The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-12-05

therefore suggest either that committee |
or commissioner be authorized to consider |
this whole question, and to report to Con-
gress at some future day for it's better guild |
ance in legislating on the important subject |
The railroads of the country have been rap
idly extended during the last few years to
meet the growing demands of producers,
and reflect much credit upon the capitalists
and managers engaged in their construc-
ton. In addition to these, project to
facilitate ia: commerce by the building of
the United States side, which has
been agitated for many years, will no
doubt be called to your attention this ses-
sion. Looking to the great future of the
country, and the Increasing demands of
commerce, it might be well, while on this
subject, not only to have examined and re-
ported upon the various practicable routes
for connecting the Mississippi with tide
water, but the feasibility of an almost con-
tinuOus land locked navigation from Maine
to the Gulf of Mexico. Such route along
our coast would be of great value at all
times, and of inestimable value in case of a
foreign war. Nature has provided the great
er part of this route, and the obstacles to
be overcome are easily within the skill of the
engineer.
have not alluded to this subject with the
view of having any further expenditure of
public money, at this time, than may be
necessary to procure and place all the ne
cessary information before Congress in an
authentic form to enable it hereafter, if
deemed practicable and worthy, to legislate
on the subject without delay.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy,
herewith accompanying, explains fully the
condition of that branch of the public ser
vice, its wants and deficiencies, expenses
incurred during the past year, and appropri-
ations for the same. 1t also gives com
plete history of the service of the navy for
the past year, in addition to its regular ser
vices. 1t is evident that unless steps are
taken to preserve our navy that in very
weakest nation upon the ocean of all the
great powers. With an energetic, progress
i've business people like ours, penetrating
and forming business relations with every
part of the known world, navy, strong
enough to command the respect of our flag
abroad, is necessary for the full protection
of their rights. I recommend careful con-
sideration by Congress of the recommend
atoms made by the Secretary of the Navy.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The accompanying report of the Post
master General furnishes a full and satisfac-
tory exhibit of the operations of the Post
office Department during the year. The
ordinary revenues of the department for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1872, amounted
to So, OLE, 1851, and the expenditures $780,
650, 1921. Compared with the previous fis-
cal year, the increase of revenue was 81 $751;
3SO.95, or 9.37 per cent, and the increase of
expenditures s., 269 0SS. %, or 9.29 per cent.
Adding to the ordinary revenues, the an
nual appropriation of 100000 for free mat
ter. and the amounts paid in subsidies on
mail steamship lines from special appropria-
tions, the deficiency paid out of the general
treasury was S3,317, 765. 94-an excess of
$3.50, 7O7 .2S over the deficiency for the year
1871. Other interesting statistical information
relating to our rapidly extending postal
service, is furnished in this report. The total
length of railroad mail routes on the 30th of
cry ~ n--r--
miles of such service having been put into
operation during the year; eight new lines
of railway post offices have been established,
with an aggregate length of 2, 900 miles. The
number OF letters exchanged in the mails
with foreign countries was "a, 1862, 500, an in
crease Oh 4, 066, 502 or twenty per cent. over
the number in 1871, and the postage thereon
amounts to 81 ST. ,257. IS. The total weight
of the mails exchanged with European coun-
tries exceeded $40 tons. The cost of the
service was 1920, 301.70. The total cost of
the United States ocean steamship service,
! including the amounts paid TO the
| subsidized lines fof mail steamers, was
only steamship lines now receiving
subsidies for mail service under
special acts of Congress: The Pacific Mail
Steamship Company receive $50O,000 per an
mum for carrying monthly mail between
San Francisco, Japan and China, which will
be increased to 81 100000 per apnum, and g
| semi-monthly mail, on and after October /
1878. The United States and Brazil Mail
| Steamship Company receive $4,000 per an
mum for carrying a monthly mail between
New York and Rio Janeiro, Brazil, and thu
California, Oregon 81 Mexico STEAMSHIP
Company receive $4,000 per annum, for car
rying monthly mail between San Francis
co, Honolulu, and Hawaiian Islands. Max
ing the total amount of mail steamship sub
sides at present $725, 900 per annum. Gu
postal communications with all parts of tn
civilized world have been placed upon
most advantag eous footing by the improved
ments recently concluded with tn
leading commercial countries o
| Europe and America, and tn
gratifying statement is made that, with thu
conclusion of a satisfactory convention will
France, the details of which have beer
definitely agreed to by the head of thu
French Postal Department, subject to tn
approval of the Minister of Finance, littl
remains to be accomplished by treat.
for some time to come, in respect to reduc
ton of rate, or improved facilities for posta
| intercourse.
Your favorable consideration is respectful
ly invited to the recommendation made by
the Postmaster General for an increase Of
service from monthly to semi-monthly trips
on the mail steamship route to Brazil for q
subsidy in aid Of the establishment of al
| American line of steamers between SaI
Francisco, New Zealand and Australia; fol
tue cSldDllSuul6ub VI PooG-OLuCO
banks, and for the increase of the salaries Of
the heads of bureaus.
| have heretofore commended the abolition
of the franking privilege, and see no reason
now for changing my views on that subject
| It not having been fayorably regarded by
! Congress, however, / now suggest mo diff
cation of that privilege to correct its glaring
and costly abuses. tr
would recommend, also, the appoint
ment of committee or commission to take
into consideration the best method, equita-
| BILE to private corporations who have in
vested their time and capital in the estab-
lishment of telegraph lines, of acquiring the
title to all telegraph lines now in operation
and of connecting this service with tn,
postal service of the nation. 1t is no
probable that this subject could receive thu
proper consideration during the limits O.
short session of Congress, but 1t ma.
be initiated, so that further action ma,
be fair to the Government and to private
parties concerned; there are but three line
of ocean steamers, namely: the Pacific Ma1
Steamship Company between San francisco
China and japan, with provision maze 10
semi monthly service after October LIST
1873; the United States and Brazil line,
monthly; and the California, New Zealanc
and Australian line, monthly-plying be
tween the United States and foreign ports
and owned and operated under our flag.
earnestly recommend that sucn liberal con
tracts for carrying the mails be authorized
with these lines as will insure their contlnu
ance If the eXpediency of extending tht
aid of the Government to lines of steamer
which hitherto have not received 1t, should
be deemed worthy of the consideration o.
Congress, political and commercial OBJ
jects make it advisable to bestoV
such aid on line under our flag be