The Cadiz sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 184?-1851, 1845-01-01
NATIONAL
POST-OFFICE.

- 6tShhNA AAOAAA ~ AELGAh -
port of the Post Master General:
Notwithstanding The Embarrassment and diff
culties the department has had to encounter, its
current expenses have been met and discharged
by its current revenue, without any curtailment
of the service performed. The income of the
department for he year ending the 3Olh of June,
was S4,237,2S5 SO. Total amo nut of expen-
diture and revenue settled during the same peri
cd, S4,296,s67 10.
Notwithstanding the excessive rains and foods
in the south and west, the duties of the contrac-
tors have been well performed, whilst the reve-
nue. collected by postmasters, has, with a few ex-
ceptions, been promptly accounted for.
FIJI special agents have performed their du-
ties well, and the number of mail depredations
has considerably diminished. They have also a
general supervision of the properly of the de-
Partment, the extent of which is instanced by
the amount paid for mail bags, which, during the
last four years, have cost S70,55S.
In regard TO the important matter of a reduc-
ton of the rates of postage, the Postmaster
General is of opinion that this department of
our Government ought to sustain itself, there be-
ing no mode by which its expenses can be met,
more equitable, more Just, than by the collec-
ton Of as much postage, and no more, upon the
matter which passes through the mail, as will be
equal TO the demands of the service, and it is
his impression that, although public opinion
seems TO demand a reduction in the rate of
- postage, this desire rests on this vital principle,
and is sustained by the argument that a reduc-
ton of postage would be followed by an increase
of mail matter, sufficient still to sustain the de-
partment in all its expenses. MIR. Wicklilfe APP
prehends that if the department were compelled
to look to Congress for support, it may be ques-
toned whether its vigilance would not be lost in
the simple routine Of expanding the money that
Congress might appropriate, whether usefully
or not. The opinion is reiterated that the pen
ny system of England, in many of its features
is unsuited TO this country, which is sustained by
many interesting comparisons and details.
If the department is to be left to lean on lis
" resources, the Observation-Disclosures would
recommend a reduction of postage TO five and
ten cents, as heretofore recommended by him
in a report to the Senate, with the terms and
conditions there annexed-one of which is, that
the Government shall compensate the depart
ment for the transmission and delivery of its
public correspondence, and the ranked letters
of its public filnctionarIes, by the assumption of
the amount paid for railroad and steamboat
transportation, which is S750,569 per annum.
it is also asked, in order for this reduction, that
the Government shall protect the department
from the inroads made on its income by private
expresses or posts.
The report goes on TO review the recent diff
culties it has had to encounter with these pri-
yate establish nents, advising that Il power OF
punishment and restraint be Immediately vested
in the judiciary department. Mr.. Wickl;tio
thinks that without further Legislation on this
subject, it is idle to expect the department to
sustain itself.
The policy of constructing steamers to be u.
sed in carrying the mails, in time of peace, be-
tween New Orleans and Mobile, and Charleston
and Wilmington is suggested, which, in case 81
war, could be used for harbour defence. 1t is
also suggested that the power 10 contract for car
rying mails to foreign ports be given TO the post
master.
The report concludes with Il statement rela
tive 10 the progress made, in obedience to a res
olution Of last Congress, relative TO the inter
change Of mail matter, and prepayment Of post
age on letters to and from certain governments
transmitting letters from our ministers to En-
gland and France, with regard TO inquire!
which they had made relative 10 the subject.
NAVY.
The report of Mr.. Mason, Secretary Of the
Navy, is before us. We condense this compare
lively large document for the benefit of the gen
eral reader. ltappears, from it, that the Navy o
the United States consists Of six ships Of tae line
one ruzee, fourteen frigates, twenty-one sloop
of war, sixteen briggs and schoonors, three store
sh ps, and eight steamers aloat. There are OF
the stocks in al unfinished state, four ships O
the line, three frigatcs, one stoye-ship, an irol
steamer at Pittsburgh, and one at The Navy Yard
at Washington, TO be used as a water tank. Du
ring the past year the crews and officers, on mos
Of the naval stations, have enjoyed e~xcellen
health. On the African coast it has been iount
best to use single-decked vessels, as they ar,
more easily ventilated; and comparatively littl,
sickness attends the squadron, for the deleteri
Gus effect of the climate is felt only on shore.
BY the act of the 18th of June, 1914, il i
provided that the whole number If petty officers
seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmon and boya
in the naval service during the current fsca
year, shall not exceed, at any one time, sever
thousand five hundred men. The departmen
promptly gave orders to suspend the enlistmcn
of men, and 10 discharge the crews Of the yes
sells as they reached our own waters until the re
quired reduction was effected. The line of bat
tie ships have been put out of commission, eX
cept as receiving vessels, and the complement
of men allowed TO the several classes CAREFUL
revised and reduced to the lowest point, consi,
tent with the safety of the vessel, and the hone
of the flag. 1t is hardly possible, in view of III
changes of crews on foreign stations, 10 maintai
any specific number with exact precision. Th
department has endeavored TO conform to I'll
law, and it is believed that the measures adopte
have heen sucressGl The Cacratarv is doc
dedly of opinion that the reduction has been
%iniury..to the service: Ho complains of the wal
of more pursers and surgeons; and recommenC
: e $1,000 --l-I-- - = =