New-York tribune., 1896-12-08
TUESDAY,.
DECEMBER 8, 1896.

&-ip
rapid-fre guns and eighty l2-inch rihed NOR
tars. In addition there are In process OF con-
structon one l6-nch type gun. MY ~ tL,lmc". nnea.
Gfty-six 1O-inch twenty-seven S-inch high-power
guns and sixty-six Pinch rifed mortars; IN ALL
ADS guns and m0rtars.
During the same year, Immediately preceoIns
the message referred to. the first modern gun
carriage had been completed and eleven more
were in process Of construction All out cne
were Of the non-disappearing type Inese' . mo~
ever were not such as to secure necessary coses
for the artillery ginners against the intense ntS
of modern mrchne rapid-fre and hisn-poweE
guns ~a ,,v,,,sr
experts has been taxed in designing carriages
that would obviate this fault, resulting IL Is pc
lieved in the solution OF this diincult prouIem'
Since 1893 the number of gun carriages con.
structed or building has been raised to totai OK
l29 OF which 90 are on the disappearing p,,n, pnn
ciple and the number Of mortar carriages 10 loI.
while the % emplacements which were provideo
for prior to that time have been Increased 10 1oV
built and building. . ~
This improved situation Is largely due to the
recent generous response OF Congress 70 the reg
concentrations OF the War Department
Thus we shall soon have complete about one
fifth Of the comprehensive system. the hrst step
in which was noted In my message 10 the Son-
gress OF December !. 1S93.
When II Is understood that masonry emplace'
ment not only furnishes a platform for the heavy
modern high-power gun. but also In every par.
tcular serves the purpose and takes the piace ot
the fort OF former days. the Importance OF ths
work accomplished Is better comprehended
In the hope that the work will be prosecuted
with less vigor in the future. the Secretary OF
War has submitted an estimate by whicn, IL a.
lowed. there will be provided and either built or
building by the end of tire next fiscal year sucn
additional guns. mortars gun carriages ana en-
placements will represent not far from one
third OF the total work to be done under the plan
ad dopted for coast defences-thus affording
prospect that the entire work VIII be suDstan-
italy completed within six years. In less time
than that, however shall have attained
marked degree OF security.
The experience and results Of the past year
demonstrate that with continuation 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 or all
forms Of military preparation coast defence alone
is essentially pacific in its nature. While 1t gives
the sense of security due TO consciousness OF
strength. 1t is neither the purpose nor the effect
Of such permanent fortifcation 10 involve us In
foreign complications. but rather TO guarantee
us against them. They are not temptation 10
war. but security against IT, Thus they are thor
oughly in accord with all the traditions Of our
National diplomacy
THE ATTORNEY-GENERALS WORK.
The Attorney General presents detailed and
interesting statement of the important work done
under his supervision during the last fiscal year.
The ownership and management by the Gov
ernment Of pententIarles for the confinement OF
those convicted in United States courts Of VIOLA
tions Of Federal laws. which for many years has
been subject Of Executive recommendation mas
at last to a slight extent been realized by the
utilization Of the abandoned military prison at
Fort Leavenworth as United States peniten.
tiary.
This Is certainly movement in the right direc-
tion; but II ought to be at once supplemented py
the rebuilding or extensive enlargement Of this
improvised prison. and the construction OF at
least one more, to be located in the southern
States. The capacity OF the Leavenworth feni-
tentiary is limited that the expense OF its
maintenance. calculated at a per capita rate upon
the number Of prisoners II can accommodate.
does not make as economical an exhibit as II
would II 1t were larger and better adapted 70
prison purposes: but am thoroughly convinced
that economy humanity, and proper sense OK
responsibility and duty toward those whom We
punish for violations OF Federal law dictate that
the Federal Government should have the entire
control and management Of the penltentiaries
where convicted violators are confined.
1t appears that s ce the transfer OF the Fort
Leavenworth Military Prison 10 Its new uses
the work previously done by prisoners confined
there, and for which expensive machinery mas
been provided. has been discontinued. This
work consisted Of the manufacture OF articles
for Army use now done elsewhere. on all
grounds 1t is exceedingly desirable that the con-
victs confined In this penitentary be allowed
to resume work of this description.
1t is most gratifying tC note the satisfactory
results that have followed the inauguration OF
the new system provided for by the act OF May
2S 1896 under which certain Federal officials
compensated by salaries instead or fees.
The plan was put in operation on July l,
its prevention OF abuses. and its tendency to q
better enforcement of the laws. are strkngly
apparent. Detailed evidence OF the usefulness
Of this long delayed but now happily accom-
plished reform will be found clearly set forth In
the Acknowledgements report.
THE POsTOFFICE DEPARTMENTS EXHIBIT
our Postcfice Department is in good condition.
and the exhibit made of its operations during
the fiscal year ended June 80. 1896, IL allowance
Is made for nperfectiors in the laws applicable
70 IT, is very satisfactory The total receipts
during the year were sS2. .i99. pos 40 The total
expenditures were 500 26.296 81. exclusive Of
$1.JJ9 S9S -. which was earned by the Pacific
Railroad for transportation and credited on
their debt TO the Government. There was an in
crease of receipts over the previous year OF So
5l6.0so 2l. or a. per cent and an increase OF ex-
deficit was S1.619.9J6 ID less than that OF the
preceding year The chief expenditures Of the
postal service regulated by law and are not
in the control of the Postmaster General. All
that he can accomplish by the most watchful
administration and economy Is to enforce
prompt and thorough collection and accounting
for public moneys and such minor savings In
small expenditures and in letting those con-
tracts. for pcstofice supplies end star service.
which are not regulated by statute.
An effective cooperation between the Audi
tors Office and The Postoilce Department. and
the making and enforcement OF orders by the
Department requiring immediate notification to
their suretics of all denquencies on the part OF
postmasters. and compelling such postmasters
to make more frequen; deposits OF postal funds,
have resulted in prompter auditing OF their
accounts and much less default to the Govern.
/ ment than heretofore.
The years report shows large extensions Of
both star route service and railway mail SER
vice. with increased postal facilities Much
higher accuracy In handling mails has also been
reached. as appears by the decrease Of errors
in the railway mail service and the reduction
OF mail matter returned 10 the Dead Letter
Ohice
THE DEFICIT FOR THE YEAR
The deficit for the last year. although much
less than that Of the last and preceding years.
emphasizes the necessity for legislation to cor
rect the growing abuse OF second-cass rates.
to which the deficiency is mainly attributable.