The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-06-18

III lCliCSt toINliOll lliOSt lti tiiiN 1tlDalN
which are designed for the protection of
our principal cities and roadsteads. lut
the defense of our extensive maritime
coast, our chief reliance should be placed
on our navy, aided by those inventions
which are destined to recommend them
selves to public adoption. But no time
should be lost III placing our principal
cities on the seabord and the lakes, i'll Il
state of entire security from assault
Separated as we are from the countries Of
the old world, and so much unaffected
by their policy, we are happily relieved
from the necessity of maintaining large
standing armies in time Of peace, The
policy which was adopted by Mr., Mon
roe, shortly after the conclusion of the
late war with Great Britain, Of preserving
regular organized staff, sufficient for the
command of large military force, should
the necessity for one arise, is founded as
well in economy as in wisdom. Proyl-
sion is thus made, upon filling up the
rank and file, which can readily be done
on an emergency, for the introduction Of
a system of discipline, both promptly and
efficiently. All that is required in time
of peace, is TO maintain Sufficient num-
Der of men to guard our Notifications, TO
meet any sudden contingency, and to en-
counter the first shock of war. Oar chief
reliance must be placed on our militia;
they constitute the great body Of national
guards, and inspired by an ardent love of
country, will be ready at all times and at
all seasons, TO repair with alacrity to its
defense. 1t will be regarded by con-
gress, doubt not, at 4 suitable time, as
one its highest duties to attend to their
complete organization and discipline.
Nary Department.
The state Of the navy pension fund re-
quires the immediate attention of con-
grcss. By the operation of the act Of the
Sd of March, 1887, entitled "an act for
the more equitable administration of the
navy pension fund'-that fund has been
exhausted. 1t will be seen from the ac-
companying report of the commissioner
of pensions, that there will be required,
for the payment of navy pensions, on the
first Of July next, $4,000 l-3, and on
the first of January, 1912, the sum OF
100000. In addition to these sums,
about $4,000 will be required 10 pay ar
rears of pensions, which will probably be
allowed between the first Of July and the
first of January, 1912, making in the
whole Ssl50,00G sc l-3.-To meet these
payments, there is, within the control o
the department, the sum of 500, leav
ing deficiency of Sl2l,966 06 l-3
The public faith requires that immediate
provision should be made for the pay
ment of these sums.
In order to introduce into the navy ;
desirable efficiency, new system of ac
countabIily may be found to be indispen
SADLY necessary. To mature plan hay.
ing for its object the accomplishment Of
an end so important, and to meet the just
expectations Of the country, require more
time than has yet been allowed to the
secretary at the head of that department.
The hope is INDUCED that, by the time OF
the next regular session, measures of i'm
portancc, IN connection with this branch
of the public service, may be maured for
your consideration.
Post Office Department.
Although the laws regulating tho post
Office department only require from the
officer charged with its direction to re-
port at the usual annual session of con-
grcss, the postmaster general has presen-
ted to me some facts connected with the
financial condition Of the department,
which are deemed worthy the attention
of congress.
BY the &c companying report of that
officer, it appears that existing Liabilities
of that department, beyond the means of
payment at its command, cannot be less
than 100000. As the laws organizing
that branch of the public service, conline
the expenditure TO its own revenues, def
ciencles therein cannot be presented UNI
der the usual estimates for the expenses
Of the government. 1t must, therefore,
be left to congress to determine whether
the moneysnow due the contractors shall
be paid from the public treasury, or
whether that department shall continue
under its present embarrassments. 1t!
will be seen by the report of the postmas-
ter general, that the recent lettings of con
tracts in several of the states, have been
made at such reduced rates of compensa-
ton, as to encourage the belief, that if the
department was relieved from existing
difficulties, its future operations might be
conducted without any further call upon
the general treasury.
appointments 10 Office.
The power of appointing to Office is
ono of character the most delicate and
responslble.-Thc appointing power is
even more exposed to be led into error