The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-12-13

turning WAic lucti loui o. la"iChSC
bay across the icein ablinding snow
storm, was carried out to sea and
lost, Notwithstanding all efforts to
rescue him.
1t appears by the Secretary's re.
port. that the available naval force
of the United States consists of ~
cruiser. ii turrrted monitors. built
during the rebellion, a large number
of smooth bore guns and parrot
riheS, aud 81 rifed cannon. The
cruising vessels should be gradually
replaced by iron or steel ships. The
monitors by modern armored yes
sels. a ID the armament by high
power rifed guns. The r%econstruc
ton of cur navy, which was recon-
mended in my last message, was
begun by Congress authorizing, IN
lis recent act. the construction of
two large unarmnred steel vessels Of
the character recommended by the
late Naval Advisory Board. and sub
i-ct To the inal approval of "A new
Advisory Board To ne organized as
provided by that act. ! call your
attention TO the recommendation OF
the Secretary aud the Board, that
authority be given to construct two
more cruisers OF smaller dimensions
and one fleet dispatch vessel, ana
that appropriations be made Tor
high power rihed cannon, for the
torpedo service and for other harbor
defeuses. Pending the considera-
ton by Congress of the policy to be
hereafter adopted in conducting the
eight large navy yards and their ex-
pensiye Establishments the Secretary
advocated the reduction of experd-
itures therefor to the lowest possible
amounts.
For the purpose of afiording the
officers and seameR of the navy
op%portunities for exercise and dis
c%inline in their profession under
appropriate control and direction,
the Secretary advises that the light
house service and coast survey be
transferred as now organized, from
the Treasury to the Navy Depart
ment. and he also suggests for the
reasons which be assigns that a
similar transfer may wisely De made
of the cruising revenue vessels. The
Secretary forcibly depicts the init
mate connection and interdepend-
ence of the naval and the CONNER
cial marine, and invites attention to
the continued decadence of the lat
ter and the corresponding transfer
Of our growing commerce to foreign
bottoms. This subject of of the
utmost importance to the national
welfare. Methods of reviving Amer
lean ship building and Of restoring
the United States flag in the Ocean
carving trade should receive the
immediate attention of Congress.
We have mechanical skill and abun-
dant material for the manufacture
of modern iron steamships in fair
competition with u commercial
rivals. Our disadvantage in build
ing ships is the greater cost OF labor
aud in sailing them, higher taxes
and greater i~ntereston capital, while
the ocean highways are already mo-
nopDlized bv our formidable COM
petitors. These obstacles should in
some way be overcome and for our
rapid communication with foreign
lands we should not continue TO
depend wholly upon vessels built In
the wards of other countries and
sailing under foreign flags. With
no United Utates steamers on the
principal ocean lines or in any for
eign ports our facilities for extending
our commerce are greatly restricted.
Wnile the nations which build, sail
the ships and carry the mails and
passengers obtain thereby consplcu-
Gus advantages in increasing their
trade.
The report of the Postmaster
General gives evidence of the salts
factory condition of this Depart
ment, and contains many valuable
data and accompanying suggestions
which cannot fail to be OF interest.
The information which it affords
that the receipts for the fiscal year
have exceeded the expenditures
must be very gratifying 10 Congress
and to the people of the country.
As matters which Inay fairly claim
particular attention, | refer you to
his observations in reference to the
ACCESSIBILITY of changing the present
basis for fixing salaries and allow
ances, of extending the money or
der system, and of enlarging the
functions of the postal establishment
so as TO put under control the tele-
graphic system of the country.
Though from this last and most inn
portant recommendation / must
withhold my concurrence. At the
last session of Congress several bills
were introduced in the House OF
Representatives for the reduction OF
letter postage to the rate of two cents
per half ounce. | have given much
study and reflection to this subject,
and am thoroughly persuaded that
such a reduction would be for the
best interests of the public. 1t has
been the policy of the Government
from its foundation TO defray, as far
as possible, the expenses of carry
ing the mails by a direct tax in the
form of postage. 1t has never been
claimed, however. that this service
ought to be productive of a revenue.
As has been stated already, the re-
port of the Postmaster General
shows that there is nov a very con-
siderable surplus in his department,
and that henceforth the receipts are
not likely to increase at a much
greater ratio than the necessary ex-
peditures. Unless some change is
made in the existing laws the profits
of the postal service will, in a very
few years, swell the revenues of the
Government many millions Of dol
lars. The time seems suspicious
therefore for some reduction in the
rates of postage. Ia what shall that
reduction consist? 4 review of the
Legislation which has been had upon
this subject during the past thirty
years discloses that domestic letter.
constitute the only class of mail