Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-12-14

The recommendation Of the Secretary OF
the Navy, having reference TO more ample
provisions for the discipline and general i'm
provement in the character of seamen, and
Tor the reorganization and gradual increase
of the navy, deem eminently worthy your
favorable consideration. The principles
which have controlled our policy in relation
10 the permanent military force. by sea and
land, are sound, consistent with the theory
Of our system, and should by no means be
disregarded.
But, limiting the force to the objects par
iicuarly set forth in the preceding part Of
his message, we should not overlook the
present magnitude and prospective exten-
sion Of our commercial marine, nor fail 10
give due weight to the fact that, besides the
two thousand miles of Atlantic seaboard, we
have now Pacific coast, stretching from
Mexico to the British possessions in the
North, teeming with wealth and enterprise,
and demanding the constant presence Of
ships-ofwar. The augmentation OF the ma
~ has not kept pace with the duties prop
erly and profitaby assigned 10 it in time Of
peace, and it is inadequate for the large field
OF IFS operations, hot merely in the present
but still more in the progressively increasing
exigencies of the wealth and commerce of
the United States. cordially approve of
the proposed apprentice system for our ma
tional vessels, recommended by the Secreta-
ry of the Navy.
The occurrence, during the last few
months, Of marine disasters of the most ira
eic nature, involving great loss of human
life, has produced intense emotion and sor-
row throughout the country. 1t may well
be doubted whether all these calatnitous
events are wholly attributable to the neces-
sary and inevitable dangers Of the sea. The
merchants, mariners, and ship-builders Of
the United States are, it is true, unsurpass-
ed in iar-reaching enterprise, skill, intelli
grnce and courage, by any others in the
world. But with the increasing amount Of
our commercial tonnage in the aggregate and
the larger size aid improved equipment of
the ships now constructed, a deficiency in
the supply Of reliable seamen begins TO be
very serously felt.
The inconvenience may, perhaps, be met,
in part, by due regulation for the introd:c-
tim, into our merchant ships, of indented
apprentices; which, while it would afford
useseiul and eligible occupation to numer-
Gus young men, would have tendency 10
raise the character Of seamen as Glass;
And it is deserving of serious reflection.
whether it may not be desirable to revise the
existing laws Tor the maintenance of disci-
pline at sea, upon which the security Of life
and property on the ocean must 10 so great
nm extent depend Although much atten-
ton has given been by Congress TO the
proper construction and arrangement Of
steam vessels aud all passenger ships, still
it is believed that the achievements OF sell
ence and mechanical skill in this direction
have not been exhausted.
No good reason exists for the marked dis
Junction. which appears upon our statutes
between laws for protecting life and property
at sta, and those Tor protecting them on land.
In most OF States severe penalties are pro-
vided TO punish conductors Of trains, engi-
neers, and others employed in the Transport
tation OF persons by railway, or by steam
boats on rivers. Why should not the same
principle be applied 10 acts of in>ubordlna-
ton, cowardice, or other misconduct on the
part Of masters or mariners, producing iniu-
ny or death 10 passengers on the high seas,
beyond the jurisdiction of any Of the States
and where such delinquencies can be reach
ed only by the power of Congress? The
whole subject is earnestly commended to
your consideration.
The report of the Postmaster General, &c
which you are referred for many interesting
details in relation to this important and rap
idly extending branch OF the public SER
vice shows that the expenditure Of the
year ending June Goth, 1854, including ono
hundred and thirty three thousand four hun.
dred and eighty-tlree dollars Of balance due
TO foreign offices, amounted 10 $S,7l0,907
The gross receipts during tho same period
amou united to $685. $50; exhibiting an ex-
penditure over income OF $l,755,32 and q
dlmlnution OF deficiency, as compared with
the last year, Of 1851 ,756. The increase
of revenue Of the department, for the yea,
ending June Both, 1854, over the proceed.
ing year, was $97O,399.
No proportionate increase, how ever, car
be anticipated Tor the current year, in con.
sequence of the act OF Congress of June
~, 1854, providing for increased compen.
sation 10 al posmasters. From these slate.
ments 1t is apparent that the Post Office
Department, instead OF defraying lis ex.
penses, according 10 the design at the time
OF lis creation, is now, and under existing
laws must continue to be, to no small extent
a charge upon the general treasury. The
cost Of mail transpo.iatlNns during The yeal
ending June 80, 1854, exceeds the cost o.
the preceding year by $495,O74. l AGAR
call your attention TO the subject of mai
transportation by ocean steamers, and com.
mend the suggestions of the Postmaster
General TO your early attention.
During the last fiscal year 1910, 1885,
acres of the public lands have been sur.
veyed, and S,l90nl7 acres brought into
market. The number of acres sold is I,
O35, 735, and the amount received therefor
$9.2S5,533. The aggregate amount o
lands sold, located under military scrip ant
land warrants, selected as swamp lands by
States, and by locating under grants fol-
roads, is upwards OF 100000 of acres
The increase of lands sold over the previ