Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1841-06-09

in placing our principal cities on the sea-
board and the lakes in state OF entire Sc
curity from foreign assault. Separated
as we are from the countries of the old
world, and in much unaffected by their
policy. we are happily relieved from the
necessity of maintaining large standing
armies in times of peace. The policy
which was adopted by Mr.. Monroe. short
ly alter The conclusion Of the late war
with Great Britain, of preserving a regu-
larly organized staff sufficient for the CON-
mand of a large military force, should a
necessity FOR one arise, is founded as well
In economy as in true wisdom. Provis-
ion is thus made, upon filling the rank
and file. which can be done on any emer-
gency. for the introduction of a system of
discipline both promptly and efficiently.
All that is required in time Of peace is to
maintain a sufficient number of men to
guard our Notifications, to meet any sud-
den contingency, and to encounter the
first shock of war. Our chief reliance
must be placed on the militia. They
constitutethe great body of national guards,
and, inspired by an ardent love ofcountry,
will be found ready at all times, and at all
seasons, to repair with alacritv. 1t will
be regarded by Congress. doubt not, at
a suitable time, as one of its highest du-
ties to attend to their complete organiza-
ton and discipline
The state of the navy pension fund re-
quires the immediate attention. of Congress.
BY the operation Of The acl of the Sd of
March, 1887, 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 PEN
sions that there will be required for the
! payment of navy pensioners, on the first
| Of July next, $84,006,063. and on the Isl
Of January, 1912, the sum of 10000. In
addition to these sums, above $6, 900 will
be required TO pay arrears of pensions,
which will probably be allowed between
the first of July and the first of January,
! 1912, making in the whole Sl56.o06, 06B.
To meet these payments there is within
the control of the Department the sum of
/ $28,040 leaving deficit Of $l2l,966,
O65. The public faith requires that imme-
diate provision should be. made for the
payment Of these sums.
, In order TO introduce into the navy a
desirable efficiency, new system of ac-
countability may be found TO be indispen-
SADLY necessary. To mature plan hav-
ing for its object the accomplishment of an
end so important, and to meet the just ex-
\ pectations Of the country, require mere
time than has yet been allowed to the
Secretary at the head ofthe Department.
4 The hope is INDUCED that by the time OF
your next regular session measures i'm
portance, in connexion with this branch
Of the public service, may be matured fol
your consideration.
i Although the laws regulating the Post
Office Department only require from the
J officer charged with its direction to repor
at the usual annual session of Congress
, the Postmaster General has presented &c
: me some facts connected with the fnancia
! condition OF, the Department which arr
j deemed worthy the attention of Congress
! BY the accompanying report Of that off
) Ger. it appears thatthe existing liabilities
e of that Department beyond the means 0
It payment at its command cannot be les:
: than FIVE hundred thousand dollars. A.
d the laws organizing that branch of the
Y public service confne the expenditure tc
!. its own revenues, deficiencies therein can
& not be presented under the usual estimates
# for the expenses of Government. 1t mus
: therefore be left to Congress to determine
' whether the moneys. now due to contract
ors shall be paid from the public Treasu
: ny, or whether that department shall con
+ tinue under its present embarrassments.-
E 1t will be seen by the report Of the Post
il master General that the recent lettings o
2 contracts in several ofthe States have beer
e made at such reduced rates of compensa
q ton as to encourage the belief that, if the
II department was relieved from existing
e difficulties, its future operations might b,
conducted without any further call upor
J. the general Treasury.
o The power of appointing to Office i
! one Of a character the most delicate ant
{ responsible. The appointing power il
e evermo-e exposed to be led into error
n With anxious solicitude to select the mos
e trustM orthy for official station, | canno
0 be supposed to possess personal know
IS edge of the qualification of every appli
/. cant. deem it therefore proper, in thi
] most public manner, 10 invite. on the par
Of the Senate, just scrutiny into the char
!, acter and pretensions ofevery person whom
: [ may bring to their notice m the regula
I'll form of a nomination for Office. Unles
e persons every way trustworthy are EN-
0 ployed in the public service, corruption
/ and irregulality will inevitably follow
shall with the greatest cheerfulness, &C