The Russellville Democrat., 1886-12-15
THE WAR DEPARTMENT

necessity of its use by the people circulating medium.
 TIrE WAR DEPARTMENT.
 Tho report of the secretary of war gives de- tailed account of the administration of his de- partment, and contains sundry recommenda- tions for the improvement of the sr-ssee, which 1 fully approve.
 The army consisted at the date of the last con solidated return of 2l0s officers and 24 ,946 en- listed men. The expenses of the department for ne ine ses saT wepf wSgRs and harbor improvements. especially direct the attention of congress to the recommendation 1nas officers be Te9red to submit ths to am eSa see no objection but many advantages in adopt ing this feature, which has operated so beneflci- ally in our navy department as well as in some branches of the army.
 COAST DEFESsEs.
 The subject of coast defenses and fortiflca- tions has been fully and carefully treated by the board Of Qualifications whose report was submitted at the last session of congress- but no construction work of the kind recommended by the board has been possible during the last year from the lack of appropriations for such purposes. The defenseless condition Of our sea- coast and lake frontier is perfectly palpable. The examinations made must convince us all that certain of our cities named in the report of the board should be fortified, and that work on the most important of these Qualifications should be commenced at once. Work has been thor oughly considered and laid ont, the secretary of war reports, but is delayed in default of con- gressional action. The absolute necessity, Judged by all standards of prudence and fore sight demands our preparation for an enectuai guns and mortars of modern construction which may threaten cities on our coast, and is so apparent hope effective steps will be taken in that direction immediately. The valuable and suggestive treatment of the question by the secretary of war is earnestly commended to the consideration of congress.
 THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
 The report of the secretary of the | pav rtoip ta1 af fba condition of his department with such statement of the action needed to improve the same as should challenge the earnest attention of congress. The present navy of the United States, aside from the ships in course of construction, consists of-first, fourteen single turretted mon itors, none of which are in commission nor at the present time serviceable. The batteries of these ships obsolete; they can eIIfy be relied on as auxiliary ships in harbor defense, and then after such an expenditure upon them as might not be deemed justinabie. Second five fourth rate vessels of small tonnage, only one of which was designed as war vessel and all of which are auxiliary merely. Third twenty seven cruising ships, three of which are built of iron and are of small tonnage, and twenty four of wood. Ofthese wooden vessels it is estimated by the chief constructor of the navy that only three will be serviceable beyond q period of six years, at which timeit may be said that of the present naval force nothing worthy the name will remain All the vessels heretofore authorized are under contract in course of construction except the arnored ships, the torpedo and dyna mite ships and cruisers. A 8 to the last of these
 
 gress The production in the United States of armor and gun steel is question which it seems necessary to settle at early day, 1.-the armored vessels are to be completed with these materials of home manufacture. This has been the subject of ofinvestgation by two boards and by two special committees of congress within the last three years.
 THE PosToFFIeR DEPARTMENT.
 The affairs of the postal service show marked and gratifying improvement during the year. Its transactions and conditions are given in the re- port of the postmaster general, which will be laid before you. The reduction of the rate of letter postage in 1883 rendering the postal rev. business depression also contributing. re- suited in an excess of cost for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1885, of ss, ,33o, 900. An ad- ditional check on receipts by doubling the meas ure of weights in rating sealed correspondence and diminishing one-half the charge for news paper carriage was imposed by legislation which took effect with the beginning of the last fiscal year; while the demands of our territorial devel- opment and growing population for the extension and increase of mail facilities and the machinery necessitates steady annual advance in outlay. The careful estimate of year ago on rates of ex- pendture then existing contemplated an una vodabe augmentation of the deficiency in the fiscal year by nearly g., 000 GOO The anticipated revenue for last year failed of realization by about $64 ,0O0 but proper measures of economy have so satisfactorily limited the growth of ex- pendture that the total deficiency in fact fell be- low that of 1885, and at this time the increase of revenue is in a gaining ratio over the increase of cost, demonstrating the sufficency of the pres ent rates of postage ultimately to sustain the ser vice. This is the more pleasing because our peo pie enjoy now both cheaper postage proportion ately to distances, and a vaster and more costly service than any other on the globe.
 LABOR AND CAPITAL
 The relations of labor to capital and laboring men to their employees are of the utmost concern strained and distorted nninstiGahle claims are apt to be insisted upon by both interests, and in the controversy which results the welfare of all and the prosperity of the country are jeopardized Any intervention of the general government within the limits of it's constitutional authority to avert such condition should be willingly accorded. In special message transmitted to the congress at it's last session suggested the enlargement of our present labor bureau and adding to it's present functions the power of farb- tration in cases where differences arise between employer and employed. When these differ ences reach such stage as to result in the inter- ruption of commerce between the states, the ap- plieation of this remedy by the general govern Inent might be regarded entirely within its constitutional powers and think that we might reasonably hope that such arbitrators, if care fully selected and if entitled to the confidence of the parties to be affected, would be voluntarily called to the settlement of c0ntroversit Of less extent and not necessarily within the domain of federal regulations. l am of the opinion that this suggestion is worthy the attention of the congress, but after all has been done by the passage of laws either federal or state, to relieve a situation full of solictude, more remains to be accomplished by the reinstatement and cultiya- tion of true American sentiment which recog- nlZes the equality or American cltlzensnip. HIS, in the light of our traditions and in loyalty to the spirit of our institutions, would teach that q hearty cooperation on the part of all interests is the surest path to national greatness an, the happiness of all our people,; that capital should, in recognition of the brotherhood of our citizen ship and in spirit of American fairness, gener- ously accord to labor it's just compensation and consideration, and that contented labor is capi- tai best protection and faithful ally. It would teach too, that the diverse situations of our peo ple are inseparable from our ciVilization--that every citizen should in his sphere be contrib tutor to the general good; that capital does not necessarily tend to the oppression of labor, and their promoters true American sympathy and kindly feelings.
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INFERIOR
 The report of the secretary of the interior pre- sents comprehensive summary of the work of the various branches of the public service con- nected with his department, and the suggestions and recommendations which it contaips for the improvement of the service should receive your careful consideration. The exhibit made of the condition of our Indian population and the pro- gress of the work for their enlightenment, not withstanding the many endorsements which hinder the better administration fthis important branch of the service, is gratifying and hopeful one. The funds appropriated for Indian service for the fiscal year just passed With the available amounting in all to $7s5 orr 52 were ample for the services. Under the conditions and restric- tons of laws regulating their expenditure there remained a balance on hand June 30, lsS6 of %i 660, OPS .30 of which Sl ,3s7 ,753 2i per manent fund for the fuinlment of treaties and 255. .09, is ssubjeet to be carried to the surplus fund as required by law. The estimates pre- sented for Appropriations for the ensuing fiscal year amount to S5, GUS sI3 6I, or Sil2, ,ss6 20 less