Connecticut western news., 1874-12-18

I1aVeu cudISou WlUn rODDlnS une pObG-O1llCo D0X of letters. It was ascertained that he had stuck pins on the inclined slide in the letter box, which prevented the letters sliding down, and enabled him to reach in and take them out.
 The United States Navy. The annual report of Hon. George M. Robe son, Secretary of the Navy, shows the navy to be ill a remarkably efficient condition, both as regards the number of vessels, their armament and sea going qualities. One year ago the navy consisted of 1G5 vessels of all classes, armed with ,269 guns, exclusive of howitzers. Since that time there has been added to it eight new steam sloops, two torpedo vessels and one dis | patch boat, and it has been diminished by the 1 sale of two wooden and eleven light draught iron vessels, leaving as the present number 163 vessels, with 1,254 guns, the armament having l been slightly increased by the increase in the number of guns the new ships. Of this whole number twenty have sail power only and of these four are to be placed at the disposal of the State and local authorities, as school or training ships, under the direction of the act of Congress providing for such disposition. Seven are in use only receiving ships, two are old lne-of-battle ships, which have been oR the | stocks for many years, and eight are of old type and in bad condition, and can be used only for barracks or stationary school ships, leaving five which can be put to practical use at sea as store-ships, transports or surveying vessels. | Our steam navy consists of 137 vessels of all | classes and ill every condition. Of this number | 25 are tugs and, with one or two exceptions, | for yard purposes 37 arc armored vessels, and | two are torpedo boats, leaving 73 steam vessels | originally of class adapted for cruising. These are classified as follows First rate, 5 vessels 18S guns 15, 163 tons. Second rate vessels 31; 51O guns 57,528 tons. Third rate, 31 l vessels 183 guns; IS, 956 tons Fourth rate | 6 vessels 21 guns 183 tons making total of 75 vessels, 9O2 guns, including howitzers, and 94, $50 tons. It appears from the report | that the Secretary has given special attention | to placing the ironclad vessels of the navy | in condition for active and efficient serv1ce
 nited States Army. In his annual report, the United States Socrc- tary of War calls attention to the fact that the reduction of the army effected little or no say ing, as troops had to be removed from place to | place at great expense. The Secretary suggests | that if the army is to be reduced it should be | dono by reducing the number of regiments The actual expenditure of the
 War Department for tho year ending June 30, 1873, including river and harbor Improvements, were............. ........... .$46, 1925, ,3O8.21 | The same for the fiscal year end
 ing June 30, 1874. ............. 42,326, ,3I4.71 |
 Showing reduction Off,. S3,998, ,993. 50 | The estimates for the military es- tablishment for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1875, were $34 40, 722 S9 I Those submitted for the ensuing fiscal year are. re............ 32,4Ss, 969. 50
 Showing reduction of ... $1, ,921, ,753.39 The estimates of the Chief of En- gineors for Notifications, river and harbor improvements, and public buildings and grounds, and Washington aqueduct, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870, were. $2O, 459, 396.0 | His estimates for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1876, as follows viz Notifications and other works of defense. ..... $2, 10S 700 0O Geographical and
 military surveys. 399 100000 Improvement of
 rivers and har-
 bors .......... 13,285, ,5OO.OO Public buildings
 and grounds, and
 Was h ington
 aqueduct . 678,41O.5O
 ----$16,4 All ,61O. 50
 Showing reduction of $3, ,987, ,7S5 50 The total estimates of the War
 Department. for all purposes,
 for the fiscal year ending Juno
 30, 1875, were. re................ $6O, 18O, 923. So The same for the ensuing fiscal
 year are..................... 53, IA 499. %
 Showing a reduction in
 favor of those for the
 ensuing year of......... $7,O36, 424.89 The estimates for the military es-
 tablishments for the fiscal year
 ending June 30, 1876, are. ... $32 488, 969. 50 The appropriations for the current
 fiscal year were. ........... 2S, 5S2, 392. .00
 Excess of next years esti-
 mates over this year s ap-
 preparations. $3, SOC, ,5H. 50 The estimates of the Chief of Engineers are submitted separately, presented by that officer, viz:
 Notifications and other works of
 dc1enSo. ...................... S2 1OS, 700. % Public buildings and grounds, and
 Washington aqueduct. ...... 678, 40. 50 Surveys. .............. 399,000.00 Engineer depot at Willet's Point,
 \. ....................... 9,OOOOO Office expenses. es................. 35,0 .00 Improvement of rivers and har-
 bors. ....................... 12,97O, LOO
 Iotal S16, ,20O, $50. 50