, 1884-12-02

with the Government for the sysply of
the requisite material for the Aeaviest
guns adapted to modern warfare. If a
guaranteed order Of sufficient magnitude,
accompanied by a positive appropriation,
extending e a series of years, shall be
made by Congress, all doubts as to the
feasibility of the plan being thus re-
moved, ] renew my recommendation that
such action be taken by Congress as will
enable the Government to construct its
own ordnance upon its own territory.
THE AMERICAN NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy exhibits the progress which has
been made on the new steel cruisers
authorized by the acts Of August 5,
1882, and March 8. 1888. Of the four
vessels under contract, one The Chicago,
of 4,500 tons, is more than half finished;
The Atlanta, 5000 tons, has been sue
cessfully launched, and her machinery is
low fitting; The Boston, also of 5000
tons, is ready for launching, and Tho
Dolphin. a dispatch steamer Of 1900
tons, is ready for delivery. The machinery
of the double turreted monitors, Puritan,
Terror and Amplitude, contracted for
under the act of March 3, 1888, is in
process of construction. No work has
been done during the past year on their
armor for lack OF the necessary appro-
priations. A fourth of the Monitor and
the Monadnock still remains unfinished
at the navy yard in California. 1t is
recommended that early steps be taken
to complete the vessels. The recommen-
dation of the naval advisory board, APP
proved by the department, comprise the
construction Of one steel cruiser of 4, 1900
tons, one cruiser of 5000 tons, two
heavily armed gunboats. one light cruis-
ing gunboat, one dispatch vessel armed
with Hotchkiss cannon, one armed ram
and three torpedo boats. The general
designs, all of which are calculated to
meet the existing wants Of the service,
are now well advanced, and the construc-
ton of the vessels can be undertaken as
soon as you shall grant the necessary
authority.
THE PosToFFcE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Postmaster General
acquaints you with the present condition
and needs of the postal service. 1t dis
closes the gratifying factthe loss of reven-
ue from the reduction in the rate in letter
postage has been much less han was gen
orally anticipated. approve the recon-
mendations of the Postmaster General
that the unit of weight in the rating of
first class matter should be one ounce in
of one-half ounce as it now is. The
free delivery system has lately been APP
piled to FIVE cities. and the total number
of offices in which it is now in operation
is l59.
l confidently repeat the recommended
ton of my last annual message, that sin
gle rate postage upon drop letters be- re-
duced to one cent wherever two cents is
now required by law. Experience shows
that its adoption under proper conditions
is equally an accommodation to the pub
lie, aud an advantage to the postal SER
vice. 1t is more that self sustaining and
for the reasons urged by the Postmaster
General may properly be extended. 1t is
the opinion of that officer that j. is proper
to provide means whereby exceptional
dispatch in dealing with letters in free de-
livery offices may be secured by payment
of extraordinary postage. This scheme
might be made effective by the employ
mcnt Of a special stamp whose cost should
be commensurate with the expense of the
extra service. In some of the large cities
private express companies have under
taken TO outstrip the government mail
carriers by affording for the prompt trans-
mission OF letters better facilities than
have hitherto been at the command Of the
postoficc. It has always been the policy
of the Cover nment to discourage such en-
terprises and in no better way can that
policy be maintained than in supplying
the public with the most efficient mail
service that, with due regIrd to its own
best interests, can be furnished for its ac-
co%mmodations.
THE RELIEF EXPEDITION.
Speaking of the Greedy relief expedi-
ton the President says its organization
and conduct reflect great credit upon all
who contributed to its success.
He also speaks strongly of thoroughly
recognizing the Navy.
THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.
The Attorney General renews the rec
ommendation contained in his report of
last year, touching the fees of witnesses
and Jurors. He favors radical changes in
the fee bill. The adoption Of a system
by which attorneys and marshals of the
United States should be compensated
solely by salaries and the erection by the
government Of a penitentiary for the con-
inement of offenders against its laws.
THE UTAH COMPLICATION.
The report of the Utah Commission
will be read with interest. 1t discloses
the results of recent Legislation looking to
the prevention and punishment Of poly
gamy in that Territory. l still believe
that if that abominable practice can be
suppressed by law it can only be by the
most radical legislation consistent with
the restraints Of the constitution. |
again recommend, therefore, that Con-
gress assume absolute political control Of
the Territory of Utah, and provide for the
appointment of a commission with such