The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1896-12-11


these works.
The experience and results of the past
year demonstrate that with continue
tion of present careful methods, the cost
of the remaining work will be much less
than the original estimate. We should
always keep in mind that of all forms
OF military preparation coast defense
alone Is essentially pacific In it's nature.
While it gives the sense of security due
to consciousness or strength it is
neither the purpose nor the effect of SUCH
permanent Fertilization to involve us III
foreign complications. but rather to
guarantee US against them They are
not temptation to war, but security
against it. Thus they are thoroughly
in accord with all the traditions of our
national diplomacy.
The ownership and management by
the government of penitentiaries for the
confinement of those convicted in United
States courts of violations of federal
laws, which for many years has been a
subject of executive Recommendation
has at last to a slight extent been real
lied by the utilization Of the abandoned
military prison at Fort LeavenWorth as
a United States penitentiary. This is
certainly a movement in the right direc-
ton but it ought to be at once supple
rlented by the rebuilding or extensive
enlargement of this imprOvised prison,
and the construction of at least one more,
Our postoffice department is in good
condition, and the exhibit made of its
operations during the fiscal year ended
June 3d. 1896, if allowance is made for
imperfections in the laws applicable to
it, is very satisfactory. The total re-
ceipts during the year were $S2, 499, 20S.4O
The total expenditures were $50, 626,-
296. S4 exclusive of II, 559, S9S27, which was
earned by the Pacific railroad for trans
portation and credited on their debt to
the government. There waGan increase
of receipts over the previous year of
$5,516, OS0.21, or 1 pec cent, and an in
crease of expenditures of So, 836, 124.02 or
4.42 per cent.
The transmission at the rate of / cent
q pound of serial libraries, advertising
sheets, "house organs" periodicals adj
vertising some particular house or insti-
tution), sample copies and the like, ought
certainly to be discontinued.
If such second class matter paid
merely the cost of it's handling, our de-
felt would disappear and surplus re-
suit which might be used TO give the peo-
pie still better mail facilities or cheaper
rates of letter postage. L recommend
that legislation be at once enacted to
correct these abuses and introduce bet
ter business ideas in the regulation of
our postal rates.
I especially recommend such a recast-
ing of the appropriations by congress,
for the pOStOffice department, as VIII
permit the postmaster general to proceed
with the work of consolidating postofh-
ceS.
The work of the navy department ana
its present condition are fully exhibited
in the report of the secretary
1t 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 reduc-
lions have been made in their cost as to
Justify the statement that quite num-
Der of vessels are now being constructed
at rates as low as those that prevail in
European shipyards.
The naval militia, which was author
lied a few years ago as an experiment
has now developed into a body of en-
terprisng young men, active and ener-
eetic in the discharge of their duties
and promising great usefulness. This
establishment has nearly the same re-
lation to our navy as the national guard
in the different states bears to our army
ana it constitutes source OF supply for
orr naval forces, the Importance OF
which is Immediately apparent.
The money approprfa ted on account of
the interior department and for its dis
bursement for the fiscal year ended June
80 1896 amounted to more than $751;
600 000 or greater sum than was ap-
propriated for the entire maintenance
of the government for the two fiscal
years ended June 80, 1861. Our public
lands, originally amounting to $780,
O0O. 900 acres. have been so reduced that
only about 100000, 900 acres still remain
in government control, excluding Alaska.
1t may be said in general terms that
in every particular the Improvement OF
the Indians under government care has
been most marked and encouraging.
/ In relation to pensions the message
says: l have endeavered within my
sphere of official duty to protect our pen
sion roll, and make 1t what it should be-
a roll of honor, containing the names OF
those disabled in their country's service,
and worthy of their country's aHectlon-
ate remembrance.
The diminution of our enormous pen
sion roll and the decrease of pension ex-
penditure, which have been so often con-
fidently foretold, still fail in material re-
aliZation. The number of pensioners on
the rolls at the close of the fiscal veal
ended June 30, 1896, wRs 97O,67S. This is
the largest number ever reported. The
amount paid exclusively for pensions
during the year was $13S,2l4,7 1914 q
slight decrease from that of the preced'
ing year, while the total expenditures or
account of pensions, including the cost OF
maintaining the department and eX-
penses attending pension distribution
amounted to $142. 206, 550.59, or within 6
very small fraction of one third of the
entire expense of supporting the govern
ment during the same year. lHe nuIipel
of new pension certificates Issued was
$40.
, The interstate commerce commission
2 has during the last year supplied abun'
. dant evidence of it's usefulness and the
T Importance of the work committed to 1t:
: charge Public transportation is uni
versal necessity, and the question of JUS
! and reasonable charges therefore ha'
! become of vital Importance not only tt
!, shippers and carriers, butalso to the vas
multitude of producers and consumers.
The progress of agriculture is com
mended and seed distribution Is con
, demned in the following language: 1r
NV opinion the gratituitous distribu
ton of seeds by the department as a.
4 present conducted ought to be discon
r tfnued No one can read the statement
I of the secretary on this subject and
= doubt the extravaganza and question
: able results of this practice.
e The progress of civil service reform Il
= considered a cause for congratulatioI
2 and the law is considered a fixture.
The tariff and currency are combined
and of the present law Ii is said:
= 1 believe our present tariff law, II al
o lowed a fair opportunity, will In the nea
s future yield a revenue which, with rea
S sonably economical expenditures, vii
8 overcome all deficiencies. In the mean
4, n r m