The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-04


desire Tor the return Of these prisoners to
their reservation opon sentimental or any
other grounds.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy
| demonstrates very intelligent management
IN that important department and discloses
the most satisfactory progress in the work
OF reconstructing the navy made during the
past year. OF the ships in course of con-
| struction five, viz, the Charleston Balti-
| more. yorktown, Nesuvius and the Petret,
have In that time been launched and are
rapidly approaching compilations; and In adj
| dition 10 the above the Philadelphia the
San Francisco, the Newark, the Bonn ngton,
| the Concord and the Herrespofl torpedo
boat are all under contract for delivery TO
the department during the next year. The
| progress already made and being made gives
good ground Tor the expectation that these
eleven vessels will be Incorporated as part
OF the American navy within the next
| twelve months
The report shows that notwitS standing the
large expenditures for new constructions
and the additional labor they involve the
total ordinary or current expenditures of the
department for the three years ending June
| 30, 1883, are less by more than 20 per cent.
than such expenditures for the three years
ending June 80, 1884. The various steps
which have been taken TO improve the bust
ness methods Of the department are re-
viewed by the Secretary. The purchasing OF
supplies has been consolidated aud placed
under n responsible bureau head. This has
resulted in the curtailment OF open pur-
| Chases, which, in the years 1884 and 1885,
amounted TO owe. 80 per cent. Of all pur-
chases Of that department 10 less than II per
cent; so that ut the present time about 90
| per cent OF the total departmental purchases
| are made by contract and after competition.
| As the expenditures on this account exceed
an average of $2,000,00O annually, 1t is evil
dent that an important improvement In the
| system has been inaugurated and substantial
economies introduced.
THE POSTAL DEPARTMENT..
The report OF the Postmaster General
shows a marked increase Of business in every
branch OF the postal service. The number
of postoilices on July |, 1883, was 57,370, an
| increase of q, l2i In three years, and Of 2,2l0
| for the last fiscal year. The latter mentioned
increase is classified as follows: New Eng
land, ;; Middle States, lSl; Southern States
and Indian Territory (14) ,i06: the States
and Territories Of the Pacific Coast, 100, the
ten States aud Territories Of the West and
Northwest, I3j District OF Columbia, .
total, 2,2la. Free delivery offices have in
creased from lS5 in the fiscal year ended
June 30, 1857. TO 35S In the year ended June
80 1883. In the railway mail service there
has been an increase In one year Of l6S
routes, and In the number of miles travelled,
| 1903 5Jl, 7i0. The estimated increase Of
railroad service for the year was 5000 miles,
but the amount Of new railroad service actu-
ally put on was !, 276, 80 miles
The volume OF business In the money order
| division. including transactions In postal
| notes. reached the sum Of upward OF Sll3,-
OOO. 900 for the year.
During the past year parcel post conven-
| tions have been concluded with Barba-
does, the Bahamas British Honduras and
| Mexico, rs arc now under negotiation with
all the Central aud South American States.
The increase for correspondence with foreign
countries during the past three years is graf
flying, aud il especially notable and exc p
tional with the Central and South American
States and with Mexico. As the greater
part OF mail matter exchanged with those
countries is commercial IN its character, this
increase i evidence of the improved bust
ness relations with them. The practical OPP
Grafton Of the parcel post conventions so FAR
rs negotiated has served 10 fulfill the most
favorable predictions ~ 10 their benefits In
| January last general postal convention
was negotiated with the Dominion Of
Canada. which went into operation on
March l. and which practically makes
one postal territory OF the United States aud
Canada. Under Il merchandise parcels may
\ now be transmitted through the mails at
fourlh-class rates Of postage. IL Is not pos
sble here Ia touch even the leading heads Of
the great postal establishment 10 illustrate
the enormous and rapid growth Of H. bust.
nts-. or the needs for legislative radiust-
mcnt ~ so much Of it, machinery that Il has
| outgrnwn. For these aud valuable recon-
mcndaiions of the Po.tmastcr-Gcncral, at
toution i earnestly invited 10 his report
\ A department whose revenues have increased
I 4 80 - 49, a. - -I.lI ~ Il.
ISIS, despite reductions Of postage which
have enormously reduced rates Of revenue
while greatly increasing IT. business, de-
mnnds the careful consideration Of the con
grcss rs 90 all matters suggested by those
familiar with its operations, and which are
calculated to increase IL efficiency and use
iulncs-.
A bill proposed by the Posimastcr.Gcncral
| was introduced ut the last session OF the Con.
urr.s. by which a uniform standard IN The
amount Of gross receipts would fix the right
oi q community TO public building 10 ic
| erected by the Government for pnstoiliCo
| purposes IL was demonstrated That aside
from thc public convenience and the pro.
motion 81 harmony among eitiken-, invnria.
hly disturbed by change II lcasing' aud oi
! size IL was a measure 81 tho highest econ.
omy and ~ sound business Judgment II
was found that the Government was payinr
Ia rents from TO ~ pr cent. per nnnum
on what the cost 81 such public building.
would be. A very rrut advantage result.
ing from such law would be- the prevention
OF u large number II bills. constantly intro.
duccd Tor the erection NJ public buildings at
places. and involving expenditures not iusti
lied by public necessity. I trust that thi.
I measure will become n law az the present
session Of Congress. OF the total number
II posiomastcr., hi,s'i are oi the fourth
class. These. q course. receive no allow
nnc,s whatever for expenses IN the service,
| aud their compensation j liked by per cent
| ages on trcripts nc their respective offices
, | This ratp Ut compensation may have been
I ! aud probably Wa. at some time Just, bot
the standard has remained unchanged
through several reductions In the rates oi
postage Such reductions have necessarily
cut down the compensation OF these officials
| while 10 undoubtedly Increased the husiuCs'
= performed b. them. Simple justice rcquiruf
, attention Ia this subject, o. the end thai
| ioufth.class postmastc' may receive at least
am equivalent 10 that which thc law itsc
liking the rate intended for ihcm.
! DEPARTMENT oY JUSTICE.
! Tho transactions " the Department o.
J Justice for the fiscal year ended June ~
= lsSs, are contained IN the report ~ thl
Z | Attorncy-Gcnc ns we'll asa number o.
\ valuable recommendations. the most 81
4 which are rcpettions OF those ptcviousl,
a made, and ought Ia receive consideration.
IL u stated IN this report that though iudg
mcnts w civil suits amounting 10 fbi2 U2l.U
D. | were rendered IN favor n the 0o,cmmen
. ! during the year. only the Eim " fiJ2. 10
4 | wnscollcctcd theron. and that though nnes
I | penalties and iurrIturcs were Impose
. amounting 10 k3li. N0Hi3 only siOD Gisi2 %