Notice. All parties holding certificates of deposit iii said Baiu;, who have not heretofore presented the same for verification anil record, are desired to do ho at once. Also, those who J hold unpaid checks (drawu by depositors upon' 1 the bank), to present them for record. JOHN C. 8. HA HR ISON, Receiver, Indianapolis, Nov. 28, 188,S. nil |; 1 1 > l/VT AdverttalnK lu the IT R t 1 1;\ I I 1 country is among tho Wants. For Salon, etc., of the f NDIANA I*ol-1.8 j DAILY JOURNAL, at only FIVE CENTS PER • LINE each insertion. If you have any farms or J property to dispose of this will afford you u very easy and cheap agency. Try it.

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