Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-12-11

red at doubly fortunate time. They
are about being completed, when they
will possibly be much needed, aud the
work upon them has not only given
employment TO thousands of men, but
has, no doubt, been the means of keep
ing opsn establishments for other works
at a time of great financial distress. a.
Since the commencement of last
month, however, the distressing occur
rences which have taken place in the
waters of the Caribbean Sea, almost on
our very seaboard, while they illustrate
most forcibly the necessity always ex-
isting that a nation situated as ours
should maintain in state of efficiency
a navy adequate to its responsibility,
has at the same time demanded that all
the effective force We really have shall
be put in immediate. readiness for war
like service. This has been and is be-
ing done promptly and effectively. and
| am assured that all the available ships
and every authorized man of the Amer
lean 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 expen-
diture for short time of some of the
appropriations which were calculated
to extend throughout the fiscal year,
but Congress will, doubt not, under
stand 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 putting some
e aof in
dition, for service, and thus the exigen-
cy finds us in a much better condition
for work than we could possibly have
been without his action. ts.s ntis Ii
ssIis PosToFFICE nDEPAKTMENT.a : h1i
A complete exhibit is presented in
the accompanying report of the Post
master General of the operations of
the Postoffice Department during the
year. The. ordinary postal revenues
for the fiscal wear. ended June 8Oth.
1873, amounted 10 SO, ,996.74l 81, =and.
the expenditures of ali kinds TO $50,
0S4.S45 81. The increase in revenues
in 1872 was S1,0SI315 90, and the in
crease in expenditures S2.465, 733. In-
dependent of the payments made from
special appropriations FOR mail steam-
ship lines. the amount drawn from the
general Treasury 10 meet deficiencies
was S., ,2G5.475- r.-f...--. r'
The constant aud rapi'! extension OF
cur postal service, particularly upon
railways. aud the improged facilities
tor the collection, transmission, diStri-
button. and delivery of mails which are
con stantly being provided, account for
the increased expenditures of this pop
ular branch of the public service. i in
vite the favorable consideration of Con-
gress to the suggestions and rec0mmen-
dations OF the Postmaster 6 General for
an extension ot the free delivery sys-
lem in all cities having a population Of
not less than, 10000; for the payment
of postage -on newspapers and other
printed matter OF the second class; for
uniform postage and limit OF the
weight OF miscellaneous, matter; for
adjusting the compensation OF all Post
masters, not appointed by the Presi-
dent; by the old method of commits
sions on actual receipts OF the office IN
stead OF the present mode of fixing the
salary in advance upon special returns.
and especially do l nrge favorable ac-
tion by Congress, on the important
recommendations of the Postmaster
General, fer he establishment of i
United States postal saving depository.
Your attention is also again called to q
consideration of postal te!egIaphs, and
the arguments aduced in support there
OF in the hope that you may take such
action in connection Herewith as, III
your Judgment, will most contribute
to the best interests of the country.
THE BANKRUPTCY ACT. -iaH
have become impressed with the
belief that the act approved March I'd,
1867, entitled "An act To establish a
uniform system of bankruptcy through :
out the United States is productive OF
more evil than good. at this lime
many considerations might be urged
for its total repeal, but if this is not
considered advisable, | think it Will not
be seriously questioned that those por-
tions OF said act providing for what Is
called involuntary bankruptcy operate
TO increase tho financial embarrassment
of the country. Careful and prudent
men very often become involved In
debt in the transaction OF their business,
and though they. may possess ample
property. ifit could be- niide ayaIlaoio
tor that purpose. TO meet all thelf lia-
biliiies. vet, On account OF the extiaor-
Si.ary scarcity of3money, they may be
unahiei 10 meet all their epecHnlary ou-
tioatio.,s as they become due, in couse-
ouence of which they are Liable 10 be
nrostratea in this business by proceed
inos in haakruptcy at theinstance oi
unseIeuting creditors. People are now
so easily alarmed as to momentary mat
Y tars thatthe meSe filing o. a petition
in bankruptcy by en- annfriendly credi
for will necessarily enlbarrass and
oftentimes accomplish the financial
| rain of responsible business meh. Those
I Who otherwise might make lawful and
inst arrangements to relieve themsei-
YES from difficulties produced by the
| present stringency in money, sac pre-
vented by their constant exposure 10
! attack and disappointment, by proeesa.
I ings again st them in bankruptcy AnG
besides, the law is made i'll many cases
by obdnraie creditors, TO frlghten oi
force debtors into a conpliance win
! their wishes aud into acts OF injustice
10 other creditors and themselves. j
recommend that SO much OF SAID act al
proyides for INVOLUNTARY bankruptcy
on account of The suspension Of pay
ment be repealed. m,.
Your careful attention is invited tt
the subject ot UH .4s H.,luIsll
| 5s CLAIMS AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT,
and the facilities afforded by existing
laws for their prosecution. Each of tn,
Jen,rtments Of State, Treasury, and
| Wsr have demands for many million:
of dollars upon their files, and they ar,
raoidly accommodating, TO these ma,
he added those now peading befor,
Congress, the Court of Claims, and th'
Southern Claims Commission, makins
i'm the as gr egate an immense sum. Mos
of these grow out of the rebellion, ane
are intended TO indemnify persons OF
both sides of their losses during th'
| -, I'D MT n few Of them are fabri