The circumstances of the
countries at the far south of our contin
ent a:e such as to invite our enterprise,
and afford the promise of sufficient ad
vantages to justify an unusual effort to
bring about the close relations which
greater freedom of communication would
tend to establish. I suggest that as dis
tinguished from a grant or subsidy for
the mere benefit of a line of trade or
travel, whatever outlay may be re
quired to secure additional postal service
necessary and proper, and not otherwise
attainable, should be regarded as within
the limit of legislative compensa
tion for such service. The exten
tion of the free delivery service
as suggested by the Postmaster General,
has heretofore received my sanction, and
it is to be hoped a suitable enactment
may soon be agreed upon. The request
for an appropriation sufficient to enable
the general inspection of fourth class
offices has my approbation. I renew my
approval of the recommendation of the
Postmaster General that another assistant
be provided for the post-office depart
, ment, and I invite your attention to the
several other recommendations in bis
1 report.
THE SECRET AST OF THE INTERIOR
presents a summary of the work of the
various branches of the public service
connected with his department, and the
> suggestions and recommendations which
it contains for the improvement of the
service shoold receive your careful con
sideration. The exhibit made of the
condition of our Indian population and
the progress of the work for their en
lightenment. notwithstanding the many
embarrassments which hinder the bet
| ter administration of this impor-
Itant branch of the service is
a gratifying and hopeful one.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.
