Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1848-12-14
VERMONT wATCHMAN & STATE JOURNAL DECEMBER A. l848

ing the sum of one hundred thousand five hun
dred dollars paid for the services OF tho line Of
steamers between Bremen and N. York. amount
ed to four millions one hundred and ninety eight
thousand eight hundred and forty five dollars,
which is less than the annual average for the
nine years previous to the act of 1915, BY three
hundred thousand seven hundred and forty.eipht
dollars
The mail routes, on the Both day of June last
were one hundred and sixty three thousand two
hundred and eight miles in extent--bcing an
increase during the last year Of nine thousand
three hundred and nine miles. The mails we're
transported over them, during the same time
forty one millions twelve thousand FIVE hundred
and seventy nine miles making an increase of
transportation for the year of two millions one
hundred and twenty four thousand six hundred
and eighty miles, while tho expense was less
than that of the previous year by four thousand
two hundred and thirty five dollars
The increase of the mail transportation within
the last three years has been five million three
hundred and seventy eight thousand three hun
dted and ten miles, while the expenses were re-
duced four hundred and fifty six thousand seven
hundred and thirty eight dOllars-mukng an in
crease Of service at the rate of fifteen per cent
and n reduction in the expenses Of more than
fifteen per cent.
During the past year there have been employ
ed under contracts with the Post Office Dep IT.
ment, two ocean steamers in conveying the mails
monthly between New York and Bremen. and
one, since October last, performing seni.lnonth.
ly service between Charleston and Havana
aud contract has been made for the transporta.
ton of the Pacific mails across the isthmus fro n
Chagres 10 Panama.
Under tho authority given n the Secretary Of
the Navy, three ocean steamers have been con-
structed and sent TO the Pacific, and are expect
ed 10 enter upon the mail service between Pana.
ma and o egon, and the intermediate ports, on
the first of January next, and fourth has been
engaged by HIM for the service between Havana
aud Chagres; 50 that a regular monthly mail
line will be kept up after that time between the
United States and our territories on the Pa.
ci6c.
Notwithstanding this great increase in the
mail service, should the revenue continue TO in
crease the present year 1t did IN The last, there
will be received near $i5O,000 more than the
expenditures.
These considerations have satisfied the Post
muster General that, with certain notifications
Of the act of 1915, the revenue may be still fur
Their increased and reduction of postages made
to uniform rate Of five cents, without an inter-
ference with the principle, which has been con-
slaniy and properly enforced, OF making that
department sustain Itself.
n VIII ulgtStCu Cbedp system Is Inc
best means of dffusing intelligence among the
people, and is of SO much Importance in a coun-
try so extensive as that Of the United States,
that recommend to your favorable considera-
ton the suggestions of the Postmaster General
for It's employment.
Nothing can returd the onward progress of our
country and prevent us from assuming and main
taining the first rank among nations but a dsre-
gard Of the experience of the past, and a recur-
renee to an unwise public policy. We have
Just closed foreign war by an honorable peace
IA war rendered necessary and unavoidable in
vindIcatlon OF the national rights and honor
The present condition Of the country is similar
in some respects to that which existed InmeIl-
atey after the close of the war with &. BRIAN
in 1915, and the occasion is deemed to he proper
one 10 take retrospect of the measures ofpnbiic
policy which followed the war There was al
mat period OF oar history departure from our
earlier policy. The enlargement of the powers
OF the federal government by construction, which
obtaned, was not warranted by any just inter-
probation OF the constitution. y few years after
the close OF the war, series Of measures was
adopted which, united and combined, constituted
what was termed by their advocates the "Ameri-
can system"
Here the Presidents Message, (accordng TO
0ir. rdiK enters MTG aboTed defuncISiId6o at Of
that American system" which had the approval
OF earlier and better Presidents than HIM
sell. THIS, with an overstraued defence of
hlng Veto, occupies space equal to five or six
colu ms Of our paper Ii is oil piece with the
editorials of the locofoco newspapers upon the
subject. and we suspect our readers will thank
us tor omlttlng it, at least at present. The doc
unent concludes thus ::
During the period | have administered the
executive department of the Government, great
aud important questions of domestic policy have
arisen, upon which il was my duly to act. II
may indeed be truly said that my administration
has fallen upon eventlul times. | have felt most
sensbly the weight OF the high responsibilities
devolved upon me. With no other object than
the public good the enduring fame and permanent
prosperity Of my county, | have pursued the
convictions Of ny own best judgment. The
partial arbrament OF enlightened public opinion,
present aud future, will determine how far the
public policy | have maintained, and the meas
nres have IRON time TO time recommended, may
have tended to advance retard the public
prosperity at home, and TO elevate or dcpress the
estimate oi our national character abroad.
Invoking the blessings Of the Almighty upon
your deliberations at your present important
session, my ardent hope Is. that in spirit of
harmony and concord, you may be guided to wise
results, aud such as nay rebound to the happi.
ness, The honor, and the glory of our beloved
country. JAMES X. POLK.
Washington, Dec. 5, lS45.