Beach, Belmont, Bland, Bliss, Buchanan, | Buckner, Cabell, Caldwell, Carlisle, Chalmers, Chapman, Clardy, J. B. Clark, J. C. Clements, Cobb, Converse, Cook, W. R. Cox, Covington, Cravens, Curtin, Davidson, L. H. Davis, Dibble, Dibrell, Ermentrout, Evins, Finley, Flower, Garrison, Geddes, Gunter, N. F. Hammond, Hardenbergh, Hatch, Herbert, Herndon, A. S. Hewitt, G. W. Hewitt, Hoge, Holman, Hooker, House, G. W. JONES, 7. K. Jones, Kenna, Knott, Leedom, Le Fevre, Manning, Matson, McMillin, Mills, Money, Morrison, Muldrow, Mutchler, Nolan, Phister, Randall, Reagan, J. S. Richardson, E. W. Robertson, W. E. Robinson, Scales, Shackelford, Shelley, Simonton, J. W. Singleton, Ó. R. Singleton, Springer, Stockslager, P. B. Thompson, jr., Tillman, Tucker, H. G. Turner, O. Turner, Upson, Vance, R. Warner, Wellborn, T. Williams, Willis, M. R. Wise-88.

NAYS-Messrs. W. Aldrich, Barr, Bayne, Belford, Beltzhoover, Berry, J. H. Brewer, Briggs, Browne, BRUMM, Buck, J. C. Burrows, J. H. BURROWS, Butterworth, Calkins, Camp, Campbell, Candler, Cannon, Carpenter, Cassidy, Caswell, Chace, Colerick, Crapo, Cullen, Darrall, G. R. Davis, Dawes, Deering, De Motte, Dingley, Dunnell, Dwight, Errett, C. B. Farwell, S. S. Farwell, Fisher, FORD, FULKERSON, George, Grout, Guenther, Hall, J. Hammond, Harmer, Haskell, Hawk, G. C. Hazelton, Hepburn, J. Hill, Hiscock, Horr, Humphrey, Jacobs, Jadwin, P. Jones, Jorgensen, Joyce, Kasson, Kelley, Lacey, Lord, Marsh, Mason, McClure, McCoid, McCook, McLane, Miles, S. H. Miller, Moore, Morey, Morse, MOSGROVE, Neal, Norcross, O'Neill, Orth, Pacheco, Page, Parker, PAUL, Payson, Peelle, Pettibone, Phelps, Pound, Prescott, Ranney, Ray, Reed, J. B. Rice, T. M. RICE, W. W. Rice, Rich, D. P. Richardson, Ritchie, G. M. Robeson, G. D. Robinson, J. S. Robinson, W. A. Russell, T. Ryan, Scranton, Shallenberger, Shultz, Skinner, A. H. Smith, D. C. Smith, J. H. Smith, Spaulding, Speer, Spooner, G. W. Steele, E. F. Stone, Strait, E. B. Taylor, Thomas, W. G. Thompson, A. Townsend, R. W. Townshend, Tyler, J. T. Updegraff, T. Updegraff, Urner, Valentine, Van Aernam, Van Voorhis, Wadsworth, Wait, Walker, Ward, Washburn, Watson, Webber, C. G. Williams, Willits, Wilson, W. A. Wood, T. L. Young

140.

Mr. MILLS moved to strike out the eighth section of the bill; which was disagreed toyeas 44, nays 193:

YEAS-Messrs. Atherton, Beach, Belmont, Blanchard, Buckner, Cabell, Caldwell, Carlisle, Chalmers, J. B. Clark, Cook, Cravens, Dibble, Dibrell, Evins, Garrison, Gunter, Herbert, A. S. Hewitt, G: W. Hewitt, Hooker, House, G. W. JONES, Kenna, Knott, McMillin, Mills, Money, Muldrow, Nolan, Phister, Reagan, E. W. Robertson, Shackelford, Shelley, O. R. Singleton, P. B. Thompson, jr., Tillman, Tucker, Upson, R. Warner, Wellborn, T. Williams, Willis-44.

