Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1868-12-16

actua, cruising force thirty.fve vessels, car
rying three hundred and ffty.six guns. The
total number Of vessels in tho navy is two
hundred and six, mounting seventeen hun
drcd and forty three guns. HEghty.one vcs-
sells Of every description arc in use, armed
with six hundred and ninc'y-six guns. The
number Of enlisted men in Tho service, in
cluding apprentices, has been reduced to
eight thousand five hundred. An increase
Of navy yard facilities is recommended us
measure which will, in the event OF war, be
productive Of economy and security. a
more thorough and systematic survey Of the
North Pacific Ocean is advised in view OF
recent acquisitions, of our expanding CON-
mercc, and the increasing intercourse be-
tween tho Pacific states and Asia. The
naval pension fund, which consists of mole
ty of avails of prizes captured during tho
war, amounts to sl4,000,000. Exception is
taken to the act of 23d July last, which re-
duces the interest on the fund loaned TO the
Government by the Secretary, as trustee, to
three per cent. instead Of six per cent,
which was originally stipulated when the in
vcstment was made. An amendment ofthc
pension laws is suggested to remedy onis-
sions and defects in existing cnactments. -.
The expenditures Of the Department dur
ing the last fiscal year were $50, l2o,39i,
and the estimates for the coming year a
mount to 500, 3,4l4. .e... ...s
The Postmaster Generals report furnish
es full and clear exhibit Of the operations
and condition of the postal service. The
ordinary postal revenue for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1868, was SIG, ,292, 800, and
tho total expenditures, embracing all the
service for which special appropriations
have been made by Congress, amounted to
$22, ,73O, $50; showing an excess of cxpen-
ditures Of Sc, ,437,9 Dejucting from the
expenditures the sum Of $l,S96, j25, the
amount of appropriations, for ocean steam
ship and other special service, the excess of
expenditures was ST, 5,54l ,4G6. BY using the
unexpcnded balance in the Treasury of $3,
100000, the actual sum for which special
appropriation is required to meet the def
cheney is $74I ,4G6. The causes which pro-
duced this large excess Of expenditure over
revenues were the restoration of service in
the late insurgcnt States, and the putting in
operation of new service established by acts
of Congress, which amounted within the
last two years and half to about As, 700
miles-equal to more than onc-third of the
whole amount of the service at the close of
the war. New postal conventions with
Great Britain, North Germany, Belgium,
the Netherlands, Switzerland and Italy, re.
spectively, have been carried into effect.-
Under their provisions important improve
ments have resulted in reduced rates of in
tcrnational postage, and enlarged mail ia.
cilities with European countries. The cost
of the United States trans. Atlantic ocean
mail service since January !, 1868, has been
largely lessened under the operation Of
these new conventions, reduction Of over
one-half having been effected under the
now arrangements for ocean mail steamship
service, which went into effect on that date.
The attention of Congress is invited to the
practical suggestions and recommendations
made in bis report by the Postmaster Gen
cral. .r..
The President reviews the foreign affairs
Of the nation, which are shown to be in Il
satisfactory condition. But slight mention
is made of the Alabama claims and Of the
negotiations pending in England@vith re-
gard to the rights Of naturalizcd citizens
The present condition Of these questions
they being the subject of pending consider
alton between our Minister and the British
authorities, furnishes good reason for this
seeming omission. The Pre- ilcnt conclude:
his message as follows:
| renew the recommendation contained ir
my communication to Congress dated the
18th July last copy Of which accompan
les this messago-that the judgment Of tho
people should be taken on the .propriety o
so amending the Federal Constitution tha
it shall provide
LIST. For an election Of President ont
Vice President by direct vote of the pco
pie, instead of through the agency Of elcc
tors, and making them ineligible for rc-elcc
tion to second term.
ID. For distinct designation Of .h
person who shall discharge the duties o
President, in the event of a vacancy in tha
Office by the death. resignation, or remove
al of both the President aud Vice Prcsi
dent.
Sd. For the election of Senators Of thu
United States directly by the people of tn
several States, instead Of by the Legisla
lures and.
4th. For the limitation to period o.
years Of the terms of Federal judges.
Profoundly impressed with the proprieiy
of making these important notifications il
the Constitution, respectfully submit then
for the carly and mature consideration o
Congress. We should as far as possible re
move all pretext for violations Of the organ
ic law, by romedying such imperfcctions a
time and experience may develop, ever re
membering that Tho Constitution which