Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1896-12-10

per cent; Sweden. 1881. with Ito per
cent, while from Portugal there came
2.O67, Of whom 77.00 per cent. were init
erafa- There arrived from Japan during
the year only lilo immigrants, and Il Is
the opinion Of the immigration authori-
ties that the apprehension heretofore ex-
listing to some extent Of large immigra-
tion from japan to the United States Is
without any substantial foundation.
The War Department.
The report Of the Secretary OF War ex-
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 con-
stantly and readily maintained. The
present discipline and morale of our army
are excellent, and marked progress and
efficiency are apparent throughout its en-
tire organization. With the exception Of
delicate duties in the suppression of slight
Indian disturbances along our southwest
ern boundary, In which the Mexican
troops co-operated, and the compulsory
but peaceful return, with the consent of
Great Britain, of band of Cree Indians
from Montana to British possessions, no
active operations have been required OF
the army during the year past.
Sca Coast Defense.
During the last year rapid progress has
been made toward the completion of the
scheme adopted for the erection and arma-
ment of Notifications along our seacoast,
while equal progress has been made in
providing the material for submarine de-
Tense in connection with these works.
This improved situation is largely due
to the recent generous response OF Congress
to the recommendations of the war de-
partment. Thus we shall soon have com
plete about one-fifth of the comprehensive
system, the first step in which was noted
in my message to the Congress of Dec. 4,
1893. When ii Is understood that n ma
sonry emplacement not only furnishes n
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 accomplished is better compre-
hended.
We should always keep in mind that Of
all forms Of military preparation coast
defense alone is essentially pacific in its
nature. While it gives the sense of Sc
curity due to a consciousness of strength,
Va
such permanent Notifications to involve
Us in 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 diplo-
macy.
About National Prisons.
The Attorney General presents de-
tailed and interesting statement of the
important work done under his supervis-
ion during the last fiscal year. The own
ership and management by the Govern
ment of penitentiaries for the confine-
ment of those convicted in United States
courts of violations of Federal laws,
which for many years has been a subject
of executive recommendation, has Mt last,
to a slight extent, been realized by the
utilization of the abandoned military pris-
on at Fort Leavenworth as a United
States penitentiary. This is certainly 4
movement in the right direction; but it
ought to be ut once supplemented by the
rebuilding or extensive enlargement of
this improvised prison and the con-
struction of ut least one more. to be To-
Gated in the Southern States. / am thor
oughly convinced that economy, humanity
and a proper sense of 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
penitentiarics where convicted violators
are confined.
1t appears that since the transfer of
Fort Leavenworth military prison to its
new uses the work previously done by
prisoners confined there and for which ex-
pensive machinery has been provided has
been discontinued. This work consisted
of the manufacture of articles for army
use now done elsewhere. On all grounds
il is exceedingly desirable that the con-
victs confined in this penitentiary be al
lowed to resume work of this description.
Fees of Federal officers.
1t is most gratifying to note the salts.
factory results that have followed the
inauguration of the new system provided
for by the act of May %, 1896. under
which certain Federal officials are COM
pensated by salaries instead of fees. The
new plan was put in operation on July 1,
1896, and already the great economy 1t
enforces, its prevention Of abuses, and its
tendency to better enforcement of the
laws are strikingly apparent. Detailed
evidence of the usefulness of this long
delayed but now happily accomplished
reform will be found clearly set forth in
the Attorney Generals report.
The Postal Service.
Our Postofiice Department is in good
condition, and the exhibit made of it's
operations during the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1896. if allowance is made for
imperfections in the laws applicable to ii.
is very satisfactory. The total receipts
during the year were $50, 400, 20S.4O. The
total expenditures were 500, 626, DOG. "a,
exclusive of $1,559, S9S.27, which was
earned by the Pacific Railroad for trans
portation and credited on their debt to
the Government. There was an increase
of receipts over the previous year of. ST.
516,OSO21, or IL per cent, and an in
crease of expenditures of $3.50, 124.O2,
G79, 95G.19 less than that of the preceding
year.
Our postal service should meet the
wants and even the conveniences of our
people at a direct charge upon them so
light as perhaps to exclude the idea of our
postofiice department being a money mak-
ing concern but in the face of constant
ly recurring deficiency in its revenues and
in view of the fact that we supply the
best mail service in the world, it seems to
me it is quite time to correct the abuses
that swell enormously our annual deficit.
1 recommend that legislation be at once
enacted to correct these abuses and in
troduce better business ideas in the regu-
lation of our postal rates. This involves
the following reforms, which earnestly
The Navv-