The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1894-12-05

cuItty heretofore Afforded TO any lOca1Uy, I'M
proves the discipline, training and esprit de
corps of the army, besides considerably in
creasing the cost of its maintenance.
While the maximum legal strength OF the
army IL 25 600 men, the effective strength,
through various causes, Is but little over se,oOO
men. The purpose of congress does net, there
fore, seem to be fully attained by the existing
condition. While no considerable increase In
the army is, in my judgment, demanded by
recent events, the policy OF seaccast fortifi-
cation, in the prosecution Of which we have
been steadily engaged for some years, has so
far developed as to suggest that the effective
strength of the army be now made at least
equal to the legal strength.
Measures taken by the department during
the year, as indicated, have already consider
ably augmented the effective force, and the
secretary of war presents a plan, which / rec
ommend to the consideration OF congress, to at
tain the desired end. Economics effected in
the department in other lines OF its work will
offset, to a great extent, the expenditure in
volved in the proposition submitted. Among
other things, this contemplates tho adoption OF
the three-battalion formation Of regiments,
which for several years has been inderssd By
the secretaries OF war and the generals com
handing the army. Compact in itsolf. it pro-
vides a skeleton organization, ready 10 bs filled
out in the event Of war, which Is peculiarly
adapted to our strength and requirements;
and the fact that every nation, with q single
exception, has adopted this formation to meet
the conditions of modern warfare, should alone
secure for this recommendation an early con-
sideration.
1t is hardly necessary to recall the fact that
in obedience to the commands OF the constitu-
ton and the laws, and for the purpose OF pre-
tecting the property OF the United States, aid
ing the process of federal courts and removing
lawless Instructions to the performance BY
the government Of its legitimate functions, IL
became necessary in various localities during
IL a, -
the regular troops. The duty was discharged
promptly, courageously and with marked dis
erection by the officers and men, and the most
gratifying proof was thus afforded that the
army deserves the complete confidence in its
efficiency and discipline, which she country
has at all times manifested. The year has
been free from disturbances by Indians, and
the chances of further depredations on their
part are constantly becoming more remote and
improbable.
The Law Department.
The report Of the attorney general notes the
gratifying progress made by the supreme
court in overcoming the arrears Of its business
and in reaching u condition in which it will be
able to dispose of cases as they arise without
any unreasonable delay. This result is, Of
course, very largely due to the successful
working of the plan in%augurating circuit
courts of appeals.
A topic of much Importance Is the condition
of the administration Of the Indian Territory.
Such authorizations Of present conditions rs the
existing system will admit Of ought not to he
neglected. There should be a federal court ea-
tablished for the territory with sufficient
judges, and this court should sit within
the territory, and have the same ~jurisdic-
ton as to ter ritorial affairs as Is now vested
in the federal courts Sitting in Arkansas and
Texas.
Another object Of pressing moment referred
to by the attorney general is the reorganiza-
A. - A. -. -~.G
a basis equitable as regards all private inter
ests and as favorable to the government as ex-
listing conditions will permit.
Eight years ago l urged upon the coz ,ress
the location and construction Of two prisons
for the confinement of United States prison
ers. A similar recommendation has been made
from time to time since, and a 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 still exists.
The Postal Service.
The report of the postmaster gene raj pres
ents a comprehensive statement Of the opera
tions of the postoffice department for the last
fiscal year. The receipts of the department
during the year amounted to s75, 0S0, 419.04, and
the expenditures to $s4, 224, 4l4.15.
The transactions of the postal service indi-
cate with barometric certainty the fuctua'
tions in the business Of the country. Inas-
much, therefore, as business complication,
continue to exist throughout the last year to
an unforeseen extent, it is not surprising that
the deficiency Of revenue to meet the expendi
lures of the postoffice department, which wa.
estimated in advance at about IS, 100, 900, should
be exceeded by nearly 81 ,250,00o.
The expenditures increase steadily, and
necessarily with the growth and needs Of the
country, so that the deficiency is greater OF
less in any year, depending upon the volume
of receipts. The postmaster general states
that this deficiency is unns ,essary, and nigh,
be obviated at once if the law regulating rates
upon mail matter of the second-class wa,
modified.
The total number of postoffices in the United
States on June 30, 1894, was 69,S05, an increase
of l403 over the preceding year. or these, 342t
Were me iidential, an increase in that class Of
69 owe the preceding year. Six hundred anG
ten cities and towns are provided with free de
livery. Ninety-three other cities and town.
entitled to this service under the law have moi
been accorded it on account Of insufficient
funds.
The expense OF free delivery for the current
fiscal year will be more than $l2, 800, 900, and
under existing legislation, this item of expen
diture is subject to constant increase. TIL,
estimated cost of rural free delivery generally
is so very large that it ought not to be consid
cred in the present condition Of affairs.
During the year $50 additional domesti,
money order offices were established. TIL,
total number of these offices at the close of tn,
year was 1924. There were 14,304 ,04l money
orders issued during the year, being an in
crease over the preceding year of 994 500. Thu
value of these orders amounted to Sl83 ,793,
$40. 40, an increase Of 81 ,2l7 ,l45.S4
The postmaster general rensws the suRges
ton made In II previous report that the depart
ment organization be increased to the extsn
of creating a direct district supervision of al
postal affairs, and in this suggestion I full.
concur.
The report shows most gratifying results il
the way OF economies worked out withou
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 an,
amount Of supplies used in the service
amounting in all to sl8, el9,047 AZ.
There are now connected with the ~postof1c,
establishment 32,66l employees, who are in tn,
classified service. The postmaster genera
states that another years experience at tn
head of the department serves to strengths
the conviction as to the excellent working o
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 GU
new navy. All the vessels now building, in
tluding the three torpedo boats authorized q
the last session Of congress, and excepting IN
Grat-claSa hattlNshin Iowa. will nrobably h