Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-12-05

n 3
accession to Office. and also concerning tie
| dispatch boat Dolphin. claimed to De COM
| plsted and awaiting ths accsptencs Of the
Department.
No one can fail to see from recitals con-
| tanned IN this report that only tbs applica-
ton of business principles has been insisted
| upon in the Treatments of these sui jacts, and
thas Whatever controversy hes arisen was
| caused by the eza,tion on the part Of tho
| Department OF contract obligations IS they
we're legally construed. In the case OF the
| Dolphin, with entire justice 70 the contractor,
cur agreements has been entered into
| providing fer fbs ascertzinrlens by
pl.ts oi' Or , parliaI eo on VITA
tue contract in her construction, and
/ further providing for ths assessment Of
| any damages 30 which the Government may
/ BE- entitled on account of q partial failure 20
| perform such contract, or the payment of
| the sum still remaining unpaid upon
| her price in case q full perform
ancs is sdjudged, and the contractor
l by reason OF his failure In business
being unable TO complete thu other tnree
vessels, they were taken possession of by
the Government in their unfinished state,
! under a CLAUSE in tho contract permitting
SUCH course. and are now in process of com
/ pietion in the yard of the contractor, but
under the supervision OF the Navy Depart
msnt.
Congress at its last session authorized the
construction OF two additional new cruisers
| Gnu Two EuADOAtA 81 a GCSL uCb G4CGSAiAs
| 81, 995, 600. The appropriation for this
| purpose having become available on the LIST
day OF July last, steps were at once taken
for the procurement OF such plans for
the constructor of saose vessels as would
be likely to insure their usefulness
| when completed. These are Of the utmost
| importance, considering the constant advance
in the art of building vessels OF this charao-
ter, and the time is near which Is spent IN
their careful consideration and selection.
4 vi admit the lmnCrtSnc6 OF
an effective navy 10 nation hike
ours, having such extended sea coast
| to protect, and yet we have not
4 single vessel OF war that could keep the seas
| against a first-class vessel OF any important
| power. Such condition ought not longer
| TO continue. The nation that can not resist
/ aggression is constantly opposed 20 1t. Its
| foreign policy is of necessity weak, and its
negotiations are conducted with disadvant-
age because of its being not in condition 10
enforce the terms dictated by its sons OF
| right aud justice.
NEED OF A NEW DEPARTMENT..
Inspired, ] am, by the hope, shared by
| all patriotic citizens, thar the day is not far
| distant when our navy will be such as beft
| our standing among the nations of the
| in the direction OF such contamination, |
| deem it my duty to especially direct the al
tention of Congress TO the close of the re-
port OF the Secretary of the Navy, in which
I0e ulLL1I10Il4lk WSdh1GSS "a tAc
present organization of this depart
IDent is shown, and the startling abuses
and waste of It's present methods are ex-
posed. ne conviction Is forced upon Us
with the certainty OF mathematical demon
strstion, that before We proceed further in
the restoration OF a navy, we need
thoroughly reorgsnized Navy Department..
| The fact that within seventeen years more
than $75, 900, 900 Save been spent in the
construction, repair, equipment and srma-
ment of vessels, aud the further fact that,
Instead of an effective and crsditabls Eest,
we have only the discomfort anu apprehsn-
sion of a nation undefended by war vessels,
added 10 the disclosures now made, do not
permit us TO doubt That every attempt to re-
vive our navy has thus far for the most part
been misdirected, and ali cur efforts in
that direction have been little better than
blind groupings and expensive, aimless, follies.
UnQuesticnabiy, II we are content with the
main tenahcs OF a Navy Department simply
constant watehfulness may prevent some OF
the scandal and abuse which have found
their way into our present organization, and
! its incurable waste may be reduced TO the
miDirlum; but If we desire TO build ships for
present. usefulness ingtead of naval remind
ers OF the days that are past, we must have
q Department. organized for the
work supplied with AlL the talent our
country affords, prepared TO taEe adj
vantage Of the experience OF other nations.
| SystenIzed 90 that all effort shall unite and
| lead ia one direction, and fully iTnbued with
the con viction that war vessels, though new,
are useless unless they combine all that the
ingenuity of man has up TO this day brought
forth relating &c their construction, ear
nesty commend the portion of the Secre-
tsry's report devoted TO this subject TO the
action OF Congress, In the hope that his
| suggestions touching the organization of his
| department. May be adopted as the first step
| toward the reconstruction OF our navy.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The affairs of the postal service are exhih'
| tied by the report of the Postmaster Gan
| erai, which will be laid before you. Tie
postal revenue, whose ratio of gain upon the
| rising prosperity of 1852 and 1888 outstrip-
| psd Ihe increasing expenses Of our growing
service. was checked by the reduction in the
! rate Of letter postage which took effect with
| thu beginning of October in the latter year,
| and it diminished during the two past fiscal
| years 81, 700, GOO, in about the proportion OF
| 81, 270, 600 in 1854 to 5000, 600 in 1885.
| National growth and development have
! meantime increased expenditure, resulting
| in deficiency in the revenue to meet this ax-
| psnses OF tbs department. OF five and quar-
! ter million dollars for the year 1854, aud
| eight and o third million in the last fiscal
| year. The anticipated and natural revival
| OF the revenue has been oppressed and re-
| taTded by the unfavorHble business condition
| OF the country, of which tina postal service is
| a faithful indicator, Tne gratifying fact Is
4
perity is marked by gain of 1880, 900 in
| the revenue of the latter half OF the last year
over the corresponding period OF the prsced-
| Ing year.
The change In the weight OF trst-elnss
matter, which may be carried for a single
| rato of postage, from q half ounce to an
! ounce, and tue reduction by oue-haf Of the
| rate of newspaper postage, which under
| recent legisi alton begun with the current
| year, VIII operate TO restrain the suginenta-
| rion Of receipts, which otherwise atg hs have
boon expected, TO such degree that the
| scale OF expense may gaia upon the revenue
and cause an increased deficiency TO be
| shown at its close. Yetatter no long period
| of reawskened prosperity, by proper
| economy It Is confidently anticipated that
even the present low rates, now as favor
| able as any country affords, Will be ade-
| quate 10 sustain the cost of the service.
| The operation OF the PosT-oiiice Department.
| is Tor tie convenience and benefit OF the
| people, and The method by which they pay
! the charges OF this useful arm of their pub
/ lie service, so thai IL be just and Impartial,
| is Of less Importance TO them than ths eco
| Roncal expenditure of the means they
| provide fer Its maintenance and the due i'm
| provement of its agencies, 50 that they may
! enjoy its highest Usefulness. A proper at
tention has boen directed To the prevention of
waste or extravaganza, ana good results ap-
| pear from the report TO have already been
| accomplished.
l1ppro7e the Recommendation of the Post.
master General 10 reduce Jne charges on do
mestie money orders of 50 and less fron
| TO cents. Tins cnangs will materially aid
those of our people who most OF ali avail
themselves OF tnis ipsLrumep taity, but TO
whom thu element of eheapnsss is Of the
greatest Importance. Vita this reduction