Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-12-08

with the certainty Of mathematical demonstra-
ton, that before we proceed further In the res
ganized Navy Department. The fact that within
seventeen years more than seventy-five mil
lions of dollars have been spent In the con-
struction, repair, equipment. and armament
of vessels. and the further fact that instead of
effective and creditabie fleet, we have only
undeiended by war vessels, added to the dis
closures now made, do not permit us to doubt
that every attempt 10 revive our Navy has
thus far, tor the most part, been misdirected.
and all our efforts in that direction have been
little better than blind groupings, and expen-
PROFESSIONALLY II We are content with the
maintenance u Navy Department simply as
shabby ornament to the Government, con
slant watchfulness may prevent some of the
scandal and abuse which have found their way
into our present organization, and Its incurable
we desire TO build ships for present usefulness
instead OF naval reminders Of the days that are
past we must have department organized for
The work, supplied with all the talent and in
genuity our country affords, prepared to take
advantage OF the experience OF other nations,
lead in one direction. and fully imbued with
the conviction that war vessels, though new,
are useless unless they combine all that the
ingenuity of man has up to- this day brought
forth relating to their construction.
enort e1aied 10 sne e snee et m the
tention OF Congress, in the hope that his sugges-
tions touching the reorganization of his Depart.
ment may be adopted as the first step toward
the reconstruction of our Navy.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The affairs OF the postal service are exhibited
BY the report of the Postmaster-General,w which
will be laid before you.
The postal revenue, whose ratio OF gain upon
the rising prosperity OF 1852 and 1858 out.
stripped the increasing expenses of our grow
ing service, was checked by the reduction in
the rate of letter postage, which took effect
with the beginning of October in the latter
year; and it diminished during the two past
fiscal years 81, T9u, 900, in about the proportion
OF S2,21O.OOO in 1854 to $4,000 in 1885.
Natural growth and development have mean
time increased expenditure. resulting in a def
cheney IN the revenue TO meet the expenses OF
the Department of i've anu q quarter million
dollars Tor the year 1854, aaG eight aud third
million in the last fiscal year Tine anticipated
anu natural revival ot tie revenue has been
oppressed and retarded by the unfavol able
business condition of the country, of which the
postal serv ice Is faithful Indicator. The graf
lying Tact Is shown. however, by the report,
That our returning prosperity Is marked by u
gain OF $;SSU.UUO in the revenue nj the latter
half of the last year over the corresponding pc
riod OF ne preceding year. .-
The change in the weight of first-class matter
which may be carried lor a single rate of POS
t;tse. from hai ounce To an ounce, and the re-
ductiOu by oae-haif OF the RATE of newspaper
postage which. under recent legislation, begun
with the current year, will operate to restrain
the augmentation of receipts which otherwise
might have been expected, to such degree
that the scale Of expense RAY gain upon the
revenue and cause an increased deficiency to
be saown AT its close. \ II after no long period
of reawakened prosperity by proper economy it
Is confidently anticipated, that even the pres
ent low rates. now aS favorable as any country
affords, will be adequate 10 sustain the cost of
the service.
The operation of the Post Office Department
il for the convenience and benefit OF tie people;
and the methed by which theS pay the charges
of tnis useful arm Of their public service, so
that it be just and impartial, is of less impor-
t;sEce TO them than the economical expendi-
ture Of the means they provide fer its mante-
nance, and the due Improvement of its agen-
Hess
A proper attention has been directed TO the
prevention OF waste or extravaganza. and good
results appear from the report 10 have already
been ace mp!ished.
! approve the recommendation of the Post
master General To reduce the charges on do
nestie money-orderS OF five dollars and less
from eight TO five cents. This change will ma
terialiy aid those OF our people who most of all
avail themselves OF this instrume ntality, but to
whom the element OF cheapness is OF the great
e>t importance. With this reduction the sys-
tenn would stiH remain selfsupporting.
Iae Eree-deiivery system has been extended
Ia 10 additional cities during the year, and It's
now enioy It's cORvenienees. Experience has
eoniiae- ,ded IL 10 those who enjoy its benefits,
anti iuri her enlargement OF it's facilities is due
Ia otiier communities to which it is adapted.
In the cities where it has been established,
taken together, the local postage exceeds les
r,., ,ana.sSd SI Tre Ii1as ~ tafe nun .i
system il DOW confined By Law has beer nearly
Iearhei, and the reasons given justify its en-
t"nsicn. which IS proposed
III was decided, with my Appreciation, alter q
si';eien examl nation, TO be inexpeGient for the
lrost-ofn &c Department. to ontr;act for carry
ing our foreign mails under the additional ai,-
tliority given by the last Congress. The amount
limited was INADEQUATE " pay all within the
Per m.ls, and il would have been unjust and
unwise 10 have given IL u some and denied it
to Others. Nor could contracts have been let
under the Law To all at a rate to have brought
the aggregate within the appropriation, with
Out such practcal Encouragement OF terms as
The rate of sea and inland postage, which was
pruiered under another statute, Clearly appears
Ia DC a fair compensation foT Inc desired ser-
vice, being three times the price necessary 10
secure transportation BIZ other vessels upOu
any route, and mueh beyond the charges made
10 private persons for services not less burden
some.
Some Of the steamship companies, upon the
refusal OF the Postmaster General to attempt,
by the means provided, the distribution OF the
sum appropriated a. an extra cOmpe SutiOn,
,srsii1 sae senees GI theif vessels ana
though no considerable Injury, the mails iissy-
Ing been dispatch BY other means.
hsstever may be Thought OF the policy of
substituting any line OF public eonvey vance or
travel, satisfied that il should not he done,
under cover OF an ex penditur, incident TO the
administration OF "a Department, nor should
There be any uncertainty as 10 the recipients Of
The subsidy, or amy discretion ieft u AN execu-
i've Offleer ~ tO IT. distribution. III such gifts
q. the public money are 10 be made b,r the p1r-
lose o aiding any enterprise. in the supposed
interest OF the puc!ic, cannot but think that
the amount TO be paid, and the Beneficiary,
Liishl De tier he determined by Congress, than
IN any DINER Way.
The International congress OF delegates from
tne pSctai-uDfsn countries convened at Lisbon.
IL foFtugai. IN Feoruarsf last, and alter a ss-
Sion VI some weeks, The delegates signed ID con-
Nehtion aiueht:atosy OF the present past a.-aiion
Convention IN son.e particulars lie ,igaed to ;l.
Sanee lis purposes. ANS additional ;ac; has had
my approval anc viii Ue laid beiofe you with
the departmental report.
approve tie recommendation of the Post
Inistef-tSeneral that another assistant be pro-
vlaeG tx mis- Department. / invite your eofs-
sldefatIon 10 the scyer3! other reco.uInenda-
lions contained IN ms report
THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE-RENEDIAI
LEGISLATION SUGGESTED.
The report OF the Attorney General contains
history OF the conduct OF the Department OF
Justice during the last year, and number OF
valuable suggestions as 10 needed legislation
and Invite your careful attention TO the same
The condition OF business i'll the courts or the
United States Is such that there seems 10 be al
imperative necessity for remedial legislation on
the subject Some OF these courts are so over.
burdened with pending causes that the delays
In Determining litigation asaoUnt often to "a
denial of justice. Among the plans suggested
Tor reilei II submitted by ihe ATTORNEY Gem
erSi- Its main features are: The transfer OF ALI
The original jurisdiction o. The circuit courts To
the district courts and Increase OF Judges fer
the latter were necessary; an addition OF ridges
70 the Circuit courts and constituting thefa ex.
einsiveiy courts oi appeal. and reasonably linn
ft,.rr