Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1894-12-06

being so. 92244.
The total amount of standard silver
dollars coined at the mints of the United
States since the passage of the act of Fob.
20, 1878, is $421. 776 408, of which S7S,
166, 739 were coined under the provisions
of that act $3s, 531, 143 under the provi-
sions of the act Of July IA, 1890. and So, :
07s, 472 under the act providing for the
coinage of trade dollar bullion.
The Army.
From the report of the secretary Of war
1t appears that the strength of the army
on Sept. 30, 1894, was 2,l35 officers and
25, 765 enlisted men. Although this is
apparently a very slight decrease com
pared with the previous year, the actual
effective force has been increased TO the
equivalent of nearly two regiments
through the reorganization Of the system
Of recruiting, and the consequent, release
to regimental duty of the large force of
men hitherto serving at the recruiting
depots. The abolition Of these depots, it
is predicted. will Furthermore effect an
annual reduction approximating $3.50. 900
in the direct expenditures. besides pro
noting generally the health, morals and
discipline of the troops. t,tr pt4
the east have been somewhat increased,
more than three fourths of the army is
still stationed west Of the Mississippi
This carefully matured policy, which se-
cures the best and greatest service in the
interests Of the general welfare from the
small forcs comprising our regular army,
should not be thoughtlessly embarrassed
by the- creation of new and unnecessary
posts through acts Of congress to crafty
the ambitions or interests of localities
While the maximum legal strength of
the army is 25, 900 men, the effective
strength, through various causes, is but
little over 90. 900 men. The purpose of
congress does not, therefore. seem to be
fully attained by the existing condition
While no considerable increase in the
army is, in my Judgment. demanded by
recent events. the policy Of seacoast forti-
f1cation. in the prosecution of which we
have been steadily engaged for some years,
has SO far developed as to suggest that the
effective strength of the army be now
made at least equal to the legal strength.
Measures taken by the department during
the year, as indicated, have already con-
siderably augmented the effective force,
and the secretary of war presents plan,
which recommend to the consideration
of congress, to attain the desired end
1t is hardly necessary to recall the fact
that in obedience to the commands Of the
constitution and the laws, and for the
purpose of protecting the property of the
United States. aiding the process of fed
eral courts and removing lawless obstruc-
tions to the performance by the govern
ment of its legitimate functions, it be-
came necessary in various localities dur
ing the year to employ considerable per
tion of the regular troops. The duty was
discharged promptly, courageously and
with marked discretion by the officers and
men, and the most gratifying proof was
thus afforded that the army deserves that
complete confidence in it's efficiency and
discipline which the country hf.s at all
times manifested.
The skill and industry of our ordnance
officers and inventors have, it is believed,
overcome the mechanical obstacles which
have heretofore delayed the armament of
cur coasts, and this great national under
taking upon which we have entered may
now proceed as rapidly as congress shall
determine. With a supply of finished
guns of large caliber already ON hand, to
which addition should now rapidly fol
low, the wisdom of providing carriages
and emplscements for their mount cannot
be too strongly urged.
The total enrolment OF the militia OF
the several states is III, 533 officers and
enlisted men. an increase of 5, 343
In recognition of the long and distin-
guished military services and faithful dis
charge of delicate and responsible civil
duties by Major General John NJ Soho
field. now the general commanding tho
army, it is suggested to congress that the
temporary revival of the grade Of lieuten
ant general in his behalf would be a Just
and gracious act and would permit his re-
tirement, now near at hand, with rank b.
fitting his merits.
The Department of Justice.
The report of the attorney general notes
tho gratifying progress made by the su.
preme court in overcoming the arrears Of
its business and in reaching condition
in which it will be able to dispose Of
cases as they arise without any unreason-
able delay. This result Is of course very
largely due to the successful working of
the plan inaugurating circuit courts 0.
appeals.
Fight years ago In my annual message
urged upon the congress as strongly as
/ could the location and construction of
two prisons for the confinement of United
States prisoners. A similar recommenda
tion has been made from time to time
since. and few years ago a law was
passed providing for the selection of sites
for three such institutions. No appropri-
alton has, however, been made to carry
The act into effect and the old and dis
ireditable condition still exists.
The Postoffice Department.
The report of the postmaster genera
presents comprehensive statement OF
the operations of the postoffice department
for the last fiscal year.
The receipts Of the department during
the year amounted to $75, OS0, 479. Oh and
the expenditures to $S4, 1924, 41415.
The transactions of the postal service
indicate with barometric certainty the
fluctuations in the business of the coun-
try. Inasmuch, therefore. as business
complications continued to exist through
out the last year to an unforeseen extent,
it is not surprising that the deficiency Of
revenue to meet the expenditures Of the
postoffice departm ent, which was estimat
ed in advance at about $S, 600, 0OU, should
be exceeded by nearly 81. 125, 000 The as
certained revenues of the last year. wh ch
were the basis of calculation for the cur.
rent year being less than estimated, the
deficiency for the current year will be cor
raspendingly greater, though the post
master general states that the latest indi-
cations are SO favorable that he confident
ly predicts an increase of at least per
cent in the revenues of the current year
over those of the last year.
The expenditures increase steadily and
necessarily with the growth and needs of
the country, SO that the deficiency is
greater or less in any year, depending up
on the volume of receipts.
The postmaster general states that this
deficiency is unnecessary and might be oh
Waited atNonce if the law regulating rates
upon mail matter of the second class was
modified. The rate received for the trans
mission of this second class matter is /
cent per pound, while the cost of such
transmission to the government is eight
times that amount. In the general terms
Of the law this rate covers newspapers
and periodicals The extensions of the
meaning of these terms from time to time
have admitted to the privileges intended
for legitimate newspapers and periodicals
surprising range Of publications and
created abuses the cost Of which amount
in the aggregate to the total deficiency of
the postoffice department
The total number of postoffices in the
United States on the Both day of June,
1894, was 50. sos. an increase Of /. 403 over
the preceding year. OF these 8, 42S were
presidential, an increase in that class Of
6S over the preceding year.
Six hundred and ten cities and towns
tl<~r1 AZ l-T4