The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-12-03

fecaine necessary IN various localities during
ne year 60 employ considerable portion OF
no reg lar troops The duty was discharged
romp ~, courageously and with marked dis
retion by the officers and men, and the most
rstifying proof was thus afforded that the
rmy deserves the complete confidence in its
fneiency and disc pline, which the country
has at all times manifested. The year has
been free from disturbances by Indians, and
he chances Of further depredstions on their
part are constantly becoming more remote and
improbable.
The Law Department.
The report Of the attorney general notes tho
gratifying progress made by the supreme
court in overcoming the arrears OF its business
and in reaching condition in which 10 win be
able to dispose Of osses they arise without
any unreasonable delay. This result is, of
coarse, very largely due 10 the successful
working of the plan inAugurating circuit
courts Of appeals
A topic Of much in portancs II the condition
Of the administration Of the Indian Territory.
Such ainoliorintions OF present conditions as the
existing system will admit OF ought not to be
neglected There should he a federal court es-
tabliShed for the territory with sufficient
judges, and this court should sit within
ths territory. and have the came jurisdio
non ms 10 ter rftorial affairs as - now vested
in the federal courts sitting in Arkansas and
Texas
Another object Of pressing moment referred
TO by the attorney gsnorri the reorganisa-
tion of the Unten Pacific Railway company, on
basis equitable M regards all private inter
ests and as favoraels 20 the government as ex-
isting conditions wfll permit
Eight years ago l urged upon the n ress
the location and construction of two sons
for tho confinement Of United States prison
srs. A similar recommondstio 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 discreditable con-
dition stiA exiSts.
Tho Postal Service.
The report OF the postmaster gene raj pres
snts a comprehensive statement Of the opera
tons Of the postofflcs department. for the last
fiscal year. The receipts of the department.
during the year amounted 10 s7s,0eo, ,ils.0a, and
the expenditures to So, ,22<,I ,I4l6.
The transactions OF tho postal service indi-
cate with barometrio certainty che fuctua-
tions in the business OF the country. Inas-
much, therefore, M business complications
continue 20 exist throughout the last year to
an unforeseen extent. 10 Ia not surprising that
the deficiency Of rsvenus 30 meet the expendi-
lures Of the postoffica department., which was
estimated In advance at about 81, ,o0o, ,000 should
be exceeded by nearly 81 10000.
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 upon the volume
OF receipts. The postmaster general states
that this deficiency ir unnscessary, and might
be ebviated ~ once II the law regulating rates
upon mail matter OF ths second-class was
modified.
The total number OF postoffices in the United
States ON June 30, lset, was 81 ,sOS, an increase
of ltos over the preceding year. OF these, 342S
wurr rrc 7t-rtrri, increase In that class of
6S oye the preceding year Six hundred and
ten cities and towns provided with free de-
livery. Ninety three other cities and towns
entitled 10 this service under the law have not
been accorded IL ON account Of insufficient
funds.
The expense Of free delivery for the current
fiscal year will be more than sl2 ,000 and,
under existing legislation, this item Of expen-
diturs 10 subject 10 constant increase. The
estimated cost Of rural free delivery generally
is so very large that 10 ought not 70 be consid-
cred in the present condition OF affairs.
During the year $50 additional domestic
money order Offices were established. The
total number of these Offices at the close OF the
year was 1920 There were ID ,D0$ ,04l money
orders issued during the year, being an in
crease over the preceding year OF s9i ,505. The
value OF these orders amounted 70 sl3s, ,703-
80 an increase Of fll 81 1884
The postmaster general rensws the sugges
ticn made in previous report that the depart
ment organization be increased 10 the extent
OF creating q direct district supervision of all
postal affairs, and in this suggestion fully
concur.
The report shows most gratifying results in
the way of economies worked out without
affecting the efficiency Of the postal service.
These consist in the abrogation Of steamship
subsidy contracts, reletting OF mail trans
portation contracts and In the cost and
amount OF supplies used In the service,
amounting in all TO Sl0,6l9,0Tl2
There are now connected with the postofice
establishment 50 ,66l employees, who are in the
classified service. The postmaster general
states that another years experience at the
head Of the department serves to strengthen
the conviction a. to the excellent working Of
the civil service law IN this branch Of the pub
lie service.
The Navy.
Attention is called to the report OF the secre-
tary OF the navy, which shows very gratifying
progress In the construction OF ships for our
new navy. All the vessels now building, in
eluding the three torpedo boats authorized at
the last session of congress, and excepting the
hrst-class bsttleship lows will probably be
completed during the coming fiscal year.
The estimates for the increase of the navy
for the year ending June 30, 1895, are large, but
they include practically the entire sum neces-
sary 10 comp1ete ana rquip VII TIM new ships
not now IN commission, 40 that unless new
ships authorized, the appropriation for
the naval servios for the fiscal year ending
june 10, 1897, should fall below the estimates
for the coming year by At least tl2, 900 900.
The secretary presents with much earnest
ness . plea for the authorization OF three aa
ditional battlsxhips and 10 or IL torpedo boats
While the unarmored vessels heretofore su-
thorized including those now nearing com
pletien, will constitute = feet which 10 Is be
Iieved is sufficient for ordinary cruising pur-
poses In Sns Of peace, we have now completed
md In process u construction but four nrst-
,lass ha,,leshins and but few torpedo boats.
IL we sSe o. have q navy for wariike opera
nons, oreasfye and defensive, we certainly
ought 70 increase both the number Of battle
ships snd torpedo bosts.
i recommend that provision he made for the
f additional battieships and
torpedo boats. The secretary recommends
the manufacture not only OF . reserve supply
OF ordnance and ordnance material for ships
Of the navy, but also a supply for the suxil
larry Sect Guns and their appurtensnces