The republic., 1850-12-03

| conspicuous lor Rdiidntfy anu e"ou ooHuuct. "A
revision of the naval code, and the adoption o.
a humane and effeciual discipline are also re-
commended.
| The inland mail routes during the past year
have been increased 1897 1854 miles and
| ,670 new post offices have been established
The income of the Post Office Department has
exceeded its expenditures by $340,0l6 O5
| The PRESIDENT considers that its fiscal condi-
| tion justifes the Postmaster General in recon-
mending large reduction in our rates of post
age, contemplating ultimately a uniform pre-
paid rate of two cents.
On the policy of internal Improvements, the
PRESIDENT expresses himself with great dis
tinctness and force. He has no constitutional
scruples on the subject and is in favor of fin
ishng the public works already begun, and Of
commencing such others as Congress may deem
| to be of public and general importance.
The establishment of commission for the
| adjudication of private claims is recommended,
! on grounds that must be conclusive to every re-
| fecting and fair mind.
The introduction of pure water into this city
| is recommendation that we hope will meet
| with the early attention of Congress. 1t will
| add incalcuaby to the health and comfort of the
citizens; and its distribution in public and pri-
vate fountains will lend feature Of great beau
| ty to our metropolis.
And now we reach the most important re-
| commentator of the Message, which is an
| nounced in a manner and for reasons which
must be satisfactory to all prudent and patriotic
| citzens-the recommendation of adherence to
| the adjustment of the last session. The PREsI-
| DENT regards the series of measures then
! adopted as in principle and substance final
settlement of the slavery and territorial ques-
tons. He considers these the best that could
| have been procured from conflicting sectional
| interests, opinions, and passions and he is op-
posed to all interference with them until time
| and experience shall demonstrate the necessity
| of further Legislation TO guard against their
evasion or abuse.
The message is characteristic of its author.
1t is distinguished by the simplicity Of its style,
! the directness of its recommendations, its mod
crate, manly, and unassuming temper. On
all the cardinal points Of WING doctrine, it
/
progress and mprovement-of peace abroad and
| at home, of good will and good neighborhood-
| and it is policy which in our judgment will
| be sustained by the American people. Profess
sional agitators political fire eaters-the ultras
| and extremists of all parties-the men who at
| the South would infame a civil war because a
| ,art of Texas has been sold To free SOIL and at
| the North because it has been sold to slavery
all these men will, of course, assail the PREsI-
DENT and the policy of adherence which he re-
| commends. But the mass of our fellow-citi-
| zens believe in the virtue of the golden mean,
they believe that the safest path is in the mid
die, and they are prepared, in our judgment,
| to acquiesce in the course so clearly and une-
| quivocally indicated by the PRESIDENT.
| Report tn. Secretary OF the Lace. ioy.
We have read with great satisfaction this
very able and interesting document, which will
| appear, at length, in our columns at an early
| day We can find room this morning only for
| hasty analysis Of its contents, presenting such
portions as are likely To be of most general in
| terest.
\ Ht Win n Suillil~ll W
the varied and important duties devolved on the
Department; alludes TO the vagueness Of the
act of Congress which created it, and recon-
mends further Legislation to define with pre-
cision its duties and powers, and also 10 remedy
the incongruity in the law in reference to its
designation.
Ii recommends the creation of the office Of
Solicitor of the Department to decide questions
Of law upon appeals; his action to be subject,
however, in all cases, TO the revision Of the
Secretary
A summary of the estimates for each branch
Of the public service within the jurisdiction Of
the Department is given in tabular form, and
compared with the estimate for the present is-
cal year for similar services, by which il APP
pears that the estimate for the next fiscal year
exceeds that for the present SLIPS, go 63.
The causes Of this excess the Secretary fully
explains, examining the estimates item by item
The endeavor has been TO cover the whole
amount Of the probable expenditure for the fs-
cal year, 50 that there may be no necessity in
future for estimating for Deficiencies, unless
upon some unforeseen contingency
A general review is then given Of the opera
tons Of the several bureaus. This portion o
the report consists principally Of statistics which
cannot well be condensed. We select, how
ever, some Of the most important items:
| The whole number Of persons now on thu
pension. rolls Of the United States is 1888
But Of these many are probably dead. Th'
whole number who have drawn pensions dur
ing the first and second quarters Of the cal
+ endar year is 1909. The number Of death
reported within the last year is $40.
The benefciaries under the laws desgne,
to provide for the soldiers Of the Revolution
and their widows are rapidly passing away
But the number Of pensioners under other act
has been considerably augmented in conse
quence Of the war with Mexico. The who'll
+ amount expended for pensions during the pas
year is estimated at 81 100000.
The whole number Of land-warrants issue,