NAYS—Messrs. Aiken, W. Aldrich, Anderson, Atkins, Barr, Bayne, Belford, Beltzhoover Berry, Bland, Bliss, Blount, Brewer, Briggs,

Browne, BRUMM, Buchanan, Buck, J. C. Burrows, J. H. BURROWS, Butterworth, Calkins, Camp, Campbell, Candler, Cannon, Carpenter, Cassidy, Caswell, Chace, Chapman, Clardy, J. C. Clements, Cobb, Colerick, W. R. Cox, Covington, Crapo, Cullen, Curtin, Davidson, G. R. Davis, L. H. Davis, Dawes, Deering, De Motte, Deuster, Dingley, Dwight, Ermentrout, Errett, C. B. Farwell, S. S. Farwell, Finley, Fisher, Flower, FORD, FULKERSON, Geddes, George, Grout, Guenther, Hall, J. Hammond, N. J. Hammond, Hardenbergh, Harmer, H. S. Harris, Haskell, Hatch, Hawk, G. C. Hazelton, Hepburn, J. Hill, Hiscock, Hoblitzell, Hoge, Holman, Horr, Hubbs, Humphrey, Hutchins, Jacobs, Jadwin, J. K. Jones, P. Jones, Jorgensen, Joyce, Kasson, Kelley, Lacey, LADD, Leedom, Le Fevre, Lewis, Lord, Marsh, Martin, Mason, Matson, McClure, McCoid, McCook, McKinley, McLane, Miles, S. H. Miller, Moore, Morey, Morrison, Morse, MoSGROVE, Moulton, MURCH, Mutchler, Neal, Norcross, O'Neill, Orth, Pacheco, Page, Parker, PAUL, Payson, Peelle, Pettibone, Phelps, Pound, Prescott, Randall, Ranney, Ray, Reed, J. B. Rice, T. M. RICE, W. W. Rice, Rich, D. P. Richardson, 7. S. Richardson, Ritchie, G. M. Robeson, G. D. Robinson, J. S. Robinson, Rosecrans, W. A. Russell, T. Ryan, Scales, Scranton, Shallenberger, Shultz, J. W. Singleton, Skinner, A. H. Smith, D. C. Smith, J. H. Smith, Spaulding, Speer, Spooner, Springer, G. W. Steele, Stockslager, E. F. Stone, Strait, E. B. Taylor, Thomas, W. G. Thompson, A. Townsend, R. W. Townshend, H. G. Turner, O. Turner, Tyler, J. T. Updegraff, T. Updegraff, Urner, Valentine, Vance, Van Aernam, Van Horn, Van Voorhis, Wadsworth, Wait, Walker, Ward, Washburn, Watson, Webber, Wheeler, J. D. White, C. G. Williams, Willits, Wilson, M. R. Wise, W. A. Wood-193.

The bill was then passed-yeas 199, nays 42: -YEAS-Messrs. Aiken, W. Aldrich, Anderson, Atkins, Barr, Bayne, Beach, Belford, Beltzhoover, Berry, Bingham, Bland, Bliss, Blount, J. H. Brewer, Briggs, Browne, BRUMM, Buchanan, Buck, J. C. Burrows, J. H. BURROWS, Butterworth, Calkins, Camp, Campbell, Candler, Carpenter, Cassidy, Caswell, Chace, Chalmers, Clardy, J. B. Clark, J. C. Clements, Cobb, Colerick, Covington, Crapo, Cullen, Curtin, Davidson, G. R. Davis, L. H. Davis, Dawes, Deering, De Motte, Deuster, Dingley, Dunnell, Dwight, Ermentrout, Errett, C. B. Farwell, S. S. Farwell, Finley, Fisher, Flower, FORD, Geddes, George, Grout, Guenther, Hall, J. Hammond, N. 7. Hammond, Hardenbergh, Harmer, H. S. Harris, Haskell, Hatch, Hawk, G. C. Hazelton, Hepburn, G. W. Hewitt, J. Hill, Hiscock, Hoblitzell, Hoge, Holman, Horr, Hubbs, Humphrey, Hutchins, Jacobs, Jadwin, J. K. Jones, Jorgensen, Joyce, Kasson, Kelley, Ketcham, King, Lacey, LADD, Leedom, Le Fevre, Lewis, Lord, Marsh, Martin, Mason, Matson, McClure, McCoid, McCook, McKinley, McLane, Miles, S. H. Miller, Moore, Morey, Morrison, Morse, MoSGROVE, Moulton, MURCH, Mutchler, Neal, Nolan, Norcross, O'Neill, Orth, Pacheco, Page, Parker, Payson, Peelle, Pettibone, Phelps,

