Birmingham age-herald., 1894-12-04
THE MESSAGE.
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of cost. I invite your prompt cons nsideratlon of this subject and fully indorse the views Of the postmaster general.
 The total number of postoffices in the United States on the 30 day of June, 1891, was 60 3O6, all increase of lI9S over the pre- ceding year. Of these 3i25 we're presiden- iial, an increase in that cla of sixiy-eight over the preceding year. SIX hundred and ten cities and towns are provided with free delivery. Ninety three other cities and towns entitled 10 this service under tue law have not been accorded 1t on account of insufficient fands. The expense of free delivery for the current fiscal year will be more than SIP 800 ,0)0, and under existing legislation this item of eXpendi- ture is subject to constant increase. The estimattd cost of rural free delivery gen. erally is so very large that it ought not to be considered in the present condition of affairs. During the year e30 additional domestic money order offices were estab- lished. The total urnber oi these offices at the close of the year was l9 2bf. There were Il, BOA ,041 money orders issued during the year, being an Increase over the pre- ced1ng year of 93I ,3G6 The value of these orders amounted to Sl3S ,193, 679. .49, an increase of $11 ,2l7 145. Sl. There were also issusd during tue year postal notes amounting to S12, ,0il ,O9l 55. During the year 21S lnternatIoual mouey order offices were added to these already established, making a tetal of 2623 suca of fees in operation June 30, 1894 The num- Der of international money orders issued during the year WAS gl7 ,S23, decrease in number of l3S, 176, and their value was SIS, 792, ,455 3l, decrease in amount of S2 6i9, eS2. Do. The humber of orders paid Were 56l ,lS9, an increase over the preced- ing year ot 60,.63, and their value was S6, t68, 493 IS, HI increase of Il, soo, llS US. From the foregoing statements II appears the total issue of money orders and postal notes for the year amounted to fl65 ,235, r 119. 45.
 The plumber of letters and packages mailed during the year for special delivery was 8, ,436, ,a70. The special delivery etamps used upon these letters and packages amounted 10 s343, 6g7. The messengers fees paid for their delivery amounted 10 S.61, ,.u9. TO-, leaving balance III favor of the government Of sS2, ,4o7 3). 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 sub sidy contracts, reletting oI mail transpor- talion contracts and in the cost aud amount of supplies used in the service, amounting In all 10 $16, SIP ,C47 AZ.
 The report also contains q valuable con- tributlon to the history of the universal postal union, an arrangement which amounts practically to the establishment of one postal system for the entire civillZ au world Special attention 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 1S97, and It is hoped. that timely action will be taken in the direction of perfecting preparations for that event.
 The postmaster eneral renews the sug- gestiop made in a previous report that the department organization be increased to the extent of creating direct district eu- peryision of all postal affairs, and in this suggestion fully concur.
 There are now connected With the post office establishment 32, G6l employees who are in the classified service. lhis Includes many who have been clas shtd upon the suggestion of the postmaster general lie states that another years experlence by the head of the dep irtment serves only 10 streng then the convictions as 10 the excei- lent working of the civil service law In this branch of the pubic service.
 f,fs4s THE NAVY.
 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, inciu ling the three torpedo boais authorized al the last session Of con- gress, excepting the first-class battleshlp Iowa, will probably be completed during the coming fiscal year. The estimates for the increase of the navy for the year ending June 30, 1806, are large, but they include practically the entire sum nece 'sarJ to com plete 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 ii ,cal year ending June 30, 1897. should fall Lelow the e-tl- mates for the coming year by al least Sl2, 900, eco.
 The secretary presents with much ear nestness a plea for he authorization of three additional batteship pS and ten or twelve torpedo boats. While the uuar.nored ves- sels heretofore auth orized, including those now nearing completion, will constitute a fleet hicb, it is believed is sufficient for ordinary cruising purposes in time Of peace, we have now completed and ia process of construction but four first class battleships and but few torpedo boats. If we are to have navy for Warllke opera tions, offensive and defensive, we cer tainly ought to increase both the number of batileships aad torpedo to,is.
 I he manufacture of arnor requires ex- pensive plants and an aggregation of many skilled worknen. All the armor nt ces- sary 10 complete the vessels now building win be delivered by the Isl of June next. II no new contracts are given out con- tractors must disband their workmeu and their plants musi lie idle. Ba,tleships au- tborized al this time would not be well under way until late in the coming hscll year, and at least ihree years and half from the date of the contract would be required for their completion. 1 he secretary states that not more than 15 per cent of the cost oi such ships need be included in the ap- propriations for he coming year.
 1 recommend that p-,ylsiun be made for the construction of additional battleships aud torpedo bont'. The secretary recom- mended the manufacturing not only of a reserve supply of ordnance and ordnance material for ships of the navy, but also a supply for the auxiliary f-et. Guns and their sppurteuances should be provided and kept on hand for both these purpos 8. We have not today single gun that could be put upon the ships Paris or New York oI the international Navigation company or any other ships Of our rvs navy. Tue anufacture of guns at the Washing ton. navy yards is proceeding satisfactorily, and none of our new ships will be required to wait Tor their guns CT ordnance equip ment.
 An important order has been issued by the secretary of the navy CO., ordinatiug the duties of the several bureaus concerned in tbe construction of sh ps. This order, it is believed, will secure 10 greater extent than has heretofore been possible the har- monious action of these several bureaus anG make the altainment ut the best results more certain.
 During the past fiscal year there has been an unusual and pressing demand in many quarters of the world for the pres euce of vessels to guard American interests. In January last, during the Brazilian in-