Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1896-12-11

In. The increase in immigration over the
preceding year amounted to S4,73l. II Is
reported that with some exceptions the
immigrants Of the past year were OF a
hardy laboring class, accustomed and
able to earn q support for themselves,
and II is estimated that the money
brought with them amounted to at least
IS, 900, 900, though 1t was probably much
In excess of that sum, since only those
having less than $50 are required to dis
close the exact amount, and II Is known
that many brought considerable sums OF
money to buy land and build homes.
THE LIFE-sAvING SERVICE.
From the life-saving service It Is re-
ported that the number Of disasters to
documented vessels within the limits of
Its operations during the year was 437.
These vessels had on board 4,60S persons,
Of whom 1885 were saved and 13 lost The
value Of such vessels is estimated at
tSSsO,14O and of their cargoes $3.50. $50,
making the total value of property inn
periled S12, 1866 $40. or this amount 81, 292,-
707 was saved and $1,4227 $50 was lost.
Sixty-seven of the vessels were totally
wrecked. There were besides 243 casual
ties to small undocumented craft, on
board of which there were 594 persons of
whom 5S7 were saved and seven were
lost. The value of the property involved
In these latter casualties is estimated at
3119 285, of which S114,915 was saved and
1850 was lost. The life-saving crews dur
Ing the year also rescued or assisted,
numerous other vessels, and warned many
from danger by signals both by day and
night. The number of disasters during
the year exceeded that of any previous
year in the history of the service, but
the saving of life and property was great
or than ever before in proportion to the
value OF the property involved and to the
number of persons imperiled.
THE ARMY.
The report of the secretary of war Sx-
hibits satisfactory conditions in the sew
eral branches Of the public service in
trusted to his charge.
The limit Of our military force. as fixed
by law, Is constantly and readily main
tained. The present discipline and morale
Of our army are excellent. and marked
progress and efficiency are apparent
throughout its entire organization.
With the exception of delicate duties
in the suppression of slight Indian dis.
turbances along our southwestern bound
airy, in which the Mexican troops cooper
nted. and the compulsory. but peaceful. re-
turn. with the consent of Great Britain |
Of band of Cree Indians from Montana
to the British possessions. no active oper-
ations have been required of the army
during the past year.
SEACOAST DEFENSE.
During the past year rapid progress
of the scheme adopted for the erection
and armament of Notifications along our
Beacoast while equal progress has been |
made in providing the material for sub
marine defense in connection with these |
works.
This improved situation il largely due
to the recent generous response Of con- |
gress to the recommendations OF the war |
department. Thus we shall soon have |
complete about one-fifth OF tho compre- |
hOnsive system, the first step in which |
was noted in my message to the con- |
gress on Dec. 4, 1893. When II II un- |
derstood that a masonry emplacOment |
not only furnishes a platform for the |
heavy modern high-power gun. but also |
In every particular serves the purpose |
and takes the place Of the fort OF former |
days, the importance of the work &C.
complished is better comprehended.
PosToFFICE DEPARTMENT.
Our postoffice department is in good con. |
ditien. and the exhibit made OF its oper. |
atoms during the fiscal year ended June |
80, 1896. II allowance is made for imper-
fections in the laws applicable to It, is |
very satisfactory The total receipts dur
ing the year were $50, 499. POS. 40. The total
expenditures were $50, 626, 1864, exclusive |
of 81, .s9S.27 which was earned by the |
Pacific railroad for transportation and |
credited on their debt to the government |
the previous year of $3.50. 0S0.21, or IL |
per cent, and an increase of expenditures |
OF 1885, 124.o2, or 4.42 per cent.
The deficit was 8. 679 956.19 less than that |
Of the preceding year.
Our mail service should of course be
such as to meet the wants and even the |
conveniences of our people, at a direct |
charge upon them as light as perhaps to |
exclude the idea of our postofice de-
partment being a money-making concern;
but in the face of a constantly recurring
deficiency in its revenues, and in view |
OF the Tact that we supply the best mail |
services In the world, 1t seems to me 1t |
IL quite time to correct the abuses that |
swell enormously our annual deficit. II |
we concede the public policy of carrying
weekly newspapers free in the county Of |
publication and even the policy of car
rying at less than one-tenth OF their cost,
other bona fde newspapers and period
icals, there can be no excuse for sub
jecting the service to the further immense
and increasing loss involved in carrying
at the nominal rate of / cent a pound |
the serial libraries. sometimes includ-
ing trashy and even harmful literature,
and other matter which, under the loose
Interpretation of loose statute, has been
gradually given second-class rates, thus
absorbing all profitable returns derived
from first-class matter. which pays three
or four times more than in its cost, and
by general taxation.
II such second-class matter paid merely
the cost of it, handling, our deficit would
disappear All a surplus result which
might be useU to give the people still bet
ter mail facilities or cheaper rates of let
ter postage. l recommend that legisla-
ton be at once enacted to correct these
abuses and introduce better business
ideas in the regulation Of our postal rateL.
THE NAVY.
The work OF the navy department and
It's present condition are fully exhibited
In the report of the secretary. The con-
struction Of vessels for our new navy has
been theoretically prosecuted by the
present administration upon the general
lines previously adopted, the department
having seen no necessity for radical
changes 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 ship-building contract that the
builder should pay all trial expenses and
1t 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.
On March 4, 1893, there were in com
mission but two armored vessels, the
uouble-turreted monitors. Miantonomah
and Monterey. Since that date, of yes
sells therefore authorized, there have been
placed in their first commission three
nrst-class and two second-class battle
ships, two armored cruisers, one harbor