The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1871-12-08

proper sum. It has always seemed to |
me that this system must at times work |
1t holds out an induce |
ment to dishonest men, should such get |
possession of those Offices, to be lax in |
their scrutiny of goods entered, SO as |
to enable them finally to make large
seizures. Your attention is respectful |
~ invited to this subject.
GOLD FLUCTUATIONS.
The continued fluctuations in the val |
ne of gold, as compared with the ma
tional currency, has most damaging
effect upon the increase and develop
ment of the country, in keeping up the
prices of all articles necessary in every
Gay life. It fosters spirit of grumb-
ling at the national finances. If the
question can be met so as to get fixed
value to our currency, that value con-
stantly and uniformly approaching
par with specie, very desirable object
will be gained.
THE ARMY.
For the operations of the army in the
past year, the expense of maintaining
it, the estimates for the ensuing year
and for continuing sea coasts and other
improvements, conducted under the SUI
perVision of the war department, re-
=
the secretary of war. l call your at
tention to the provisions of the act of
congress, approved March 8, 1860,
which discontinues promotions in the
staff corps of the army, until provided
for by law. i recommend that the
number of officers in each grade of the
staff corps be fixed, and that whenever
the number in any one grade falls be-
low the number SO fixed, that the va
cancy may be filled by promoting from
the grade below. 1 also rec ommend
that when the Office of chief of corps
becomes vacant, the place may be filled
by selection from the corps in which
the vacancy exists.
THE NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the
navy shows an improvement in the
number and efficiency of the naval
force, without material increase in the
expense of supporting it. This is due
to the policy, which has been adopted
and is being extended as fast as our
material will admit, of using smaller
vessels as cruisers on the several sta
tions. By these means, we have been
enabled to occupy at once q larger ex-
tent of cruising ground and to visit
more frequently the ports where the
presence of our flag is desirable, and
generally to discharge officially the ap-
propriate duties of the navy in time of
peace, without exceeding the number
of men or the expenditures authorized
by the law. During the past year, the
navy has. in addition to its regular SER
vice, supplied the men and officers for
the vessels of the coast survey, and has
completed the survey, as authorized by
congress, of the lsthmus of Darien and
"a nj Xr
has sent an expedition, completely fur
nished and equipped TO explore the I'M
known ocean of the north. The sug-
gestion of the report as to the necessity
for increasing and improving the ma
terial of the navy, and the plan recon-
mended for reducing the personale of
the service to peace standard by the
gradual abolition of certain grades of
| officers, the reduction of others and the
employment of some in the service of
| the commercial marine, are well con-
sidered and deserve the thoughtful at
tention of congress. also recommend
that all promotions in the navy above
captain, be by selection, instead of by
seniority. This course will secure in
the higher grades greater efficiency, and
hold out incentives to young officers to
| improve themselves in the knowledge
of their profession. The present cost
of maintaining the navy, its costs COM
pared with that of the preceding year
and the estimates for the ensuing year
are contained in the accompanying re-
port of the secretary of the navy.
THE PosToFF1cE DEPARTMENT.
The enlarged receipts of the postoffice
| department, as shown by the accom-
| panying report of the postmaster gene
| oil avhi 70 Ano in hot
| branch of the public service. 1t is the
| index of the growth of education and
of the prosperity of the people, two
elements highly conducive to the vigor
and stability of a republic, with a vast
territory like ours, much of it sparsely
populated, but all requiring the servi-
ces of the mail. 1t is not at present to
be expected that this department can be
made self supporting, but gradual ap-
proaoh to this end, from year to year,
| is constantly relied on, and the day is
not far distant when the post-office de-
partment of the government will prove
/ a much greater blessing to the whole
people than it is now. The suggestions
of the postmaster general for improve
ments in the department presided over
by him, are earnestly recommended to
your special attention, especially the
documents favorable to q consideration
of the plan for uniting the telegraph
system of the United States with the
postal system. 1t is believed that by
such course, the cost of telegraphing
would be much reduced, and the ser.
vice as well, if not better rendered. II
would secure the further advantage Of
extending the telegraph through por.
tons of the country, where private
enterprise will not construct it. Com.
merce and trade, and above all, the eff.
forts to bring people widely separated
into a community of interests, are al
ways benefited by a rapid inter-com
munication. Education, the ground
work of republican institutions, is en-
couraged by increasing the facilities tC
gather with speed news from all part!
of the country. The desire to reap thu
benefit of such improvements will
stimulate education. ! refer you tt
for full details of the operations of thu
last year, and for comparative state
ments of the resources with former
years.
THE KU-KLUx.
There has been imposed upon the
executive branch of the government thu
execution of the act of congress, ap
proved April Goth, 1871, and comm only
known as the Ku-Klux law. In por
ton of the State of South Carolina, thu
necessity of the course pursued will b.
demonstrated by the report of the com
mittee to investigate southern outrages
Under the provisions of the above &C
L issued q proclamation, calling the at
tention of the people of the United
States to the same, and declaring M
reluctance to exercise any of the extra
ordinary powers thereby conferred Oh
me, but making known my purpose tt
exercise such power whenever it should
become necessary to do SO for the pur
pose of securing to all citizens of th'
United States The peaceful enjoymen
of the rights guaranteed to them by thu
constitution and the laws. After TIT
passage OF this law information was 70
ceiyed from time to time that combina
, tions of the character referred to in thii
law existed and were powerful in many
parts of the southern states, particular
ly in many parts of South Carolina
Careful investigation WAS made, and il
was ascertained that--in nine counties
of that State such combinations were
active and powerful, embracing sui
ficient portion of the citizens to contro
the local authority, and having among
other things the object of depriying the
emancipated class of the benefits Of
freedom, and of preventing the free Pc.
litical action of those citizens who did
not sVmnatbiza with their own views