The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1893-12-08
o that of the most progressive armies of tn.

The WORK on tile projected Chicamauga and
Chatta 'oga national military parks has beer
prosec ! with zeal and Judgment, and its
opening VIII be celebrated during the coming
year; G bs9t,a n,he square miles OF the Chica-
manga oattieneld have been acquired, rs miles
of roadway have been constructed, and per-
manent tablets have been placed at many his
torical points while the invitation to the states
ing in the battle, has been very generally ac-.
cepted. me work of locating and preserving
the lines OF battle at the Gettysburg battlefield
is making satisfactory progress on the plans
directed by the last congress.
The reports of the military academy at West
Point ana the several schools for special in
structions of officers show marked advance in
educatlon or the army and commendable
ambition among its officers TO excel in the
military profession and TO tit themselves for
the highest service TO the country.
Under the supervision OF Adjutant General
Robert VILLAINS lately retired, the bureau Of
Hshed ana is performing srrNi.e that will
put in possession of the government in time
of war most valuable information and at ali
times serve a purpose OF great utility in keep
ing the army advised of the worlds progress
in all matters pertaining 10 the art of war;
Fees of Officials.
The report of the attorney general contains
the usual summary of the affairs and proceed
ings OF the depart ment of justice for the past
year, together with certain recommendations
as 60 needed legislation ON various subjects. |
cannot too heartily indorse the proposition
that the fee system as applicable TO the COM
pensation of United States attorneys, mar
states commissioners, should be abolished
with as little delay as possible.
It's clearly in the interest of the community
that the business of the courts, both civil and
criminal, shall be as small and as inexpen-
sively transacted as the ends of justice will
allow. The system is therefore thorough,
which makes the compensation of court
officials depend upon the volume of such bust
ness, ana thus creates a conflict between
poper regard of the law and private gain,
which cannot fail TO be dangerous 10 the rights
and freedom OF the citizen and q considerable
Temptation to the unjustiiabe expenditure OF
public FUNDS. IL in addition to this reform
another was inaugurated which would give TO
United States commissioners the final DISPOSE
ton OF mlsdemeanors, especially those coming
under the internal revenue laws, great add
vance would be made toward more decent
administration of the criminal law.
also heartily, join the attorney general in
recommending legislation fixing degrees of the
crime of murder within federal jurisdiction, as
has been done in many of the states; author
izing writs of error on behalf of the govern
ment in cases where final judgment If rendered
against the suiciency of an indictment or
against the government upon any other ques-
ton arising before actual trial limiting the
right Of review in cases of felony puInshable
only by fine, ana Imprisonment to the circuit
court of appeals, and making speedy provision
for the construction OF such prisons ana re-
formatCrics rs may be necessary for the con-
finemenl of United States convicts.
The report OF the postmaster general con-
tains detailed statement of the operations OF
the pOstoniCe department during the last
fiscal year and much interesting information
touching lDlS important DfunCn Vi Jue puDuc
service.
Postal Deficiency.
The business of the mails indicates with
absolute certainty the condition OF the bust
ness of the country and depression in financial
affairs inevitably and quickly reduces the
postal revenues. Therefore a larger diScrep-
ancy than usual between the postoldce re;
cepts and expenditures is the expected and
unavoidable result of the distressing strngency
which has prevailed throughout the country
during much OF the time covered by the post
master generals report.
pated it was estimated by his predecessor that
the deficiency on the Both day of June 1893,
would be but little over $l,dO,OO 1t
amounted, however, TO more than S5OO,O0O
The post Office receipts for the last isca! year
amounted TO SsjS96,E8l6 and its expenditures
to SSl,074l0 This postoifice deficiency
would disappear or be immensely decreased II
less matter was carried free through the mails
an item of which is upward of 800 tons of seeds
and grain from the agricultural department..
The total number of postotlccs III the United
States on the 3)th day of June, 1893, was 6S,4W',
an increase of l,2Si over the preceding year.
OF these 1850 were presidential, an increase in
that class of 2Oi over the preceding year.
Our New Navy.
The report Of the secretary of the navy con-
tains II history of the operations of his depart
mcnt during the past year and exhibits most
gratifying condition of the personnel of our
navy, which he presents in a satisfactory man
ner, of the progress which has been made in
the construction of vessels, and makes a mum
Der of recommendations to which attention Is
especially invited.
During the past six months the demands for
cruising vessels have been many and urgent
There have been revolutions calling for vessels
to protect American interests in Costa Rica
Honduras Argentina and Brazil, while the
condition Of affairs IN Honolulu has required
the constant presence of one or more ships
With all these calls upon our navy IL became
necessary, in order to make un sulhcient
fleet TO patrol the Berng sea under the modus
vivdendi agreed upon with Great Britain, the
detail to that service was one vessel from the
fish commission and three from the revenue
marine.
Progress in the construction of new vessels
has not been rs rapid as was anticipated.
There have been delays in the completion OF
unarmored vessels but for the most part they
have been such as are constantly occurring
even in countries having the largest eXperi-
ence in naval shipbuilding. The most serious
delays, however, have been in the work upon
arpored ships. The trouble has been the fail
ure of contractors to deliver armor as agreed.
The difficulties seem now, however, To have
been all overcome, and armor is being de-
| hyercd with satisfactory promptness.
As a result Of the. experience acquired b
shi builders, and designers and material men
| il Is believed that the dates, when vessels
will be completed can now be estimated with
reasonable accuracy. Great guns, rapid-fre
guns, torpedoes and powder are being prompt
ly supplied The following vessels of the new
navy have been completed and are now ready
The double turreted coast-defense monitor
I Miantonomah, the double turreted coast
defense monitor Monterey, the armored
Baltimore, Chicago, Philadelphia, Newark,
San Francisco, Charleston, Atlanta and Bos-
ton. The cruiser Detroit, the gunboats York
town, Concord, Bennington, Machas, Castine,
Petrol. the dispatch vessel Dolphin, the
, practice vessel Bancroft and the dynamite
! gunboat Vesuvius. OF these the Bancroft,
| Machias Detroit and Castne have been placed
In commission during the current calendar
year.
While am distinctly in favor of consistently
pursuing the policy we have inaugurated, of
building up q thorough and efficient navy, |
/ cannot refrain from the suggestion that the
congress should carefully take into account
the number of unfinished vessels on our hands
and the depleted condition of our treasury in
considering the propriety OF an appropriation
at this time to begin new wO TX.
The method of employing mechanical labor
at navy yards through boards of labor and
making efficiency the sole test by which
laborers are employed and continued is pro-
ducing the best results. and the secretary is
earnestly devoting himself to its development
Attention j. invited to the statements OF his
report in regard to the workings OF the system.
| The Pension Rolls.
The secreta~v Of The interior has the super
vision of so many important subjects that his
report is of especial value and interest.
On the Both day of June, 1873, there were on
the pension rolls 0l2 names. an increase Of
S9,9H over the number on the rolls June 10.
1892.
OF these there,were II widows and daughters
of revolutionary soldiers, 10 SURVIVORS OF the
war of 1872, 5,i25 widows of soldiers at that
war, q ,5lS survivors and widows at the Next
can war; 3,SSs survivors and widows OF Indian
wars, ~ army curses, and 41564o SURVIVORS