The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-12-09

effective and cheapest auxlliarles Tor the
defense of harbors, and also in aggres-
siye operations, that we can have, hence
II is advisable to learn by experiment
their best construction and application,
as well as effect. Fifth, a permanent or
eanization for the Signal Service Corps.
This service has now become necessity
of peace as we'll as war. Under the al
vancement made by the present able
management. Sixth, a renewal OF the
appropriation for compiling the oinclal
record of the war, etc
THE CONDITION OF OUR NAVY
at this time is subject of satisfaction. 1t
does not contain, it is true, any OF the
powerful cruising iron-clads which make
SO much of the maritime strength ofsome
other nations, but neither our continen-
tai situation nor our foreign policy re-
quires that we should have large num-
Der of ships of this character, while this
situation and the nature Of our ports con-
tinue to make those of other nations lit
tie dangerous TO us under any circum-
stances. Our navy does contain, how
ever, as considerable number OF iron
clads of the monitor class, which, though
not properly cruisers, are powerful and
effective for harhor defense and for OPP
erations near our own shores. OF these
all the single-turretted ones, fifteen in
mum er, have been substantially rebuilt,
their rotten wooden beams replaced with
iron, their hulls strengthened, and their
engines and machinery thoroughly re-
paired, so that they are now in most
efficient condition, and ready Tor sea as
soon as they can be manned and put in
commission. The five double-turretted
iron.clads belonging to our navy, by far
the most powerful of our ships for fight
ing purposes, are also in hand, under
going complete repairs, and could be
ready for sea in periods varying from
four to six months With these com
pleted, according to the present design,
and our two iron torpedo boats now
ready, our iron-clad feet will be, for the
purposes Of defense at home, equal to
any force that can be readily brought
against it. OF our wooden navy also,
cruisers of various sizes to the number
of about forty, including those now in
commission, are in the Atlantic, and
could be ready for duty as fast as men
could be enlisted for those not already
in commission. OF these one-third are
in effect new ships, and though some OF
the remainder need considerable repairs
to their boilers and machinery, they are
all or can readily be made effective. This
constitutes feet of more than fifty war
ships, of which fifteen are iron-clads,
now in hand and in the Atlantic coast.
The navy has been brought to this con-
dition by judcious and practical appli-
cation of what could be spared from the
current appropriations of the last few
wears, and from that made to meet the
possible emergency of two years ago, 1t
has been done quietly, without procla-
nation or display, and though it has
necessarily Strengthened the department
in its ordinary expenditures, and as far
as the iron-clads are concerned, has
added nothing to the cruising force OF
the navy, yet the result is not the less
satisfactory, because it is to be found in
a great increase of real rather than ap-
parent force. The expenses incurred in
the maintenance of any effective naval
force in all its branches are necessarily
large, but such force is essential to our
position, relations and character, and
affects seriously the weight of our prin-
ciples and policy throughout tie whole
sphere of naval responsibility. The es-
Inmates for the regular support OF this
branch of the service for the next year
amount to little less in the aggregate
than those made for the current year,
bnt some additional appropriations are
asked for objects not included in the or
binary maintenance of the navy, but be.
lieved to be of pressing importance at
this time. 1t would, in my opinion, he
wise at once to afford sufficient means
for the immediate completion of the five
double-turr monitors now under
going repairs, which must otherwise ad-
vance slowly and only as money can be
spared from current expenses, Supple
mented by these, our navy, armed with
the destructive weapons of modern war
fare, manned by our seamen and also in
charge of our instructed officers, will pre-
seut force powerful for the home pur-
poses of a responsible though peaceful
nation.
THE REPORT OF THE POSTMASTER GENERAL,
herewith transmitted, gives full his
tory of the workings Of the department
for the year just past. 1t will be OBJ
served that the deficiency to be supplied
from the general treasury increased over
the amount required for the preceding
year. In a country so vast in area as
the United States, with large portions
sparsely settled, it must be expected that
! this important service will be more or
less burden upon the treasury for many
years to come; but there is no branch of
the public service which interests the
whole people more than that of the
cheap and rapid transmission Of the mails
| to every inhabited part of our territory.
Next to the free schools, the postoffice is
the great communication of the people,
and may well receive the e.support of the
General Government The subsidy of
$3.50, 900 per annum given to vessels OF
the United States for carrying the mails
between New York and Rio De Janeiro
having ceased 5ou the Both day of Sep
! tember last, we are without direct mail
facilities with the South American States.
This is greatly to be regretted, and | do
not hesitate to recommend the authorize
ton of a renewal of that contract, and
also that the service may be increased
from monthly to semi-monthly.. The
commercial advantages to be gained by
a direct line Of American steamers to the
South American States will far outweigh
the expense Of the service, go. 50,
BY act OF Congress, approved March 8,
1875, almost all matter, whether properly
mail matter or not, may be sent any dis
tance through the mails in packages not
exceeding four pounds in weight for the
sum of sixteen cents per pound. So far
as the transmission Of real mail matter
goes, this would seem entirely proper;
but / suggest that the law be SO amended
as to exclude from the mails merchan-
disc of all descriptions, and limit this
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