The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1852-12-09

1 4
der conditions well adapted to MAINTAIN
the authority of command and the orde
and security of our ships. 1t is believes
that any change which proposes permanent
ly to dispense with this mode OF punish
ment, should be preceded by a system G
enlistment which shall supply the nav
with seamen of the most meritorlous class
whose good department and pride OF char
acter may preclude all occasion for resor
to penalties of harsh or degrading na
ture The safety ola ship and crew is OF
ten de pendant upon immediate obedience
to com mand, and the authority to enforce
it must be equally ready. The arrest OF {
refractory seaman, in such moments, no
only deprives the ship of indispensable aid
but imposes a necessity for double service
on others whose fidelity to their duties may
be relied upon in such cases of emergency
The exposure to this increased and ardu
Gus labor, since the passage of the act o
1850, has already had, TO most observa'
bic and injurious extent, he effect of pro-
venting the enlistment Of the best seamen
in the navy The plan now suggested Is
designed to promote condition of service
in which this objection will no longer ex-
ist. The details of this plan may be cs-
tablished in great part, if not altogether,
by the Executive, under the authority of
existing laws but | have thought it pro-
per, in accordance with the suggestion of
the Secretary of the Navy, to submit it to
your approval
The establishment Of corps of appren-
tees for the navy, or boys to be enlisted
until they become of age, and to be en-
ployed under such regulations as the Navy
Department may devise, as proposed in the
report, cordially approve and commend to
your consideration; and also concur iu
the suggestion that this system for the ear
ly training of seamen may be most usefully
engrafted upon the service of our merchant
marine.
The other proposition of the report to
which | have referred-the reorganization
of the Naval Academy-I recommend to
your attention as project worthy Of your
encouragement and support. The valua-
bic services already rendered by this insti
tuition entitle it TO the continuance of your
fostering care.
Your attention Is respectfully called to
the report OF the Postmaster General for
the detailed operation of his Department.
during the last fiscal year, from which il.
will be seen that the receipts from posta>
ges for that time were less by 81, ,43l ,696
than for the preceding fiscal year, being a
decrease of about % per cent.
This dminution is attributable to t1e
reduction in the rates Of postage made by
the act of March 2, 1851, which reduction
took effect at the commencement of the last
fiscal year.
Although in its operation during the last
year the act referred to has not fulfilled the
predictions of its friends by increasing the
correspondence of the country N proportion
to the reduction of postage, should never
thcless question the policy of returning to
higher rates. Experience warrants the eX-
pectation that as the community becomes
accustomed to cheap postage, correspond
ence will increase. 1t is believed that from
this cause, and from the rapid growth Of
the country in population and business, the
receipts of the Department must ultimate>
ly exceed its expenses, and that the coun-
try may safely rely upon the continuance
of tie present cheap rate Of postage.
In former messages | have, among other
things, respectfully recommended to the
consideration of Congress the propriety
and necessity of further legislation for the
protection and punishment of foreign con-
suls residing in the United States to re-
viye with certain notifications the act of
10th March, 1883, to restrain unlawful
military expeditions against the inhabitants
of conJerminous States or territories; for
the preservation and protection from mu-
tilation or theft Of the papers, records, and
archives Of the nation for authorizing the
surplus revenue to be applied to the pay
ment of the public debt III advance of the
time when it will become due; for the es-
tablshment of land Offices for the sale of
the public lands in California and the Ter.
ritory of Oregon; for the construction of q
road from the Mississippi valley to the Pa
cifc ocean for the establishment of bu
reau of agriculture for the promotion o.
that interest, perhaps the most importan
in the country; for the prevention of frauds
upon the Government In applications fol
pensions and bounty lands; for the estab
| lishment of uniform fee bill, prescribin,
specific compensation for every service
required of clerks, district attorneys, ant
marshals; for authorizing an additional re
giment of mounted men, for the defenc
of our frontiers against the Indians, ant
for fulfilling our treaty stipulations wit
Mexico to defend her citizens against tn
Indians {" with equal diligence and energ