Pound, Prescott, Randall, Ranney, Ray, Reed, J. B. Rice, T. M. RICE, W. W. Rice, Rich, D. P. Richardson, J. S. Richardson, Ritchie, G. M. Robeson, G. D. Robinson, J. S. Robinson, W. E. Robinson, Rosecrans, Ross, Russell, T. Ryan, Scales, Shallenberger, Shultz, O. R. Singleton, Skinner, A. H. Smith, D. C. Smith, J. H. Smith, Spaulding, Speer, Spooner, Springer, G. W. Steele, Stockslager, E. F. Stone, Strait, Talbott, E. B. Taylor, Thomas, W. G. Thompson, A. Townsend, R. W. Townshend, H. G. Turner, O. Turner, Tyler, J. T. Updegraff, T. Updegraff, Urner, Valentine, Vance, Van Aernam, Van Horn, Van Voorhis, Wait, Walker, Ward, Washburn, Watson, Webber, Wheeler, J. D. White, C. G. Williams, Willis, Willits, Wilson, M. R. Wise, W. A. Wood, T. L. Young-199.

NAYS-Messrs. Armfield, Atherton, Belmont, Blanchard, Buckner, Cabell, Caldwell, Carlisle, Chapman, Converse, Cook, W. R. Cox, Cravens, Dibrell, Evins, Garrison, Gunter, Herbert, Herndon, A. S. Hewitt, Hooker, House, G. W. JONES, Kenna, Knott, Manning, McMillin, Mills, Money, Phister, Reagan, E. W. Robert

1882, February 6-Mr. BURROWS, of Michigan, offered this bill :

A Bill defining the qualifications of Territorial Delegates in the House of Representatives.

Be it enacted, etc., That no person shall hereafter be a Delegate in the House of Representatives from any of the Territories of the United States who shall not have attained the age of twenty-five years and been seven years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of the Territory in which he shall be chosen. And no such person who is guilty either of bigamy or polygamy shall be eligible to a seat as such Delegate.

And moved to suspend the rules and pass it, which was agreed to on a viva voce vote. It was not acted upon in the SENATE.

An appalling calamity has befallen the American people since their chosen representatives last met in the halls where you are now assembled. We might else recall with unalloyed content the rare prosperity with which throughout the year the nation has been blessed. Its harvests have been plenteous; its varied industries have thriven; the health of its people has been preserved; it has maintained with foreign governments the undisturbed relations of amity and peace. For these manifestations of His favor, we owe to Him who holds our destiny in His hands the tribute of our grateful devotion.

To that mysterious exercise of His will, which has taken from us the loved and illustrious citizen who was but lately the head of the nation, we bow in sorrow and submission.

The memory of his exalted character, of his noble achievements, and of his patriotic life, will be treasured forever as a sacred possession of the whole people.

The announcement of his death drew from foreign governments and peoples tributes of sympathy and sorrow which history will record as signal tokens of the kinship of nations and the federation of mankind. * *

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No new questions respecting the status of our naturalized citizens in Germany have arisen during the year, and the causes of complaint, especially in Alsace and Lorraine, have practically ceased through the liberal action of the Imperial Government in accepting our often

tion of the treaty of 1868 to the lately acquired Rhenish provinces has received very earnest attention, and a definite and lasting agreement on this point is confidently expected. The participation of the descendants of Baron von Steuben in the Yorktown festivities, and their subsequent reception by their American kinsmen, strikingly evinced the ties of good-will which unite the German people and our own.

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The neighboring states of Central America have preserved internal peace, and their outward relations toward us have been those of intimate friendship. There are encouraging signs of their growing disposition to subordinate their local interests to those which are common to them by reason of their geographical relations.

The boundary dispute between Guatemala and Mexico has afforded this government an opportunity to exercise its good offices for preventing a rupture between those states, and for procuring a peaceable solution of the question. I cherish strong hope that in view of our relations of amity with both countries, our friendly counsels may prevail.

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The questions growing out of the proposed inter-oceanic water-way across the Isthmus of Panama are of grave national importance. This government has not been unmindful of the solemn obligations imposed upon it by its compact of 1846 with Colombia, as the independent and sovereign mistress of the territory crossed by the canal, and has sought to render them effective

by fresh engagements with the Colombian Republic looking to their practical execution. The negotiations to this end, after they had reached what appeared to be a mutually satisfactory solution here, were met in Colombia by a disavowal of the powers which its envoy had | assumed, and by a proposal for renewed negoti- | ation on a modified basis.

