Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1886-12-10

Sh1pS IN harbOr defense, then after such
an expenditure upon these as might nol
be deemed justiiable. Second Five
fourth rate vessels, of small tonnage. only
one of which was designed as war yes
sci and all of which are auxiliary merely.
Third-Twenty-seve cruising ships,
three of which are built of iron of small
tonnage and TWEEN y-four of wood. OF
these wooden vessels it is estimated by
the chief constructor of the navy that
only three will be serviceable beyond a
( eriod of six years, at which time 1t may
be said of the present naval force that
nothing worthy the name will remain.
All the vessels heretofore authorized are
under contract or in course of construc-
tion, except the armored ships, the tor
pedo and dynamite boats and one cruiser.
As to the last of these, the bids were in
excess of the limit fixed by congress. The
production in the United States of armor
and gun steel is question which it seems
necessary to settle at an early day, if the
armored war vessels are to be completed
with those materials of home manufacture.
This had been the subject of investigation
by two boards and by two special commit
tees of congress within the last thirty
years. The report of the gun foundry
ton made in January last and the re-
ports of the select COMMITTEES of tho sec
ond house made at the last session of
congress, have entirely exhausted the
subject so far as preliminary investiga-
tion is involved, and in their recommend
ations they are substantially agreed. In
the event that the present invitation of
the department for bids TO furnish such
-
shall fail to induce domestic
manufacturers to undertake the
large expenditures that are required
to prepare for this new manufacture.
If no other steps are taken by congress at
its coming session, the secretary contem-
plates with dissatisfaction the necessity
of obtaining abroad the armor and the
gun-steel for the authorized ships. 1t
would seem desirable that the wants of
the army and the navy in this regard
should be reasonably met, and that by
uniting their contracts. such inducement
might be offered as would result in secur-
ing the domestication of these important
interests.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The affairs of the postal service
show marked and gratifying improve
ment during the past year. A particular
account of its transactions and condition
Is given in the report of the postmaster
general, which will be laid before you is
the reduction of the letter postage i'll
1888, rendering the postal revenues in
adequate to sustain the expenditures and
business depression also contributing re-
suited IN an excess of cost for the fis-
cal year ended June 80, 1885, of eight and
One-third millions of dollsrs an addition
al check upon the receipts by doubling
the measure of weight in rating sealed
correspondence and diminishing onehalf
the charge for newspaper carriage as was
imposed by the legislation which took
effect with the beginning of the
past fiscal year. While the con
stant demand of our territorial de
velopment and growing popularity for the
extension and increase of mail facilities
and machinery necessitates a steady an
nual advance in outlay and the careful es-
innate of year ago upon the rates of
expenditure existing contemplated the
unavoidable augmentation of the de-
ticiency in the last fiscal year by nearly
two millions of dollars. The anticipated
revenue for the last year failed of realiZa-
tion by about sixty-four thousand dollars,
but proper measures of economy have so
satisfactorily limited the growth of ex
penditure that the total deficiency
in fact, fell below that of 1885
and at this time the increase is in gaining
ratio over the increase of cost, demon
stratlng the sufficiency of the present
rates of postage ultimately to sustain the
service. This is more pleasing because
our people enjoy now both cheaper post
age propOrtionately to distance, and
vaster and more costly service than any
other upon the globe.
RETRENCHMENr HAS BEEN EFFECTED
in the cost of supplies since expenditures
unwarranted by law have ceased, and the
outlays for mail carriage have been sub
jected to beneficial scrutiny. At the
close of the last fiscal year the expense of
transportation on star routes stood at an
annual rate of cost less by over S56O,OOO
than at the close of the previous year;
and steamboat and mail messenger ser
vice at nearly 100000 less. The service
has been in the meantime enlarged and
extended by the establishment of new of
fees, increase of routes of carriage, ex-
pansion of carrier delivery cOnveniences,
and additions to the railway mail facili-
gencies of the country and the long
tablished policy of the government. The
postmaster general calls attention to the
existing law for
CoMPENsATING RAILROADS,
and expresses the opinio ion that method
be devised which may prove more just to
commerce and beneficial to the government
md hn Snh nf
early consideration. The differences
which arose during the year with certain
of the ocean steamship companies have
terminated by the acquiesence of all in the
service of the government approved by
congress in the last postal appropriation,
and the department now enjoys the ut
most service afforded by all vessels which
sail from our ports upon eth
er ocean, service generally
adequate 20 the needs of our
intercourse. Petitions have, however, been
presented to the department by numer
Gus merchants and manufacturers for the
establishment of a direct service to the
Argentine Republic and for semi-month-
ly dispatches to the EN- pire of Brazil; and
the object is commended to your consid
Grafton. 1t is an obvious duty to provide
tit HiSdHS VI poStdA COHIul uHlCdJIOH
which our commerce requires and with
prudent forecast of results. the wise ex-
tension of it may lead to stimulating
intercourse and become the harbinger of
a profitable traffic which will open new
avenues for the disposition Of
the products of our industry.
The circumstances of the
countries at the far south of our contin.
ent a:e such as to invite our enterprise,
and afford the promise of sufficient ad
vantages to Justify an unusual effort to
bring about the close relations which
greater freedom of communication would
tend to establish. l suggest that as dis
tinguished from grant or subsidy for
the mere benefit of a line of trade or
travel, whatever outlay may be re-
quired to secure additional postal service
necessary and proper, and not otherwise
attainable, should be regarded as within
the limit of legislative compensa-
tion for such service. The exten-
tion of the free delivery service
as suggested by the Postmaster General,
has heretofore received my sanction, and
it is to be hoped suitable enactment
may soon be agreed upon. The request
for an appropriation sufficient to enable
the general inspection of fourth class
offices has my appreciation. / renew my
approval of the recommendation of the
Postmaster General that another assistant
be provided for the post-office depart
ment, and l invite your attention TO the
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