Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-12-18

Of our commercial marine, nor fail to give
lue weight to the fact, that, besides thu
tive thousand miles Of Atlantic seaboard
we have now Pacific coast stretching
from Mexico to the British possessions in
the north, teeming with wealth and enter
prise, and demanding the const mt presence
iof ships-of-war. The augmentation Of the
navy has not kept pace with the duties
properly and proftably assigned to it II
the time of peace, and it is inadequate for
the large field of its operations, not merely
| in the present but still more in the prog
ressively increasing exigencies of the
wealth and commerce of the United
States. cordially approve of the pro-
posed apprentice system Of our national
vessels, recommended by the Secretary of
the Navy.
The occurrences during the last few
months of marine disasters Of the most
tragic nature, involving great loss Of hui
man life, has produced intense emotions
of sympathy and sorrow through
out the country. 1t may we'll be doubted
whether all these calamitous events are
wholly attributable to the necessary and
inevitable dangers of the sea. The mer-
chants mariners, and ship-builders of the
United States are, it is true, unsurpassed
in far-reaching enterprise, skill, intelligence
and courage, by any other in the world
But with the increasing amount of our
commercial tonnage in the aggregate, and
the larger size and improved equipment of
the ships now constructed, a deficiency
in the supply of reliable seamen begins to
be very seriously felt. The inconveni-
ence may, perhaps, be met, in part, by
due regulation for the introduction, into
our merchant ships of indented apprehen-
tees; which, while it would afford useful
and eligible occupation to numerous young
men, would have a tendency to raise the
character of seamen as class. And it is
deserving 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 life and
property on the ocean must to so great
an extent depend.
Although much attention has already
been given by Congress to the proper con-
struction and arrangement of steam yes
sells and all passenger ships, still it is be-
lieved that the achievements of science and
mechanical skill in this direction have not
been exhausted. No good reason exis is for
the marked distinction, which appears upon
our statutes between the laws for protect
ing property at sea, and those for protec-
ting 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 ap-
piled to acts of characterization, cowardice
or other misconduct on the part of masters
and mariners, producing injury or death to
passengers on the high seas, beyond the
jurisdiction of any of the States, and where
such delinquencies can be reached only By
the power of Congress? The whole sub
jet is earnestly commended to your consid-
Grafton.
The report of the Post Master General,
tn ,.Lna rs, SO refarr5tl cco rns 1rrpor-
tant and rapidly extending branch of the
public service, shows that the expenditure
of the year ending June 80, 1854, inclu-
ding one hundred and thirty three thou
sand four hundred and cighty-three dollars
of balance due to foreign offices, amounted
to eight million seven hundred and ten
thousand nine hundred and seven dollars.
The gross receipts during the same period
amounted to six million nine hundred and
tifty-five thousand five hundred and eighty
six dollars; exhibiting an expenditure over
income of one million seven hundred and
tifty-tive thousand five hundred and TWEEN
tyone dollars, and diminution of deficien-
cy, as compared with last year of three
hundred and sixty-one thousand seven hun
dred and fifty-six dollars.
The increase of the revenue of the de-
partnlent, for the year was nine hundred
and seventy thousand three hundred and
nlnety-nine dollars. No proportionate in
crease. however, can be anticipated for the
current year, IN consequences of the act of
Congress of June 23d, 1854, providing for
increased compensation to all postmasters
From these statements it is apparent that
the Post Office Department, instead of de-
fraying its expenses, according to the de-
sign at the time of its creation, is now, and
under existing laws must continue to be.
to no small extent, charge upon the gen
eral treasury. The cost CT mail transpor-
tatlons during the year ending June 80,
1854, exceeds the cost of the preceding
year by four hundred and ninety five thou
sahd and seventy-four dollars. / again,
call your attention to the subject of ocean
steamers, and commend the suggestions Of
the Postmaster General to your early atten-
ton.
During the fiscal year eleven million
seventy thousand nine hundred and thirty
i've acres of public lands have been survey
ed, and eight million one hundred and
ninety thousand and seventeen acres bro'l
into market. The number of acres sold is
seven million thirty-fve thousand seven
hundred and thirty five, and the amour,
received there for nine million two hun
bred and thirty-three dollars. The agpre.
gate amount of lands sold, located unde,
military scrip and land warrants, selected
or swamp lands by States; land by locating
under grants for roads. is upwards of TWEEN
/ tv three millions of acras Tho ;,oroo.o :.