The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1854-12-14


objects particularly set forth in the preceding part OF
this message, we should not overlook the present
magnitude and pruspectiye extension Of our CONNER
ral marine nor fail to give due weight 70 tne ac'
that besides the two thousand miles OF Atentc sea-
board, we have now Pacific coast stretching from
Mexico to the British possessions in the north teen-
ing with wealth and enterprise, and demanding Inc
constant presence Of ships OF war. The augmen@'
ton of the navy has not kept pace with the duties prop
erly and profitaby assgnedt it in time peace and
Il adeaae for the large field Of its operations, not
merely in the present but still more in the progress
iyely increasing exigcnees Of the wealth and COM
merce Of the United States. l cordially approve oil
the proposed apprentice system for our national yes
sells, recommended by the Secretary OF the Navy,
The occurrence, during the last lew
months OF marine disasters OF the most
tragic nature, involving great loss OF llie'
has produced Intense emotions Of sympa-
thy and sorrow throughout the country
1t may we'll be doubted whether all these
calamitouS events are wholly attributable
10 the necessary and inevitable dangers
of the sea. The merchants, mariners,
and shipbuders of the United States are
it is true, unsurpassed in far-reaching
enterprise, skill intelligence and courage
by any others in the world.
Bnt, with the increasing amount Of our
commercial tonnage in the aggregate
and the larger size and improved equip
ment OF the ships now constructed, de-
iciency in the supply of reliable seamen
begins to be seriously felt. The incon.
venience may, perhaps, be met in part
by due regulation for The introduction in
10 our merchant ships, Of indented ap'
prentices; which, while it would afford
useful and eligible occupation to numer'
Gus young men, would have a tendency
to raise the character Of seamen as 9
class. And it is deserving OF serious re-
Election, whether it may not be desiraLl-
to revise The existing laws for the main
tainance of discipline at sea, upon which
the security OF life and property on the
ocean must 10 so great an extent depend
Although much attention has already beer
given by Congress to the proper construc
lion and arrangement Of steam vessels
and all passenger ships, still it is belieV
ed that the achievements of science anC
mechanical skill in this dire ction have
not been exhausted. No good reason
exits for the marked distinction which ap
pears upon our statutes between the laws
for protecting life and property at sea and
those protecting them on land. In most
OF the States severe penalties are provi
ded 10 punish conductors of trains, engl'
neers, and others employed in the trans.
portation of persons by railway, or by
steamboats, on rivers. Why should not
the sa me principle be applied TO acts oI
insubordinalion, cowardice, or other mis-
conduct on the partof masters and mar
iners. producing injury or death to pas.
sengers on the high seas. beyond the ju
rlsdiclion of any OF the States, and where
such delinqunces can be reached only
by the power of Congressl The whole
subject is earnestly commended 10 youl
consideration.
; The report Of the Postmaster Genera
TO which you are referred for many in
= tGresting details in relation to this impor
tant and rapidly extending branch Of the
public service, shows that the expendi-
ture Of the year ending June 30, 1854
= including $l33 AIS Of balance due to Tor
eign Offices, amounted 10 SO, 8,7l0,907, the
gross receipts during the same period a.
mounted to Sc 955 SIC; exhibiting an ex.
pendlure over income of $L755, ,32l, a
diminuIon Of deficiency, as compared with
the last year, OF $36l,756. The increase
Of revenue Of the department, for the
year ending June 80 1854, over the pre-.
ceding year. was 1910 399. No proper.
tionate increase can be anticipated for
the current year, in consequence OF the
act of Congress OF June %. 1854, proV.
ding for increased compensation TO all
PoslmaSters. From these statements it
is apparen! that the Post Office Depart
ment, instead Of defiaying its expenses
according TO the design at the time of its
creation, is now, and under existing laws
must continue to be, TO no small extent, o
charge upon the general treasury. The
cost OF mail tranSpOrtstions during the
year ending June 80. 1854, exceeds the
cost Of the proceeding year by $495,O74
| again call your attention to the subject
oi mail transportation by ocean steamers
and commend the suggestions of the
Postmaster General to your early atten.
ton.
During the last fiscal year, l,070,935
acres Of the public lands have been sur
veyed, and s,l9O,O17 acres brought into
market. The number of acres sold j.
seven million thirty five thousand seven
hundred and thirty five. and the amount
received therefor, nine million two hun.
dred and eighty.fve thousand five hun.
dred and thirty.three dollars. The az.
gregate amount of lands sold, located
under military script and land warrants,
selected as swamp lands by states, and
by locating under grants for roads, is up.
wards Of 23000,O00 Of acres. The in
crease Of lands sold, over tho previous
year, is about 900 900 of acres; and
The sales during the first two quarters oI
the current year, present the extraordin.
ary result oi five and ahalf millions sold,
exceeding by nearly four millions of a.
cres the sales Of the corresponding Quar-.
ters Of the last year, thus increasing to an
extent unparalleled during any like pc.
Rod in our past history, the amount OF
revenue provided from this source for the
Federal Treasury.
The commendable policy Of the gov.
ernment, in relation to setting apart pub
lic domain for those who have served