The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1876-12-07

which had gone 10 decay. Yet the mos,
has been done that was possible with the
means at command, and they are substan-
tally rebuilding some OF our old ships with
durable material, and completely repairing
and reitting oCr monitor fleet The Navy
has been 60 gradually brought up 10 that,
though it does not maintain its relative pc
sitlon among The progressive navies Of the
world, 1t IS nov III a C 6.li.ion more 1w-
ertul and effective than 1t ever has
teen before in time OF peace. The complete
| repairs of our five ironclads are only de-
iayed on account Of the inadequacy of the
appropriation made last year for the work
ing bureaus OF the department, which were
actually less on amount than those made
before the war, notwithstanding the gr.atly
increased price OF labor and materials, and
the increase in the cost of the naval service
| growing out OF the universal u-e OF great
expense of steam machinery. The money
necessary for these repairs should be pro-
videG at once, that they may be completed
| without further unnecessary delay and ex-
pense; when this is done all the strength
that there is in the Navy will be developed
and useful to its iun capacity, and all will
be powerful for the purpose OF defending,
and also for offensive action, should neces-
sity for that arise within reasonable dis
lance from our shore, and the fact that our
Navy Is no. more modern and powerful
than ii Is, ha, been made cause of
complaint against the Secretary of the
Navy by persons who, at the same time,
criticise and complain of his endeayors 10
bring the Navy that we have to it, best
and most efficient condition, but the good
sense OF the country understand that il is
really to his prudent action that we have
any affective naval force At our command.
POSTAL AFFAIRs.
The report OF the Postmaster Cen
era: shows an excess OF expen-
| ditures - excluding expenditures on
| account OF previous years-over receipts
Tor the fiscal year ending June Both, 1876,
| to be 4,l5l ,0sS.G6. Estimated expendi-
lures for the iiscal year ending June 30;h,
1873, are $50, %, 432 43, estimated revenue
for same period, Is $50, 655, 90, leaving
an estimated excess of expenditures to be
appropriated as a deficiency, OF S6,O1S,-
26I .i3. The Postmaster General, and like
his predecessor, is convinced that change
in the basis OF adjusting the salaries Of
postmasteIs Of the fourth class is necessary
Tor the good of the service, as we'll as for
the interests OF the Government, and il is
urgently recommended that the comIensa-
| ton of the class OF postmasters above men,
toned be based on the business OF their re-
spectiye Offices, as ascertained from their
sworn returns to the Auditor of Stamps,
Cancelled.
= few postmas,ers in the Southern States
have expressed great apprehensions of their
personal safety, on account of their connec-
ton with the postal service, and have spe-
cIally requested that their reports Of appre-
hended danger should not be made public
lest il should result in the loss CT their
lives, but no positive testimony of interfer-
ence has been submitted, except in the case
OF mail messenger at Spartansburs, in
South Carolina, who reported that he had
been violently driven away while in
charge Of the mail, because Of his political
affiliations. The Assistant Supt. of the
Railway service investigated this case and
reported that the messenger had disappear
ed from his post, leaving his work TO be
performed by q substitute. The Postmas-
ter General thinks this case is sufficiently
suggestive to justify him in recommending
that a more severe punishment should be
provided for the ofiense of assaulting any
person in charge Of the mails, or Of returd
ing or otherwise obstructing them by threats
OF personal injury very gratifying result,
is presented in the fac: that the deficiency
Of this department during the last fiscal
year was reduced to S40Sl,190 as against
S6I6, 993, SIS Of the preceding year. The
difference can be traced to large increase
in its ordinary receipts which greatly ex-
ceeded the estimates therefor, and slight
increase in all expenditures. The ordinary
receipts Of the post Office department for the
past seven fiscal years have increased at an
average Of over eight per cent. per annum,
while the increase OF expenditures for the
same period has been about five and half
per cent. per annum and the decrease of the
deficiency in the revenue has been at the
rate OF nearly PER cent, per annum.
AGRICULTURAL.
The report OF the Commissioner OF Agri
culture, accompanying this message, will be
found OF great interest, marking, as it docs,
the great progress of the last century in
the increase OF Tie produce OF the soil, and
OF knowledge and skill in the labor of pre-
ducing, saving and manipulating the same
D prepare them for the Use of man in the
improvement in machinery to aid the agri-
culturist in his labors, and knowledge of
those scientific subjects necessary to thor
ough system of economy in agricultural
productions, namely, chemistry, botany and
entomology. Those interested IN agricuI- |
ture and deriving their supper, from it,
will find this report of valne in pointing |
out these articles which are raised in great. |
er quantity than the needs of the world re- |
and ell tbarar,ro e.. L., |
the cost of production, and those which |
command a profit over the cost OF produc- |
tion because there is not an Cver-produc- |
ton. l would call special attention to the
need OF the department Of new gallery
for the reception of the exhibits returned |
from the centennial exhibition, including
the exhibits donated by very many foreign
nations, and to the recommendations OF the
Commissioner OF Agriculture generally.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
The reports of the District Comm ission-
ers and the board of health are Just re-
ceived-too late to read them and make
thereon-and are here
with submitted.
THE CENTENNIAL.
The International Exhibition held in
Philadelp hia this year in commemora-
lion of the one hundredth
of American Independence,
hss proven great success, and will no
ioubt be of enduring advantage to the
country. 1t has shown the great progress
IN the arts, sciencet, and mechanical skill,
made in a single century, and demonstrated
hat We are but little behind the older ma
ions in any one branch, while in some we
carcely have a rival. 1t has served to
BRING the people and the product of skill
md labo-, from all parts Of the world to-
;etter but in bringing together the pee
de from all sections of our own country,
) must prove of great benefit by the
impaired and the pride of
ountry ehgendered.
SMITHSONIAN
1t has been suggested by scientists inter-
sted in and connected with the Smithson- ,
an Institute, in a communication, that the
exhibit be removed to the 1
api.ol, and suitable building be erected .
r punched for its accommodation, a. per ,
nanent exhibition. / earnestly endorsed
his recommendation and believing that .
congress would second this view, directed
hat all the Government exhibit at the Cen
ennisl Exhibition should remain where g
hey are, except such as might be injured by 1
in building not intended As . =,
rejection in inclement weather, or such as
lay be wanted by the department furnish
% them, until the question Of a perma- J
ent exhibition Is acted on. Although the
,onies appropriated by Congress to enable I
ne raYticinaficn of the seversl | n