The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1878-12-14

whether small or great in these securities. The
Secretary of the Treasury recommends that the
law be so modified, that small sums may be in
vested, and that through the postoffices, other
agents of the Government, the freest Opportuni-
ty may be given in all parts of the country fol
such Investments.
The best mode suggested is, that the Depart
ment be authorized to issue certificates of de-
post. of the denomination of ten dollars, bear
ing interest at the rate of 1865 per cent per an
nun and convertible at any time within one
year after their issue into the per cent. bonds
authorized by the refunding act, and to be issued
only in exchange for United States notes sent to
the Treasury by mail or otherwise. Such n pro
vision of law, supported by suitable regulations
would enable any person readily, without cost OF
risk. 10 convert his money into an interest-bear-
ing security of the United States, and the money
so received could be applied to the redemption OF
6 per cent bonds.
The coinage of gold during the last fiscal year
was 552, 7959S0. The coinage of silver dollars
under the act passed Feb. %. 1873 amounted on
the I'D of November, 1878, to 5l9 $50 of which
amount $4,93i,g47 are in circulation, and the bal
ance, 1929 ,603 is still in the possession of the
Government.
With views unchanged with regard to the act
under which the coinage of silver proceeds, it
has been the purpose of the Secretary faithfully
to execute the law, and to afford a fair trial to
the measure.
In the present financial condition of the coun-
try am persuaded that the welfare of legitimate
business and industry of every description will
be best promoted by abstaining from all at
tempts TO make radical changes in the existing
financial legislation. Let 1T be understood that
during the coming year the business of the coun-
try will be undlsturbed by Governmental inter-
ference with the laws affecting it, and we may
confidently expect that the resumption of specie
payments, which will take place at the appoint
ed time, will be successfully and easily main
tanned, and that it will be followed by health
full and enduring revival of business prosperity.
Let the healing influence of time, the inherent
energies of our people, and the boundless re-
sources of our country, have fair opportunity,
and relief from present difficulties will surely
follow.
The report of the Secretary of War shows that
the army has been well and economically sup
piled, that our small force has been actively en-
ployed, and has faithfully performed all the
service required of It,. The morale of the army
has improved and the number of assertions
has materially decreased during the year.
The Secretary recommends:
l. That pension be granted to the widow of
the late Lieut.. Henry III. Benner Eighteenth In
fantry, who lost his life by yellow fever while in
command of the steamer J. M. Chambers, y
sent with supplies for the relief of sufferers in
the South from that disease.
2. The establishment of the annuity scheme for
the benefit of the heirs of DECEASED officers, as
suggested by the Paymaster-General.
3. The adoption by Congress of plan for the
publication of the records of the War of the
Rebellion, now being prepared for that pur-
pose
dier-teachers employed in post-schools, and lib
eral appropriations for the erection of build
ings for schools and libraries at the different
posts.
5. The repeal or amendment of the act OF
June Is, 1873, forbidding the use of the army
as a posse cOmitatuS, or otherwise, for the pur-
pose of executing the laws, except in such cases
and under such circumstances as may be ex,
pressly authorized by the Constitution or by act
of Congress-.
6. The passage of a joint resolution of Con.
gress legalizing the issues of rations, tents and
medicines which were made for the relief OF
sufferers from yellow fever
T. That provision be made for the erection OF
a fire-proof building for the preservation of Ger.
tain valuable records, now constantly exposed
to destruction of fire.
These recommendations are all commended
to your favorable consideration.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy shows
that the navy has improved during the last isca
year. Work has been done on seventy-fve yes
sells, ten of which have been thoroughly repaired
progress towards completion. The total expendi
lures of the year, including the amount appro
priated for the DEFICIENCIES of the previous year
III the The actual
these deficiencies, were $l33O6,9l4.09. o.
1861 1918 less than those of the previous year
and S4,925,6774 less than the expenses, includ
ing the deficiencies. The estimates for the fsca
year ending June 3Oth $780, are ga 562 3Sl. 45-ex
ceeding the appropriations of the present veal
only 1913 9.75 which excess is occasioned by tn,
demands of the Naval Academy and the Marine
Corps, as explained in the Secretary's report
The appropriations for the present fiscal year ar,
$1452S, All 20, which, in the opinion of the Score
tary, will be ample for all the current expenses
of the Department during the year. The amour
drawn from the Treasury from July LIST to No
vember list, 1875 is $40, 55414 of which so,
9S0.75 has been refunded, leaving as the expendi
ture for that period "a 669, 5000, or $500 S99 Q
less than the corresponding period of the last ifs
cal year.
The report of the Postmaster General EN-
braces detailed statement of the operations o
the Postohice Department The expenditures o
hal dor artr oaDt he tispa L nm
30 1873 were S34 165, 0S449. The receipts, includ
ing sales of stamps, moneyorder business and off
cia stamps, were S29 277 1888. The sum of 1890,
1850, included in the foregoing statement of ex
penditures, is chargeable to preceding years 81
that the actual expenditures for the fiscal yea
ended June 30, 1873, are S33874,64750. TIL
amount drawn from the Treasury on appropria
tions in addition to the revenues of the depart
ment, was S5,307 652.82. The expenditure
for the fiscal year ending June 80
1880 are estimated at $3657l $40 and tn
receipts from all sources at $50 664 239O leav
ing deficiency to be appropriated out of tn
Treasury of S5,9G7 876.l0 The report calls at
tention to the fact, that the compensation o
Postmasters and of railroads for carrying tn
mail Is regulated by law, and that the failure o
Congress to appropriate the amounts required
for these purposes does not relieve the Govern
ment of responsibility. but necessarily increases
the deficiency bills which Congress will be callet
upon to pass.
In providing for the postal service, the follow
| ing questions are presented: Should Congress
i
largely in excess of its revenues, or should suc
rates of postage be established as will make tn
| department self-sustainlng? Should the posta
service be reduced by excluding from the mail
| matter which does not pay its way? Should tn
number of post-routes be diminished? Should
other methods be adopted which will increas
the revenues or diminish the expenses of tn
! postal service!
The International Postal Congress, which me
in Paris May l, 1878, and continued in session
until June T. of the, same year, was composed o
delegates from nearly all the civilized countries o
the world. 1t adopted new, convention, to tax
| the place of the treaty amended at Berne. Oct.
1874 which goes into effect on the LIST of April 1875
| between the countries whose delegates have sign
ed it. 1t was ratified and approved. by and wit
the consent of the President Aug. 13, 1878.
synopsis of this Universal Postal Convention
| will be found in the report of the Postmaster
General, and the full text in the appendix there
| to. In its origin the Postal Union COMPRISE
| twenty-three countries, having population o
| 50000,000 of people. On the LIST of April next i
will comprise forty-three countries and colonies
with population of more than $50 5000 of PEG
| pie. and will soon by the accession of the fey
| remaining countries and colonies which main
| tain organized postal service, constitute, in fac
| as well as in name as its new title indicates,
Universal Union, regulating, upon uniform
| basis of cheap postage rates. the postal inter
course between all civilized nations.
| Some embarrassment has arisen out of tn
conflict between the customs laws of this coun
| try and the provisions of the Postal Convention
in regard to the transmission of foreign book
and newspapers to this country by mail. 1t
hoped that Congress will be able to devise som
means of recOnciling the difficulties which hav
thus been created, so as to do justice to all par
| ties involved.
The business of the Supreme Court, and of tn
courts in many of the circuits, has increased I
| such an extent during the past years that add
tional legislation IS imperative to relieve and PR