The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1872-12-07

CO. Such route along our coast would be
OF great valu' al all times, and OF inestima-
able value In case of u foreign war Nature
has provided the greater part OF this route
and the obstacles to be overcome are easil,
within the skill of the engineer.
L have not alluded TO this subject with the
view of having any further expenditure of
public money ut this time than may be nee.
e'sary to procure and place all the necessary
information before Congress in an authentic
form to enable it hereafter, If deemed prac-
tloable and worthy, 30 legisiate on the sub.
Ject without uelay.
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 in
cured during the past year, and appropria-
tons for the same. II also gives complete
history OF the services OF the Navy for the
past year in ADDITION to lts regular services.
III Is evident that unless steps are taken to
preserve our navy, that in very few years
the United States VII be the weakest nation
upon the ocean, of all the great powers
W.h an energetic, progressive people like
ours, penetrating and forming business re-
la''cns with every part Of the known world,
Ivy strong enough to command the rc,
spect of our flag abroad Is necessary for the
ull protection of their rights. l recommend
careful consideration by Congress OF the
recommendations made by the Secretary Of
the Navy.
The accompanying report Of the Post
master General furnishes full and satisfac-
tory exhibit of the operations Of the Post
Office Department during the year. The
ordinary revenues Of the department for the
cGl year ending June 80 1872, amounted
5 2l,9l5.4s6 81, and the expenditures $685.
o5o, 1921 Compared with the previous
1lscal year, the increase OF revenue was 3d.
s.S,3S0-95, or 931 per cent. and the increase
OF expenditures, $2,26S,0SS.23. or 9.29 per
cent. Adding to the ordinary revenues the
annual appropriation of 100000 for free
matter and the amounts paid to the subsidies
on mail steamship lines from special ap-
preparations, the deficiency paid out of the
general treasury was $3,3l7, 1854, an ex.
cess of $3.50, 7062 % over the deficiency for
the year 1871. Other interesting statistical
information relating to our rapidly
Ing postal service is furnished III this report.
The total length Of railroad mail routes on
June 30, 1872, was 1911 miles; SOFT addi.
iolal miles of such service having been nut
into operation during the year, Eight new
lines of railway Post Offices have been es-
tablished, with an aggregate length of 2 900
miles. The number Of letters exchanged in
the mails with foreign countries was 24,362,-
500, an increase Of 4,06G, 500, or 20 per cent.
over the number Ia 1871, and the postage
thereon amounts to $lSs1 ,25725. The total
weight OF the mails exchanged with Euro
pean countries exceeded $50 tons. The cost
OF the United States transatlantic mail
steamship service was S220,301 20. The
total cost of the United S,stes ocean steam.
chip service, including the amounts paid to
the subsidized lines of mail steamers,
was s11O7,020.97. The following are the
only steamship lines now receiving subsidies
Tor mail service, under SPECIAL acts of Con.
gross: The Pacific Mail Steamship Com.
pany receive 100000 per aDnum for carry
ing q monthly mail between San Francisco,
Japan and China. which will be increased
to Si,OOO,OU0 per annum and semi month.
l. mail o. and after Oct. |, 1878. The
United State a. Brazil Mail Steamship Com.
pupy receive i 10000 per annum for carry.
ing a monthly mail between New York anu
Rio de Jantlro. Blazl: and the California,
Oregon u Mexico Steamship Company re-
ccive $4,000 per aunum for carrying a
monthly mail between San Francisco and
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, making the
total amount OF mail steamship subsidies at
present $4,000 per annum Our postal
communica,icnsw with parts the civilized
world have been placed upon q mos. al.
Vantageous footing by the improved postal
conventions and arrangements recently con-
Cluded with the leading commercial countries
OF Europe and America, ana Me gratifying
statement IS made that with the conclusion
OF satisfactory convention with France the
details ct which have been definitely agreed
10 by the head OF The French Postal Depart.
mcn', subject to the approval OF the Minister
OF Finance, little remains 10 be accomplished
by treaty Tor some time 10 come.
with respect to reduction of rate, and
improved facilities for postal intercourse,
your favorable consdrIanon is respectfully
invited othe recommendations made by the
Postmaster General tor an increase of ser.
vice from monthly to semi-monthy trims on
the mai! steamship rou,. to Brazil /; for a
subsidy IN aid Of the establishment of an
american line Of mail steamers between
san Francisco, New Zealand, and Australia;
tor the establishment OF Posi- Office saving
banks. and for the increase of the salaries
o the heads OF Bureaus. have heretofore
commended the abolition Of the Thanking
priv,legc,and know no reason now for chang.
lngm views on that subject. IL not having
bceniaVorably regard d by congresshOwever
lnowsuggest modification OF that privilege
to correct lis glazing and costly abuses. l
would recommend, also. The appointment OF
Committee or Commission to take into
consideration the best meth d. equitable to
private corporations who have invested their
time and capital in the establishment of tel
egraph lines. OF acquiring the title to all the
telegraph lines now IN Oncration, and of
connecting their service with the postal
service oi ;hc nation ~ is not probable
that this subject could receive the proper
consideration during the limits Of short
session of C0nrress, but it may be initiated,
go that any further action may be fair to the
Government and to private parties con-
cerncd.
There are but three lines of ocean steam.