Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1878-12-03

and ils falls are l 900 miles above the Ma
deirss mouth. A railroad is being completed
around the falls, and 1t will open mp the vast
country OF Bolivia
The estimate for the next years expenses is
sl4, 5G2 SSi 40, which is In excess OF the appro-
ration for this year fSS 949 rs.
The total estimates OF the last fiscal year
including the amount appropriated for the de-
icieuces Of the previous year were sl7, 46S, =
992 After deducting the deficiencies OF 1877
knd 1873, which were -, 16l ATS, the amount
chargeable to the expenditures OF the year was
s1S. 500 slf, which was s767, l99 less than the
actual expenses OF the previous year. and 81
92s 677 less than the expenditures, including
he deficiencies OF that year and "a $50 $50
less than the expenditures OF the year ended
June so 1876
Secretary Thompson next discusses the relG-
tions OF the navy TO commerce. He SAYS: " III
my last ANNUAL Tep0rtthe attention OF Congress
MAS directed to the condition of our commerce
and the relations borne 10 II by the navy. Our
rapidly -inCTeasiDg exports since that time have
demonstrated that this coun ~ must become
The gres,est producing country IN the world.
AZ experience has shown that no nation car
s ford to leave its commerce unguarded uFor
The seas. the duty OF protecting ours IL nov
greater and mote urgent than Il has ever been
bs'ore." The secretary, at very considerable
length, refers TO the legislation or this couE-
try IN regard TO commerce and the regulation
OF our coHsting trade. and paws attention TO
the decrease in our tonnage and oceaE-cafry-
ing trade, which begun in 1861. The secretary .
reference 10 the DISADVANTAGES which this
country lAhors undsr In relation 70 the carrying
trade OF the world are voluminous, and he
argues 20 show our dependency upon foreign
nations for the transportation OF our surplus
productions 10 the mhrkets OF the world.
Upon the subject Of our navy yards 1t Is
stated that the limited means placed At the
disposal OF the department for Their preserVa-
ton and repair has been disposed OF with con-
meudAble discretion Rigid economy has
been prsctced, and no other work has been
done than What WAS found necessary TO pre-
vent decay snd waste.
The secretary SAYS the torpedo has become
absolutely essential TO the effectiveness OF any
modern system OF naval warfare. and that thu
terrible instrument has been carried TO such
perfection that a smGll shell filled with Tea
hsndiuls OF composition will utterly destroy
the largest ship In the world. The torpedo can
he a. easily exploded below the water 80 upon
its surface, 10y either conclusion or electricity,
and by Whatsoever OF these modes It may be
done Il Il probably ~ effective for The defense
81 hSrbors aud ships a. Il ever will Re. Tho
ordnance bureau has avAied itself OF every
means at is command 70 facilitate the noces-
sarv experiments and inventions and these.
made st comparatively small coat, have already
been so perfected ~ 70 promise increased I'm
provemont in the future.
The report shows there were on the navy
pension roll. June 80, 1878. IuvAlds, |, 7Sl, and
widows and others, l, 7o5, and the amount paid,
$500, 1901. BY comparing this statement with
that OF the last fiscal year, II is seen that the
number OF pensioners has increased forty
seven; that the sum that they are entitled 10
draw has increased so. $40 So; while the totai
amount actually paid to pensioners has de-
creased cal. 9Ts So