The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-25

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to the practicability of making such road, with
estimate of the cost OF its construction and sup
port.
For further views ON these and other matters CON
nected with the duties of the Home Department
refer you the report OF the Secretary of the In
terror.
recommend early appropriations for continuing
the river and harbor improvements which have
been already begun, and also for the construc lion
of those for which estimates have been made, as
well as Tor examinations and estimates preparatory
10 the commencement OF such others as the wants
OF the country and especially the advance of our
population districts, and the extension of
commerce, may render necessary. An estimate of
the amount which can be advantageously expend-
ed within the next fiscal year, under the direction
OF the Bureau OF Typographical Engineers, accom-
Panes the report of the Secretary OF War; to which
respectfully invite the attention of Congress
The cession of territory made by the late treaty
with Mexico has greatly extended our exposed
frontier, and rendered its defence moro difficult.
That treaty has also brought us under obligations
| TO Mexico to comply with which military force
Is requisite. But our military establishment is not
materially changed as to its efficiency, from the
condition in which il stood before the commence
ment OF the Mexican war. Some addition to it will
therefore be necessary; and recommend TO the
favorable consideration Of Congress increase of
the several corps Of the army at distant western
posts, as proposed in the accompanying report of
the Secretary of War.
Great embarrassment has resulted from the effect
upon rank IN the army heretofore given 10 brevet
| of War, on this subject deemed important and
if carried into effect WILL it is believed promote the
| harmony of the service. The plan proposed for
| firing disabled officers and providing an asylum
for such of the rank and file from age, wounds,
| and other infrmities occasioned by service, have
become unfit to perform their respective duties, is
| recommended as means ofincreasng the cfficien-
| cy of the army, and act of Justice, due from
| a grateful country to the faithful soldier.
The accompanying report of the Secretary of the
Navy presents null and satisfactory account of the
condition and operations of the naval service during
| the past year. Our citizens engaged in the legiti
mate pursuits of commerce have enjoyed its bene-
fits Wherever our national vessels have gone, they
have been received with respect, officers have
been treated with kindness and courtesy, and they
| have, on all occasions, pursued course Of strict
neutrality, III accordance with the policy OF our
| Government. =
The naval force at present in commission is as
large as is admissible with the number of men
| thorized by Congress to be employed.
| invite your attention TO the recommendation of
| the Secretary OF the Navy on the subject of reor
ganizaon Of the Navy, in its various grades of Off
GERS and the establishing Of retired list for such Of
the officers disqualified for active and effective
service. Should Congress adopt some such measure
as is recommended, it will greatly increase the eff
fcicncy Of the Navy, and reduce its expenditures
| also ask your attention to the views expressed
by him in reference TO the employment of war
steamers, and in regard to the contracts for the
transportation of the United States mails, and the
operation of the system upon the prosperity of the
Navy.
| By act of Congress passed August l4th, 1913,
| provision made for extending post office and
mail accommodations to California and Oregon
| Exertions have been made to execute that law !;
but the limited provisions of the act, the nadequa
cy of the it authorizes the i'll adaptation OF
our post-occ laws to the situation Of that country,
and the measure of compensation for services
allowed by those laws compared with the prices OF
labor and rents in California, render those exer-
tons, in great degree, Intellectual. More partic
ular and efficient provision by law is required on
this subject.
The act of 1885, reducing postage, has now, by
its operation during four years, produced results
fully showing that the income from such reduced
postage is sufficient TO sustain the whole expense
of the service OF the Post Office Department, not
including the cost of transportation i'll mail steam
ers the lines from New York to Chagres and
from Panama to Astoria, which have not been con-
sidered by Congress as properly belonging to the
mail service.
1t is submitted TO the wisdom of Congress, whe-
ther further reduction of postage should not
be made, more particularly on the letter correspond
ence. This should be relieved from the unjust
burthen of transporting and delivering the fanked
matter of Congress, for which public service provis
ion should be made from the treasury. confidently
believe that change may safely be made, reducing
all singleleter postage TO the uniform rate OF five
cents, regardless of distance, without thereby inn
posing any greater tax on the treasury than would
constitute very Moderate compensation for this
public service; and therefore respectfully recon-
| mend such reduction. Should Congress prefer TO
|
probable that no demand on the treasury would re-
suit from the proposed reduction of postage. Whe-
Their any further diminution should now be made,
or the result of the reduction 10 five cents which
have recommended, should be first tested, is sub
| mittcd to your decision
Since the commencement OF the last session of
Congress, Postal treaty with Great Britain has
been received and ratified, and such regulations
have been formed by the Post Office Departments
of the two countries, in pursuance of that treaty
as to carry its provisions into full operation. The
attempt 10 extend this same arrangement, through
England, TO France, has not been equally success
full; but the purpose has not been abandoned.
For particular statement Of the condition of the
Post Offcc Department, and other matters
nccted with that branch of the public service, re-
fer you TO the report of the Postmaster General.
| BY the act Of the 80 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 II was made the duty OF this Board - TO pre-
pare and cause to be printed such forms and sche-
dulles as might be necessary for the full enumcra-
ton Of the inhabitants of the United States and
also proper forms and schedules for collecting in
statistical tables under proper heads, such inior-
nation as TO mines, agriculture, commerce, manu-
features, education, and other topics, would ex-
hibit full view of the pursuits, industry, educa-
ton, and resources of the country" The duties
enjoned upon the Census Board thus established,
having been performed, il now rests with Congress
to enact law for carrying into effect the provision
Of the Constitution which requires an actual emu
ntTalIon Ol ule people Oh ue tnltcu oItOes Nltnlh
the ensuing year.
Among the duties assigned by the Constitution
TO the General Government is one of local and linn
tied application, but not, that account, the lees
obligatory: alludc TO the trust committed to Con-
gress, the exclusive legislator and sole guardian
of the interests of the District Of Columbia. beg
to commend these interests TO your kind attention.
As the National metropolis, the city of Washington
must be an obectof general interest; and, founded
as il was under the auspices of him whose immortal
name it bears, its claims TO the fostering care
of Congress present themselves with additional
strength. Whatever contribute 70 its prosper
ty must enlist the feelings of its Constitutional
guardians and command their favorable consider
alton.
Our Government is of limited powers, and its
successful administration eminently depends on
the confinement of each of its coordinate branches
within it's own appropriate sphere The first sec
ton of the Constitution ordains that call Legislative
powers therein granted shall be vested in Con-
gress of the United States, which shall consist OF
Senate and House of Representatives" The Exc
cutive has authority TO recommend mot TO dictated
measures to Congress Having performed that du-
ty, the Executive department of the Government