Meanwhile this government learned that Colombia had proposed to the European powers to join in a guarantee of the neutrality of the proposed Panama Canal-a guarantee which would be in direct contravention of our obligation as the sole guarantor of the integrity of Colombian territory and of the neutrality of the canal itself. My lamented predecessor felt it his duty to place before the European powers the reasons which make the prior guarantee of the United States indispensable, and for which the interjection of any foreign guarantee might be regarded as a superfluous and unfriendly

act.

Foreseeing the probable reliance of the British Government on the provisions of the ClaytonBulwer treaty of 1850, as affording room for a share in the guarantees which the United States covenanted with Colombia four years before, I have not hesitated to supplement the action of my predecessor by proposing to Her Majesty's Government the modification of that instrument, and the abrogation of such clauses thereof as do not comport with the obligations of the United States toward Colombia, or with the vital needs of the two friendly parties to the compact.

This government sees with great concern the continuance of the hostile relations between Chili, Bolivia, and Peru. An early peace between these republics is much to be desired, not only that they may themselves be spared further misery and bloodshed, but because their continued antagonism threatens consequences which are, in my judgment, dangerous to the interests of republican government on this continent, and calculated to destroy the best elements of our free and peaceful civilization.

As in the present excited condition of popular feeling in these countries there has been serious misapprehension of the position of the United States, and as separate diplomatic intercourse with each through independent ministers is sometimes subject, owing to the want of prompt reciprocal communication, to temporary misunderstanding, I have deemed it judicious, at the present time, to send a special envoy, accredited to all and each of them, and furnished with general instructions, which will, I trust, enable him to bring these powers into friendly relations.

Through the efforts of our minister resident at Buenos Ayres and the United States minister at Santiago, a treaty has been concluded between the Argentine Republic and Chili, disposing of the long-pending Patagonian boundary question. It is a matter of congratulation that our government has been afforded the opportunity of successfully exerting its good influence for the prevention of disagreements between these republics of the American continent. *

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The ordinary revenues from all sources for the

fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, were $360,782,292.57. The ordinary expenditures for the same period were $260,712,887.59. Leaving a surplus revenue of $100,069,404.98.

The requirements of the sinking fund for the year amounted to $90,786,064.02, which sum included a balance of $49,817,128.78, not provided for during the previous fiscal year. The sum of $74,480,201.05 was applied to this fund, which left a deficit of $16,305,873.47. The increase of the revenues for 1881 over those of the previous year was $29,352,901.10. It is estimated that the receipts during the present fiscal year will reach $400,000,000, and the expenditures $270,000,000, leaving a surplus of $130,000,000 applicable to the sinking fund and the redemption of the public debt.

I approve the recommendation of the Secretary of the Treasury, that provision be made for the early retirement of silver certificates, and that the act requiring their issue be repealed. They were issued in pursuance of the policy of the government to maintain silver at or near the gold standard, and were accordingly made receivable for all customs, taxes, and public dues. About sixty-six millions of them are now outstanding. They form an unnecessary addition to the paper currency, a sufficient amount of which may be readily supplied by the national banks.

In accordance with the act of February 28, 1878, the Treasury Department has, monthly, caused at least two millions in value of silver bullion to be coined into standard silver dollars. One hundred and two millions of these dollars have been already coined, while only about thirty-four millions are in circulation.

For the reasons which he specifies, I concur in the Secretary's recommendation that the provision for coinage of a fixed amount each month be repealed, and that hereafter only so much be coined as shall be necessary to supply the demand.

The Secretary advises that the issue of gold certificates should not for the present be resumed, and suggests that the national banks may properly be forbidden by law to retire their currency except upon reasonable notice of their intention so to do. Such legislation would seem to be justified by the recent action of certain banks on the occasion referred to in the Secretary's report.

The revenue from customs for the past fiscal year was $198,159,676.02, an increase of $11,637,611.42 over that of the year preceding. Of this sum, $47,977,137.63 was collected on sugar, melado, and molasses; $27,285,624.78 on wool and its manufactures; $21,462,534.34 on iron and steel, and manufactures thereof; $19,038,665.81 on manufactures of silk; $10,825,115.21 on manufactures of cotton; and $6,469,643.04 on wines and spirits; making a total revenue from these sources, of $133,058,720.81.

