The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1871-12-08
THE NAVY.

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, ot
using smaller vessels as cruisers on
the several stations. By these
means we have been enabled to oc.
cupy at once a large extent of cruis-
ing ground and to visit more.
frequently the posts where the
presence Of our flag is desirable and
generally to discharge more effici-
emily the appropriate duties Of the
navy in time Of peace, without ex-
ceeding the number Of men or ex-
penditures authorized by law, during
the past year, the navy has, in addi-
ton to its regular service, supplied
the men and officers for the vessels
of the coast survey and has complet-
ed the surveys, authorized by Con
gress, of the Isthmus Of Darien and
Tehuantepec, and under like author
ity has sent out an expedition com
pletely furnished and equipped, to
explore the unknown ocean of the
North. The suggestions of the re-
port as to the necessity for increas-
ing and improving the material of
the navy and the plan recommended
for reducing the personnel Of the
service to a 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 considered and deserve the
thoughtful attention of Congress. l
also recommend that all promotions
in the navy above the rank Of cap
taincy, be by selection instead of by
seniority. This course will secure,
in the higher grades, greater eficien-
cy, and hold out an incentive to
young officers to improve themselves
in the knowledge of their profession.
The present cost Of maintaining the
navy, its cost compared with that of
the preceding year, and the esti-
mates for the ensuing year, are con-
tanned in the accompanying report
Of the Secretary Of the Navy.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The enlarged receipts of the Post
Office Department, as shown by the
report Of the Post
master General, exhibits a gratifying
increase in that branch of the ser
vice. tits the index of the growth
Of education and of the prosperity Of
the people, two elements highly con
1ucive to the vigor and stability of
With a vast territory
ike ours, much of it recently popu-
-ated. but all requiring the services
Of the mail, it is not at present to be
expected that this Department can
be made self-sustaining, but a gra-
dual approach to this end, from year
TO year, is confidently relied on and
the day is not far distant when the
Post Office Department of the goV-
ernment will prove a much greater
to the people than it is now.
The suggestions of the Postmaster
General for Improvements in the De
partment provided over by him, are
earnestly recommended to your spe-
cial attention. Especially do I re-
to your favorable consid-
9ration the plan for uniting the tel
,graph system of the United States
With the postal system. 1t is be-
ieved by such course the cost of |
elegraphing could be much reduced |
md the service as well if not better
endered. 1t would secure the fur |
her adYantange by extending the
through portions of the
ountry where private enterprises
viii not construct it. Commerce,
rade, and above all, the efforts to
ring a people widely separated into
community of interests, are always
by a rapid intercommuni
alton. Education, the ground work
f Republican institutions, is en-
outraged by increasing the facilities
Or information, together with the
dvantages resulting from obtaining
5jseaadvnews from all parts of the coun
~ the desire &c &c reap the benefits of
gch improvements will stiiiini u Gi:2te ii:2te ed
cation. 1 refer you to the report Of
he Postmaster-General for full de-
lils of the operations of last year,
nd for the comparative statements
results with former years.
There has been imposed upon the
overnment the execution of the act
f Congress, approved April goth,
S71, and commonly known as the
ku-Klux Law in a portion of the
tate Of South Carolina. The neces-
ty of the course pursued will be
demonstrated by the report of the
appointed to investigate
outrages. Under the pro-
sIons Of the above act, 1 issued a
reclamation, calling the attention