Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1841-06-19
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irregularities OF q serious nature that have
grown up in the practice of the Indian
department, which will require the apprc-
priatlon Of upwards Of 100000 TO cor
rect, and which claim the immediate at
tention of Congress.
In rejecting on tha proper means Of de-
tending the country, VIC cannot shut our
eyes to the consequences which the intro
ductlon and aao Of the power Of steam
upon the ocean are likely to produce in
wars between maritime states. We cannot
yet SEQ the extent TO which this power
may be applied in belligerent operations,
connecting itself as it does with recent i'm
Proye1nents in the science Of gunnery and
projecties but We need have no fear Of
being left, in regard to these things, behind
the most active aud s]IIiiIfu1 Of other ma
tons, If the genius and enterprise Of eur
felioW-cit;zens receive proper encourage
ment and direction from aoveTnment.-
True wisdom would, nevertheless, seem 10
dictate the necessity Of placing in perfect
condition thosc Notifications which are de-
signed for the protection Of our principal
cities and roadsteads. For the defence oi
our extended maritime coast our chief re-
lance should be placed on or navy, aided
by those Inventions which are destined'to
recommend themselves TO public adoption.
but no time should be lost in placirg o,lr
principal cities on the seaboard and the
lakes IN q state Of entire security from TO-
rclgn assault. Separated rs VIC are fSom
tho .fIr1frIpa, yf ftxa nfI ,.r.f1 .-I = .---u1
unaffected by their policy VIC are happily
relied from the necessity Of maintaining
large standing armies in Tune o peace. The
policy which was adopted by Mr.. Munroc,
shortly after the conclusion Of the late war
with Great Britain, Of preserving u rtgu-
larry organized staff sufficient for the com
mand OF a large military force, shAa'id Il
necessity for one arise, il founded as well
IN economy as in true wisdom. Provision
IS thus made, upon filing mp the rank and
Tile which a readily be done on any
emergency, for the Introduction Of a sys-
tenn Of discipline both promptly and eff
cient!y. All that is required in time IF
peace IS TO maintain a sufficient number If
men TO guard our Notifications, TO meet
any sudden contingency, and to encounter
the first shock Of war. Our c1licf reliance
must be placed on tao militia. They con-
ssitnto the great body Ct national guards,
and, inspired BY an ardent love Of country,
will be found ready at all times and at all
seasons to repair with a~laGrity TO its de-
fence. 1t will be regarded by Congress, I
doubt not, at a suitable time, as one Oh ia
highest duties to attend 10 their complete
organization and discipline.
The state IF the navy pension fund re-
guires the immediate attention Of Con-
gress. BY the operation Of the Sd Of
March, 1881, entitled "An act for the
more equitable administration Of the navy
pension fund" that fund has been exhaust
ed. 1t will be seen from the accompany
ing report Of the commissioner Of Pensions
that there will be required iorthe payment
of navy pensioners, on the first Of July
next, 584,O06 06 IL, and Gu the first
January, 1912, the sum Of 100000. In
addition TO these sums, about $4,000 will
be required to pay arrears OF pensions
whlch will probably be allowed between the
first Of July and first OF January, 1912,
making in the whole $15O,G95 OG Is. 10
meet tnese payments there il within the
control of tie department the sum Of
529,040, leaving a deficit CT 5l2l,0G6
% IL. The public faith requires that nn-
mediate provision should b. made for the
payment Of these slms
In order TO introduce into the Nav n
desirable efficiency, a rev system Of ae-
c~osiniabiiIty may be found TO be indlsPcn-
SADLY necessary. To mature a plan hay-
ing for its object the accomplishment II an
end SO important, and to meet the luat tx
pectatloHsof the country, require mere tJnc
than has yet been allowed TO tae Secretary
at the bead Of the department. The hope
Is INDUCED that, by the time Of your next
regular session, measures Of Importance, IN
c~ouncxion with this branch OF the pubic
service. may be matured for your co1sl-
deratson.
Although the laws regulating the Post
Office department only require from the
officer charged with It's direction 10 report
at the Usual annual session of Congress,
the Postmaster General has presented to
me sonie facts connected with the financial
condition OF the department, which are deem
cd whorthy the attentlo nofcongrcss. Blythe
accompanying report OF that officer, 1t aP-
pears that the existing liabilities oi that
department beyond the means Of raynaeHt
at its command, cannot be less taaa five
hundred thousand dollars. As the laws
organizing thas branch Of the public service
contine tue expenditure TO 1t, own reye-
nues, deficiencies therein canDot BE- pre-
scented under the t.sual estimates for the
expenses Of Government. 1t mu3t, tno.e-
fore be left TO Congress To determine
whether the money now due 10 contractors
shall be Paid from the public treasury, or
whether that department shah continue IN
der It's present embarrassment. Il will be
seen by the report Of the Postmaster Gene
raj that the recent lcttings Of contracts III
several OF the ssa-es have been made al
saca reduced rates of compensation as to
encourage the belief that ii the department
was relieved from existing difficulties, its
future operations might be conducted with
out n further call uPoa the general
Treasury.
The power Of appointing to o1ice is oaa OF
a cEA-.@ter The ll9st delicate and responsible.
Tie appointing power IS eEerusase exposed 10
&c LED into error. WITH nxioG soJlcltate -
select the most trustw ortly for Official s~tar1-u,
| cannot he supposed to possess personal
knowledge oE the qualification of every appli-
cant. | ceem il, therefore, prefer, n tbs l4oa,
public Hammer, to irv!1e, Gil the part OF the
Senate, Il just scrutiny INTO the private char
aetef and pretanslons OF every person whom
| may bring to their nQ.lce in the regular