The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1873-12-12

ly'is this necessity felti in the Medi-
cal, Pay and Ordinance Departments
Il la THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.. sai
| Since the commencement Of the
last month, the distressing occur
rences which have taken place in the
waters Of the Caribbean Sea, along
our very seaboard, Illustrate most
forcibly the necessity always existing
that q nation situated as ours should
maintain in o state of efficiency q
navy adequate'to its responsibilities.
1t. has at the same time demanded
that all the effective force we really
have, shall be put in immediate read
mess for var-like service. This has
been and is being done promptly and
effectively / am assured that al
the available ships and every author
lied man OF the American navy will
be ready for whatever action is re-
quired for the safety Of our citizens
or the maintenance oil. our honor
This, of course, will render necessary
the expenditure in a short time of
some of the appropriations which
were calculated to extend through
the fiscal year.. but Congress will, l
doubt not, understand and appreciate
the emergency, and will provide ade-o
quately not only for the present situa.
ton, but for the future maintenance
of our naval force. The Secretary Of
the Navy has, during the past year.
been quietly putting some of our ex-i
tensive fleets of monitors in o condi-
ton for service, and thus the exigen-
cy finds us in much better condition
for work than we could have been
without his action.
rosT OFFICE DErARrAENT.
A complete exhibit is presented id
the accompanying report of the Post
master General Of the operations Of
the Post Office Department during
the year. The ordinary postal reve-
hue for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1873, amounted to $22, 96,741,-
81, and expenditures Of all kinds,
500, ,084, 905, 81. The increase in
revenues over 1879 was $l,08l ,315,-
20, and the increase in expenditures
S246, ,573,06, Independent Of pay
ments made from special appropria-
tions for mail steamship lines. The
amount drawn from the General
Treasury to meet deficiencies was
S526, SAT. The constant and rapid
extension Of our postal service, par
ticularly upon railways, and the inn
proved facilities for the collection;
transmission, distribution, delivery
of mails which are constantly being
provided, account for the increased
expenditures of this popular branch
of the public service. Especially do
l urge favorable action by Congress
on the important recommendation Of
the Postmaster General for the es-
tablishment of United States postal
savings repositories. Your atten-
ton is also again called to the con-
sideration Of the question of postal
telegraphs and the arguments adj
duced in support thereof, in the
hope that you may take such action
in connection Herewith as in your
Judgment will most contribute to the
best interests Of the country.
AFFAIRS IN UTAH
Require your early and special attehs
ton. The Supreme Court of the
United States, in the case Of Clinton
VS.. Engelbrecht, decided that the U.
S. Marshal Of that Territory could not
lawfully summon jurors. II was also
held that the Territorial Marshal
faithfully performed that duty, be-
cause he is elected by the Legislative
Assembly and not appointed as pro-
vided for in the oct organizing the
Territory. All proceedings at law
are practically abolished by these de-
cisions, and there have been but few
jury trials in the District Court in
that Territory since the last session
of Congress. Property is left with
out protection by Courts, and crimes
go unpunished. To prevent anarchy
it is evidently necessary that Con-
gtess provide the Courts with some
mode OF obtaining juries, and l reci
ommehd legislation to that end; and
also that the Probate Courts Of the
Territory, which now assume to is
sue writs Of injunction and habeas
corpus, and to try criminal cases and
questions as to land titles, be denied
jurisdiction not possessed by Courts
Of that description.
MODIFICATION OF THE BANtiuupf ACT.
I have become impressed with the
belief that the act approved March
2, 1867, entitled can qcs TO estab-
lish u uniform system Of bankruptcy
throughout the United States" is
productive Of more evil than good
At this time many considerations
might be urged for its repeal, but II
this is not considered advisable, 1
think it will not be seriously ques-
toned that those portions Of said act
providing for what is alleged invol-
untary bankruptcy operate TO in
crease the financial embarrassment
Of careful and prudent men, who
very often become involved id debt
in the transaction Of their business,
and though they may possess ample
property, il it could be made ayaila-
bic for that purpose, to meet oil their
liabilities, yet on account OF the ex-
traordinary scarcity OF money they
may be unable TO meet oil their Pc
cuniary obligations as they become
due, in consequence Of which they
are liable to be prostrated in their
business byproceedings in bankrupt
cy at the instance Of unrelonting
creditors. recommend that so
much Of said act as provides for in-
voluntary bankruptcy M account Of
suspension Of payment be repealed.
CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,