ey have been supported and opposed have doubtless
attracted your attention.

It is likely that the whole subject will be considered by you at the
present session.

In the nature of things it involves so many questions of detail that
your deliberations would probably be aided slightly, if at all, by any
particular suggestions which I might now submit.

I avow my belief, however, that the Government should be authorized by
law to exercise some sort of supervision over interstate telegraphic
communication, and I express the hope that for attaining that end some
measure may be devised which will receive your approbation.

The Attorney-General criticises in his report the provisions of existing
law fixing the fees of jurors and witnesses in the Federal courts. These
provisions are chiefly contained in the act of February 26, 1853, though
some of them were introduced into that act from statutes which had been
passed many years previous. It is manifest that such compensation as
might when these laws were enacted have been just and reasonable would
in many instances be justly regarded at the present day as inadequate.
I concur with the Attorney-General in the belief that the statutes
should be revised by which these fees are regulated.

So, too, should the laws which regulate the compensation of district
attorneys and marshals. They should be paid wholly by salaries instead
of in part by fees, as is now the case.

The change would prove to be a measure of economy and would discourage
the institution of needless and oppressive legal proceedings, which it
is to be feared have in some instances been conducted for the mere sake
of personal gain.

Much interesting and varied information is contained in the report of
the Secretary of the Interior.

I particularly call your attention to his presentation of certain phases
of the Indian question, to his recommendations for the repeal of the
preemption and timber-culture acts, and for more stringent legislation
to prevent frauds under the pension laws. The statutes which prescribe
the defnitions and punishments of crimes relating to pensions could
doubtless be mads more effective by certain amendments and additions
which are pointed out in the Secretary's report.

I have previously referred to the alarming state of illiteracy in
certain portions of the country, and again submit for the consideration
of Congress whether some Federal aid should not be extended to public
primary