Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-12-03

ST. PAUL, II
the pubic debt should have been reduced between
1862 and the close of the fiscal year $685.
Inc actual reduction Of the ascertained debt in that
period has been S720,644, 1891 being in excess Of
the reduction required by the sinking fund act Of
S2o3, 2s2, $685. The amount OF the public debt less
cash in the treasury November 1873 was 1904 200
oo5.ls reduction since the same date, last year, of
REFUNDING TIE DEBT.
The progress made during the last year in refund
Ing the public debt at lower rates Of interest Is very
gratifying. The amount Of per cent. bonds sold
during the present year prior to Now %, 1878, is
$780, 800, and 6 per cect. bonds, commonly
known as 5:2Os, to an equal amount have been or
Will be redeemed as calls mature. It has been the
policy OF the department to place the per cent.
bonds within easy reach of every citizen who desires
to invest his savings whether small great, in these
| securities. The secretary of the treasury recon-
small sums may be invested and that through
! the post Offices other agents of
in all parts of the country for such investments. The
best mode suggested is that the department be au-
thorizsd to issue certificates Of deposit of the deno
inatioE OF ten dollars, bearing interest atthe rate of
1855 per cent per annurn, convertible at any time
within year after their issue into per cent. bonds
authorized by the refunding act, and to be issued
only iii exchange for United STATES notes sent to the
treasury by mail, Or otherwise Such provision of
law, supported by suitable regulation, would enable
any person readily, without cost risk, to convert
his money into an interest bearing security of the
| United States, and the money received could be
applied to the redemption of per cent. bonds.
| The coinage of gold during The last fiscal year
was 52 6S9,980; the coinage OF silver dollars, under
the act passed July Is, 1873 amounted, on the 23d
of Nov, 1878, to S'9,814,550 of which amount 3d.
934, 947 are in circulation and the balance, S14829-
bO3, IS still IN the possession OF the government.
SPECIE RESUMPTION.
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 fair trial to the measure In the pres
ent financial condition Of the country persuad-
ed that the welfare of legitimate business and indus
try of every description will be best promoted by abb
staining from all attempts to make radical changes
| in the existing financial legislation. Let it be
| understood, that during the coming year, the
business of the country will be unaisturbed by in
| reference with tn laws affecting it, and we may
! confidently expect that the resumption of specie
payments, which will take place at the appointed
tme will be successfully and easily maintained, and
that it will be followed by healthful and enduring
revival of business prosperity Let the healing in
fuence of tims the inherent energies of our people,
fair opportunity and relief from present difficulties
will surely follow.
OUR ARMY.
The report Of the secretary of war shows that the
army has been well and economically supplied that
our small force has been actively employed and has
faithfully performed all the service required Of it,
The morale of the army has improved, and the num-
Der Of assertions has materially decreased during the
year. The secretary recommends that pension be
granted to the widow OF the late Lieutenant Henry H.
Benner, who lost his life by yellow fever while in
command of the steamer j. NJ. Chambers sent with
supplies for tho relief of the sufferers in the South
from that disease.
The establishment of the annuity scheme. for the
benefit of the heirs of deceased officers as suggested
by the paymaster-general;t the adoption, by Con-
gress OF plan for the publication of the of
the war OF the rebellion now being prepared for that
purpose The increase of the extra per diem of sol
dier teachers employed in post schools and liberal
appropriations for the erection of buildings for
schools and Libraries at the dfereht posts; the re-
peal or amendment of the act of June 49, 1873, for
bidding the nse of the army posse co1ntatus or
otherwise for the purpose of executing the laws ex-
cept in such cases and under such circumstances as
may be expressly authorized by the constitution or
by act of Congress- the passage of joint resolution
of Congress legazing the issues Of raons, tents and
medicine which made for the relief of sufferers
from yellow fever; that provision be made for the
erection of fire proof building for the preservation
OF certain valuable records, constantly exposed
to destruction nv fire. These CHS are
all recommended to your favorable consideration.
