Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1873-12-03
to you, therefore, without furtheF comment

EXPLORATION OF THE AMAZON. ~
In attempting to regain our lost commerce
and carrying trade, have heretofore called
attention to States south OF the United State
OF Offering field where much might be ac-
complished TO further this object. suggest
that small appropriation be made, accom-
panied with authority for the secretary Of the
navy to fit out a naval vessel TO ascend the
Amazon river 10 the mouth OF the Ma
deira, thence 10 explore that river and Its tri-
butaries into Bolivia, and TO report 70 con-
gress at It's next session as soon as praetica-
BILE the accessibility of the country BY water,
its resources and the population so reached.
Such an exploration will cost but little, IL
can do no harm, and may result in establish
ing a trade OF value to both nations.
MORE MINIS. WANTED.
] In further connection with the treasury,
1 would recommend a revision and codifea-
tion Of the tariff laws, and the opening Of
more mints for tae coinage Of money, with
| the authority to coin for such nations as may
apply.
THE ARMY.
! The attention OF congress is invited TO the
recommendations in tho report Of the secre-
/ tary OF war, herewith accompanying. The
| apparent great cost OF supporting the acade-
my is fully explained in the report, and 1t Will
4 receive your atten ton. While inviting your
| great attention to all the recommendations
! made by the secretary Of war, there are two
which would especially invite you TO con-
slider. First, the importance OF preparing for
war in time OF peace, by providing proper
| armament for our sea-eoast defenses. A prop
| than Notifications The latter can be supplied
| very speedily for temporary purposes,
when needed; the former cannot. The
second IS the necessity of reopening promotion
| in the staff corps Of the army. Particularly is
/ this necessity felt in the medical, pay and
| ordnance departments. At this time it is Me-
ceSsary 20 employ contract surgeons 10 supply
/ the necessary medical attention required by
the army. With the present force OF the pay
payments to the troops provided for by law.
Long delays IN payments are productive of
| desertions and Generalization, and the law
prohibits the payment NJ troops by other than
regular army pay masters. There are now 81 K
] teen vacancies in the ordinance department.,
thus leaving that branch OF the service with
out sum cfent officers TO conduct the busineSs
OF the different aTsenals on large scale, II
- THE NAVY.
During the past year the navy mas been re-
duced by the sale OF some vessels no longer
dt for naval purposes, and by he recomInen-
dation of others not yet disposed Of. This,
however, has been more tnan compensated
| for by the repair of six of the old wooden
ships, and by the building OF eight new sloops
of war authorized by the last congress. The
building of these latter has occurred at a
doubly Fortunate time. They are about being
completed, when they wiz, possibly, be
/ much needed, and the work upon them
has not only given employment to thousands
| OF men, but has no doubt been the meaDs OF
/ keeping establishments for other works at a
| time of great financial distress. Since the
commencement of last month, however, the
place N the waters of the caribbean sea, al
most on our very seaboard, while they Illus
trate most forcibly the necessity always eX-
! tsttng that a nation situated as ours should
maintain in a state OF efficiency a
navy adequate 20 its responsibilities,
has, st the same time, demanded that all the
| effective force we really have shall be put in
| immediate readiness for warlike service.
| This has been, ana IS being done promptly
/ and effectively, and, am assured that all the
| available ships, and every authorized man OF
| the American navy, will be ready for what
/ ever action is required for the safety Of our
/ cities, or the maintenance of our honor. THIS,
OF course, will render the expenditure, for 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 adequately, not
only for the present preparation but for the
future maintenance of our naval force. The
| secretary of the navy has, during the past
year been quietly putt some OF our more
/ extensive monitors in condition for service,
and thus the ex1gency nnds US IN Inuch pet
ter condition for work than we could possibly
/ have been without his action.
POSTAL MATTERS-THE SAVINGS DE-
POSITORY.
A complete exhibit is presented in the ac-
coulpanying report of the postmaster-genera
ment during the year. The ordinary postal
revenues Tor the fiscal year ended June 80,
IS7S, amounted 70 81, ,S95,7il57, and the ex-
penditures of all kinds 10 S29, 9,0S4 1856. The
increase in revenue for 1872 was 81, ,OSl 8l5 20,
and the increase in expenditures s246, ,57S.36
Independent Of the payments made from
ship lines. The amount drawn
from the general treasury TO
meet deficiencies was $ S5-265,a7j. The constant
and rapid extension of our postal service, par
ticularly upon railroads, and the improved
facilities for the collection, transmission, dis
trlbution and delivery of the mails, which
are constantly being provided, account for
the increased expenditures Of this popular
branch of the public service. The total num-
Der of postOfices in operation on the thtrtieth
of June, 1873, was 33-244, a net increase OF 1881
over the number reported the proceeding
year. The number Of presidential offices was
1858, an increase Of l63 during the year.
