The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1886-12-09
WHOLE No. 955.
putting the children Of proper age in Indian

Condition of Our Navy.

of his department with such Il 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 con-
struction, consists of: First, fourteen
single turreted monitors, none of which are
in commission, nor at the present time
serviceable. The batteries OF these
ships are obsolete, and they can only
be relied upon as auxiliary ships
in harbor defense, and then after such an ex-
penditure upon them as might not be deemed
justihable. Second, five fourth-rate vessels
of small tonnage, only one of which was de-
signed as a war vessel, and all of which are
auxiliary, merely. THIRD. twenty-Seven
cruising ships, three of which are built of
wood. OF these wooden vessels ii is esti-
mated by the chief constructor of the navy
that only three will be scrviceable bevond a
period of six years, at which time il may
be said that of the present naval force
nothing worthy the name will
remain. All the vessels heretofore author
lied are under contract or in course of con-
struction, except the armored ships, the tor
pedo and dynamite boats, and one cruiser.
As to the last of these the bids were in ex-
cess of the amount fixed BY Congress. The
production in the United States of armor and
gun steel is a question which it seems neces-
sary to settle at an early day, if tine armored
war vessels are to be completed with those
materials of home manufacture. This has
been the subject of investigation by two
boards and BY two special committees of
Congress within the last three years The
report of the gun foundry board in 1884, of
the Board on Fortcations in January last,
and the reports of the select committees of
the two houses made at the last session of
Congress, have entirely exhausted the sub
jeet so far as preliminary investigation is in
volved, and in their recommendations they
are substantially agreed. In the event that
the present invitation of the department for
bids to furnish such of this material as is
| now authorized, shall fail TO induce domestic
manufacturers to undertake the large
expenditures required to prepare for
this new manufacture, and no other steps are
taken by Congress at its coming session,
! the Secretary contemplates with disSatisfac-
tion 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 re-
| gard should be reasonably met, and that by
| uniting their contracts, such inducement
| might be offered as would result in securing
the domestication of these important con-
| tracts.
The Postal Service.
The affairs of the postal service show
| marked and gratifying improvement during
the past year. 4 particular account of its
transactions and condition is given in the re.
| port of the Postmaster General, which will
| be laid before you. The reduction of the
rate of letter postage in 1888, rendering the
| postal revenues inadequate to sustain the
| expenditures, and business depression also
contributing, resulted in an excess of cost
for the fiscal year ended June 80, 1885, OF
eight aud One-third millions of dollars. An
| additional check upon receipts by
doubling the measure of weight in rating
sealed correspondence and diminishing
one-half the charge for newspaper carriage
1 was imposed by legislation which took effect
with the beginning of the past fiscal year
while the constant demand of our territorial
development aud growing population for the
| extension and increase of mail facilities anC
machinery necessitates a steady annual ad
vance in outlay; and the careful estimate Of
. | a year ago upon the rates of expenditure
then existing, contemplated the uuavoidabl,
augmentation of the deficiency in the las
fiscal year by nearly S2,000,000. The antic
ipated revenue for the last year failed o
realization by about 1000, but prope
measures of economy have so satisfactorily
limited the growth of expenditur
that the total deficiency, i'll fact, fell below
that of 1885, and ut this time the increase o
revenue is gaining in ratio over the increas
! OF cost, demonstrating the sufiiciency OF th'
present rates OF postage ultimately to sustain
the service. This is the more pleasing be
cause our people enjoy now both cheape
postage, prOpUrtionately to distances, and
vastly and more costly service, than an
other upon the globe. Retrenchment ha
been effected in the cost of supplies, som
expenditures unwarganted by law hay
!. | ceased, and the outlays for mai
carriage have been subjected t
beneficial scrutiny. At the clos
uf the last fiscal year the expense 70
: transportation on star routes stood at an al
nual rate of cost less by over $500, 900 than 6
the close of the previous year, and stcamboa
0 and mail messenger service at nearly $500
| 900 less. The service has been in the mcaI
!, time enlarged and extended by the establish
G ment of new offices, increase of routes @
carriage, expansion of carrier delivery con
: veniences, and additions to the railway ma
/ facilities, in accordance with the CROWN
Il exigencies of the country and the long estal
q lished policy of the government. The Pos
n master General calls attention to the existiI
e law for compensating railroads, and e.
3 presses the opinion that method may
e devised which Will prove more just to II
e carriers and beneficial to the government
e and the subject appears worthy of your earl
II consideration. The differences which aro
IS during the year with certain of the oces
y steamship companies have terminated
It the acquiescence of all in the policy of Il
7, government approved by Congress in til
IS postal appropriation at its last session; al
:. the department now enjoys the utmost sc
vice afforded by all vessels whiC
u JUL pOito upOu
is Ocean-a service generally adequate to Il
L. needs of our intercourse. Petitions hay
r however, been presented to the departme
l. by numerous merchants and manufacture
E. for the establishment of direct service to Il
l. Argentine Republic, and for semi-month
es dispatches to the Empire of Brazil, and Il
le object is commended to your considerable
J. 1t is an obvious duty to provide the means
er postal communication which our CONNER
l. requires, and, with prudent forecast of
le suits, the wise extension of it may lead
TO stimulating intercourse and become the hi
to binger of profitable traffic which will op
ut new avenues for the disposition of the pI
e, ducts of our industry. The circumstances
" the countries at the far South of our con
of nent are such rs to inyive our enterprise al
afford the promise of sufficient advantages
justify an unusual effort to bring about
n closer relations which greater freedom
ed communication would tend to establish.
,rt suggest that, as distinguished from grant
m subsidy for the mere benefit of any line
al trade or travel, whatever outlay may be
Ie quired to secure additional postal seryi
n. necessary and proper and not 9th
IS wise attainable, should be regarded
or within the limit of legitImi
NJ compensation for such sdfyices. The exts
of sion of the free delivery service suggest
I'd by the Postmaster General has heretofore
he ceived my sanction, and it is to be hoped
hi suitable enactment may soon be agreed upt
en- The request for an appropriation sufhci'
g. to enable the general inspection of four
in class offices has my appreciation. L rem
90 my approval of the recommendation of /
of Postmaster General that another assist
on be provided for the postoffice departme
nv and invite your attention to the seve
of other RECOMMENDATIONS In MS report.
ne Department of Justice.