The Evansville daily journal., 1854-12-07


measures of reform, as the complement of
a system, which would produce the happi.
ess results from given expenditure, and
which hope may attract the early atten-
ton, and be deemed worthy of the approx
al, of Congress.
The recommendation of the Secretary Of
the Navy, having reference to more am
pie provisions for the discipline and gen.
eral improvement in the character of sea;
men, and for the reorganization and grad
ual increase of the navy, deem eminently
worthy of your favorable consideration
The principles, which have continued our
policy in relation to the permanent militia
ry force, by sea and land, are sound, con-
sistent with the theory of our system, and
should by no means be disregarded. But;
limiting the force to the objects particular
ly set forth in the preceding part of this
message. we should not overlook the pres
ent magnitude and prospective extension
of our commercial marine, nor fail to give
due weight to the fact that, besides the
two thousand miles Of Atlantic sea- board,
we have Pacific coast, stretching from
Mexico to the British possessions in the
north, teeming with wealth and enterprise,
and demanding the constant presence Of
ships of-war.
The augmentation OF the navy has not
kept pace with the duties properly and profit
ably assigned to il in time Of peace, and it 10
inadequate for the large field Of its opera
tions, not merely in the present, but still
more in the progressively increasing exigen.
cies Of the wealth and commerce Of the
United States. I cordially approve Of the
proposed apprentice system for our national
vessels, recommends by the Secretary oi the
Navy.
The occurrence during the last few
months, OF marine disasters Of the most trag.
ic nature, involving great loss Of human life,
has produced intense emotions Of sympathy
and sorrow throughout the country. Ii may
we'll be doubted whether oil these cslamit.
Gus events are wholly attributable to the ne.
cessary and inevitable dangers Of the sea.
The merchants, mariners, and ship.Luil.
ders of the United States, are, il 10 true.
unsurpassed in farreaching enterprise, skill,
Intelligence and courage, by any others in
the world. But with the increasing amount
o! our commercial tonnage in the aggre-
gate, and the larger size and improved
equipment Of the ships now constructed, q
deficiency in the supply Of reliable seaman
begins to be very seriously felt. The in
convenience may, perhaps. be met, in part,
| by due regulation for the introduction, into
our merchant ships, Of intended apprentices;
which, while j, would afford useful and ELI.
gible occupation To numerous young men,
" ould have a tendency to raise the charac-
ter Of seamen as a class. And il is deser-
wing Of serious reflection, whether it may
not be desirable to revise the existing laws
for the maintenance Of discipline at sea.
upon which the security Of lite and property
on the ocean must To SO great an extent
dcI end.
Although much attention has already
been given by Congress to the proper con-
struction and arrangement of steam vessels
and all passenger ships, still it is believed
that the achievements Of science and me-
chanical skill in this direction have not
been exhausted. No good reason exists
for the marked distinction, which appears
upon our statutes between the laws for
protecting life and property at sea and
those for protecting them on land. In
most of the States severe penalties are
provided to punish conductors of trains.
engineers, and others employed in the
transportation of persons by railway, or
by steamboats, on rivers. Why should
not the same principle be applied to acts Of
insubordination, cowardice, or other mis-
conduct on the part of masters and mari
ners, producing injury or death to passen-
gers on the high seas, beyond the jurisdic-
ton of any of the States. and where such
delinquencies can be reached only by the
power of Congress The whole subject
is earnestly commended to your consider
alton.
The report of the Postmaster General, to
which you are referred for many interesting
details in relation to this important and rop.
idly extending branch Of the public service,
shows that the expenditure OF the year. end.
ing June 80, 1854, including Sl33.4S3 of bal
ance due to foreign Offices. amounted to So.
l7lO,907. The gross receipts during the
same period amounted to Sc 955 $50, exhib-
iting an expenditure over income Of Sl,755,-
32l, and diminution Of deficiency, as com.
pared with last year, Of S3Sl.756.
The increase of revenue of the depart
ment, for the year ending June 80, 1854,
over the preceding year. was S973.299.-
No proportional increase, however, can be
anticipated for the current year, in cOuse.
qucnce of the act OF Congress Of June %,
1854. providing for increased compensation
to all postmasters. F;om these statements
it is apparent that the Post Office Depart
ment, instead OF defraying its expenses, ac.
cording to the design at the time of its crsa-
tion, is now, and under existing laws must
continue to be, to no small extent, a charge
upon the general treasury. The cost Of
mail transportations during the year ending
} June 80, 1854, exceeds the cost OF the pre-
ceGing year by Si95,074. Iagain call your
attention to the subject Of mail transporia-
ton by ocean steamers. and commend the