Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-12-09

IS OF our citizens, as 10 forbid any Elimination
Of our force or relaxation in their exer'ions.
The Secretary concludes his report as loi-
lows -
In closing this report, l beg leave, again, re-
snectfuly. to recall gour attention 10 the laws
heretofore presented, on several topics OF deep
and increasing interest to the Navy. survey
Of the coast; an organization both oil Inc navy
and Marine Corps; criminal code; an increase
Of rank naval school; change IN the iorm'
not the substance, OF the appropriation; a sora'
BILE provision fox Naval hospitals; a passage
across the Is,hmus to the Pacific; system ior
forming and educating American Seamen. SUI
Gcenl for our wants; are all subjects which nonr-
ly augment in importance. They nave oeeh
so repeatedly presented by this Department.
that it is feared repetition OF The consioera>
tons BY which their importance Is sustained
might induce charge of urgency unbecom'ng
the nature Of This report But the greater part
Of them are so essential 10 the naval service,
that a sense Of duty impels me once more 10
suggest Them; and must seek, in the conviction
which have Of their value, an apology Tor the
repetition. they embrace interests much 100
dear not to be pressed even 10 the verge OF I'M
por:uniry. Pruden, regulation On those sub
jects would advance every thing that is precious
in our naval establishment. Our Navy, during
the shor, period of its existence, has rendered
incalculabse service TO the defence. prosperity,
and glory Of the nation; and never fail, TO md
lis place in our fondest aulicipalions OF the fu-
,uir. 1t deserves TO be sustained, by devoted
attention 10 its wants, by wise laws, and liberal
appropriations.
The Report OF the PosT.MAsrER GENERAL
nj
annual revenue within five years, ending lst Ju-
ly, 1928, S4s3,7eo, sumexceeding by $751;
654 similar increase for eleven years preced-
ing 1928, and falling short only Sl65,4ls, OF
being equal 10 The total revenue the Depari-
ment in 1872.
Within the same time there have been estab-
lshed 3,l53 additional post Offices, being
grearer number than was in operation in the u
n,ed States in the yearlsl5.
1t may be advantageous TO the public aud
The Department, at some future time, Tor 1t TO
become insurer for moneys transmitted in the
mail, being authorised to charge higher rate
Of postage in such cases, TO indemnify ior the
risk incurred To guard against frauds, this
responsibility must necessarily be limited TO
packets mailed at the principal Offices, under
such regulations as shall afford the greatest
possible security.
Some pains have been TAKEN to ascertain the
exact number Of persons employed by the De-
partment, including Postmasiers, Assistant,
Postmasters, Clerks, Contractors, and persons
engaged in transporting tho mail, and although
only partial returns have been received, it is
believed the total number is about twenty. six
thousand nine hundred and 6fy-six. There
SishiySfour horses employed, aud two thousand
eight hundred and seventy-niue carriages, in
GLIDING two hundred and foriy-three sulkies
and wagons.
The receipts Of the year ending LIST
July. 1928, as above stated, a.
mounted 10 the sum Of Sl,598,l34 4s
Those Of the preceding year were l.473,s5 90
Making an increase of this sum a.
bove the receipts Of 1927 l24,583 43
The expenditures Of the year end
ing LIST July last, amounted to the
sum Of l,623,3ss 4e
Leaving an excess Of expenditure,
beyond the receip, of ss,l99 os
In this excess there is not included
the sum OF Sl2,729 %, which
was paid by The department I'M
der special act Of Congress.
BY the last annual repor, there was
a surplus sum of money in de.
post and due from Post Mas
!ers, including payments made
on Old accounts, amounting to s7o,oss 81
From ;hIs sum deduc, the abnyc
excess OF expenditure IS, SO O3
And the amount paid in
to the Treasury under
the above law 1879 81
- 1929 81
Leaving his amount Of surplus Sss2,lo5 10
We Cannot better express our own feelings,
after the perusal Of these Reports, than by
quoting The language of The National Intelli
gcncer, upon the same subject:
"The country has reason to be proud Of pub
lie officers, who can exhibit such evidences OF
devotion 10 the concerns committed to their
charpe as are affnrtlpd hy the Renorts whic h