Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-08
THE Annual REPORTS.
secretary Chandler says the Naval Es-
Establishment should be Improved or

Secretary Chandler says the Naval Es-
tnblishmcnt should be Improved or
Abolished.
WAsn1SGToS, ID. c., Dee. 4. Secretary
Chambers report says that 81 cruising YES
sells of the navy are fit only for giving prac-
tice TO the oilccrs aud men They should lie
replaced by modern iron or steel cruisers.
Repairs should be limited to small amounts.
The available armorcd vessels are thirteen
single turreied monitors with no spe, d and
little power. ThrTc are only eighty guns in
the navy worth retaining. The secretary
urges the immediate commencement of the
manufacture OF guns and recommends the
construction of two second rate steel cruisers
at a cost of ) coo, 600 each and one steel
ram at cost of : 300 900 lie recommends
the transfer of the lighthouse service, coast
survey and revenue marine, including the
life saving service. The secretary says that
the expense Of carrying on the navy
yards must he reduced aud employees
not needed dismissed. The report comments
at length upon The decline OF American
shipping, and to prevent its being wiped out
entirely urges the removal Ot impOstious
such as compulsory plloaac, local taxation
extra wages for sCamcn dismissed abroad, ex-
ccssive consular aud other fees, recommends
the adoption Of a protective system and large
compensation for carrying the mails on
American ships and tie establishment
Of n bureau Of mercantile marine in
the navy department. II the naval establish
mcnt is not TO he made effective, the
Secretary says IL sh0uli lie discontinued
and The fifteen millions annually expended
shout! be reserved to procure in National
pmlrupunipq tbp nr.iglnppn rT Tnrgi,fn k-tina
and guns
The POstn,astcr-EencraI FL port.
The report of the Posimastcr-Gcntral opens
with a review of the receipts and cXpcnd-
an excess of receipts amounting to 81 1894,
900. In 1850 the deficiency was $1,000 000.
The Pos,mastcr-GcGcral says that some part
of this great improvement is du. TO the won
derful growth and prosperity Of the country,
but IA larger part is due to improved methods
In the administration OF the rvicc. Hap
PLY the expenditures have not kept pace
with the earnings. Referring to the difficulty
of adjusting the salaries Of pnstmas!crs he
says tina, it would bc easy 10 frame Il law
more unjust than that under which they are
GENTLY uujust. A more cumbruus or COM
pick method of adjusting salaries could not
be invented The partnership now existing
between the government and the postmaster
IN the list oil letter boxes should be dissolved
Referring to the Star service, the pgstmas-
tCr-gencral says that the br al purpGs, of
providing adequate postal facilities Tor all
communities, without regard to geographical
location, IS made tie fir. and leading cOnsil-
Grafton, and to secure tia, result without i'm
providcnt expenditure If means is the second
consideration. The department is clothed
with the widest discretion in regard to the
amount OF srvcc 10 be performed on the
Star-routcs. To provide all needed postal ia
cilitics ana at the same time 10 guard against
unnecessary expenditure is most difficult
duty. During til, last fiscal year that delicate
duty has been very satisfactorily dischaIg-
cd
The expansion Of the laiiryal system has
been greater iii the pas year than ever be-
fore in any one year. Important connections
have been made with California and Mexico.
The aggregate cost of the service is ul ncccs
sity largely increased every year. The steady
growth oil this expenditure has provoked
much discussion concerning the yllc paid for
carrying mails on railroads. Til" subject is
most important, and tie suggestions Of the
second assistant postmaster general that aG-
dtional safeguards he thrown around the
large annual disbursement Tor rail Ioad SER
vices, and that any change in the laws gov
crning the rate OF pay should he made upon
ascertiipd facts rather than lpon opiuion,
are recommended to the special n>licc OF
Congress.
The entire transportation service hot with
Standing it. rapid growth will BE- conducted
in al - nIl a..
the current year. The Postmaster General
remains OF the opinion that postage on STE
ond-class matter ought 10 be abolished. 1t
does not seem iusl 10 c!lajg. for carrying
some newspapers aud 10 carry others Tree or
to charge for carrying a newspaper TO some
subscribers and to carry the same to Others
without charge. The rate If postage on
fourth-class matter should he increased.
lie invok,s Congress to make one more
effect to cngrait upon the postal service II
system of deposits for small sums.