Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1872-12-05


foreign war. Nature has provided the
greater part of the route, and the OBJ
stacles to be overcome are easily with
in the skill of the engineer. l have
not alluded to this subject with the
view of having any further eXpendi-
ture of public money at this time than
may be necessary to procure and place
all the necessary information before
Congress in an authentic form, to ena-
BILE it hereafter, if deemed practicable
and worthy, to legislate on the subject
without delay.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy, herewith accompanying, ex-
plains fully the condition Ofthat branch
of the public service. Its wants and
deficiencies, the expenses incurred dur
ing the past year and the appropriation
for the same. 1t also gives d complete
history of the services of the Navy for
the past year in addition to its regular
service. 1t is evident that unless early
steps are taken 10 preserve our navy,
that in Il very few, years the United
States will be weakest nation upon the
ocean OF nearly al the great powers.
With an energetic, progressive and
business people like ours, penetrating
and forming business relations with
every port on the known world, a Ma
Wy strong enough to command the re-
spect OF our flag abroad is necessary fer
the full protection of their rights. L
recommend careful consideration by
Congress of the recommendations made
by the Secretary ofthe Navy.
Our postal communication with all
parts Of the civilized world has been
placed upon most advantageous ground
by the improved postal conventions
and arrangements recently concluded
with the leading commercial countries
OF Europe and America, and the graft
fying statement is made that with the
conclusion of a satisfactory coventiOn
with France, the details OF which are
definitely agreed to by the head of the
French Postal Department, subject to
the approval of the Minister of France
little remains to be accomplished by
treaty for some time to come with re-
.spact 10 either reduction of rates or
improved facilities OF postal intercourse.
Your favorable consideration is respect
fully invited to the recommendation by
the Postmaster General for an increase
OF the service from monthly to semi
monthly trips on the mail steamship
Irsute, TO Brazil; for a subsidy in aid OF
the establishment of an American line
OF mail steamers between San Francis
co, New Zealand and Australia; for the
establishment OF a post0fica and saw
ings bank and for the increase of the
salaries of tae heads of bureaus.
| have heretofore recommended the
aboliti0n'of the franking privilege and
see no reason now for changing my
views on that subject. 1t not having
been flvorably regarded by Congress
however, 1 now suggest modification
of that privilege to correct its glaring
and costly abuse. | would recommend
also the appointment of committee
or commission to take into considera-
tion the best method equitable to pri-
vate corporations who have invested
their time and capital in the establish
.ment Of telegraph lines, of acquiring the
title to all telegraph lines now in Oper-
alton, and of connecting this service
with the postal service OF. the nation.
1t is not probable that this subject could
receive proper consideration during
the limits OF short session of Congress-;
but ii may be initiated, So that future
action may be fair to the Government
and to parties concerned.
Detailed statements of the diSburs9-
ments through the Department of JUS
tiee will be furnished by the report of
the Attorney General, though these
have been somewhat increased by the
recent acts of Congress to enforce the
rights Of citizens OF the United States
to SEte in the several States Of the
Union, and to enforce the provisions of
the 18th amendment to the Constitution
of the United States, and the amend
.ments thereto. / cannot question the
necessity and salutary etf6ct of these
enactinents. Reckless and lawless men
I regret to say, have associated them
selves together in some localities to de-
prive other citizens of the rights guar
aateed to them by the Constitution Of
the United States, and to that end have
committed deeds os blood and violence,
but the proSeoutii II and punishment of
many of these persons have added
greatly to the suppression of such disor-
dors. / do not doubt that great ma
jority of the people in all parts of the
country tavor the full enjoyment by all
classes Of persous of these rights to
which the are entitled under the Con-
stitdiion and laws, and 1 invoke the
aid and ihfuenceof all good citizens to
prevent organizations whose objects
are, by unlawful means, to interfere
with their rights. ] look with conf
dence to time not far distant when
lhe obvious advantages of good order
and peace with evidence of the aban-
donment of all combinations prohibited
by the acts referred to, and when it
will be unnecessary to carry on prosecu-
tions or infict punishment to protect
citizens from the iawlesS doipgs of such
combinations.