The expenses of collection for the past year were $6,419,345.20, an increase over the preceding year of $387,410.04.

Contrasted with the imports during the last fiscal year, the exports were as follows:

Domestic merchandise. Foreign merchandise

Total.

Imports of merchandise

Excess of exports over imports of merchandise. $259,712,718 Aggregate of exports and imports. 1,545,041,974

Compared with the previous year, there was an increase of $66,738,688 in the value of exports of merchandise, and a decrease of $25,290,118 in the value of imports. The annual average of the excesss of imports of merchandise over exports thereof, for ten years previous to June 30, 1873, was $104,706,922; but for the last six years there has been an excess of exports over imports of merchandise amounting to $1,180,668,105, an annual average of $196,778,017. The specie value of the exports of domestic merchandise was $376,616,473 in 1870, and $883,925,947 in 1881, an increase of $507,309,474, or 135 per cent. The value of import was $435,958,408 in 1870, and $642,664,628 in 1881, an increase of $206,706,220, or 47 per cent.

During each year from 1862 to 1879, inclusive, the exports of specie exceeded the imports. The largest excess of such exports over imports was reached during the year 1864, when it amounted to $92,280,929. But during the year ended June 30, 1880, the imports of coin and bullion exceeded the exports by $75,891, 391; and during the last fiscal year the excess of imports over exports was $91,168,650.

In the last annual report of the Secretary of the Treasury, the attention of Congress was called to the fact that $469,651,050 in five per centum bonds, and $203,573,750 in six per centum bonds, would become redeemable during the year, and Congress was asked to authorize the refunding of those bonds at a lower rate of interest. The bill for such refunding having failed to become a law, the Secretary of the Treasury, in April last, notified the holders of the $195,690,400 six per centum bonds then outstanding, that the bonds would be paid at par on the first day of July following, or that they might be continued" at the pleasure of the government, to bear interest at the rate of three and one-half per centum per annum.

Under this notice $178,055,150 of the six per centum bonds were continued at the lower rate, and $17,635,250 were redeemed.

In the month of May a like notice was given respecting the redemption or continuance of the $439,841,350 of five per centum bonds then outstanding, and of these, $401,504,900 were continued at three and one-half per centum per annum, and $38,336,450 redeemed.

The six per centum bonds of the loan of February 8, 1861, and of the Oregon war debt, amounting together to $14,125,800, having matured during the year, the Secretary of the Treasury gave notice of his intention to redeem the same, and such as have been presented have been paid from the surplus revenues. There have also been redeemed at par $16,179,100 of the three and one-half per centum "continued"

and one-half per cent . . $10,473,952 25 By redemption of bonds

Total.

6,352,340 00

$16,826,292 25

The three and one-half per centum bonds, being payable at the pleasure of the government, are available for the investment of surplus revenues without the payment of premiums.

Unless these bonds can be funded at a much

lower rate of interest than they now bear, I agree with the Secretary of the Treasury that no legislation respecting them is desirable.

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I therefore concur with the Secretary in recommending the abolition of all internal revenue taxes, except those upon tobacco in its various forms, and upon distilled spirits and fermented liquors; and except also the special tax upon the manufacturers of, and dealers in, such articles.

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The tariff laws also need revision; but, that a due regard may be paid to the conflicting interests of our citizens, important changes should be made with caution. If a careful revision cannot be made at this session, a commission such as was lately approved by the Senate, and is now recommended by the Secretary of the Treasury, would doubtless lighten the labors of Congress whenever this subject shall be brought to its consideration. I concur in the recommendations of the Secretary of War for increasing the Army to the strength of thirty thousand enlisted men.

There is need of legislation to prevent intrusion upon the lands set apart for the Indians. A large military force, at great expense, is now required to patrol the boundary line between Kansas and the Indian Territory. The only punishment that can at present be inflicted is the forcible removal of the intruder and the imposition of a pecuniary fine, which, in most cases, it is impossible to collect. There should be a penalty by imprisonment in such cases.

I cannot too strongly urge upon you my conviction that every consideration of national safety, economy, and honor, imperatively demands a thorough rehabilitation of our Navy.

The report of the Postmaster-General is a gratifying exhibit of the growth and efficiency of the postal service.

