Mr. BROWN. I do not propose to indulge in any extended remarks at this time upon the resolution in question but I deem it right to say a word or 2 before it goes to the committee. I do not know of any argument that Will support and sustain the present transmission of our mails by the General Government as a work of necessity and public convenience that will not apply With equal force to the new method of in tercommunication which is to so large an extent superseding the old methodI refer to the tele phic system. I believe that it is perfectly figsible for the PostOffice Dept to take in charge this matter to such extent as may be deeme necessa and as a convenience for the public, just as itrhas done the mail system, and as it has done the moneyorder system, both of which have been found so conducive to the pub, lic welfare. I do not believe either that it would be a source of additional expense to the Dept. On the contrary, I think that it would be a large source of revenue, inasmuch as a large art of the machinery for conducting it is alrea y in existence. There may be some objections to this proposal, and I have no doubt there will be. There may be some objections that I do not now anticipate. There maybe objections in the nature of patents upon the modes of transmitting intelligence, upon interests that have already vested, and others of that character; but I have not yet been able to find any which may not be overcome in time and by the properappliance. It may not be desirable to extend this throughout, but onlyin certain sections, and thereby to exercise indirectly a control over those lines where it is not in operation. We all know that there is at this time a ver spent complaint on the part of the public with e system of transmitting intelligence from one section of the country to the other as now prac ticed under the telegraphic operation. Ihese complaints are increasing every day, both as to the sinister combinations which control the telegraphic dispatches and as to the negligence which characterizes them, and also as to the fact that in remote sections they become almost unintelli ble. I believe that all of that can be remedie by a properappliance such as has been suggested. At all events, I desire to elicit consideration from the ComPostOffices on that subject, that they may make inquiryin the properirection, that they may conter with the postoffice Dept in regard to the feasibility and the propriet of taking some steps for putting either this whole branch entirely or in part under some control that will give satisfaction to the and that will reduce uwic it to what is neededp; that is, a minimum rate of transmission of intelli gence. I do not desire to trespass further on the attention of the Senate at this time. I ask that the resolution be passed; it is simply a resolution of inquiry. The resolution was agreed to. REVENUE COMMISSION REPORTS.