The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-12-07
this subject and fully indorse the views Of the
postmaster general

an incrcuse of fO3 over the preceding year
OF these g. 428 we're presid ential an increase 81
that class of 0S over the preceding year. Si1
hundred and ten cities and towns are provided
with free delivery. Ninety-three other cities
and towns entitled to this service under the
law have not been accorded it on account OF
insufficient funds Tho expense OF free deliy-
cry for the current fiscal year will be more than
S12 10000 and undor existing legislation this
item OF expenditure Is subject TO constant
increase. Tho estimated cost Of rural free de-
livery generally Is SO very large that II ought
Of affairs. During the year $50 additional do
nestle money-ordcr Offices wcrc established.
Tho total number of these offices at the close
OF the year was I026l There were l43Oi0ll
money orders issued during the year. being On
increase over the preceding year of 994 90 The
value OF those orders amounted 70 Sl3s 49,
570.49. an increase of 11,2lT 5.Sf There wore
also issued during the year postal notes
amounting to Si2, .00f55.
During tho year 2i8 international money Or
der officers wero added to those already estab-
lished making total OF 2025 such offices In
operation June 30, 1894. The number OF inter
national money orders issued during the year
was 0l7,6.3, decrease in number OF l38rpi
and their value was Si3792, 1881, decrease Id
amount of S:,5ig, S8s55. The number. Of orders
paid was 36l ,1S0, an increase over thf preced-
Ing year Of G0,203, and their value was SO. $685.
49375, an increase OF 81 .2s5.11802
From the foregoing statements 1t appears
that the total issue of money orders and postal
notes for the year amounted to S16J, 235 100. 35.
Tho number OF letters and packages mailed
during the yenr for special delivery was $780,
80 The special delivery stamps used upon
these letters and packages amounted to $780,
6G9Z The messengers fees paid for their de-
livery amounted to 1901 20 leaving balance
In favor OF the government OF So, 1870.
The report shows most gratifying results in
the way of economies worked out without
anectlng the efhcioncy OF the postal service
These consist in the abrogation OF steamship
subsidy contracts reletting of mail transported
tion contracts and in the cost and amount Of
supplies used In the service, amounting In all
to Sl6,6l0,04I42
Postal Union.
This report also contains a valuable contri-
button to the history OF the universal postal
union, an arrangement which amounts prac-
tically to the establishment of one postal sys-
TEN for tho entire civilized world. Special at
tention is directed to this subject at this time,
in view OF the fact that the next congress of
the union will meet in Washington in 1897. and
1t is hoped that timely action will be taken in
the direction OF perfecting preparations for
that event.
The postmaster general renews tho SUCCESS
ton mado in previous report that the depart
ment organization be increased to the extent
OF creating direct district supervision OF all
postal affairs, and in this suggestion / fully
concur. There arc now connected with tho
post office establishment 3263l employees who
are in tho classified service. This includes
many who have been classified upon the sug-
geStion OF the postmaster general He states
that another yo-r's experience at tho head OF
the department serves only to strengthen the
conviction as to tho excellent working of tho
civil service law in this branch Of the public
service.
Attention is called to the report OF the sec
rotary of tho navy, which shows very crafty
ing progress In tho construction OF ships for
our new navy. All the vessels now building, in
Guiding the thrCo torpedo boats authorized at
tho last session OF congress and excepting the
firSt-cl SIS battleship Iowa, will probably be
competed during the coming fiscal year.
Tho estimates for the increase of the navy for
the year ending Juno 80, 1896, arc large, but
they include practically the entire sum neceS-
sary 10 complete and equip all the new ships
not now in commission. so that unless now
ships are authorized the appropriations for the
naval service for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1897 should fall below the estimates for the,
coming year by at least Sl2,000C00
More Battleships Needed.
The secretary presents with much earnest
ness plea for the authorization OF three ad-
ditional battleships and ten or twelve torpedo
boats. While tho unIrmored vessels hereto
fore authorized including those now nearing
completion win constitute q fleet, which it is
believed is sufficient for ordinary cruising pur-
poses in time OF peace we have now completed
and in process of construction but four first
class battleshlps end but few torpedo boats.
II we are TO have navy for warlike opera
tions, offensive and defensive, we certainly
ought TO increase both tho number OF battle
ships and torpedo boats
Tho manufacture OF armor requires eX-
pensive plant and the aggreg9 tion OF many
skilled workmen. All tho armor necessary to-
compete the vessels now building will be de-
livercd before tao LIST OF June next. III no new
contracts arc given out contractors must dis
band their worl1mon and their plants must lie
idle. Battleships authorized at this time
would not be well under way until late in the
coming fiscal year, and ut least three years and
n half from the date OF the contract would be
required for their completion Iho secretary
states that not more tnan 10 per cent. OF the
cost of such ships need be included In the APP
preparation for tho coming year. recommend
that provision be ma C for the construction OF
additional battleships and torpedo boats.
Tho secretary recommends the manufacture
not only of reserve supply Of ordnance and
also supply for the auxiliary feet. Guns and
their appurtenances should be provided and
kept ON hand for both these purposes. We
have not to-day q single gun that could be put
upon the ships Paris or Now York OF the Inter
national Navigation company or any other
ship OF our reserve navy. The manufacture pr
guns at the Washington navy yard is proceed
Ing satisfactorily, and mono of our new ships
will be required to wait for their guns OF ori-
nance equipment
An important order has been issued by the
secretary Of the navy coordinating the duties
OF the several bureaus concerned IN Ine COLI
struction of ships. This order. 1t Is believed,
will secure to u greater extent than has here-
toforc been possible the harmonious action Of
these several bureaus and make the attain
ment of the best results more certain.
Movement of Vessels
During the past fiscal year there has been an
unusual and pressing demand In many quarters
guard American interests. In January last,
during the Brazilian insurrection, large heet
was concentrated In the harbor OF kio de
Janeiro The vigorous action OF Rear Adm1fai
Benham in protecting the personal and com
mercial rights of our citizens during the dis
turDe0 conditions unOr0eO results WHICH WIN,
It is believed have far reaching and whole
some influence whenever In like circumstances
IL may become necessary for our naval COM
manders to interfere on behalf OF our people
in foreign ports The war now In progress DO
tween China and Japan hos rendered IL neces-
sary or expcdient to dispatch eight vesseis 10
those waters.
Transfer of Coast Survey.
Both the secretary OF the navy ana the SEQ
rotary of the treasury recommend tho transfer
of the work of tho coast survey proper TO tho
navy department j heartily concur in this
Recommendation Excluding Alaska ana .
very small area besides, oil the work OF map
ping nnd charting our coast has been COM
pleted. The photographic work, which must
be done over and over again by reason OF the
shifting ana varying depths OF water. conae-
Quent upon the action Of streams ana tto6B,
has heretofore been done under the direction
OF naval offlcers In subordination TO the super
intendcnt Of the coast survey. There seems 10
DO no good reason why the navy should not neyo
entire charge hereafter OF such work, ospec1aly
as the photographic once OF tho navy depar1-
ment Is now, and has been for many years, en-
ragged in making en1cient maps entirely SINH
Tar to those prepared by she coast survey.
Personnel Of the Navy.
I feel 10 my imperative duty to call attention
TO the recommendation OF the secretary IN TO
gard TO the personnel OF the line OF tho navy.
The stagnntlon of promotion in this, the vital
branch Of tho service. IL 80 great rs TO serious
1y impair its efficiency
consider 10 OF the utmost Importance that
the young and middle-nged of1cers should ND
forc the eve OF retirement be permitted 20