The receipts from postage and other ordinary sources during the past fiscal year were $36,489,816.58. The receipts from the money. order business were $295,581.39, making a total of $36,785, 397.97. The expenditure for the fiscal year was $39,251,736.46. The deficit supplied out of the general Treasury was $2,481,129.35, or 63 per cent. of the amount expended. The receipts were $3,469,918.63 in excess of those of the previous year, and $4,575,397.97 in excess of the estimate made two years ago, before the present period of business prosperity had fairly begun.

The whole number of letters mailed in this | country in the last fiscal year exceeded one thousand millions.

The attention of Congress is again invited to the subject of establishing a system of savings depositories in connection with the Post Office Department.

The statistics of mail transportation show that during the past year railroad routes have been increased in length 6,249 miles, and in cost $1,114,382, while steamboat routes have been decreased in length 2,182 miles, and in cost $134,054. The so-called Star routes have been decreased in length 3,949 miles, and in cost $364,144.

Nearly all of the more expensive routes have been superseded by railroad service. The cost of the Star service must therefore rapidly decrease in the Western States and Territories.

For the success of the efforts now making to introduce among the Indians the customs and pursuits of civilized life, and gradually to absorb them into the mass of our citizens, sharing their rights and holden to their responsibilities, there is imperative need for legislative action.

My suggestions in that regard will be chiefly such as have been already called to the attention of Congress, and have received to some extent its consideration:

First. I recommmend the passage of an act making the laws of the various States and Territories applicable to the Indian reservations within their borders, and extending the laws of the State of Arkansas to the portion of the Indian Territory not occupied by the five civilized tribes.

The Indian should receive the protection of the law. He should be allowed to maintain in court his rights of person and property. He has repeatedly begged for this privilege. Its exercise would be very valuable to him in his progress toward civilization.

mend would be at once attended with gratifying results. A resort to the allotment system would have a direct and powerful influence in dissolving the tribal bond, which is so prominent a feature of savage life, and which tends so strongly to perpetuate it.

Third. I advise a liberal appropriation for the support of Indian schools, because of my confident belief that such a course is consistent with the wisest economy.

Even among the most uncultivated Indian tribes there is reported to be a general and urgent desire on the part of chiefs and older members for the education of their children. It is unfortunate, in view of this fact, that during the past year the means which have been at the command of the Interior Department for the purpose of Indian instruction have proved to be utterly inadequate. The success of the schools which are in operation at Hampton, Carlisle, and Forest Grove, should not only encourage a more generous provision for the support of those institutions, but should prompt the establishment of others of a similar character.

They are doubtless much more potent for good than the day schools upon the reservation, as the pupils are altogether separated from the surroundings of savage life, and brought into constant contact with civilization.

For many years the Executive, in his annual message to Congress, has urged the necessity of stringent legislation for the suppression of polygamy in the Territories, and especially in the Territory of Utah. The existing statute for the punishment of this odious crime, so revolting to the moral and religious sense of Christendom, has been persistently and contemptuously violated ever since its enactment. Indeed, in spite of commendable efforts on the part of the authorities who represent the United States in that Territory, the law has in very rare instances been enforced, and, for a cause to which reference will presently be made, is practically a dead letter.

The fact that adherents of the Mormon Church, which rests upon polygamy as its corner-stone, have recently been peopling in large numbers Idaho, Arizona, and other of our Western Territories, is well calculated to excite the liveliest interest and apprehension. It imposes upon Congress and the Executive the

In return for such considerate action on the part of the Government, there is reason to believe that the Indians in large numbers would be persuaded to sever their tribal relations and to engage at once in agricultural pursuits. Many of them realize the fact that their hunting days are over, and that it is now for their best interests to conform their manner of life to the new order of things. By no greater inducement than the assurance of permanent title to the soil can they be led to engage in the occupation of tilling it.

The well attested reports of their increasing interest in husbandry justify the hope and belief that the enactment of such a statute as I recom

all the power which, under the Constitution and the law, they can wield for its destruction.

Reference has been already made to the obstacles which the United States officers have encountered in their efforts to punish violations of law. Prominent among these obstacles is the difficulty of procuring legal evidence sufficient to warrant a conviction even in the case of the most notorious offenders.

Your attention is called to a recent opinion of the Supreme Court of the United States, explaining its judgment of reversal in the case of Miles, who had been convicted of bigamy in Utah. The court refers to the fact that the secrecy attending the celebration of marriages in that Territory makes the proof of polygamy very difficult; and the propriety is suggested of