Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-04


defensive works could give no adequate protection.
Those works were built before the Introduction of
modern heavy rted guns into maritime ,, warfare,
may easily be subjected to humiliation by hostile
power greatly inferior to ourselves AS germane to
this subject call your attention to the Importance
OF perfecttng our submarine torpedo defenSeS- The
board authorized by the last Congress to report
upon the method which should be adopted for the
manufacture OF heavy ordnance adapted to modern
warfare has visited the principal iron and steel
works In this country and in Europe 1t Is hoped
gress will thereupon be disposed to provide suita-
bic facilities and plan for the manufacture Of such
guns as are now lmperatively needed.
On several occasions during the past year officers
of the Army have at the request OF the State
thoriies visited their militia encampments for In
spection OF the troops From the reports Of these
agement OF the State militia organizations by the
national Government would be followed by very
gratifying results, and would afford 1t in sudden
emergencies the aid OF a large body of volunteers
educated in the performance OF military duties.
The Secretary OF the Navy reports that under the
authority OF the acts OF August 5. 1882, and March
B. 1883, the work of strengthening our Navy by the
construction OF modern vessels has been auspciously
begun Three cruisers are In process Of cOnstTuc-
uon-the Chicago. Of 1850 tons displacement and
the Boston and Atlanta, each of $500 tons They
are to be built OF steel, with the tensile strength
and duCtll1ty prescribed by law, and in the cOmbi-
Nation OF speed, endurance. and armament are
expected to compare favorably with the best I'M
a1in0red war vessels OF other nations. A fourth
vessel. the Dolphin is to be constructed OF similar
material and Is intended to serve fleet dispatch
boat
The double-turreted monitors Puritan, Amphi-
tlite and Terror have been launched On the Della
ware River and a contract has been made for the
supply OF their machinery. A similar monitor, the
Monadnock, has been launched in California.
The Naval Advisory Board and the Secretary rec
om1nend the completion OF the monitors, the con-
structon OF four gunbOatS and also OF three addi-
nonaI steel vessels like the Chicago, Boston and
Dolphin.
AS an important measure OF national defense the
secretary urges also the immediate creation of an
Interior eoastline of waterways across the PENN
Sa OF Florida. along the coast from Florida to
Hampton Roads. between the Chesapeake Bay and
I'll, Delaware River and through Cape Cod.
reel bound to impress upon the attention OF
reconstruction OF the Navy. The condition of the
public treasury, as have already intmated, makes
the present an suspicious time for putting this
branch OF the service in a state OF efficiency.
It Is no part of our policy to create and maintain
powers of the world.
We have no wish for foreign conquest, and the
peace which we have long enjoyed is In no seeming
But that our naval strength should he made ade-
Iuate io the detense OF our harbors, the protection
Oh our national honor. is a proposition from which
no patriotic citizen can withhold his assent
POSTAL MATTERS.
The report OF the Postmaster General contains a
gratifying exhibit OF the condition and prospects OF
the interesting branch OF the public service COM
mi tied TO his care.
1t appears that on June 30. 1888. the whole num-
tablishe,l during the previous fiscal year. The num-
Der of Offices operating under the system OF free de-
livery was 1874
AT these latter Offices the postage on local matter
alouhIeu TO s4,l95,23o52, sum exceeding by
iO1 the entire cost OF the carrier service OF
the country.
The rate of postage on drop letters passing
through these Offices is now fixed by law at two
cents per half ounce or fraction thereof. In offices
Where the carrier system has not been established
the rate is only half as large.
a n yybn froo do
livery was first established by law the uniform
slngie-rate postage upon local letters was one cent
where carrier service was established it was in
creased IN order to defray the expense of such SER
vice.
1t seems to me that the old rate may now with
prorriety be restored, and that, too even at the
risk OF diminishing for time at least, the receipts
from postage upon local letters.
can see no reason why that particular class of
mall matter should be held accountable for the en-
tire cost of only its own collection and delivery
but the collection and delivery of ali other classes
and am confident. after full consideration OF the
SupJec!, mat the reduction OF rate would be fol-
lowed Dy such growing accession Of business as
to occasion but Slight and Temporary loss to the
revenues Of the Post Office. The Postmaster Gen
elal GevoteS much of his report to the cOnSidera-
ton In its various aspects, OF the relations of the
Government to the telegraph such reflection as
have been able to give to this subject since my
last annual message has not led me to change he
views which there expressed in dissenting from
the RECOMMENDATION of the then Postmaster Gen
eral that the Government assume the same control
over the telegraph which it has always exercised
over the mail.
Admitting that It's authority in the premises IS as
ample as has ever been claimed Tor it, it would not
Iii my Judgment, be a wise use of that authority to
purchase or assume the control of existing tele-
graph lines, or TO construct others with view OF
entering into general competition with private en-
terprise.
The objections which may be Justly urged against
system which would require an enormous increase
In the civil service list, 90 not however, apply to
some OF the plans which have lately provoked pub
lie comment and discussion. 1t has been claimed,
for example, that Congress might wisely authorize
the Postmaster General to contract with some pri-
vate persons or corporation for the transmission of
messages or OF certain class Of messages, at spe-
cllled rates and under government supervision.
various Such schemes, OF the same general nature
but widely differing in their special characteristics
have been suggested in the public prints and the
opposed have doubtless attracted your attention
II Is likely that the whole subject viii I've consid-
Se at t Of
IONS OF detail that your deliberations would prob
ably be aided slightly, if at all, by any particular
avow my belief, however, that the Government
should be authorized by law to exercise some sort
of supervision over Interstate Geographic commu
ncat1On, and express the hope that for attaining
that end some measure be devised which Will re-
celte your appreciation.
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The Attorney General criticises in his report the
provisions OF existing law fixing the fees OF Jurors
and witnesses in the Federal courts. These pro-
visions are chiefly contained in the act OF February
% 1853, though some OF them were introduced into
that act from statutes which had been passed
many years previous. 1t Is manifest that such
compensation as might, when these laws were
enacted, have been just and reasonable would in
many Instances be justly regarded at the present
day as inadequate. concur With the Attorney
General in the belief that the statutes Should be
revised by which these fees are regulated
So. too, should the laws which regulate the COM
penSaton OF district attorneys and marsllalS They
should be paid wholly by salaries, instead of in part
by lees. as is now the case.
The change would prove to be measure of econ
Olny. and would discourage the institution OF need
less ana oppressive legal proceedings, which, it is
10 be feared have In some Instances been conducted
for the mere sake OF personal gain.
Much Interesting and varied information is con-
tlned In the report OF the Secretary OF the Interior
particularly call your attention to his presenta-
uOn OF certain phases OF the Indian question to his
recommendations for the repeal OF the pree1nptiOn
ana timDer-culture acts and for more stringent
legislation TO prevent frauds under the pension
laws The statutes which prescribe the definitions
and puniShnentS OF crimes relating to pensions
could doubtless be made more effective by certain
amendments and additions which are pointed out
In the Secretary'S report.
have previously referred to the alarming state
OF niteracy In certain portions OF the country and
again submit for the consideration OF Congrps
whether some Federal aid should not be extendeS
10 public primary education wherever ADEQUATE
provision therefor has not already been made
THE MORMON QUESTION.
The Utah Commission has submitted to the Sec
rotary OF the Interior It's second annual report AS
result OF its labOrS in supervising the recent eec