New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-12-03

The Secretary Of the Navy has during the
past year been quietly putting some of our
most effective monitors in condition for
service, and thus the exigency finds us in .
much better condition for work than we
could possibly have been without his action.
PosTOFFICE DEPARTMENT..
complete exhibit is presented in the ac-
companyIng report of the Postmaster Cen
eral OF the operations of the PostOfice De-
partment during the year. The ordinary
postal revenues for the fiscal year ended
June 81, 1873, amounted to $22,99674 81,
and the expenditures of all kinds to
$29, 094,945 81. The increase of revenues
over 1872 was $l,09l. 3l5 20. and the increase
Of expenditures 81, 426,753 Sc.
Independent of the payments made from
special appropriations for mail steamship
lines, the amount drawn from the general
treasury to meet deficiencies was IS, 265, AIS.
The constant and rapid extension of our
postal service, particularly upon railroads,
and the improved facilities for the oollec-
tion transmission, distribution and de-
livery of the mails, which are constantly
being provided, account for the increased
expenditures of this popular branch of the
puOlic service.
The total number of postoffices in opera
ton on the thirtieth of June, 1873, was 49,
| 244, net increase of 1881 over the number
reported the preceding year. The number
OF presidential offices was 1865, an increase
of l63 during the year. The total length of
railroad mail routes at the close of the year
was 63, 457 mics, an increase Of 5546 miles
| over the year 1872.
Fifty-nine railway postotfice lines were in
operation on the thirtieth of June, 1878, ex-
tending over Ia, 1886 miles of railroad routes,
and performing an aggregate service of
34,92o miles daily. The number of letters
| exchanged with foreign countries was
n, 459, lS5-an increase Of 3,O96,6S over the
previous year-and the postage thereon
amounted to $2,02l,3l0 Sc. The total
weight Of correspondence exchanged in the
| mails with European countries exceeded
9l2 tOns-an increase of 80 tons over the
previous year.
| The total cost of the United States ocean
mail steam ship service, including 1925, 900
| paid from special appropriations to subsi-
died lines of mail steamers, was $l,047,-
| 27l 81. New or additional postal conventions
| have been concluded with Sweden, Nor
way. Belgium, Germany, Canada, New
| fOundland and Japan, reducing postage
| rates ON correspondence exchanged with
| those countries, and further efforts have
been made to conclude a satisfactory postal
convention with France, but without sue
cess.
inyite the favorable attention Of Con-
gress to the suggestions and recommended
tension off the free delivery system in all
cities having population of not less than
10000; tor the prepayment of postage on
newspapers and other printed matter Of the
second class; for a uniform postage and
limit of weight on miscellaneous matter for
adjusting the compensation of all postmas-
ters not appointed by the President BY the
old method of commissions on the actual
receipts OF the Office, instead of the present
mode of fixing the salary in advance upon
special returns; and especially do l urge
favorable action by Congress on the i'm
pOrtant recommendations of the Postmaster
General for the establishment of United
States
POSTAL SAVINGS DEPOsITARIEs.
Your attention is also again called to q
consideration of the question ON postal tel
egraphs, and the arguments adduced in
support thereof in the hope that you NAV
take such action in connection Herewith az,
in your judgment, will most contribute to
the best interests of the country.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
Affairs in Utah require your early and
special attention. The Supreme Court of
the United States. in the case of Clifton VS..
Englebrecht, decided that the United States
marshal of that Territory could not law
fully summon Jurors for the district courts.
and those courts hold that the territorial
marshal can not lawfully perform that
duty, because he is elected by the Legisla-
tive Assembly, and not appointed, as pro-
vided for in the act organizing the Terri
tory.
All proceedings are practically abolished
By these decisions, and there have been but
few or no jury trials in the district courts
of that Territory since the last session of
Congress.
Property is left without protection by the
vrto o,IC ripv, uln To
vent anarchy there it Is absolutely neces-
sary that Congress should provide the
courts with some mode of obtaining Jurors,
and / recommend legislation to that end
and also that the probate courts of tho
Territory now assuming jurisdiction of in
functions and habeas corpus and to try
criminal cases and questions as to land
sessed ordinarily by courts of that descrip-
ton.
have become impressed with the belief
that the act approved March 2, 1867, emit
tied IAN act to establish uniform system
Of bankruptcy throughout the United
States" is productive OF more evil than
good at this time. Many considerations
might be urged for it's total repeal But Il
this is not considered advisable think
will not be seriously questioned that tho
portions of said act providing for what
called
INVOLUNTARY BANKRUPTCY
Operate to increase the financial eoar..
easements of the country. Carefy and
prudent men very often become ir'ived
IN debt, in the transaction of their blness;
and though they may possess amp prop
erty, if it could be made availableor that
purpose, to meet all their liabires, yet,
on account of the extraordinary jarcity OF
money they may be unable 7 meet all
their pecuniary obligations, as tey become
due; In consequence Of whic they are
liable to be Frustrated in theiSuslness, by
proceedings in bankruptcy, athe instance
of unreliable creditors.
People are now so easily Harmed az to
monetary matters that thenere ming OF
petition in bankruptcy b, an unfriendiy
creditor will necessarily en- oarrass, and
oftentimes accomplish tb hnancial rum OF
a responsible business ian. lhose VINO
otherwise might make Dwful and just ar
rangements to relieve temselves from diff
ficulties produced by tp present stringency
in money are preyentd by their constant
exposure to attack al disappointment by
proceedings against tem III b bankruptcy, and
besides. the law is mde use OF IN many cases
by obdurate creditrs TO 1righten or force
de- btors INTO compliance with their wishes
and into acts Of i1ustice to other creditors
and themselves.
/ recommend that so much of said act as
for in oluntary bankruptcy on ac-
count of the suspension of payment be re-
peaed.
Your careful attention is invited to the
subject OF
CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
And the f.cilities afforded by existing laws
for their prosecution. Each of the Depart
nents, Of State, Treasury and War, have
demands for many millions of dollars upon
their files, and they are rapidly accumu-
atipg. To these may be added those now
bending before COnpress the Court of