Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-12-13


the further coinage OF silver. and in such recon-
mondstion earnestly concur.
THE ARMY.
The Secretary Of War reports that the army,
1t the date Of the last consolidated returns. con-
sisted OF !, 189 officers and 24,549 enlisted men.
Tho actual expenditures OF the War Depart
ment for the deal year ended June 50, 1888,
amounted to 81, los 1.7.O7. Of which sum q So
bl46S was expended for public works. including
river and harbor improvements.
earnestly request that the recommended
tions contained In the Secretary's report, all
OF which are. in my opinion. calculated TO in
crease the usefulness and discipline OF the army
may receive the consideration of the Congress,
among these the proposal that there should be
provided . plan for the examination OF officers
to test their fitness for promotion Is Of the ut
most importance. This reform has been before
recommended in the reports of the Secretary.
and its expediency is so fully demonstrated by
the argument he presents in Its favor that its
adoption should no longer be neglected,
The death Of General Sheridan in August
last was National afliction. The army then
lost the grandest of its chiefs. The country
lost q brave and experienced soldier, wise and
discreet counselor, and a modest and sensible
man. Those who in any manner came within
the range OF his personal association will never
fail to pay deserved and willing homage to his
greatness and the glory of his career, but they
will cherish with more tender sensibility the
loving memory of his simple, generous and
considerate nature.
THE NAVY.
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 re-
constructing the navy made during the past
year. OF the ships in course OF construction,
five, viz: The Charleston. the Baltimore, the
York, the Vesuvius and the Petrol have in that
time been launched and are rapidly approach
ing completion. The Philadelphia, the San
Francisco, the Newark, the Bennington, the
Concord and the Herreshon torpedo boats are
all under contract for delivery to the depart
menI during the next year.
The progress already made and being made
gives good ground for the expectation that
these eleven vessels will be incorporated as
part of the American navy within the next
twelve months.
The report shows that, Notwithstanding the
large expenditures for new construction. and
the additional labor they involve, the total
ordinary or current expenditures OF the de-
partment for the three years ended June 30,
1888. are less by more than 20 per cent. than
such expenditures for the three years ended
June 30, 1884 The various steps which have
been taken to improve the business methods
of the Depa, tment are reviewed bv the Secre-
tary. The purchasing of supplies has been con-
solidated and placed under responsible bu-
reau head. This has resulted In the curtail-
ment OF open purchases, which in the years 1884
and 1885 amounted to over 50 per cent. OF all the
purchases of the department., to less than per
cent: so that at 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 on an
average of e. 600 600 annually it is evident that
an important improvement on the system has
been inaugurated and substantial economies
introduced.
THE POsr-OFFICE.
The report of the Postmaster-Generals shows
a marked increase OF business in every branch
of the postal service. The number of post-ofices
July 1. 1885, was 1886 an increase Of 6. i24 in
three years and OF ,210 for the last fiscal year.
Free delivery offices have increased from 1S9 in
the fiscal year ended June 3d. 1887, to 353 in the
year ended June 30, 1888. In the railway mail
service there has been increase in one year Of
16S routes, and in the number OF miles Travelled
per annum an increase of $50, 795. 917.48 The
estimated increase OF railroad service for the
year was 6,G60 miles. but the amount of new
railroad service actually put on was IL, 64.5O
miles.
The volume OF business in the money order
division including transactions in postal notes,
reached the sum of upwards of 143 millions for
the year. During the past year parcel post con-
ventious have been concluded with Barbados.
the Bahamas, British Honduras and Mexico
and are now under negotiation with all the
Central and South American States. The in
crease for correspondence with foreign
countries during the past three years is crafty
ing and is especially notable and exceptional
with the Central and South American States
and Mexico. AS the greater part of mail
matter exchanged with these countries is COM
mercial in its character this increase is evil
dence of the increased business relations with
them.
The practical operation Of the parcel post
convention so far as negotiated has served to
fulfil the most favorable prediction as to their
benefits. In January last general postal con-
vention was negotiated with the Dominion of
Canada, which went into operation March and
which practically makes one postal territory of
the United States and Canada. Under it mer-
chandise parcels may now be transmitted
through the mails at fourth class rates of post
age.
It is not possible here to touch even the lead
ing heads OF the great postal establishment to
illustrate the enormous and rapid growth of the
business and the needs for legislative readjust-
ment of much of its machinery that it has out
grown. For these and valuable recommends
tions Of the Postma ter General attention is
invited to his report. A department whose
revenues have increased from $40. tyr 90 in 1870
to S52. o.O0O in 1885, despite reduction of post
age which have enormously reduced rates OF
revenue while daily increasing its business de-
mands the careful consideration of the Congress
to all matters suggested by those familiar
with its operations and which are calculated
to increase its efficiency and usefulness.
OF the total number Of postmasters 81, S74 are
of the fourth class. These, of course, receive
no allowances whatever for expenses in the SER
vice, and their compensation is fixed by per-
centages on receipts at their respective offices.
This rate OF compensation may have been and
probably was. at one time, just, Eut the stand
ard has remained unchanged through the sew
eral reductions in the rates of postage. Such
reductions have necessarily cut down the COM
pensation OF these officials while it undoubtedly
increased the business performed by them.
Simple justice requires mention Of this sub
ject to the end that fourth-class postmasters
may receive at least an equivalent to that
which the law itself fixing the rate intended for
them.
Another class of postal employees whose con-
dit'on seems to demand legislation is that of
clerks in post-offices. and call especial atten-
ton to the repeated recommendations Of the
Postmaster-General for their classification.
Proper legislation of this character for the
relief of carriers in the free delivery service has
been frequent, Provision is made for their