National Republican., 1878-12-03

bet the hoeiinK 1nluence OIL ume, the IN
heront energies Of our people, and the bound.
less resources OF our country have fair Up.
portup'ty, and relief from present difficulties
will surely follow.
Tho report Of the Secretary of War shows
that the army has been we'll and economically
supplied that our small force has been ac-
lively employed, and has faithfully performed
all the service required Of Il. Tho morale Of
tho army has improved and the number of de-
sertions has materially decreased during the
year,
Tho Secretary recommends
l. That pension be granted to the widow
OF the late Lieutenant Henry ii. Benner,
Eighteenth Infantry, who lost his life by yell
low fever while In command Of the steamer
J. NJ. Chambers, sent with supplies for tho ro-
lief Of sufferers in the South from that disease.
9. The establishment Of the annuity scheme
for the benefit Of the heirs of deceased officers,
as suggested by the Paymastcr General.
3. Tho adoption by Congress OF plan for the
publication of the records of the War of tho Re-
bellion, now being prepared for that purpose.
4. The increase of the extra per diem Of SOL
dior.teachers employed In post schools, and
liberal appropriations for the erection Of build.
ings for schools and Libraries at the different
posts.
o. The repeal or amendment Of the act Of
June 1S 1873, forbidding the use Of the army
us posse cOBlitatIis, or otherwise. for the pur-
pose OF executing the laws, except In such cases
and under such circumstances as may be ex-
prcssly authorized by the Constitution or by
act of Congress-
gress lcgalizing the issues ofntions, tents, and
medicines which were made for tho relief OF
sufferers from yellow.fcvcr.
Z. That provision DO made for tho erection
Of a fire proof building for the preservation Of
certain valuable records, now constantly ex.
posed 10 destruction by fire.
These recommendations arc all commended
to your favorable consideration.
Tho report of the Secretary of tho Navy
shows that the navy has improved during the
last fiscal year Work has been done on sew
enty-five vessels, ton of which have been
thoroughly repaired and made ready for sea
Two others arc in rapid progress toward com.
plelion. Tho total expenditures Of the year,
including the amount appropriated for the do.
feicneies Of the previous year. were Sl7 ,46s,.
1926.
Tho actual expenses chargeable to the yoar,
exclusive Of these deficiencies, were Sl3,3O6,.
0liD9, or S767, ,l901S less than those Of the
previous year, and 81 ,025,677 less than tho
expenses, including tho deficiencies. The esti-
mates for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1880,
arc Sli,5G2, G2,3Sl.i5-exceeding tho appropri-
ations OF the present year only s33, ,049.75 |;
which excess is occasioncd by tho demands Of
explained In the Secrctary's report. Tho up.
proprations for the present fiscal year are
sli,52o, ,i3l.1O, which, In the opinion of the
Secretary, will DO ample for all the current
expenses OF the Department during tho year.
The amount drawn from the Treasury from
July TO November 1, 1873, Is $i,7i0,5i OF
which S70,9s075 has been refunded leaving as
the expenditure for that period 81 669, ,563. 3.30,
or $52Os00.2i less than tho corresponding
period Of the last fiscal year
The report OF the POstmaster-G General en-
braces detailed statement of the operations
Of the Post t-Oaico Department.. Tho cx pend
itures Of that Department for the FISCAL year
ended Juno 30, 1873, were S3i, ,l65, ,0Sii9. The
receipts. including sales of stamps, moncy.or-
der business, and official stamps, were $50 275,.
5lG.05. The sum of $500, 1860, included in
tho foregoing statement Of expenditures, Is
chargablo 10 preceding years, so that the actual
expenditures for tho fiscal year ended June 80,
1873, arc S33,s7iGi7.5O The amount drawn
from tho Treasury on appropriations In addi-
ton to tho revenues Of the Department, was
5,3O7 ,652.s2 The expenditures for the fiscal
year ending juno 80 1850, arc estimated at
S3B,57l 900, and the receipts from all sources
at S30,G6i, ,02390. leaving deficiency to hs ap.
propriated out of the Treasury Of s. 007, SIG 10.
The report calls attention to the fact that the
compensation Of pOstmastcrs and of railroads
for carrying the mail Is regulated by law, and
that the failure Of Congress to appropriate the
amounts required for these purposes does not
relieve the Government of responsibility, but
necessarily increases the deficiency bills which
Congress will be called upon to pass.
IN providing for the postal service the fol-
lowing questions arc presented: Should Con-
grcss annually appropriate sum for its ex.
penscs largely In excess of It's revenues, or
should such rates of postage be established as
will make tho Department selfsustaining
Rl.l l.
cluding from the mails matter which does not
pay its wayP Should the number of post
routes bo diminished Should other methods
be adopted which will increase the revenues
or diminish the expenses Of the postal service ?
Tho International Postal Congress, which
met ut Paris May !, 1873, aud continued In
session until June of the same year, was
composed Of delegates from nearly all the civ
ilized countries of the world. II adOpted q
new convention, to take the place of tho treaty
concluded at Berne, October 0. 1871; which
goes into effect on the LIST Of April, 1879, be-
tween the countries whose delegates have
signed it.
1t was ratified and approved, by and with
the consent Of tho President, August l3, 1873
synopsis Of this Universal Postal Convcn.
tion will be found in the report of tho POST
master General and the full text In the appen
dix thereto. In its origin the Postal Union
comprised twcnty-three countries, having q
population of three hundred and fifty millions
of people. On the lst of April next It will
comprise forty-threc countries aud colonies,
with population of moro than six hundred
and fifty millions of people, and will soon, by
the accession of the fow remaining countries
aud colonies which maintain organized postal
services, constitute, iu fact as well rs in name,
rs its new title indicates, n Universal Union,
regulating upon a uniform basis of cheap
postage rates, the postal intercourse between
all civilized nations.
Somo embarrassment has arisen out
of tho conflict between the customs laws
of this country aud the provisions of the
postal convention in regard to the transmits.
sion Of foreign books aud newspapers to this
country by mail. 1t is hoped that Congress
will be able to devise some means of reconcl-
ing the difficulties which have thus been
created, 50 as to do justice to all parties in
volyed.
Tho business Of the Supreme Court and of
the courts in many of the circuits, has In.
creased to such AN extent during the past years
that additional legislation is imperative TO re.
licye aud prevent the delay OF justice and pos.
sible oppression to suitors, which Is thus Occa.
stoned. The oncumbered condition of these
dockets is presented anew in tho report of tho
Attorney. General, and the remedy suggested
is earnestly urged for Congressional sction.
Tho creation Of additional circuit judges, us
proposed, woull afford u complete remedy, and