The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-11-29

much care the means by which II can possess the
necessary efficiency and extension. TO this end
our policy has been heretofore wisely directed 10
the constant employment of a force sufficient 10
guard our commerce, and TO the rapid accumuia-
ton Of the materials, which are necessary TO re-
pair our vessels, and construct with ease such
new ones as may be required in a state Of war.
i in accordance with this policy, recommend
your consideration the erection of the addition
al 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
of testing their efficacy auxilaries to the sys-
tenn OF defence now in use.
i The report the Postmaster General, herewith
submitted, exhibits the condition and prospects
Of that Department. From that document il ap-
pears that there was a deficit in the funds of the
II Department, at the commencement OF the pre-
sent year, beyond its available means, OF three
hundred aud fifteen thousand five hundred and
ninety -nue dollars and ninety-eight cents, which
on the lst Of July last had been reduced to two
hundred and sixty.eight thousand ninety-two
dollars and seventy-fnur cents. IT appears, also,
that the revenues for the coming year will exceed
| the expenditures about two hundred and seventy
thousand dollars, which with the excess OF re-
venue which will result from the operations OF
i the current half year, may be expected, indepen-
denuy of any increase in the gross amount of
postagcs. to supply the entire deficit before the
end OF 1885. But this calculation is based on
the gross amount of postages which had accrued
| within the period embraced by the times Of strik-
ing the balances, it is obvious that without pro-
gressive increase in the amount OF postages, the
| existing retrenchmcnts must be perseverec IN
through the year 1896 that the Department may
accumulate u surplus fund sufficient to place il in
a condition Of perfect ease.
| Ii will be observed that the revenues oi the
| Post Office Department though they have In
creased, and their amount is above that OF any
| former year, have not fallen short of the esti
n Al
i This IL attributed in great degree to The IN
crease of free letters growing ont of the exten-
sion and abuse Of the franking privilege. There
| has been gradual increase in the number OF ex-
ecutive Offices to which it has been granted; and
by an act passed in March, 1888, it was extern
ded to members of Congress throughout the
whole year. II is believed that a revision of the
laws relative to the ranking privilege, with some
cnactinents to enforce more rigidly the restric-
| tions under which it is granted, would operate
benefcally to the country, BY enabling the dc.
partment at an earlier period to restore the mail
facilities that lave been Withdrawn, and toex-
tend them more widely as the growing settle
ments Of the country may require
| To measure so important to the Government
| and 80 Just to our constituents, who ask no ex-
elusive privileges for themselves, and are not
willing to concede them 10 others, earnestly
recommend the serious attention of Congress.
The importance Of the Post Office Depart
II
both in its revenues and its operations, seem to
demand its reorganization by law. The whole
Of its receipts aud disbursements have hitherto
been left entirely to Executive control, and indi
, vdual discretion The principle is as sound in
relation to this as TO any other department OF the
Government that as little discretion should be
c2nfded 10 the Executive officer who controls it,
as is compatible with its efficiency. II is there
fore earnestly recommended that it be organized
with an Auditor ard Treasurer of its own, ap-
pointed by the President and Senate, who shall
be branches of the Treasury Department.
Your attention is again respectfully invited to
the defect which exists in the Judicial System of
the u. States. Nothing can be more desirable
9 than tine uniform operation Of the Federal Judi
cary throughout the several States, all Of which,
4 standing the same footing as members OF the
Union, have equal rights to the advantages and
. benefits resulting from the laws. This object is
not attained by the judicial acts now in force, be-
cause they leave one fourth Of the States with
out Circuit Courts.
II Ii is undoubtedly the duty of Congress to place
all the states on the same footing in this respect,
either by the creation of an additional number OF
associate Judges or by an enlargement of the cir
cults assigned to those already appointed, so ns
tn include the new states. Whatever may be the
difficulty in proper organization OF the judicial
system, SO as to secure its efficiency and unitor-
4 nifty in nil parts of the Union, and at the same
time to avoid such increase of judges as
would incumher the supreme appellate tribunal,
It should not be allowed to weigh against the
great injustice which the present operation oil
the system produces.
| trust that NAV be also pardoned for renew
ing the recommendation have SO often submit
ted to your attention, in regard to the mode OF
electing the President and Vice President OF the
United States All the reflection | have been
able to bestow upon the subject, increases my
conviction that the best interests of the country
will be promoted by the adoption Of some plan
which will secure in all contingencies, that i'm
portant right Of sovereignty to the direct control
, of the people. Could this be attained, and the
terms Of those officers be limited to a single Pc
riod of either four or six years, think our liber-
ties would possess an additional safeguard.
AT your last session called the attention of Con-
gress to the desiruction of the public building occu
pied by the Treasury Department. As The public in
terest requires that another building should be err C.
ted with a. little delay possible, II is hoped that
the means will br seasonaby provided and that they
will be ample enough to horlze such an enlarge
ment and Improvement IN the p Ian OF the building as
will more efiecually accommodate the public Offices
and secure The public documents deposited iii 1t from
have not been able to satisfy myself ha, the bill
entitled IAN act TO improve the navigation of theWa-
bash river" which was sent to me NJ 'he close oi
yo, last session, ought to pnss,and have therefore
: withheld from II my approval and now return II 10
= the Senate, ih, body in which 1t originated.
!. There can be no question connected with the ad-
m;nistraon Of public alta rs,more important or more
!, Difficult, to be satisfactorily dealt with, than that
- which relates the rphtfi authority and proper ac
. ton of the Federal Governments upon the subject
y of Internal improvements To Inherent emharrass
e nents have been added others resulting from th'
= course of our legislation concerning It,.
D. Ihavc h, retnforc communicated freely with Con
r. gress upon this subject, and in adverne 10 agan
~ cannot refrain from expressing my incr, ased con
vction OF lis extreme importance, MS well m ,egart
to l,s be airing upon the maintenance Of the Ccnsli
y tuition and The prudent management of the PUBLIC re-
NJ venue, as well as on account OF It's disturbing eiec
,e upon the harmony OF the Union.
~ VIC are IN no danger from violations Of the Con
I. stuto on By which encroachmenis are made upoi
condemnation long since pronounced by the Am r.
NJ can P,ope upnn acts of that character, Will dOrb