The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1892-12-16

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number OF fres-ielivsry officss has been
nearly doubled In the last four years. aud
the number OF money-order Offices more
than doubled Within that time.
For the three years ending June 81. 1892,
the postal revenue amounted to S19S, T4i,352,
which was an increase OF So, 263, l5) over tho
revenue for the three years en- ling June 30,
1883. the increase during th last three years
being more than three an half times as
great as the increase durin tue three years
ending June 80, 1888.
A wholesome claage of policy aal ono
having in it much promise, as it seems to
me- was begun by the law of March 8, 1921.
Under this law contracts have been made oy
the Postnaster-Gs snoral foc eleven mail
routes. The expenditure involved by thess
contracts for the ne15 fiscal year approxt-
mates S9i5. 1888. AS one Of the results al
aggregate tonnage of 57,4Jo tons. costing
s7,40o,0 900, have been built or contracted to
be built in American snipyardS.
No subjecr, l think, mora nearly touches
the pride, the power aud the prosD,rity OF
our country than this Of the development of
our merchant marine upon the sea. IL We
could enter into conference with other conf
petitors aud all would agrsa TO withhold
Government aid we could perhaps take our
chances with all the rest but our great com.
seS SMnsSe nSss II prsoteatiy e.ciaied Us from
part rticipation. In my opinion no choice Is
slefe to us but to pursue, moderately at least,
the same lines.
OUR NAVAL PROGRESS
The report OF the Secretary Of the Navy
exhibits great progress in the construction
Of our new navy. When the present Score
tary entered upon his duties only three
modern steel vessels were in commission.
The vessels since put in commission ani to
be put in commission during the winter will
make a total of 10 during his administra-
tion Of the Department.. During the cur
rent year 10 war vessels aid navy tugs
have been launched. and during the four
years 25 vessels will havo been launched.
Two otaer large ships AMI a torpedo boat
are under contract au1 the work upon them
we'll advanced, and tn, four monitors are
awaiting only the arrival Of their arnor,
which has been unexpectedly delayed, or
they would have been before this in COM
mission.
Contracts have been let during this adj
ministration, under the appropriations for
the increase of the Navy, including new YES
sells and their appurteuancss, to the amount
of $35, 600. 900, and there has been expended
during the same perioi for labor at navy
yards upon similar work SS, 00J, 900 without
the smallest scandal or charge of fraud or
partiality.
1t is believed that as the result of new
processes in the construction Of armor plate
our later ships will be clothed with defen
slve plates of higher resisting power than
are found in any war vessels afloat We
were without torpedoes. Tests have been
made to ascertain the relative efficiency OF
different constructions, a torpedo has been
adopted, and the work Of construc.
ton Is now being carried on sue.
piercing shells and without shop in.
structed and equipped for the construction
Of them. we are now making what is be,
lieved to be projectile superior to any be.
fore in use. A smokeless powder has been
developed and slow burning powder for
guns OF large calibre. A high explosive.
capable of use in large shells firei from SER
vice guns, has been found, an the manu-
tacture OF gun cotton has been developed so
that the question OF supply is no longer in
douJt.
THE NAVAL MILITIA.
The development or naval militia, which
has been organized in eight States and
brought into coriiat AMI co-ooerative rela-
tiols with the Navy, is another important
achieve:nent. There are now enlisted in
these organizations 1870 men, aud they are
likely to pe greatly extended. recommend
such legislation and appropriations as will
encourage and develop this movemsnt.
WORK IN TaE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The WORK of the Interior Department., al
ways very burdenSom has been larger
thu over before during the aiminstra tiop
or Secretary Noble. The dsa ability pension
law. the tax ng of the Eleventh Census. the
opening of the vast areas of Iuiiau lands to
settlement, the organization O, Oklahoma,
aud the negotiations for the cesSion of In {.
d'an lands turnisa SO ne of the particulars OF
the increased work aud the results achieved
testify to the ability, fidelity and industry
OF the head of the Department and his effi-
cient assistants.
The work in the Indian Bureau, in the exc.
Sntion or the policy of recsnt lsg gislation, has
n 1Ipn Enl 80 .oe
First, the allotment of lands in severalty, to
the Indians an 1 the cssson to the United
ntates OF the surplus lands; and, secondly, to
the work OF educating the Indian for his own
protection in his closer contact with tho
white man and for the intelligent exercise of
his new citizenship. have several times
heen called upon to remove Indian agents
appointed by ME, and have done SO
promptly upon every sustained complaint OF
unntnesS or misconduct / believe, how
ever, tnat the Indian service at tho agencies
mas oeen improved aud is now admin stored
on the whole with u gool deyre OF etfic
iency. Ii any legislation is possible by
wnich the selection of Indian agents can be
wholly removed from all partisan sugges-
lions or consl ierations, / AN sure it would
be a great relief to the Executive and q
great benefit to the service.
THE SUBJECT OF PENSIONS.
The report of the Commissioner of
Pensions to which extended notice is given
by the Secretary of the Interior in his
report will attract great attention.
Judged by the az sregate amount OF work
done the last year has been ths greatest in
ths history Of the ofiice. ! beleve that the
organization Of the Office is efficient, and
that the work has been done with fidelity.
The passage Of what Is known as the disabil-
ity bill has, as was foreseen, very largely
increased the annual disbursements to
the disabled Veterans of the civil war. The
estimate for this fiscal year was S144,-
5000, and that amount was appro-
priated. A deficiency amounting to $40.
5OS,6?l must be provided for at this session.
The estimate for pensions for the fiscal wear
ending June 30, 1884, is Sl65, OOO, Coz. The
Commissioner OF Pensions believes that If
the present legislation AMI metho Is are
maintained and futher editions to the pen
sion laws are not ma Ie, the maximum ex-
pen1iture for pensions will be reached June
81 1894, ami will be at she highest point
$l8S 000. 900 per annuh
adhere to the views expressed in previous
messages that th, care of the disabled SOL
diers of the war Of the rebellion is q matter
oil national concern and duty. Perhaps no
emotion cools sooner than that of gratitu lie,
but cannot believe that this process has
yet reached point with our people that
would sustain the policy of remitting the
care OF these disabled veterans to the made
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