The New York herald., 1875-12-08

requires that we should have large number Of ships
OF this character while this situation and the nature of
our ports continue to make those OF other nations tto
dangerous 10 us under any circumstances. Our navy
does contain, however, considerable number Of ron
cads oi the monitor class, which, though not properly
cruisers are powerful and effective for habor defence
and Tor operations near own shores or
number have Deen substantially rebuilt their rotten
wooden beams replaced with IRON their hulIs strength
ened aud their engines and machinery thoroughly
paired, that they in the most enicent con
dtion ana ready for they can be manned
and put In commission The hye double. turreted
iron clads belonging 70 our navy, by far the most
powerful OF ships for lighting purposes also in
hand and undergoing complete repairs and could 10
got ready for III periods varying from to SIX
months. With these completed according 10 the pres
design and our Two iron torpedo boats ready
our n-clad feet will be for all purposes
Of defence at home equal TO any force thai
can readily be brought against T. OF our wooden
navy also cruisers Of various sizes TO the
number OF about forty including those now in comms
son In the Atlantic and could be ready Tor duty
fast could be enlisted for those not already IN
commission. OF these one-third are In effect new
ships and though Of tho remainder need consld-
cradle repairs their boilers and machinery they all
readily be made effective. THIS constitutes
feet OF than htty war ships OF which fifteen are
iron clad in hand on the Atlantic coast The navy
has been brought 10 this condition by Judicious ana
practical application OF what could be spared from the
current appropriation of the last few years and rom
that made TO meet the possible emergency Of two
years ago. II has been done quietly without proclama
ton or display and though II has necessarily strait
ened the department in It's ordinary expenditure and,
the ironclads are concerned has added moth
ing 70 the cruising force OF the navy yet the result
Is not the less satisfactory because be found
great increase Of real rather than apparent force The
expenses incurred in the maintenance OF an effective
naval force in all its branches necessarily
large; but such force is essential to
affects seriously the weight or our principles
policy throughout the whole sphere OF naval re-
sponslbues. The estimates for the regular support
Of this branch of the service for the next year
little less, in tho aggregate, than those made for
the current year oas some additional appropriations
maintenance of the navy but believed To be OF pressing
importance at this time. 1t would in my opinion, be
at to afford sufficient means for the imme-
date completion of the five doubeturreted monitors
undergoing repairs, which must otherwise advance
slowly and only as money be spared from current
expenses Supplemented by these navy, armed
with destructive weapons of modern warfare, manned
by seamen and in charge Of instructed officers,
will present force powerful for the home purposes of
responsible, though peaceful, nation
POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The report OF the Postmaster General herewith trans
mittcd gives full history of the workings of the de-
partment for the year just past IL will be observed
that the denciency 70 be supphec from the general
Treasury increased over the amount required for the
preceding year In country so vast the
United States with large portions sparsey settled it
must be expected that this important service will be
or less a burden upon the Treasury for many
years to come But there is no branch of the public
service which interests the whole people than
that of cheap and rapid transmission Of the mails
every inhabited part OF our territory. Next TO the
free school, the Post Office the great educator Of the
people, and IL may well receive the support OF the
era government.
The subsidy OF $3.50 900 per given to vessels
New York and Rio de Janeiro having ceased on the
30th day of September last, without direct mail
facilities with the South American States This greatly
TO be regretted and do not hesitate to recommend
the authorization of renewal OF that contract and
also that the service may be increased from monthly to
semi monthly trips The commercial advantages to be
gained By direct line of American steamers to the
South American States viii far outweigh
the expense OF the service BY act of
Congress approved March 8, 1875, almost all
matter whether properly mail matter or not, may be
sent any distance through the mails in packages not
nfnffrn de n ( Wl
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 merchandise OF all descriptions aud
limit tins transportation to all articles enumerated and
which may be classed as mail matter proper.
The discovery OF gold the Black Hills, portion Of
the Sioux Reservation, has had the elect to Induce
large emigration of miners 10 that point Thus Tar the
eor protect the treaty rights OF the Indians of that
section has been successful, but tho next year will
certainly witness a large increase OF such emf
grafton. The negotiations for the REIMBURSEMENT OF
the gold fields having ailed IL will be necessary for
Congress to adopt some measures to relieve tho en-
barrassment growing out OF the causes named. The
Secretary OF the Interior suggests that the supplies
appropriated for the sustcnance of that people
being longer obligatory under the treaty Of 1868 but
simply grauy, may be issued or withheld at bis dis
creon.
INDIAN TERRITORY.
The condition fthe Indian Territory which have
ferred several Of my former annual messages remains
practically unchanged The Secretary OF the Interior
has taken measures 10 obtain full report OF the cond
ton OF that Territory and will make It the subject OF
special report early day. 1t may then be
sary 10 make some further recommendation in regard
to legislation for the government of that Territory
PATENT
The steady growth and increase Of the business OF
the Patent 0fice indicate some measure the prog
OF the industrial activity of the country The
Ceipts Of the Office are In excess OF its expenditures
and the office generally Is in prosperous and satsfac
tory condition. The report OF the General Land Office
shows that there 459 COL less disposed OF
during this than during the last year More than
half OF this decrease was 10 lands disposed Of under the
Homestead and Timber Culture laws. The causes OF
this decrease supposed TO be found in the grasshop
per scouge and the droughs which prevailed so exten
stvely of the frontier States and Territories
during that time as TO discourage and deter entries by
actual settlers The cash receipts were less by
$780, go % than during the preceding year.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN
The entire surveyed OF the public domain is
ESQ 253 094 acres OF which 20 077 53l
vcyed during the past year. leaving l54 Al 762 acres
stiil unsuryeyed
The report Of the Commissioner presents many inter
esng suggestions in regard TO the management and dis
position OF the public domain and the modification of
existing laws, the apparent importance OF which should
deserve lor them the careful consideration OF Congress
PENSIONERS.
The number OF pensioners still continues to decrease,
the highest numUer having oeen reached during the
year ending June 80 1873. During the last year
III 557 names we're added the rolls and IL 97T
dropped therefrom, showing a decrease of 420.
But while the number OF pensioners has decreased
the annual amount due on the pension rolls has in
creased S44 49, l3 Thus is caused by the greatly in
creased average rate OF pensions, which by the liberal
legislation o. Congress has increased from 500 20 in
1872 TO Sl03 ~ in 1876 TO each Invalid pensioneran
three years During the year ending June 80, 1876,
there was paid on account of pensions, including the
expenses of disbursement $40 6S3 l6, being 500 632
less than was paid the preceding year This reduction
10 amount OF expenditures produced by
the decrease IN the amount Of arrcarages
allowed claims and on pensions, the
Of which increased By the legislation Of the
preceding of Congress At the close of the last
nscal there we're on the pension rolls 23l s2l
sons OF whom 2lo,363 army pensioners, 105 4TS
being pyalids, and lQ sS5 wdows and dependent rea
tives 42O we're havy pehsonefs of whdn 6s6 were
invalids and ], 5S4 widows and dependent reatiyes
81 Q3S were pensioners OF the OF 1912 Is S75 OF
whom were Survivors and 8 los were widows. It is
timated that $50 $50 900 will be required for the pay.
ment OF pensions Tor the next fiscal year, amount
SgGJ 600 than the estimate for the present year.
rHE GEOLOGICAL EXPLORATIONS
have been prosecuted with energy during the year,
covering OF about 40 900 square miles IN the
Territories Of Colorado, Utah and New Mexico, deyel-
oping the agricultural and mineral and fur
nshing'intcrcslng scientific and typographical details