The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-05-08
Reduction or the Navy.


livery the desk, at 8 o'clock. Price 6k cents.
Reduction or the Navy.
A highly important report was made the other
day 10 Congress, by Mr.. Bancroft, Secretary of
the Navy, proposing extraordinary reduction
and radical reform in the present ornaments and
arrangements of the naval service, equal to
Sl,0OO,OOO year.
1t would appear from the spirit of this report
that the idea of any conflict with foreign nation
could not exist in the Executive mind yet it is
doubtful how long Mr.. Folks thoughts may re-
main in this complexion. The propositions of
Mr.. Bancroft, which are stated with much power
of .eloquence, and with much clearness, will no
doubt be received with sentiments of II mingled
character by the officers of the navy. The whole
reduction OF expenses proposed by this new plan
is equal to a million of dollars. This considera-
ton viii, no doubt, be recommendation of the
plan to the tax-paying people of this country but
1t requires much moral courage in the head of the
navy department to make a proposition Of such
nature, which touches radically the incomes OF
those who live upon the public.
We may expect great storm of indignation
from the friends of the navy, and much excite
ment growing out of this subject. Mr.. Bancroft
must know well his ground, and meet the hurri-
cane cooly. Remember the fate of Padding
This may be called a government strike for lower
wages.
One obvious reflection springs up in the mind,
reading the mastery and able report of MIR.
Bancroft, and also those of his colleagues. While
we must acknowledge, generally, the great talent,
ability and industry, displayed by the Cabinet
Ministers, ALI their several spheres Of action we
cannot overlook the sublime ncongruity--the
splendid Inconsistency, Of the directing mind in the
White House, by whom the separate views of
these ministers have been devised. The policy of
one department Of the government is directly in
the teeth of that taken by the other The State
Department argues for 81 4O-the alternative Of
war, and vast xpenditures-while the Treasury
and the Navy are all for economy, radical reduc-
ton, and peace. Even the same departments,
within the interval Of few short weeks, have ex-
hibited the strange anomaly of a tendency to war
and expenditure-and then to peace and reduc-
ton. Such strange and contradictory system of
government can arise only from imbeciGty of
mind-inirmity of purpose-or incapacity in the
intellect that should control the whole in harmony
and compacmess Of design. If the country does
not get entangled in some grave difficulty, it
will be miracle. Mr.. Polk, no doubt, means
midst of an awful explosion of his boiler. Capa-
city, not motive, is the point in question.
The LAST ExrREss-THE MAGNETIC TELEGRAPH.
The Express from Boston, which brought the
first intelligence of the arrival and going ashore
OF the Cambria, will probably be the last Express
of the kind which will ever run between the two
cities with foreign news. Yale, vaie-longum yale
We live in transition period of society. In
v'r'erday's paper, we published the intelligence
ui the proceedings of Congress of the preceding
dayl UNANIMOUSLY with the newspapers which
gre published i'll Washington city itself-220 miles
apart This intelligence was conveyed to us by the
magnetic telegraph, which henceforth will enable
a 70 publish every important proceeding at Wash
ington simultaneously with the Washington pa
pers. In q short time, the lines between this and
Washington will be complete in equally short
time, the lines between this city and Boston will
be also so. Soon afterwards, we shall also have a
Geographic communication, by electricity, far
west as Buffalo. We think, as one effect of this
great movement, shall be secure in ami
hilating both space and distance so far as regards
the communication of information.
When all these lines are finished, New York
viii be the centre of a great community, Of which
Boston on the East, Buffalo on the West, and
Washington on the South, will be the suburbs, all
of them, in instantaneous communication with
the grand central metropolis, New York. In a
short time, say in few years, these lines will ex-
tend over every part of the country. Its POLITICAL
commercial, and social effects cannot now be es-
timated 1t will cause a unity of thought and ac-
ton throughout the whole republic similar to that
exhibited by n single community, governed by
and of
tice or of equity-of madness or OF folly!
Thus we are upon the edge Of new state OF
civilization, brought about by steam, electricity and
lightning. The last express, therefore, from Bos-
ton, probably the last which will ever be run by
the power of steam. We rather think that before
the arrival of the next steamer, we will be able to
receive our intelligence by the lightning of heaven,
at once and forever.
NEW APPOINTMENTS FOR POSTMASTER AND Ma.
VAL OFFICER OF THIS CITy.-The Postmaster in
this city-Mr Morris-and, also, the Naval Off
cer--Mr. Hoffman-who have been elected, and
have accepted the Office of delegates to the State
Convention, will probably be very soon superse-
ded by new appointments, which may reas onaby
be expected from Washington.
The State Convention, which meets in June,
will probably continue in session many months ;
and it is not to be supposed that the President will
continue in office important public f,nctionaries
in this city, who receive their pay from the State,
and spend their efforts on other business Indeed.
so far as the Post Office is concerned, it was never
in worse hands, worse managed Mr.. Morris
may be very worthy mana very honest man
very eminent man, and a very talented man
but he seems TO be very unfit for the Office of Post
master in this city Were it not for the efficiency
and experience of his clerks, the Post Office would
be in an awful state, Tor want of a practical and
efficient superintendent. Nothing would please
two-thirds of the democracy more than a new
appointment in this office.
WEBB VS.. BAcoN--AND STILL AND STILL ANOTHER
PosTpoNEMENr.-Th This amusing case has been