The advocate., 1896-12-09
HIS LAST MESSAGE.
l(Continued fron paqe ID

ton With the exception Of delicate duties IN
the suppression of slight Indian disturbances
along our southwestern boundary in which the
Mexican troops co-Operated and the Compul-
sorry, but peaceful return with the consent OF
Great Britain Of a band OF Cree Indians from
Montana to the British possessions, no active
operation have been required Of the army dur
ing the past year.
The organized militia numbers 1889 men.
The appropriations for its support by the sew
eral states approximate S2,8O0, 900 annually and
100000 is contributed by the general govern
menE Investigation shows these troops to be
unusually we'll drilled and inspired with much
military interest, and in many instances they
are so deficient in proper arms and equipment
that a sudden call to active duty would md
them inadeQuately prepared for field service.
therefore recommend that prompt measures
be taken to remedy this coalition and that
every encouragement be given to this deserV-
ing body Of unpaid and voluntary citizen SOL
diers upon whose assistance we must largely
rely In time OF trouble
During the past year rapid progress has been
made toward the completion Of the scheme
adopted for the erection and armament OF for
tifcations along our sea coast while equal
progress has been made in providing the mate
rial for submarine defense in connection with
these works This improved situation is largely
due to the recent generous response OF congress
TO the recommendations OF the war department
The Attorney eneraVs Department..
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 government Of penitentiaries for the
confinement Of the convicted in the United
States courts OF violations OF federal laws,
Por hno q C1Ahfont ne
executive recommendation, has at last to
a slight extent been realized by the utiliza-
tion of the abandoned military prison at Fort
LeavenWOrth as United States penitentiary.
This Is certainly movement in the right di-
rectiOn; but IL ought to be at once supple
mented by the rebuilding or extensive enlarge
ment Of this improvised prison and the con-
structon Of at least one more, to be located In
the southern states. The capacity OF the
Leavenworth penitentiary is so limited that
the expense OF its maintenance, calculated at
per capita rate upon the number Of prisoners
1t can accommodate does not make as econom-
ical an exhibit rs it would If it were
larger and better adapted to prison
purposes; but am thoroughly con-
Vinced that economy, humanity and a proper
sense OF responsibility and duty toward those
whom we punish for violation OF federal law
dictate that the federal government have the
entire control and management Of the peniten-
tiaries where convicted violators are confined.
1t appears that since the transfer OF the Fort
Leavenworth military prison to its new uses
the work previously done by the prisoners con-
fined there, and for which expensive machin-
cry has 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
pnOViptQ In Al
lowed to resume work OF this description.
The Post ONCE Department.
Our post once department is In good condi-
tion and the exhibit made OF It's operations
during the fiscal year ended June 80, 1896, II
allowance Is made for imperfections in the
laws applicable to it, is very satisfactory. The
total receipts during the year were sS2 499 2O9 40
The totalexpenditures were S9O.626, ,2Q6 "a, ex-
elusive OF 81 $50 89a q, which was'earned by the
Pacific railroad for transportation and credit
Oh their debt TO the government There was
IN increase OF receipts over the previous year
OF S5,5l6,OSO.2l, or III per cent, and an increase
Of expenditures Of S3, ,s36, ,l24O! or 43 per cent
The deficit was 81, $40, ,956 10 less than that Of
the preceding year. The chief expenditures
of the postal service are regulated by law and
are not In control Of the postmaster general
All that he can accomplish by the most watch
full administration and economy Is to enforce
prompt and thorough collection and account
ing for public moneys and such minor saving
In small expenditures and in letting those con-
tracts for post offlce supplies and star service
which are not regulated by statu
The average revenue from each pound OF
hrst-class matter was 90 cents From each
pound OF second-cas5, sN mills (of the second
class 52,04S' 297 was county free matter). From
each pound OF third-olass, 1871 cents. From
each pound Of fourthAclass, 1873 cents. The
growth In weight Of second-class matter has
been from e0a, a,0OO,OOO pounds in 1894 to 3l2,OOO-
200 In 1925, and to almost 3l9,OOO,O0O In
1870 and it is quite evident this in
cEeasing drawback is far outstripping
any possible growth OF postal revenues.
Our mail service should, Of course. be such