Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1874-12-11

in commission, and most of the remainder
are launched and wait only the completion of
their machinery to enable them to take their
places as part of our effective force. Two
iron torpedo-ships have been completed dur
ing the last year; and four of our large tur-
reted iron-clads are now undergoing repairs.
When they are finished, everything that is
needful of our navy, now authorized, will be
in condition for service, and with the advance
in the science of torpedo warfare the Ameri-
can navy, comparatively small as it is, will be
found at any time powerful for the purposes
of a peaceful nation.
Much has also been accomplished during
the year in aid of science and to increase the
sum of general knowledge and further the in
terests of commerce and civilization. Exten-
sive and much-needed soundings have been
made for photographic purposes and to fix
the proper routes of ocean telegraphs. Fur
ther surveys of the great isthmus have been
undertaken and completed, and two vessels
of the navy are now employed, in conjunction
with those of England, France, Germany and
Russia, in observations connected with the
transit of Venus, useful and interesting to the
scientific world. 4ea< SIS as
The estimates for this branch of the public
service do not differ materially from those
of last year, the general support of the service
being somewhat less and those for improve
ments at various stations rather larger than
the corresponding estimates made year ago.
The regular maintenance and steady in
crease in the efficiency of this most important
arm, in proportion to the growth of our mari
time intercourse and interests, is recommend
ed to the attention of Congress.
The use of the navy during peace might be
further utilized by direct author ization of
the employment of naval vessels in surveys
of the supposed nayigable waters of other na-
tionalities on this continent, especially the
tributaries of the two great rivers OF South
America, the Oronoco and the Amazon. Moth
ing prevents, under existing laws, such ex-
plorations, except that expenditures must De
made in such expeditions beyond those usual
ly provided for by the appropriations. The
field designated is unquestionably one ofinter-
est, and one capable of large development
of commercial interests, advantageous to the
people reached and to those who may estab-
lish relations with them.
EDUCATION AND THE PosToFFIoE.
The education of the people entitled
to exercise the right of franchise
everywhere, and especially so in repub-
lies, where neither education nor pre-
vious condtionenters into account in giving
suffrage Next to the public school the
Postofice is the greatest agent of education
over our vast territory. The rapidity with
which new sections are being settled in
creases the cost of carrying the mails in a
more rapid ratio than the increase of re-
ceipts. The report of the Postmaster Gen.
eral, herewith attached, shows that there was
an increase of revenue in this department in
1878 over the previous year OF Sl,o74,4ll,
and an increase of the cost OF carry
ing the mails and paying employees of
master-General gives interesting statistics of
his department, and, comparing them with
the corresponding statistics of year ago,
shows growth in every branch of the de-
partment.
A postal convention has been concluded
with New South Wales, an exchange of post
al-cards established with Switzerland, and
the negotiations pending for several years
past with France have terminated in con-
yention with that country, which went into
effect last August
An International Postal Congress was con-
vened in Berne, Switzerland, in September
last, at which the United States was repre-
sented by an officer of the Postofice Depart
ment of much experience and of qualification
for the position. A convention for the ests.b
lishment of an international postal union was
agreed upon by the delegates of the countries
represented, subject to the approval of the
proper authorities ofthose countries.
l respectfully direct your attention to the
report of the Postmaster-Gene and to his
suggestions in regard to an equitable adjust
ment of the question of compensation to rail-
roads for carrying the mails.
THE SOUTHERN STATES.
Your attention will be drawn to the unset
tied condition of affairs in some of the
Southern States. On the 14th of September
last the Governor of Louis ana called
upon me, as provided by the Constitu-
tion and laws of the United States, to
aid in suppressing domestic violence
in that State This call was made in view of
a proclamation issued on that day by d. B.
Penn, stating that he was elected Lieutenant
Governor in 1872 and calling upon the mill
tia of the State to arm, assemble and drive
from power the usurpers, as he designated
the officers of the State Government On
the next day | issued my proclama-
tion, commanded the insurgents to dis
perse within five days from the date
thereof, and subsequently learned that on
that day they had taken forcible possession
of the State House. Troops were sent by me
to support the existing and recognized State
Government, but before the expiration of the
five days the insurrectionary movement was
practically abandoned, and the officers of the
State Government, with some minor excep-
tions, resumed their powers and duties. Con-
sidering that the present State administration
of Louisiana had been the only government
in that State for nearly two years; that it had
been tacitly acknowledged and acquiesced in
as such by Congress, and more than once ex-
pressly recognized by me, regarded it as my
clear duty, when legally called upon for that
purpose, to prevent its overthrow by an armed
mob under pretense of fraud and irregularity
in the election of 1872 have heretofore called
the attention of Congress to this subject,
stating that on account of the frauds and
forgeries committed at said election, and
because it appeared that the returns thereof
were never legally canvassed, it was impossi-
BILE to tell thereby who were chosen, but
from the best sources of information at my
command / have always believed the present
State officers received majority Of the legal
votes actually cast at that election. / repeat
what said in my special message of Feb. 13,
1873 that in the event of no action by Con-
gress / must continue to recognize the gov
ernment heretofore recognized by me.
regret to say that with the preparations
for the late election decided Indication APP
peared in some localities in the Southern
States of determination, by acts of violence
and intimidation, to deprive citizens of the
freedom of the ballot because of their polii-
cal opinions; bands of men masked and
armed made their appearance; White Leagues
and other societies were formed; large guam
titles of arms and ammunition were
imported and distributed to these or
ganizations; military drills, with menac-
ing demonstrations, were held, and, with all
these, murders enough were committed to
spread terror among those whose political
action was to be. suppressed II possible by
these intolerant and crlmlnal proceedings.
In some places colOred laDOrers we're COLL
pelled to vote according to the wishes of
their employers, under threats of discharge
if they acted otherwise, and there are
too many instances in which, when
these threats were disregarded, they
were remorselessIy executed by those by
whom they were made. | understand that
the Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution
was made to prevent this and the like state
of things, and the act of May 81, 1870, with
the amendments was passed to enforce its
provisions, the object of this being to guaran-
tee to all citizens the right to vote and to pro-
tect them in the free enjoyment of that right.
Enjoined by the Constitution to take care
that the laws be faithfully executed and con-
x-;noad nv 11,-dou btad evidence that violations