The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-12-10

mates appropriations necessary for the
same branches of service for the wear
1885, amount 10 the sum of five millions
seven hundred and seyenty-eight thou.
sand nine hundred and sixty-fOur del3ars
making difference in the appropriations
Of the current year over the estimates of
appropriations for the next, of three mil
lions two hundred and twenty-four thou
sand two hundred and ninety-seven dol
lars.
The principal causes which have oper-
ated at this time to produce this great
difference, are shown in the reports and
documents, and in the detailed estimates.
Some ofthese causes are accidental and
temporary, while others are permanent,
and aided by Just course of admins
tration, may continue to operate benef-
cially upon the public expenditures.
Aust economy, expending where the
public service requires, and Withholding
where 1t does not, Is among the indis-
pensable duties of the Government.
| refer you to the accompanying re-
port of the Secretary of the Navy, and to
he documents with it, for full view of
the operations of that important branch
of our service, during the present year.
1t will be seen that the wisdom and IL
beraity with which Congress have pro-
yided for the gradual increase of our ma
Wy material, have been seconded by a
corresponding zeal and fidelity on the
part of those to whom has been confided
the execution ofthe laws on the subject,
and that but a short period would be now
required to put in commission force
large enough for any exigency into which
/ the country may be thrown.
When we reflect upon our position in
relation to other nations, it must DO ap-
/ parent, that in the event of conflicts with
them, we must look chiefly to our navy
for the protection of our national rights.
The wide seas which seperate US from
other governments, must of necessity be
the theatre on which an enemy will aim
TO assail US, and unless we are prepared
to meet them on this element, we cannot
be said to possess the power requisite to
repel or prevent aggressons. We can
not, therefore, watch with too much at
tention this arm of our national defence,
or cherish with too much care the means
by which 1t can possess the necessary
efficiency and extension, To this end
our policy has been heretofore wisely di-
rected to the constant employment of a
force sufficient to guard our commerce,
and to the rapid accumulation of the ma
terals, which are necessary to repair
our vessels, and construct with case such
new ones as may be required in . state
Of war.
In ,th
commend to your consideration the erec-
ton of the addition Dry Dock described
by the Secretary of the Navy, and also
the construction of the Steam Batteries
to which he has referred, for the purpose
Oftesting their efficacy as auxiliaries ts
the system of defence now in use.
The report of the Postmaster General,
herewith submitted, exhibits the condition
and prospects of that Department. From
that Document it appears that there was
u deficit in the funds of the Department
at the commencement of the present years
beyond its available means of three hum
dred and fifteen thousand five hundred
and ninety-nine dollars and ninety-eight
cents, which on the first of July last had
been reduced to two hundred and sixty
eight thousand ninety two dollars and
seventy four cents. 1t appears, also, that
the revenues for the coming year will ex-
ceed the expenditures about two hum
dred and seventy thousand dollars. which
with the excess of revenue which will
result from the operations Of the curren,
halt year, may be expected, independ-
entity OF any increase in the gross amount
ofpostages, to supply the entire deficit
before the end of 1885. But as this cal
culation is based on the gross amount of
postages which had occurred within the
period embraced by the times of striking
the balances, it is obvious that without a
progressive increase in the amount OF
postages, the existing retrenchments mus,
be persevered in through the year 1896,
that the Department may accumulate q
surplus fund sufficient to place it in a
condition of perfect ease.
1t will be observed that the revenues of
the Post Office Department though they
have increased, and their amount is above
that of any former year, have not fallen
short of the estimates more than hum
dred thousand dollars. This is attributed
in a great degree to the increase of free
letters growing out of the extension and
abuse of the franking privilege. There
has been a gradual increase in the num-
ber of executive offices to which it has
been granted; and by an act passed in
March, 1888, it was extended to members
of Congress throughout the whole year,
1t is believed that n revision of the laws