THE NAVY.
hereport of secretary the navy showes that the
navy has improved during the last fiscal year. Work
has been done seventy-hve vessels, ten Of which
have been thoroughly repaired and made ready for
sea. Two others are in rapid progress toward COM
pletion The total expenditures of the year, incud
the previous year, We're ST., 5S,392.65. The actual
expenses chargeabe to the year, exclusive of these
ds d were s1s CT $751; 1918 less
So, 28677.74 less than the expenses in
Guiding the deficiencies. The estimates
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1880, S14562
381.45, exceeding tue appropriations Of the present
year only $s3949.75, which excess is accustomed by
the demands of the naval academy and the marine
corps.
AS explained in the secretary's report the apprc-
priations for the present fiscal year TO-
which, in the opinion Of the secretary, will be ample
for all the current expenses of the department dur
from July to November /, 1878, is 74D544.lA of
which S7O,960.75 has been refunded, leaving the
expenditure for that period 81 $780, 50336 $500 S994
less than the corresponding period of the last fiscal
year.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The department of the acknowledgement en-
braces detailed statement of the operations of the
postofce department. The expenditures of that de-
partment for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1873,
S3i, 165,08449 The receipts, including sales of
stamps, $29, 277 6.95 The of $780, $780,
included in the foregoing statement of expenditures,
is chargeable to proceeding years. SO that the actual
expenditures the fiscal year eeding 3d. 1875
estimated at $685., 1890; and the receipts from
all sources, at $780, 02S.90, leaving deficiency to
be appropriated out of the treasury of SIS GOT TO-
The report calls attention to the fact that the COM
pensation OF postmasters of railroads for carrying
the mail is regulated By law and that the failure of
Congress to appropriate the amount required for
these purposes does not relieve the government
of responsibility, but necessarily increases the def
cheney bills which Congress will be called upon TO
pass.
In providing for the postal service the following
questions are presented: Should Congress annually
appropriate sum for its expenses largely in
OF its revenues should such rates Of postage be
established as will make the department. self sus-
tanning?
Should the postal service be reduced by excluding
from the mails matter which does pay it's way?
Should the number of post routes be diminished?
Should other methods be adopted which will in
crease the revenue diminish the expenses of the
postal service?
INTERNATIONAL POSTAL CONGRESS.
The international postal congress, which met at
Paris May1 1885, atd continued in session until June
4h of the same year, composed of delegates from
nearly all the civilized countries of the world. 1t
adopted convention to take she place of the
treaty concluded at Berne, Oct. o. 1874 which goes
into effect the ist of April 1879 between the colln-
tries whose delegates have signed it. It was ratified
and approved by and with the consent of the Presi-
dent August 10, 1873. synopsis of this universal
postal convention will be found in the report of the
appendix thereto. In its origin the post
al union comprised twsaSy-three countries,
having population of 350,oJJ,00O OF people. On
the first of April next it will comprise forty-hree
countries and colonies with population of more
| than 650,0G0,U00 of people and will soon by the
accession of the few remaining countries and colo
MES which maintain organized postal services, con-
stitute in fact as well in name its title in
dicates, universal union. regulating upon uniform
basis of cheap postage rates the postal interests be-
tween all civilized nations.
Some embarrassment has arisen out of the con-
| fict between the customs laws of this country ana
the provision of the postal convention in regard to
the transmission of foreign books and newspapers to
this country by mail 1t is hoped that Congress will
be able to devise some means CT reconcing the
dhicutes which have thus been created, so as to do
| Justice to all parties involved.
COURT BUSINESS.
The business of the supreme court and of courts
in many of the circuits increased to such an exc
tent during past years, that additional legislation
imperative to relieve and prevent the delay of justice
and possible oppression to suors, which is thus oc
| casioned. The encountered condition of these DOCK