The total length of the railroad mail
route at the close Of the year was 6,3f5.770, an
increase of 55,i66 miles over the year l572
Ftfty-nine railway postofhce lines were IL
operation ON the thirtieth Of June, 1873, ex-
tending over i, ,866 miles Of railroad routes
and performing an aggregate service Of 1892,
$40. The number Of letters exchanged with
foreign countries was q, ,45U1S5, an increase of
3,099, ,6S5 over the previous year, and the post
age thereon amounted 70 S2,Q2l, ITO S6 and the
total weight OF the correspondence eX-
changed in the mails with European coun-
tries exceeded 9l2 tons, an increase Of
92 tons over the previous year. The total cost
OF the United States ocean mail steamship
service, including S735,l00 paid from the spe-
cial appropriations to the subsidized lines Of
mail steamers, was Sl04,7 ,l35, New or addi-
ed with Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Germany
Canada, Newfoundland and Japan, reducing
postal rates on correspondence exchanged
with those countries. Efforts have been made
TO conclude satisfactory postal connection
with France, but without success. L invite
the favorable consideration Of congress to the
suggestions and recommendations of
the spostmaster-general Tor an extension
OF the free-delivery system in all cities hav-
ing population over ten thousand; prepay
ment of postage on newspapers and other
printed matter of the second-claSs; for the
uniform package and limit OF weight of mis-
| eellaneous matter; for adjusting the compen-
sation of all p0stmasters 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 ad-
| vance upon special offices; and especially do
| urge a favorable action by congress on the
| important recommendation OF the pOStmaS-
ter-general, for the establishment of a United
States postal savings depository.
POSTAL TELEGRAPHY.
Your attention is also again called to a con-
| sideratiOn OF the postal telegraphy and the
| arguments adduced in support thereof in the
| hope that you may take such action in con-
| nection Herewith as in your judgment viii
most contribute to the best interests Of the
JUSTICE AND UTAH.
The department of justice in the affairs OF
! Utah require your early and special atten-
| ton. The supreme court Of the United
| States, in the case of Clinton rs. Egglebrecht,
| decided that the United states marshal Of
| that Territory could not lawfully summon
Jurors for the district courts, and those courts
| hold that the Territorial marshal faithfully
performs that duty because be held it by the
| legislative assembly, and was not appointed
| as provided in the act organizing the Territory
| All proceedings at law are practically
l abolished by those decisions, and there have
/ beeB but few or no Jury-trials in the district
/ courts O. that Territory since the last session
| of congress. Property is left without protsc-
| tion by the courts, and crimes 20 IN punished
| To prevent anarchy there, IL is absolutely nee
! essary that congress provide the courts with
| some mode of obtaining Jurors, and recon.
mend legislation to that end; and also that
the probate courts Of that Territory, which
now assume 10 issue writs of injunction and
/ hGbeaS corpus, and TO try criminal cases and
questions as 10 land-titles, be denied all iuris
dlction not possessed ordinarily by courts OF
/ that description.
BANKRUPTCY.
1 have become impressed with the belief
/ that the act approved March q, 1857, entitled
| an act to establish uniform system of bank
ruptcy throughout the United States is pro-
/ ductiVe of more evil than good. AT this tim c
more considerations might be urged for its
| total abolishment. But if this is not con
sidered advisable, l think it will not be
said act providing for what Is called involun-
! tSry bankruptcy, operate 10 increase the
| financial eInbari asslnent OF the country
! Careful and prudent men very often
| become involved in debt in the transaction
| OF this business, though they may posses
| ample property, If il could be made available
| for that purpose, TO meet all their liabilities
] vet, on account OF the extraordinary scarcity
| of money, they may be unable to meet ali
| thelr pecuniary obligations as they become
due, in consequence Of which they are liable
| TO be prostrated in their business by proceed
/ ings IN bankruptcy at the instance Of unrt-
! lenting creditors. The people are now so eas-
lily alarmed as to financial matters, that the
mere fling OF petition in bankruptcy by an
! unfriendly creditor will necessarily EN- bar
| raSs and oftentimes accomplish that financial
| ruin OF responsible business man. Those
| who otherwise might make full and just
| arrangements to relieve themselves from the
| difficulties produced by the present
! StringencY in money are prevented by their
| constant exposure TO attack and disappOint-
/ ment by the proceedings against them in
| bankruptcy, and, besides, the law is made use
| of in many cases by obdurate creditors 10
| frighten or force debtors into a compliance
| with their wishes and into acts OF Injustice TO
| other creditors and TO themselves. recon-
| mend that so much OF said act as provides for
! Involuntary bankruptcy on account of the
suspension Of pay ment be repealed.
BOGUS CLAIMS TO BE DEFEATED.
N.r aaraf-,l attartinr b Md 70 ~, ..,l.