The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1873-12-05

to conduct the business of the different arse
nals on large scale, IL ever required.
during the past year our Navy has been re-
duced by the sale Of some vessels no longer fit
Tor naval purposes, and by the abandonment
OF others not yet disposed Of This has, how
ever, been more than compensated for by th'
repair OF the more modern ships, and BY tn
D9liding OF sight new sloops Of war, suthoriz
ca ny the last Congress. The building O.
these latter has occurred at q doublv fortunate
time. They are about being completed when
they VIII possibly be much needed, and the
WORK upon them has not only given direct
employment to thousands Of men. but no
doubt has been the means of keeping open
other establishments for other works, at q
time OF great financial distress. Since The
commencement Of last month, however, the
distressing occurrence which have taken place
IN waters OF the CarrIbeen Sea. almost on our
very sea border, while they illustrate most
Iorcloly the necessity always existing that a
hhuoh situated az ours should maintaia in a
sIaoe OF eideiency navy adequate to its re-
sponslbliitles, has at the same ti,ns dannanded
that all the effective force we really have shall
be put IN immediate readiness for VarIike ser
vice. This has been, and is being done
promptly and effectively, and I am assured
5 tnaS an the available ships, and every author
lzed man OF the American navy will ba readv
Tor Whatever action is required for the saFety
OF our cltles and the maintenance Of our
honor. Ihis, OF course, will render the ex-
pendlture in short dime Of some of the ap-
preparations which were calculated 70 ex
tend through the fiscal year, but CONGRESS
WIZ, l doubt not. understand and appreciate
the emergency, and will provide adequately.
not only Tor the present preparation. but for
II 5ne future malntenance Of the naval force
Inc Secretary Of tho Navy has during the
past wear. baen QuiaEfvr
most extensive monitors in condition for SER
ylce' and thus the exigency finds US in a much
DeCter condition for work than We could pos
sloiy have been without this action.
a complete exhibit is presented in the ac-
companylng report Oi the Postmaster General
OF the operation Of tie Postofice Departrnent
during the year; The ordinary postal reven-
ues ior the hscal year ending June 80, 1873,
amounted to so, ,99674l 67,aud the exnenli
lures OF all kinds to S2g. g.O8L9i5 67- Ma in
| crease OF revenues over 1872 was 81. .O8I. BIS 20
and the Increase in expenditures S246.5 So.
independent OF the payment made from speci-
al appropriations for mail steamship lines, the
amount drawn from the general treasury TO
meet deficiencies was S5,255,45O.
The constant and rapid extension of our
postal service, particularly upon raIIgyavs. and
the improved facilities for the collection, dis
trloutlon and delivery Of mail which are con-
stantly being provided, account Tor the in
| creased expenditures OF this poDuIsr branch
Of the pubic service. Tue total number OF
| post-oeices IN operation on the Seth of June.
1913, was e3244, net increase OF 1873 over
the number reported the preceding year, The
number Of Presidential Offices was 1858, an
increase OF l63 during tbs year. Tho total
length OF Railroad route at tue close of the
year was $3.50 miles, an increase Of 5,546
miles over the year Of 1872. Flfty-nine Rail-
way postofhce lines were III operation On the
3Oth OF June, 1873, extending over IA S56
miles OF railroad routes, and performing an
| aggregate service OF "a, ,92j miles daily, The
number OF letters exchanged with foreign
countries was Y ,4j9, ,lS5, an increase OF 3O96.-
| ooo over the previous year, and the postage
thereon amounted to S2,02l, ,3l0.S6, and the
total weight OF correspondence exchanged in
the mails with European countries. 9l2 tons,
az increase Of 95 tons over the previous total.
The cost Of the United States Ocean Mail
Steamers IN service, including S735, ,OUO paid
from special appropriations TO subsidized lines
OF mail steamers, was Sl,947,27I5j. New OF
additional postal conventions nave been con.
cluded with Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Ger.
! many, Canada, New Foundland and japan
| reducing the postage rate on correspondence
exchanged with those countries, aud furths,
efforts have been made to conclude a satis.
factory postal convention with France, hui
without success. I invite the favorable con.
alteration OF Congress 70 suggestions and rec
concentrations OF the Postmaster General fol
an extension OF tree delivery N all cItIss hay.
ing population Of not less than 10000; fol
the prepayment Of postage on newspaper,
and other printed matter of second class; fol
uolTorm postage aad limit OF weight on mis-.
cellaneous matter; for adjusting the compen-
sation Of all postma5ters not appointed by the
President, by the old method or commissions
on the actual receipts Of the oHice instead Of
the present mode OF fixing the salary in ad-
vance, upon special returns, and especially do
l urge favorable action by Congress on the
important recommendation Of the Postmaster
| General for the establishment OF United
States saving repositories. Your attention is,
also, again called to consideration of the
| question Of postal telegraph, and the argu-
ments adduced in support thereof. The hope
| that you may take such action in connection
therew as, in your judgment, Will most
contribute TO the best interests OF the country.