The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-12-03


have been constantly preparation any hostile emer-
gency, they have every where met with the respect
and courtesy, due as well 10 the dignity as to the
peaceful dispositions and just purposes of the ma
ton.
The two brgantmes accepted by the govern
ment from generous citizeR OF New YORK, anu
placed under the command OF an officer OF the navy,
TO proceed 20 the Arctic in quest OF the British
commander, Sir John franklin, and hisco mpanions,
in competence with the act of Congress, approved
in May last, had, when last heard from penetrated
into a high northern latitude; but the success OF
this noble and humane enterprise Is yer uncertain
invite your attention 10 the we " OF our present
naval establishment and resources presented IN the
report of the Secretary OF the Navy, and the sug-
gestions therein made for its Improvement, to-
geiher with the naval policy recommended FOX the
security of our Pacific coast, and the protection
and extension Of Our commerce with tastern ASA.
Our facilities for larger participation "a the Trade
OF the East, by means OF our recent settlements on
the shores of the Pacific, are TOO obvious to be
overlooked or disregarded. Il. f-.
The questions in relation to rank in the army and
navy, and relative rank between officers OF the two
branches OF the service presented TO the executive
by certain solutions OF the House OF Hepresenta
ves al the last session OF Congress, have been cub
mitted 10 board of officers IN each branch OF the
service, and their report may be expected az an
early day.
also earnestly recommend the enactment Of
law authorizing officers of the ARMY and navy to De
Iesired from the service, when incompetent for ITS
vigorous aud active duties, taking care 10 make
suitable provision for those who have faithfully
served their country, and awarding distinctions, by
| retaining ia appropriate commands those VINO nave
| been particularly conspicuous Tor gilianuy an
good conduct. While the obligation Of the couauy
10 MAINTAIN and honor those who, to th5exclusion
Of other pursuits, have devo'ed themselves 10 Its
aIduous service, this obligation should not be per-
mtted 10 interfere with the efficiency OF the service
| itself.
am aratiiied in being able 10 state, that the
Inmates OF expenditure Tor the navy IN the ensuing
year are less, by more than one mion OF dollars,
n
ton which may become necessary tor the construc-
ton Of dock on the coast of The Pacific. PROPOSE
tons for which are now being considered, and on
| which special report may be expected early In
| your present session.
There is an evident business in the suggestion of
the report, that appropriations tor the nava!
service proper should be separated from those for
| fixed and permanent objects, such as building
| docks and navy yards, and the fixtures attached;
and from the extraordinary objects usder The care
of the department. which, however important, are
not essentially naval.
A revision OF the code for the government OF the
navy seems 10 require the immediate consideration
of Congress. System of crimes ami punishmenis
bad undergone no change for halfa century, until
the last session though it's defects have Been often
and ably pointed out, and the abolition OF apartcu-
lar species of corporal punishment, which then took
place. without providing cny substitute, has left
the service in state OF effectiveness, which calls
for prompt correction. therefore recommend that
| the whole subject be revised without delay, aud
| such a system established for the eaforcenent of
disciI line, as shall be at once humans aad eiiec
| tual
| The accompanying report of the Postmaster
General, pre- SCENTS a satisfactory view OF the opera
lions and condition of that department
AT the close Of the ast fiscal year, the length Of
the inland mail routes IN the United states (not
embrs cling the service IN Oregon and Callforaia,)
was one hundred and seyenty-sight thousand six
hundred and seveniy-two miles; the annu a trans-
portation thereon forysix million i've bundled and
loriy-one thoussnd four hundred and tweaty.three
miles: and the annual cost OF sucA transportation
two millions seven hundred and twenty'four thou
sand four hundred and twenty six dolllrs
The Increase Of the annual IransportauGi over
that of the preced ng year was three milliols nine
hun drcd ard ninety. seven thousand three hundred
and ffiy-fosr miles, and the increase in cost was
three hundred and foTty-two thousand four hun
The number Of post Offices in the Uned States,
on the first day Of July last was eighteen thousand
four hundred and seventeen-being an increase OF
sixteen hundred and ssveuty during the preceding
The aroa revenues Of the department Cor the
fiscal year ending June 3o,h, 1910, amounted 90
i've millions i've hundred and hty-iwo thousand
nine hundred and seventy-ons dollars aud forty
eight cents, including the annual appropriation OF
two hundred thousand dollars for the ranked mat
ter OF the departments, and excluding the iorsiga
hostages collected for and payable TO the British
Government.
The expenditures for the same period were five
millions TWO hundred and twelve thousan1 nine
hundred and tfty-three dollars aud furty-three
tur,s Of three huLdred aud forty thousand and
eighteen dollars and tive cents
1 Bm happy 10 lind that the fiscal condition OF the
department. 10 sgch as 10 justify The Postmaster
tneral Ia ecomr-eudinp The r. ductoa of oir In.
LAND ler nos,s % 20 ~ ree cents The sin re leffer
,vhe, - Ia PA sys c.r,s when moi ,-.. "a
uui.I u. laIo, anu III y, ~ - rt ~ "a - -
ne eiso Iecuhniehus tndt 'he pyPeIu id'e shsi DC
Ieduced 10 TWO GEMS whenever INC revenues Oh me
department after the reduction sh.u exceed its ex'
ptpdinres oy more tnAn hve per cent Sf Two oopsc,
cnuse years thas tae postage upon Osnornis sni
other letters sent by our steamers shall be mach
redeced ana mat the Ta,e OF postage on newspapers
pamphsts periodicals. ana othor printed matter shall
De mooinrA ana ssme feduetieh theteon maze
~ cannot De doubted thht tue proposea reauctions
VIII Tor the present drnsh the reyenusS OIL the a..
psrtmsnt IL 10 believed that the dshoency, alter the
surplus eready accumulated shall be exhausted may
De wholly met either bJ aooshing ths exstsg
pIfges OF :. ndrg Tree matter throusa ths 70 aus "
~ paying out OF the Treasury 70 the Post Onlse De-
partmtnf sum equvalens 10 the postage OK when sh
ctpiivtd BY such privileges The last supposed 70
be the preferable mode and VIII, III not entirely, 70
nearly supply that detceucy TO make auy further