Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-12-12
The Reports.

W. of the Interior and of the Postmaster General
are made to the President and accompany his Mes
sage The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
is made to Congress. 1t has not yet been sent in.
THE NAvY.-The Secretary reports that the form
or organization of the vessels employed in active
vice ON the ocean into six separate squadrons has
been continued The Home, the Mediterranean. the
African the Brazilian, the Pacific and the East In
dia squadrons. The vessels comprising them are re-
ported to have been in good order and to have done
efficient service. The steam-frgate Mississippi,
WHICH received Kossuth and brought over his COM
ranions, during her long cruise of near two years
and a half in the Mediterranean underwent no re-
pairs except such effected on board, but yet
retained her entire efficiency man-of-war.
The slave trade on the coast of Africa has, in
great measure been suppressed, and since its inhi
btion by Brazil among her subjects it is doubtful
whether it is necessary keep up the African Squad
ron as permanent force. II is therefore proposed
that notice be given to the British government of
the termination. on part, of the 9Th Article of
the Treaty of 1872 by which we stipulate for the
maintenance Of such force. s-e
In order to keep pace with the improvements
which constantly being made in the building
armament and equipment of vessels of war; it is re-
commended that authority be given to build every
year two vessels: sail and the other steam
upon such models as shall be approved and as old
vessels may become unserviceable from fault of mo-
del or other cause, they may be sold or broken up
Also the erection of machinery at one or more of
the Navy Yards, for the construction of Engines for
steam vessels of the Navy .4
An increase is recommended in the number of of
GERS of the grade of Masters and also the establish
ment of that of second IIeutenants. 1t is also re-
commended that the ranks in the service be elevated
by legalizing that of Commodore, and establishing
two offices of Rear Admiral, one Rear Admiral to be
stationed near the Head of the Department, at
Washington the other at San Francisco.
The abolition of corporal chastsement without
the provision of efficient substitute, has not
worked WE'LL The attention of Congress is called to
the subject also to the formation OF retired list
for officers incapactated for active service.
The expenses of the department: as also the esti-
mates fer the next fiscal year, presented in the
Presidents message, and need not be repeated The
establishment of Navy Yard at San Francisco is
recommended, and several purely professional i'm
provements suggested. which would be unintellgble
to the reader as they are to u.s.
THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
From the report of the Postmaster General, it APP
pears that the gross receipts of the Department, for
the year ending June Both, 1851, were s6,786, 493
% of which SIS 1863 242 76 were derived from let
ters and 81 O35 100 80 from postage newspapers,
pamphlets etc. The aggregate length of mail routes
in operation was 1876 900 miles, and the annual cost
for transportion IS, 42l,754 The entire number
of post Offices in operation is 49, 1916; the Postmaster
General believes that the allowance of commissions
ordn made on n
October, will be found incommensurate with the in
crease of labor required under the new law. From
a table showing the number of post offices in eacf
State, with the compensation to postmasters we fn(
that there are in North Carolina 1856 Offices, will
compensations as follows: $4,000 and upwards, none
$1,000 to 1000, 3; $500 to 900, 5; $500 to 500
7; $500 to 400 6; 5000 to 800, IS; sos to 200
%; $50 to 1O0 65 S25 to so, o. under S25, 56C
thus showing that more than twothirds of the pos
Offices in this State are worth less than $25.
The total estimated expenditures for the curren
year amount to S7.123, 44S 60, which are to be ME
by the balances standing to the credit of tn
Department. the receipts from hostages, and the az
preparations made by the acts of March, 1917, an
March, 1851. The succeeding year will necessta
further aid from the Treasury. At present no r.
liable estimate of the of the current yes
can be made in consequence of the non-settlemel
ofthe postmasters accounts for the first two quarter
The Postmaster General disapproves of the disp
sition manifested in some quarters to urge furth
reduction in our inland rates of letter postage, b
fore the results of the last reduction properly
certained. He points out the dissimilarity in Il
circumstances of this country and Great Britain al
maintains that the results of the system now in op
ration in Britain admonish not to attempt fu
ther reduction until justified by revenues. Loo
ing at our entire circumstances the sparse pOpul
ton of immense sections, and the extent and expen
of the areatraversed by our mail routes, he conclud
that we have, beyond all question: The cheapest pos
age in the world.
An increase of the contract with Collins line
steamers is recommended. in order to enable them
keep up their trips in competition with the incre'
ed British contract with the Cunard line. Oft
have been made to contract for mail service to diff
ent foreign points, among which the Post Mast
General lays particular stress upon the propositi
for line between New York and Galway, and
tween New York and Antwerp or Philadelphia q
Antwerp. -l lssl--LE.stst.
Recommendations made for the reform of abu'
of the franking privilege, etc.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT
The report of Secretary Conrad details the mo'
ments Of the military force of the United States,
ring the past year, and makes some suggestions
increasing its future efficiency. The entire number
men borne on The rolls of the army, amounts to 81
which, according TO the usual estimate, will furnish