The herald., 1896-12-08

coast. Since that time the number OF
guns actually completed has been in
creased to twenty-one 12-inch, fifty-six
10-inch, sixty-one S-inch high-power
breech loading steel, ten rapid-fire guns
and eighty 12-inch rifled mortars. In
addition there are in progress of con-
struction one 16-inch type gun, fifty 12-
inch, fifty-six 10-inch, twenty-seven s.
inch high power guns and sixty-six II
inch rified mortars in all 42S guns and
m0rtars. During the same year imme-
diately proceeding the message referrod
to the first modern gun carriage had
been completed and eleven more were in
process of construction.
All but one were of the non disappear
Ing type. These, however, were not such
as to secure necessary cover for the ar
tillery gunners against intense fire of
modern machine rapid-firing and high
power guns.
The inventive genius of ordnance and
civilian experts has been taxed in de-
signing carriages that would obviate
this fault, resulting. it is believed, in the
solution of this difficult problem. Since
1893 the number of gun carriages con-
etructed or building has been raised to
Q total of 129, of which ninety are on the
disappearing principle. and the number
of mortar carriages to 152, while the 95
emplacements which were provided for
prior to that time have been increased to
280 built and building.
This improved situation is 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-ffth of the compre
hensive system the first step of which
was noted in my message to congress
of December A. 1893. When ii is under
stood that masonry emplacement no,
orly 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 accom-
plished is better comprehended
In the hope that the work will be pros
ecuted with no less vigor in the future
the ex-secretary of war has submitted
an estimate by which. if allowed, there
will be provided and either built or build
irg by the end of the next fiscal year
such additional guns. mortars, gun car
riages and emplacements as will repre-
sert not far from one-third of the total
work to be done under the plan adopted
for our coast defenses. thus affording
prospect that the shore work will be SUBJ
stantially completed within six years. In
less time than then. however we shall
have attained marked degree of Sc
curity.
The experience and results of the past
year demonstrate that with continue
cost of the remaining work will be much
less than the original estimate. We
should always keep in mind that of all
II rms of military preparation coast de-
fense is the one essentially pacific in its
nature. while it gives the sense of Sc
CErity due to a consciousness of strength
1t is neither the purpose nor the effect
of such permanent fortif1cation to in
volve us in foreign complications. bu;
rather to guarantee us against them.
They are rot a temptation to war, but
security against it. Thus they are thor
oughly in accord with all the traditions
of our national diplomacy
ATTORNEY GENERALS REPORT
The attorney presents a detailed and
interesting statement of the important
work done under his supervision dur
irg the last fiscal year The ownership
and management by the government of
pcnitentiaries for the confinement for
those convicted in United States courts
of violations of Federal laws. which for
many years has been the subject of eX-
ecutive recommendation, has at last. to
slight eXtert, been realized by the
utilization of the abandoned military
prise al Fort Leavenworth as a United
States penitentiary.
This is certainly move in the right
direction. but it ought to be at once sup
plsmerted by the rebuilding or the. eX-
tensive 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 PEN
itentiary is so limited that the expenses
of its maintenance, calculated at per
capita rate upon the number of prison
ers it can accommodate, does not make
as economical an exhibit as it would if
it were larger and better adapted to
prison purposes, but | am thoroughly
convinced that economy and humanity
and 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
pententiaries where convicted violators
are confined. 1t appears that since the
transfer of the Fort Leavenworth mil
itary prison To its new uses the work
previously done there by prisoners con-
fined there and for which expensive
machinery has been provided. has beer
discontinued. This work consisted OF
the manufacture of articles for army
use. row done elsewhere. On all grounds
ii is exceedingly desirable that the con-
victs confined in this penitentiary be al
lowed to resume work of this descrip-
ton.
THE FEE SYSTEM.
1t is most gratifying to note the salts
factory results that have followed the
Inauguration of the system provided
for by the act of May rs. 1896. under
which certain federal officials are COM
pensated by salary instead of fees. The
new pan was put in operation on the Isl
day of July. 1886. and already the great
economy it enforces. its prevention ol
abuses, and its tendency to a better en-
forcement of the laws. are strikingly
apparent. Detailed evidence of the use
fulness Of this long delayed but now
happily accomplished reform will he
found clearly set forth in the attorney
generals report
POSTAL SERVICE.
our postcifice department is in goot
condition, and the exhibit made of it.
operation during the fiscal year ended
June 80. 1896. if allowance is made fol
imperfections in the laws applica bic tr
1t. is very satisfactory. The total re
ceipts during the year We're $50, ,499. POS. 40
Inc total expenditures We're $50, ,626
.S6.S4, eXclsive of 81, $50. .S9S.27. which wa,
earned by the Pacific railroad for trans
portation and credited on its debt to The
government, There was an increase o.
receipts over the previous year of So. SIC.
eos.2l, or al per cent, and an increase O
expenditures Of $3.S36 12402 or 442 pc
cent. The deficit was 81 679 956 10 les,
than that of the preceding year. TIL,
chief expenditures of the postal servic,
are regulated by law, and are not in III,
control of the postmaster general. All
that he can accomplish by the mos