Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-12-27
VERMONT wATCHMAN & STATE JOURNAL DECEMBER o. 1s4o


its construction and support.
For further views on these and other matters
connected with the duties of the Home Depart
ment refer you to the report of the Secretary
of the Interior.
recommend early appropriations for continu-
ing the river and hnrbor improvements which
have been already begun, and also for the con-
struction of those for which estimates have been
made, as well as for examinations and estimates
preparatory to the commencement of such others
as the wants of the country, and especially the
advance of our population over new districts, and
the extension OF commerce, may render necessa-
ry. An estimate of the amount which can he
advantageously expended within the next fiscal
year, under the direction of the Bureau of Topo-
graphical Engineers, accompanies the report of
the Secretary of War, to which respectfully in
vite the attention of Congress-
The cesslon Of territory made by the late trea-
ty with Mexico has greatly extended our exposed
| frontier and rendered its defence more difficult
That treaty has also brought us under obliga-
tons to Mexico, to comply with which military
force is requisite. But our military establish
ment is not materially changed as to its ef1icen-
cy, from the condition in which it stood before the
commencement of the Mexican war. Some adj
dition to it will therefore be necessary and
recommend to the favorable consideration of Con-
gross an increase the several corps of the army
at our distant western posts as proposed in the
accompanying report of the Secretary of War;
Great embarrassment has resulted from the eff
feet upon rank in the army. heretofore gwen TO
brevel and staff commissions. The views Of the
Secretary of War, on the subject, are deemed
important, and if carried into effect will 1t is be.
lleved, promote the harmony of the service. The
plan proposed br retiring disabled officers and
povldlng an asylum tor such of the rank aud fl e
as from age wounds and other infrmities occa-
stoned by service, have become unit to perform
their respective duties, is recommended as
means of increasing the efficiency of the army,
and as an act of Justice due from a grateful
county to the faithful soldier
The accompanying report of the Secretary of
the Nay presents fun and satisfactory account
of the condition and operations OF the naval ser.
vice during the past year. Our citizens engaged
| in the eg innate purs It's of commerce have en-.
| joyed its benefits. Wherever our nation Il YES
sells have gone, they have been received with re-
| spcct, our officers have been treated with kind.
ness and courtesy, and they have on all coca
sions, pursued n couse of strict neutrality in
accordance with the policy of our Government
| The naval force at present in commission is as
large rs is admissible, with the number Of men
authorized by Congress to be employed
invite your pllenion 10 the recommendation
Of the Secretary of the Navy on the subject of
reorganization of the Navy, in its various
grades If officers, and the establishing of re-
ii ed list for such of the officers as are diSquai
fled for active and effective service. Should
Congress adopt some such measure as is recon-
mended, it will greatly inc .ease The efficiency Of
the Navy, and reduce its expenditures.
also ask your attention to the views express
sed by HIM III reference to the employment of
war steamers, and in regard to the contracts for
the TRANSPORTATION of the u. :. nails and the OPP
erallon OF the system upon the prosperity Of the
Navy.
BY an act of Congress passed August lllh.
1873 provision was made for extending post Of
flee and mail accommodations to California and
Oregon. EXertions have been made to execute
that law but the limited provisions of the act,
the lnadequacy of the means it authorizes the
i'll adaptation of our post Office laws to the stu
alton of that country, and the measure OF COM
pensatlon for services allowed by thsse laws.
c'npared with the prices of labor and rents in
California render those eXerions, in a great de-
gree, lneiiectual. More particular and efficient
provision by law il required on this subject
The act OF 1915, reducing postage has now,
by IT'S operation during four years, produced re-
suits July showing that the income from such
reduced postage is Sufficient to sustain he whole
expense of the service OF the Post Office De
plrlmenl, not including the cost Of trnnspora
non III mail sleltners on the lines from n. York
10 Chagres and from Panama to Astoria, which
have not been considered by Congress as prop
! cry urlonnluI 10 tne mail service.
| 1t is submitted to the wisdom of Congress-
whetIIera further reduction of postage should
not now be made, more particularly on the let.
| ter correspondence. This should be relieved
from the unjust burthen of transporting and de-
| llveung the ranked matter of Congress, for
which public service provision should be made
from the treasury. | confidently believe that
change may safely be made, reducing all single
letter postage to the uniform rate OF five cents,
| regardless of distance, without thereby imposing
any greater tax on the treasury than would con
stnute very moderate compensation for this
public seryice and therefore respectfully re-
commend such reduction Should Congress
prefer to abolish Tho ranking privilege enrely,it
seems probable hat no dcuand on the treasury
would result from the proposed reduction Of
| postage. Whether any iurh her dlminuti n should
now be made, or the result Of the reduction to
! i've cents, which have recommended, should
be first tested is submit ed to your decision.
| Since the commencement Of the last session
of Congress, Postal treaty with Great Brit1in
has been received and ratified, and such regula-
tons have been formed by the Post Office De-
partinents OF the two countries, in pursuance of
that treaty, us to carry its provisions into full OPP
Grafton. The attempt to extend this same ar
rangement, through England, to France, has not
been equally successful; but the purpose has not
| been abandoned.
VI a. sldltueut OF Lue condition oil
the Post Office Department. and other matters
connected with that branch of the public service,
| refer you to the report Of the Postmaster Cen
eral
BY the act of the Sd of March, 1919, Board
was constituted to make arrangements for taking
the seventh census, composed of the Secretary Of
State, the Attorney General, and the Postmaster
General; and 1t was made the duty of this Board
to prepare and cause to be printed such forms
and schedules as might be necessary for the full
enumeration of the inhabitants Of the United
States; and also proper forms and schedules for
collecting in statistical tables under proper heads
such information as to mines agriculture, COM
merce, manufactures, education, and other topics,
as would exhibit full view of the pursuits, in
dustry education, and resources of the country"
The duties enjoined upon the Census Board, thus
established, having been performed, it now rests
with Congress to enact law for carrying into
effect the provision of the Constitution which re-
quires an actual enumeration of the people of
the United States within the ensuing year.
Among the duties assigned by the Constitution
to the General Government is one of local and
limited application, but not on that account, the
less obligatory: | allude to the trust committed
to Congress, as the exclusive legislator and sole
guardian of the interests of the District of Col
umba. | beg to commend these interests to