The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-12-07

or course, such a lack Of supervision and
freedom from wholesome disciplinary re-
straints must inevitably lead TO imperfect
service. There should also be appointed
q few inspectors who could assist the GEN.
tral Office In necessary investigation con-
cerning matters OF postoficc leases. post
Office sites. allowances for rent, fuel. and
light. and In organizing and securing the
best results from the work OF the ii.VOo
clerks now employed In first and second
class oflices
I am convinced that the small expense
attending the Inauguration OF these re-
forms would actually be profitable In
vestrnent
especially recommend such rccnst-
ing OF the appropriations by congress, Tor
Che postoffice department.. as will permit
the postmaster general to proceed with
tho work OF consolidating postoflices. This
work has already been entered upon suii-
ciently TO fully demonstrate. by expert
mcnt and experien~c. that such consolida-
tion Is productive OF better service, larger
scvcnues. and Jess expenditures. 10 say
nothing OF the Iu,thcr ADVANTAGE OF grad
ually Withdrawing postoflces rom the
spoils system.
The universal postal union, which now
embraces all the civilized world. and
whose delegates will represent LOO 1000
people. will hold Its fifth congress In the
city OF Washington In May. 1897. Tho
United States may be said TO have taken
the initiative which led 20 the FIRST meet
ing OF this congress at Bcrne I'm 1874, aud
the formation OF the universal postal
union, which brings the postal service OF
all countries to every mans neighborhood
and has wrought marvels In cheapcning
postal rates and securing absolutely safe
mail communication throughout the world.
Previous congresses have met In Bcrne.
Paris. Lisbon and Vienna, and tho respec-
tive countries In which they have assem-
bled have made generous provision. for
their accommodation and for the recep-
ton and entertainment of the delegates.
In view OF the Importance OF this as.
semblage and OF Its deliberations and
Of the honors and hospitaiities accorded
to our representatives by other countries
on similar occasions. l earnestly hope
that such an appropriation will be made
for the expenses necessarily attendant
upon the coming meeting In our capital
city as will be worthy Of our national
hospitality and Indicative OF our appre-
citation of the event.
THE NAVY.
The work OF the navy department ana
Its present condition are fully exhibited
In the report OF the secretary. The con-
struction OF vessels for our new navy has
been energetically prosecuted by tho
present administration upon the general
lines previously adopted. the department.
NaVng seen no necessity for radical
langes in prior methods under which
the work was found TO be progressing in
manner highly satisfactory. 1t has
been decided, however. to provide In
every building contract that the
builder should pay all trial expenses. and
II has also been determined to pay no
speed premiums In future contracts.
The premiums recently earned and some
yet to be decided, are features OF the con-
tracts made before this conclusion was
reached.
mission but two armored vessels. the
double-turreted monitors. Mantonomah
and Monterey. Since that date OF ves-
sells therefore authorized. there have been
placed in their first commission three
first-class and two second-class battle
ships, two armored cruisers. one harbor
defense ram. and five double-turreted
monitors, including the Maine and the
Puritan. just completed.
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two
new gunboats have also been commis-
stoned The Iowa, another battleship.
will be completed about March l. and at
least four more gunboats will be ready
for sea In the early spring.
IL Is gratifying to state that our ships
and their outfits are believed to be equal
to the best that can be manufactured
elsewhere and that such notable reduce
tions have been made In their cost as 70
Justify the statement that quite a num-
Der OF vessels are now being constructed
at rates a. low as those that prevail In
European shipyards.
Our manufacturing facilities are at this
time ample for all possible naval con-
tingencies. Three of our government
navy yards, those at Mare Island, Cal,
Norfolk and Brooklyn, are equipped for
| shipbuilding; our ordnance plant in WASH
| ington Is equal to any In the world. and at
the torpedo station we are successfully
making the highest grade of smokeless
| Tbraa first -ClaQg private ship
| yards at Newport News Philadelphia and
| San Francisco are building battleships:
| IL contractors. situated I'm the states OF
| Maine, Rhode Island. Pennsylvania, New
| Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and the state
Of Washington, are constructing gunboats
or torpedo boats; two plants are manu-
featuring large quantities of first-class
armor and American factories are pro.
ducing automobile torpedoes, power pro-
| jectiles, rapld-fire guns and everything
else necessary for the complete outfit OF
| naval vessels.
There have been authorized by congress
! since March. 1899, five battleships. six
| nght-draft gunboats. 16 torpedo boats ana
| one submarine torpedo boat. Contracts
for the building OF all of them have been
| let. The secretary expresses the opinion
| that we have for the present sufficient
| supplv of cruisers and gunboats. and that
| hereafter the construction of battleships
| and torpedo boats will supply our needs.
| Much attention has been given to ths
| methods OF carrying on departmental
| business. Important modihcations In the
| regulations have been made. tending to
EHfiify- -the-eentrol of shipbaAa4Hs, as far
| as may be, under the bureau OF construc-
| ton and repair and also TO improve IN"
| mode of purchasing supplies for the navy
| by the bureau of supplies and accounts
| The establishment. under recent acts or
| congress. OF a supply fund, with which to
1 fkaqe SllnnlipS In large
| ties and other notifications of methods,
| have tended materially to their cheapen-
| ing and better quality.
The war college has developed into an
institution which 1t Is believed will be OF
| great value to the navy. In teaching tho
| science of war as well as In stimulating
professional zeal In the navy; and 1t will
| be especially useful I'm the devisinS OF
| plans for the utilization, In case Of neccs-
slty. OF all the naval resources OF tke
| United States.
The secretary has perslstently adhered