The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-12-05

rhe ascertained revenues OF the last year, which
we're the basis OF calculation for the current
Tear, being less than estimated, the deficiency
For the current year will be correspondingly
greater, though the postmaster general states
that the latest indications are so favorable that
he confidently predicts an increase OF at least
per cent in the revenue Of the current year
over those of the last year.
The expenditures increase steadily and nec-
sSsartly with the growth and needs Of the coun-
try so that the deficiency is greater or less In
any year depending upon the volume OF re-
ceipts. The postmaster general states that
this deficiency Is unnecessary and might be OBJ
Waited at once II the law regulating rates upon
mall matter OF the second GLASS was modified.
The rate received for the transmission of this
second class matter is one cent per pound,
while the cost of such transmission to the gov
ernment is eight times that amount, In the
general terms of the law this rate covers news
papers and periodicals. The extensions Of the
meaning of these terms from time to time have
admitted to the privileges intended for legiti-
mate newspapers and periodicals as surpris-
Ing range OF publications and created abuses
the cost OF which amount in the aggregate to
the total deficiency Of the post office depart
ment Pretended newspapers are started by
business houses for the mere purpose Of adver-
tislng goods, complying with the law in form
only and disseminating the publications as soon
as the period OF advertising is over Sample
copies" of pretended newspapers are issued
In great numbers for like purpose only
The result is great loss of revenue
TO the government, besides its humiliating
use as an agency to aid in carrying out the
scheme OF q business house to advertise Its
goods by means Of q trick upon both its rival
houses and the regular and legitimate news
papers. Paper-covered literature consisting
mainly Of trash novels, to the extent OF many
thousands of TONS is sent through the mails al
one cent per pound, while the publishers Of
standard works are required to pay eight times
that amount in sending their publications.
Another abuse consists in the free carriage
through the mails Of hundreds Of tons OF SEED
and grain uselessly distributed through the de-
partment of agriculture. The postmaster gen.
eral predicts that II the law be so amended
as to eradicate these abuses, not only will
the postoflce department show no deficiency.
but he believes that in the near future all le
gitlmate newspapers and periodical magazines
might be properly transmitted through the
mails to their subscribers free OF cost. l in
vite your prompt consideration to this subject
and fully indorse the views Of the postmaster
general,
THE NAVAL DEPARTMENT..
Attention is called to the report of the score
progress in the construction of ships for ouI
new navy. All the vessels now building, in
cluding the three torpedo boats authorized o.
the last session Of congress and excepting the
frst-class battle ship Iowa, will probably be
completed during the coming fiscal year.
The estimates for the increase Of the navy
for the year ending June 30, 1896, are large, but
they include practically the entire sum neces'
sary to complete and equip all the new ships
not now In commission, so that unless new
ships are authorized the appropriations for the
naval service for the fiscal year ending JUNE
30, 1897, should fall below the estimates for the
coming year by at least $l2OOO,OOO.
The manufacture Of armor requires an expen'
sve plant and the aggregation Of many skilled
workmen. AL the armor necessary to com
plete the vessels now building will be delivered
before the lst OF june next, II no new con-
tracts are given out, contractors must disbant
their worlmen and their plants must lie idle
Battle ships authorized at this time would moi
be well under way until late in the coming flsca
year, and at least three years and half from
the date Of the contract would be required fol
their completion. The secretary states thai
not more than fifteen per cent Of the cost o.
, such ships need be included in the 'appropria'
tions for the coming year.
The secretary presents with much earnest
ness plea for the authorization OF three add.
tional battle ships and ten or twelve torpedo
boats. While the unarmored vessels hereto
fore authorized including those now Iearint
, completion, will constitute feet which it Il
believed is sufficient for ordinary cruising pur
!, poses in time Of peace We have now completed
: and In process Of construction but four FRS
, class battle ships and but few torpedo boats
, II we are to have q navy for warlike opera
tions, offensive and defensive, we certainly
ought to increase both the number Of battle
ships and torpedo boats. / recommend tina
provision be made for the construction Of addi
tional battle ships and torpedo boats.
. In January last, during the Brazilian insur
. rection, q large feet was concentrated In thu
harbor OF Rio De Janeiro. The vigorous actor
. Of Rear Admiral Benham In protecting the per
sonal and commercial rights OF our citizen!
during the disturbed conditions afforded re-
suits which will, It Is believed have a far
, reaching and wholesome influence whenever IL
.. like circumstances 1t may become necessary
, for our naval commanders to interfere on be
half Of our people in foreign ports.
The war now In progress between China ant
Japan has rendered 1t necessary or expedien
. to dispatch eight vessels to those waters
= / feel it my imperative duty to call attention
{ to the recommendation of the secretary In re
G gard to the personnel Of the line of the navy
! The stagnation Of promotion la this, the vita
, branch OF the service, is so great as TO seri
( ously impair its efficiency.
, consider 1t Of the utmost importance tina
4 the young and middle-aged officers should, be
fore the eve of retirement, be permitted /,
\ reach o grade emitting them TO active and i'm
q portant duty,
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
d The report Of the secretary OF the interior ex
. hibits the situation Of the numerous and inter
] esting branches OF the public service connected
: with his department l commend this repor
/ and the valuable recommendations of the sec
: retary to the careful attention OF the congress
c The public land disposed of during the yea
| amounted to 1914 ,l00T acres, including 29,
376.05 OF Indian lands. 1t is estimated that tn
public domain still remaining amounts TO a littl
z; more than COZ, 10000, excluding however abou
! 260, 900 900 ares acres in Alaska as well asmili
D tary reservations and railroad and other selec
$ tions Of lands yet unadjudicated. The total cas-
Ii receipts from sale OF lands amounted to $2674
II 2S57e, including sOl oSl O3 received for India
K lands. Thirty-hve thousand patents were is
l. sued for agricultural lands and thirty-one hun
i dred patents we're issued to Indians on allot
!. ments Of their holdings in severslty, the Ian
}. so allotted being inallenable by the Indian al
. lottees for period OF twenty-five years afte
II patent .-
Il There were certified and patented on accour
4 Of railroad and wagon-road grants during tn
year So5 ,5504S acres OF land, and at the close
u the year 20 100000 acres were embraced In th
e lists OF selections made by railroad and wagor
q road companies and awaited settlement
h An exceedingly important recommendatio
OF the secretary relates TO the manner in whic
u contests and litigated cases growing out OF Of
!. orts TO obtain government land are determine,
u The entire testimony up on which these COZ
r. troversies depend In ell their stages Is take
!, before the local registers and receivers and y,
u these officers have no power to subpoens wi
II nesSes or TO enforce their attendance to testif
u These cases numbering three or I our thousar
o annually ere sent by the local officers to u
Of copmissioner Of the general land once for h