The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1894-12-06

promoting generally the health moral and dis
cipline Of the troops
The execution of the policy Of concentrating
the army at important centers of popu-
lation and transportation, foreshadowed
in the last annual report OF the sec
retary has resulted in the abandonment
of fifteen OF the smaller posts, which was ef
fected under plan which assemblies organi-
zations Of the same regiments hitherto widely
separated. This renders our small forces
more readily effective for any service which
they may be called upon to perform, increases
the extent OF the territory under protection
without diminishing the security heretofore
Afforded to any locality. improves the discf-
pline, training and esprit de corps of the
army, besides considerably decreasing the cost
Of its maintenance. Though the forces Of the
department of 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 secures the best and greatest service in
the interests Of the general welfare from the
small force comprising our regular army.
should not be thoughtessly embarrassed by
the creation OF new and unnecessary posts
through acts of congress to crafty the ambi-
tions or interests OF localities.
1t is lardly 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
tions to the performance by the government Of
its legitimate functions, it became necessary
in various localities during the year to employ
q considerable portion Of the regular troops
The duty was discharged promptly, courage
ously and with marked discretion by the Off
GERS and men. and the most gratifying proof
WIS thus afforded that the army deserves that
complete confidence in its efficiency and dis
cipline which the country has at all times
manifested
oil nnl sv,I,, 49, rlp,,, ~
GERS and inventors have, it is believed, over
come the mechanical obstacles which have
heretofore delayed the armament OF our coasts.
and this great national undertaking upon
which we have entered may now proceed as
rapidly as congress shall determine.
The total enrolment of the militia of the
several states is 1883 officers and enlisted
men. an increase Of 5343 over the number re-
ported at the close Of the previous year.
In recognition Of the long and distinguished
military services and faithful discharge Of del
icate and responsible civil duties by Maj. Gen.
John NJ Schofeld, now the general command
ing the army. it is suggested to congress that
the temporary revival of the grade Of lieuten-
ant-general would be a just and gracious act
and would permit his retirement now near at
hand with rank befitting his merits.
The report Of the attorney general notes the
gratifying progress made by the supreme court
in overcoming the arrears of It's business and
in reaching condition in which it will be able
to dispose Of cases rs they arise without any
unreasonable delay This result Is, of course,
very largely due to the successful working of
the plan inaugurating circuit courts Of ap-
peals.
Other important topics are adverted to in the
report, accompanied by recommendations,
many of which have been treated at large in
previous messages and at this time, therefore
need only be named. l refer to the abolition OF
the fee system as measure of compensat. on
to federal officers; the enlargement OF the pow
ers of U. s. commissioners, at least in the ter
ritories, the allowance of writs of error in
criminal cases on behalf Of the United States
and the establishment Of degrees in the crime
of murder.
The report Of the postmaster-general pre-
sents comprehensive statement of the opera
tions of the post offco department for the last
fiscal year.
The receipts of the department during the
year amounted to &75 0s0, 04 and the expendi-
lures to sSI, 4l4l5
The transactions OF the postal service
indicate with barometric certainty the
fluctuations in the business OF tie coun-
try. InaSmuch, therefore, business
| complications continued to exist throughout
the last year to an unforeseen extent 1t Is not
| surprising that the deficiency of revenue to
meet the expenditures OF the post ofice de-
partment. which was estimated In advance nj
about eight million dollars, should be exceed
! ed by nearly one and q quarter million dollars
| The postmaster general states that this de-
| ficiency is unnecessary and might be obviated
at once II the law regulating rates upon mai
matter OF the second GLASS was modified. The
rate received for the transmission of this Sec
| ond class matter is one cent per pound, while
| the cost OF such transmission to the govern
ment Is eight times that amount. In the gen
| eral terms of the law this rate COW
ers newspapers and periodicals. The eS-
tensions Of the meaning of these
terms from time to time have admitted to the
iyf1 tnfan
and periodicals a surprising range of publica
| tions and created abuses, the cost of which
amount in the aggregate to the total detcienc,
| of the post office department. Pretended news
papers are started by business houses for tn,
| mere purpose of advertising goods complyin.
| with the law in form only. and discoutinuin;
the publication as soon as the period of adver
| tising is over. Sample copies of pretende,
newspapers are issued in great numbers. for
like purpose only. The result is great loss o
| revenue to the government besides its humilat
| ing use as an agency TO aid in carrying out tn
| scheme of q business house to advertise it,
goods by means of q trick upon both its riva
| houses and the regular and legitimate news
papers Paper covered literature, CONSISTING
mainly Of trashy novels, to the extent of man
thousands OF tons, Is sent through the mails u
ono cent per pound, while the publishers o
standard works are required to pay eight time
that amount in sending their publica<ions. ~
The report shows most gratifying results Il
the way Of economies worked out without af
| fecting the efficiency of the postal service
These consist In the abrogation OF steamshi
subsidy contracts, reletting of ma itransporta
tion contracts and in the cost and amount @
supplies used in the service, amounting in al
| to $l6.6l9.04z 42.
tary of the navy, which shows very gratifyin
progress In the construction of ships for ou
new navy. All the vessels now building. in
cluding the three torpedo boats authorized a