The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-12-18

Point
The reasons for the recommendations are
obvious and are set forth in the report attach
ed. also recommend that the status OF stat
corps of the army be fixed, where this has no
already been done, SO that promotions
may be made and vacancies filed, al
below the number to be fixed by law. The
necessity for such legislation is specially
| felt now in the pay department, which is be-
low the number adequate to the performance
| of the duties required of them.
| THE NAVY.
| The efficiency of the navy has been largely
| increased during the last year. Under the
! impulse of the foreign complications, which
| threat ened us at the commencement OF the
| last congress, most of our efficient wooden
| ships were put in condition for immediate
| service, and the repairs of our irOn-clads were
| pushed with the utmost vigor. The result is,
| that mCst of these are now in an effective
| state and need only to be manned and set in
commission, to go at once into service. Some
| of the new steamers, authorized by congress,
| are already in commission and most of the
remainder arc launched and wait the compile
| ton of 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 double
| turetted iron-clads are now undergoing re-
| pairs. When these are finished, everything
| that is needful for our navy, as now as,thor-
with the advance in science of torpedo war
fare, the American navy, comparatively small
it is, will be found powerful for the purposes
of peaceful nation.
SCIENTIFIC AND HYDROGRAPHIC,
Much has also been accomplished dnring
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. The
surveys of the great Isthmus have been COM
pleted and vessels of the navy are now en-
ployed in con junction with those of England,
France, Germany and Russia in observations
connected with the transit of Venus, useful
and interesting to the scientific world.
The estimates for this branch of the public
service do not differ much from those of last
year. the general appropriation of the service
being so ewhat less, and those for improve
ments at the various stations rather larger
than the corresponding ones made a year ago
The regular maintenance and steady increase
in the efficiency of this most important arm,
i'll proportion to the growth of our maritime
intercourse and interests, is recommended to
the attention of congress.
The use of the navy during peace might be
further utilized by direct authorization Of
the employment of naval vessels in surveys of
the supposed navigable waters of other ma
tionalties on this continent, especially the
tributaries of the two great rivers of South
America, the OrinOcO and the Amazon. Moth
ing prevents under existing laws, such explo-
ration, except that expenditures must be made
in such development of the commercial inter
ests, advantageous to the people reached, and
to those who may establish relations with
them.
POSTAL PROPOSITIONS.
The education of the Leople enti led to ex-
ercise the right of franchise l regard as essen
tial to prosperity everywhere. and especially
III HO+
vious condition do not enter into account in
giving the suffrage. Next to the public school
is the pOst-otfice as the great agent of educa-
ton over our vast territory. The Tapidity with
which new sections are being settled up, thus
the carrying of the mails in a more
rapid ratio than the increase of receipts, is
not alarming. The report of the postmaster
general, herewith attached, shows there was
an increase of revenue in his department i'll
1873 over the previous year of 81 GA, AL, and
an increase Of the cost of carrying the mails
Or paying employees Of S3,041, 1871. The |
report Of the postmaster general gives
statistics of his department, and |
compares them with corresponding statistics
Of year ago, showing growth in every |
branch of the department.
A postal convention has been concluded with |
New South Wales, an exchange of postal cards
with Switzerland and the negotia- |
ions pending for several years past with |
France have terminated in convention with !
August.
An international postal congress was con-
Sened in Berne in September last, at which |
.he United States was represented by an officer |
If the postoffice department, of mu-h expe- |
.ie1Ce and of publication for the position. |
convention for the establishment of an IN |
ernatiOnal postal un' on was agreed on by the |
delegates of the countries represented SUBJ |
ec5 70 the approval of the proper authorities |
If those countries.
I fUlI +a +ba
eport of the postmaster general, and his sug-
yestiOns in regard to an equitable adjustment |
If the question of the compensation to rail
'oads for carrying the mails.
FOURTEENTH OF SEPTEMBER.
Your attention will be drawn to the unset
led condition of affairs in some of the south
9Tn states On the 14th of September last,
he governor of Louisiana called on me, as
provided III the constitution of the United
States, for aid in the suppression of domestic
1olence. That call was made in view of
issued by d. B. Penn, saying
le was elected Lieut.. Governor in 1872
md calling upon the militia of the state to
Lrm, assemble and drive from power the usurp-
RS, as he designated the officers of the state
government. On the next day issued my
commanding the insurgents o
lisperse within five days from the date there
If, and subsequently, learned that ON that day
hey had taken forclble possession of the
tate house. Steps were taken by me to sup
Dort the existing and recognized state govern
nent, but before the expiration of the five
lays the lnsurrectiOnary movement was prac-
ically abandoned, and the officers of the state
with some minor exceptions, re-
umed their powers and duties
Considering that the present state adminis-
ration of Louisiana has been the only gov
in the state for nearly two years;
hat it has been tactily acknowledged and ac-
uiesced in as such by congress, and more
bv I
,arded 1t rs my clear duty, when legally called
pon for that purpose, to prevent it's over
hrow by an armed mob under pretense of
raud and irregularity in the election of 1872.
have heretofore called the attention of con-
ress to this subject stating that on account
f the frauds and fOrgeries committed at said
lection, and because it appears that the re-
urns thereof were never legally cauvased, it
Tas impossible to tell thereby who were
hosen. But from the best sources of infor-
nation at my command, have always believ-
d the present state officers received a majori-
Y of the legal votes actually cast at that cleo
ION. | repeat what said in my special mes
age of Feb. 13, 1874, that in the event of no
elton by congress, | must continue to recogi
ize the government heretofore recognized by
le.
KU-KLUx
| regret to say that with the preparations
or the late election, decided Indications ap-
cared in some localities in the southern states
L u ueteIhlndllOD Dy acts OF violence ana
to deprive citizens of the ballot be-
ause of their political opinion. Bands of
len masked and armed made their appear
nee. White leagues and other societies were
0 med. Large quantities of arms and am
lunition were imported and distributed to
hese organizations, Military drills with men
cling demonstrations we're held, and, with all
hese, murders enough were committed, which
pread terror among those whose political ac-
ION was to be suppressed if possible by these
ltolerant and criminal proceedings. In some
laces colored laborers were compelled to vote
to the wishes OF their employers
nder threats of discharge if they acted other
1se, and there are too many instances in
-hich, when these threats were disregarded
hey were remOrselessly executed by those by
HON made.
/ understand that the fifteenth amendment
D the constitution was made 20 prevent this |
Ike state of things, and the act of May 81,
$40, with its amendments. was passed 10 en- |
Orce its provisions, the object of this being
D guarantee to all citizens the right to vote
nd to protect them in the free enjoyment of
nat right. Enjoined by the constitution to
AXE care that the laws be faithfully executed, |
nd convinced by undoubted evidence that vio-
ltiOns of said act had been committed, and
nat widespread and fragrant disregard of it |
as contemplated the proper officers were in
5ructed to prosecute the offenders, and troops |
ere stationed at convenient points to aid
lese officers, if necessary, in the perform
nee of their official duties. Complaints are
lade of this interference by the federal |
!, E,,E Il |