The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-06

offices in operation June 80, 1871.
The number of international money or
ders issued during the year was III %
decrease in number of lbs, l16, and thell
value was S13, ~, 1921, "a decrease ~
amount of 50, S49,3S2. 90. The number OF
orders paid was 361, $50, an increase Over
the preceding year of 60,263, and ~
value was S6,563, 493.7S, an increase Of
81. 2S5, 1896. From the foreign state
ments it appears that the total issue OF
money orders and postal notes for the year
amounted to $165, 235, 129.35.
The number of letters and packages
mailed during the year for speclal eellV
cry was 3,436,970. The special delivery
stamps used upon these letters and pack
gers fees paid for their delivery amounted
to S261, 200. 20, leaving balance in favor
of the government of So, 4ST 80
The report shows most gratifying re-
suits in the way of economies worked Out
without effecting the efficiency of the pos
tai service. These consist in the abro'
CATION of steamship subsidy contracts, re-
letting of mail transportation contrasts
and in the cost and amount OF supplies
used in the service, amounting IN all 70
IS16,619, 407.42.
The report also contains a valuable
contribution to the history of the Uni
which amounts practically to the estab-
lishment of one postal system for the
entire civilized world. Special atten-
ton is directed to the subject at this
time, in view of the fact that the next
congress of the Union will meet in Wash
ington in 1891 and it is hoped that time
" action will be taken in the direction OF
perfecting preparations for that event;
The postmaster general renews the
suggestion made in previous report
that the department organization be
increased to the extent of creating a
direct district supervision of all postal
offices, and in this suggestion l fully con
cur.
There are now connected with the
the postoflice establishment 32,661 EN-
ploycs who are in the classified service.
This includes many who have been
classified upon the suggestion OF the
postmaster general. He states that an,
other years experience mt the head
of the department serves only TO
strengthen the conviction as to the eN-
celent working of the civil service law
in this branch of public service:
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
Attention is called to the report of the
secretary of the navy, which shows very
gratifying progress in the construction
of ships for our new navy.
All the vessels now building, including
ing the two torpedo boats authorized
at the last session of congress, and also
the first class battleship Iowa, will prob,
ably be completed the coming fiscal
year.
The secretary presents with much
a plea for the authorization
If three additional battleships and 10
,r II torpedo boats. While the unarmed
vessels heretofore authorized, including
hose now nearing completion, will con-
;titute fleet which, it is believed, is
sufficient for ordinary cruising purposes
n time of peace, we have now com
)leted and in process of construction
,ut four first class battleships, and but
lew torpedo boats. If we are to have
navy for warlike purposes, recon-
mend that provision be made for the
of additional battleshlps |
md torpedo boats.
The secretary recommends the man |
fracture not only of a reserve supply |
# ordnance and ordnance material for |
hips of the navy, but also recommends |
hat supply for the auxiliary fleet guns |
md their appurtenances should be pro
,ided and kept on hand, for both these |
purposes. We have not today single |
,un that could be put on the ships Paris
# New York of the international NaVl-
.ation company or any other ship et our
eserve navy. The manufacture OF guns
It the Washington navy yard is proceed
ng satisfactory, and none of our new
hips will be required to wait LOT tnelr
.uns or ordnance equipment.
An important order has been issued by
he secretary of the navy co-ordinatng
he duties of the several bureaus CON
erned in the construction of ships. Ihls
RIDER, it is believed, will secure to greater
xtent than has heretofore been posi-
le the harmonious action of these several
ureaus anu mans the attainment OF the
asults more certain.
During the past fiscal year there has
cen an unusual and pressing demand
navy quarters of the world for the
resenCe of vessels to guard American IN
erests, In January last, during the
Brazilian Instruction, large teet was
oncentrated in the harbor of Rio de ia
eric. The vigorous action of Rear Adj
,iral Benham in protecting the personal
nd commercial rights of our citizens
uring the disturbed conditions afforded
asults which will, it is believed, have a
ar reaching and wholesale influence
-henever in like circumstances it may be-
ONE necessary for our naval comman-
ers to interfere on behalf of our people
l foreign ports.
The war now i'll progress between
nina and Japan has rendered it neces-
ary or eXpedient to dispatch eight YES
els to these waters.
Both the secretary of the navy and the
ecretary of the treasury recommend the |
ransfer of the work of the coast survey |
roper to the navy department. heart
v concur in this recommendation, eX-
luding Alaska and very small area he
ides. All work of mapping and chartlng |
ur coasts has been completed. The by |
geographic work, which must be done |
yer and over again by reason of the
hitting and varying depths of water con-
eQuent upon the action of streams and
ide, has heretofore been done under di- |
ection of naval officers i'll subordination
o the superintendent of the coast survey.
There seems to be no good reason why
he navy should not have entire charge
hereafter of such work, especially as the
office of the navy depart
nent is now and has been for many years
in making efficient maps entirely
imilar to those prepared by the coast
urvey.
| feel it my imperative duty To call at
ention to the recommendation of the sec
etary in regard to the personnel of the
inc of the navy. The stagnation of pro-
notion in this. the vital branch of the
service. is so great as TO seriously impair
Is efficiency. | consider it of the utmost
ICed officers should. before the eve of re-
irement, be permitted To reach II grade
them to active and important