The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1858-12-17

deficiency will exist in either within the pres
ent or the next fiscal year. The Post Office
Department Is placed in peculiar position,
different from the other departments, and to this
l shall hereafter refer.
invite Congress 10 institute rigid scrutiny
to ascertain whether the expenses IN all the de-
part ments cannot be still further reduced: and
pro mise them all the aid in my power in pursu-
ing the investigation.
Transmit herewith the reports lmade TO me
by the Secretaries oil War, OF the Navy, of The
Interior, and of the Postmaster General. They
each contain valuable information and impor-
tant recommendations, to which l invite the at
tention OF Congress.
In my last annual message, | took occasion
10 recommend the immediate construction OF
ten small steamers, of light draught, for the pur-
pose Of increasing the efficiency in the Navy.
Congress responded to the recommendation, by
authorizing the construction OF eight of them.
The progress which has been made in executing
this authority, is stated in the report ofthe Sec
retarY of the Navy ] concur with him in the
opinion, that greater number OF this class OF
vessels is necessary, tor the purpose of protect
ing in more efficient manner the persons and
property of American citizens on the high seas,
and in foreign couutries,Ca well as in guarding
+
! recommend the passage OF an act ior this Pnr-
pose.
The suggestions contained N the report OF the
Secretary of the Interior, especially those N
regard to the disposition of the public domain,
the pension and bounty land system, the policy
towards the Indians and the amendment Of or
patent laws, are worthy ofthe serious considera-
ton of Congress.
n I rtrs ant
ton very different from that Of the other DE-
partments. For many years il was the policy
of The government to render this sell-sustaln-
ing department; and il this cannot now be ac-
compshed, in the present condition Of the
country, We oughtto make as near an approach
to it as may be practicable.
The Postmaster General is placed IN a most
EMBARRASSING position by the existing laws. He
is obliged to carry these into effect. He has no
other alternative. He finds however, that This
cannot be done without heavy demands upon
the treasury over aud above what is received
for postage; and these have been progressively
increasing from year to year until they amoun-
led for the fiscal year ending on the 30th June,
1898, 10 tuore than four millions and hall OF
dollars; whilst it is estimated that for the pres
ent fiscal year they will amount to S5,290,000
These sums are exclusive Of the annual appro-
Friation Of 100000 for compensation for the
mail service performed for the two HOUSES OF
Congress and the other departments and officers
Of the government in the transportation OF free
matter"
The cause Of these large deficits is mainly at
tr5utablr to the increased expense OF transPor-
ting the mails. In 1882 the sum paid for this
service was but fraction above four millions
and a quarter. Since that year it has annually
increased until in 1888 1t has reached more
than eight millions and quarter; and for the
service OF 1889, it is estimated that 1t will "a
mount to more than ten millions OF dollars.
The receipts of the Post Office Department
can be made to approach or 10 equal its eXPen-
diture, only by means Of the legislation ot Con-
gress. In applying any remedy, care should
be taken that the people should nGt be deprived
OF the advantages, which they are hfairly enti-
tied to enjoy from the Post Office Department.
The principal remedies recommended to the
consideration of Congress by the Postmaster
General, are TO restore the former rate OF pos
tage upon single letters to five cents; to subsii-
tute for the ranking privilege the delivery to
those now entitled 10 ENJOY 1t, OF post office
stamps for their correspondence, and TO direct
the department in making contracts tor the
transportation Of the mail, 10 Lcondne itself to
the payment of the sum Dfcessary for thus SIN
gle purpose, without requiring it to be trans
ported in post coaches or carriages Of any par
ticular description. Under the present sys-
tenn, the expense TO the government Is greatly
increased, by requiring that the mail shall be
carried in such vehicles Jas will accommodate
passengers. This will be done without pay
| from the department, over all roads where the
! travel will remunerate the contractors.
These recommendations deserve the grave
consideration of Congress.
/ would again call your attention 10 the con-
struction of Pacific Railroad. Time and re-
Election hrve bat served TO confirm me n the
truth and Justice of the observations which |
made, on this subject, in my last annual message,
TO which beg leave respectfully TO refer.
Ii is freely admitted that it would be in
exprdient for this Government 10 exercise the
power OF constructing the Pacific Railroad by
It's own immediate agents. Such a policy
would increase the patronage Of the Executive
to a dangerous extent, and introduce a system
of jobblng and corruption, which no! vigilance
on the part of The federal officials, could either
prevent or detect. This can ONLY be done by
the keen eye, and active and careful supervision,
Of Individual and private interest. The con-
struction of This road ought, therefore, to b.
committed TO companies incorporated by the
States. or other agencies whose pecunary inter-
ests would be directly Involved. Congress
might then assist them in the work by grants
Of land or of money, or both, under such condi-
tions and restrictions as would procure the
transportation of troops and munitions of war
free from charge, and that Of the United States
mail at fair and reasonable rate.
The progress OF events since THE commence
ment Of your last session hass shown how soon