The western sentinel. [volume] (Winston-Salem, N.C.) 1887-1926, 1893-12-07
reIormaTorIes as may be necessary Tor
the confinement of United States con-

reTormarUrIes as may De necessary Tor
the confinement of United States con-
victs.
IN THE PosToFFIcE.
The report of the postmaster gen
eral contains detailed statement of
the operation of the postoface depart
ment during the last fiscal wear and
much inseresting information touch
ing this imbortant branch of the pub
lie service.
The business of the mails indicates
with absolute certainty the condition
of the business of the country, and de-
preston in financial affairs inevita bly
and quickly reduces the postal reve-
nues. Therefore, larger discre-
pancY than usual between the post
Office receipts and expenditures is the
expected and unavoidable result of
the distressing stringency which has
prevailed throughout the country dur
Jug much of tee time covered by the
postmaster generals report.
The postof6ce receipts for the last
fiscal year amounted to ST., 776, 933. 6
and its expenditure to $s1, 074 OLA 80.
This postofice deficiency would
disappear If less matter was carried
free through the mails, an item of
which is upward of three hundred
tons of seeds and grain from the agri-
cultural department..
The total number OF postofices in
the United States on the 3Oth of June,
1892, was 68,4O2. in increase of 1924
1850 were presidential, an increase
in that class of 2o4 over the preceding
year.
There are now connected to the post
office establishment 2s, 1874 employees who
are in the classified service.
VALUE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE.
The head of this department gives
conclusive evidence of the value of civil
service reform, when, after an experience
that renders his conclusion reliable, he
expresses the opinion that without the
benefit of this system would be impossi-
BILE to conduct the vast business en-
trusted to him.
1 desire to commend as especially
worthy of prompt attention, the sugges-
lion of the postmaster general relating
to a more sensible and business-like or
ganization and better distribution of
responsibility in his department.
OUR GROWING NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the navy
contains history of the operations Of
his department during the past year,
and exhibits a most gratifying condition
Of the personnel of our navy. He pre-.
sents satisfactory account of the pro-
gress which has been made in the con-.
structlon OF vessels and makes number
Of recommendations to which attention
Is especially invited
While am distinctly in favor of con,
sistently pursuing the policy we have
ilaugurated of building up thorough
aut efficient navy, cannot refrain from
carefully take into account the unfin-
ished vessels on our hands and the de-
pleted condition of our treasury in con-
sidering the propriety of an appropria-
ton at this time to begin new work.
THE CIVIL. SERVICE.
Fhe continued intelligent execution
of the civil service law and the increas-
ing approval by the people by its oper-
ations are most gratifying.
l am, if possible, more than ever con-
vinced of the incalculabl benefits con-
ferred by the civil service law, not
only in its effect upon the public SER
vice, but also what IS even more i'm
portant in its effect in elevating the
tone of political life generally.
FOR TARIFF REFORM.
After hard struggle, tariff reform
is directly before us. Nothing so i'm
portant claims. our attention and moth
ing SO clearly presents itself as both
an opportunity and a duty, an oppor-
trnity to deserve the gratitude of our
fellow citizens and a duty imposed
upon US by our oft-repeated profess
sions and by the emphatic mandate of
the people.
After full discussion, our country
men have spoken in favor of this re-
form, and they have confded the work
of its accomplishment to the hands of
those who are solemnly pledged to it.
Nothing should intervene to distract
our attention or disturb our effort I'M
til this reform is accomplished by wise
and CAREFUL legislation.
THE WILSON BILL.
A measure has been prepared by the
appropriate congressional committee,
eb4dyi9g p tar refo Wn1c On t WYf lines es
promptly submitted for legislative &C
ton. It is the result of much patriotic
and unselfish work, and I believe 1t
deals with it's subject consistently and
as thoroughly as existing conditions
permit.
FOR AN INCOME TAX.
The committee, after full considera-
ton, and to provide against temporary
deficiency which may exist before the
busieess of the country adjusts itself
to the new tariff schedules, have wisely
embraced in their schedule few addi-
tional internal revenue taxes, including
a small tax upon income derived from
certain corporate investments.
These new assessments are not only
absolutely just and easily borne, but
they have the further merit of being
such as can be RENTED without unfa-
vorable business disturbance whenever
the necessity for their imposition no
longer exists.
In my great desire for the success of
this measure, cannot restrain the sug-
gestion that it's success can only be at
tanned by means of unselfish counsel on
the part of tariff reform, and as result
of their willingness to subordinate per-
sonal desires and ambitions to the gen.
eral good. The local interests affected
by the proposed reform are SO numerous
and so varied that if all are insisted
upon the legislation embodying the re-
form must inevitably fail.
IN CONCLUSION.
In conclusion. my intense feeling of
responsibility impels me to invoke for
the manifold interests of a generous and
confding pc - the most scrupulous
care, and to pledge my willing support
to every legislative effort for the adj
vancement of the greatness and pros
perity of our country.
GROVER CLEVELAND,
Executive Mansion, Washington, d. c.,
December 4.