Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-01-06

tiicted severe chassement on the barbarians
| IL will be seen by the report of the Secretary
of the Navy, respecting the disposition of our
ships of war, that it has been deemed necessary
10 station competent force OH the coast of ARR
en-, to prevent fraudulent Use of our flag by for
eigners,
Recent experience has shown that the provis-
ions in Our existing laws which relate TO the sale
aud transfer of American vessels while abroad, are
extremely defective. Advantage has been taken
OF these defects to give 10 vessels wholly belong
ing to foreigners, und navigating the ocean, an
apparent ownership. This character has been so
well simulated as to afford them comparative Sc.
curly in prosecuting the slave trade, traffic en-
phatically denounced in our statutes, regarded
with abhorrence by our citizens, and OF which the
effectual suppression is where more sincerely
desired than in the United States. These circum-
stances make 1t proper TO recommend TO your ear.
" attention careful revision of these laws, so
that, without impeding the freedom and facilities
OF our navigation, or impairins an important
branch of our industry connected with it, the in
tegrity and honor of our flag may be carefully
preserved. Information derived on our Consul
at Havana, showing the necessity OF this, was
communicated to n committee Of the Senate near
the close of The last session, but too late IA it ap
Pcared, to he acted upou Il viii be brought TO
your notice b. the proper department. ~ th addi-
tom! communications from other sources.
The latest accounts from the Exploring Expe-
ditlOn represent II as proceeding successfully in ds
! n'gPctS, ana promising results no less Use III 10
trade and navigation than TO science.
The extent Of l,ost roads covered by mail ssr-
vice on the first OF Juy last, about l3},999
miles, aud the rate Of annual transportation upou
them "a, f9j61e miles The numbcr of pos; OIL
! fees OH that day was twelve thousand seven hun.
drcd and eighty, aud OF the tlurtieh ultimo thir-
teen thousand and twenty eight
| I he revenue of the Post o ice Department for
the year ending with the 3O,h June last, was four
millions four hundred and seven'y-six thousand
! SIX hundred and hirty-eght dOIlarS-.exhibiting
an Increase over the preceding year 0t two hun
dred and forty one thousand five hundred and six
~ dollars. The engagements aud liabilities Of
the Department for the same period are four mil
lion six hundred and twenty four Thousand one
hundred and seventeen dollars.
The excess of The liabilities over The revenue
for tie last two years has been met of the
plus which had previously Accumulated. The
| ash on hand on the ihrtieth ultimo, was about
! S2O6,70l 80, and the current income of the De-
parmeut varies very little from the rate of cur
rent expenditures. Most Of the service suspend
ell last year has been restored, and most of the
new routes established by the act Of7h July, 1898,
have been set IN operation at an annual cost of
$l36,963. Notwithstanding the pecuniary diff
cutes of the country the revenue of the depart
mcnt appears to he increasing; and unless il shall
lie seriously checked Ivy the recent suspension Of
payment by many OF the banks, it will he able
not only 10 maintain the present mail service, but
in short time to extend it. 1t is gratifying to
witness The prompttude and fidelity with which
The agents Of this Department in general perform
their public duties.
Some difficulties have arisen in relation to con"
tracts for the transportation of the mails by rail
, road and steamboat companies. 1t appears that
the maximum of compensation provided by Con-
gress for the transportation of the mails upon raid
roads, is NOT sufficient TO induce of the csn-
paliies TO convey them at such hours as arc pe-
: quired Tor the accommodated of the pubic. IL
is one of the most important duties OF the Gener.
al Cover nmenl, to provide and maintain, for the
use Of the people nj the States the best praclcan
mail establishments To arrive at that end, il s.
Indispensable that the Post Office Department shall
he enabled to control The hours at which the mails
; shall be carried rail roads, as it now does
over all other roads Should serious inconve-
nience ARISE from the inadequacy of the compen--
{ saton now provided by law, or from unreasona-
BILE delnands'by any of the rail road companies.
the subject is Of such general importance as to
= quire the prompt attention OF Congress.
In relation to steamboat lines, the most efficient
, remedy is obvious, and has been suggested by the
Postmaster General The War aud Navy De.
pariments already employ STEAMBOATS, in their SER
vice, and although it is Ivy no means desirable that
= the Government should undertake the transport
It taon OF passengers or freight as n business, there
: can be reasonable objection to running boats
temporarily, whenever 1t may he necessary to put
:. down attempts at eXtorton, to he discontinued AS
soon reasonable contracts can he obtained.
= The suggestions of the Postmaster General rel
o alive to the inadequacy of the legal allowance to
witnesses in cases of prosecutions for mail depre
= daons, merit your serious consideration. The
Il safety of the mails requires that such prosecutions
- shall be efficient, aud Justice to the citizen whose
time is required To be given to The public. demands
Il not only that his expenses shall be paid but that
= he shall receive II reasonable compensation.
c The Reports from the War, Navy aud Post OF.
" fee Departments, will accompany this ronmuni.
|, caon, and one from The Treasury Department
w;ll he pre- eucd to Congress ia IL ieW days
Il For va ous details in respect the matters in
- charge OF these departments, | would refer you
= to those important documents satisfied that you
o will find IN them many valuable suggestions, which
Is will be found wei deserving the attention of the
N Legislature
/. From report mude in December Of last year
e by the Secretary ofthc State, 10 the Senate, show
ng the trial docket of each of the Crrui: Courts
c aud the number OF miles each Judge has to travel
N in the performance of his duties, great iuGquali-
,r appears in the amount OF Labor assigned TO eac,
ID Judge. The number of terms tn be held in each
of the courts composing the ninth circuit, the dis
= ances between the places nj which they sit, and
from thence 10 the seat Of Government, are rep
If resented be such as 10 render it impossible for
al the Judge Of that circuit TO perform in mariner
OF corresponding with public eXigencies his term
Of aud circuit duties. revision, therefore, of the
III present arrangements Of the circuits seems to he
to called for, and is recommended 10 your notice.
f. | think it proper To call yOnr attention TO The
J. power assumed by territorial legislatures to author
Use the issue OF bonds by corporate companies ON The
OF guarantee of the Territory Congress passed 1
to law in 1885, providing hat no act OF Territorial
is Legislature incorporating banks should have the
Id force Of law until approved by Congress, but acts
~ OF very excepIionabe character previously pas
l. sell by the Legislature of Florida, were suffered
10 TO remain in force, by virtue of which bonds may
l. he issued to very large amount by those nstilu
e. tons, upon the faith OF the Territory. resolu
r. ton intended to be joint one, passed the Senate