Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-12-08

Office sites, allowances for rent, fuel. and
light, and In organizing and securing tho
best results from the work of the Ia oo0
clerks now employed in first and second
class Offices
l am convinced that the small expens
attending the inauguration of these re-
.orms would actually be a profitable in
veStment.
| especially recommend such a recast-
ing of the appropriations by congress- for
the postoflce department. as will permit
the postmaster general to proceed with
the work of consolidating postofIices This
work has already been entered upon sutfi-
ciently to fully demonstrate, by expert
ment and experience. that such consolida-
uon is productive of better service, larger
revenues. and less expenditures to say
nothing of the further advantage of grad
ually withdrawing postoffices from the
spoils system.
The universal postal union. which now
embraces all the civilized world and
whose delegates will represent / 900 900 0oo
people, will hold it's fifth congress in the
city of Washington in May, 1897. The
| nited States may be said to have take,
the initiative which led to the first meet
ing of this congress at Berne in 1874. and
the formation OF the universal postal
union, which brings the postal service of
I'll countries to every mans neighborhood
tnd has wrought marveS in cheapeniuty
postal rates and securing absolutely safe
liail communication throughout the world.
Previous congresses have met in Berne.
Paris. Lisbon and Vienna. and the respec-
tive countries in which they have assem-
hed have made generous provision for
their accommodation and for the recep-
ton and entertainment of the delegates.
In view of the Importance of this as
scmblagc and of its deliberate tons and
LOT the honors and Inequalities accorded
to our represse natives by other countries
on similar occasions. | earnestly hope
that such an appropriation will be made
Tor the expenses necessarily attendant
upon the coming meeting in our capital
city as will be worthy of our national
hospitality and indicative of our appre-
citation of the event.
THE NAVY
The work of the navy department and
us present condition are fully exhibited
in the report of the secretary. The con-
struction of vessels for our new navy has
been theoretically prosecuted by the
present administration upon the general
lines previously adopted. the department
having seen no necessity for radical
changes in prior methods under which
he work was found to be progressing in
manner highly satisfactory. 1t has
Eeen decided. however. to provide in
every ship-buildng contract that the
builder should pay all trial expenses and
II has also been determined to pay no
speed premiums in future contracts
The premiums recently earned and some
yet to be decided. are features of the con-
tracts made before this conclusion was
reached.
On March 4. 1885, there were in COM
mission but two armored vessels. the
ouble-turreted monitors. Miantonomah
and Monterey. Since that date, OF YES
sells therefore authorized. there have been
placed in their first commission three
iirst-class and two second-class battle
ships. two armored cruisers. one harbor
defense ram. and five double-turreted
monitors. including the Maine and the
Puritan. just completed.
Eight new unarmored cruisers and two
new gunboats have also been commits
stoned. The Iowa. another battleship
sill be completed about March /, and at
least four more gunboats will be ready
tor sea in the early spring.
1t is gratifying to state that our ships
and their outfits are believed to be equal
10 the best that can be manufactured
elsewhere. and that such notable reduc-
tons 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.
our manufacturing facilities are at this
time ample for all possible naval con
1ingencies. Three of our government
navy yards. those at Mare Island. Cal.
Norfolk and Brooklyn, are equipped for
s'ipbuiding: our ordnance plant in Wash
ngton is equal 10 any in the world, and at
he torpedo station we are successfully
making the highest grade of smokeless
powder Three first-class private ship
yards at Newport News. Philadelphia and
San Francisco are building battleships:
II contractors situated in the states OF
Maine Rhode Island. Pennsylvania, New
Jersey. Maryland Virginia and the state
IF Washington, are constructing gunboats
or torpedo boats; two plants are manu-
featuring larE. quantities of trst-class
armor and American factories are pro-
ducing automobile torpedoes. power pro-
iectiles. rapid-tire guns and everything
else necessary for the complete outfit of
naval vessels.
There have been authorized by congress
since March. 1893 five battleships, six
light draft gunboats, IL torpedo boats and
one submarine torpedo boat. Contracts
for the building of all of them have been
let. The secretary expresses the opinion
that we have for the present a sufficient
supply of cruisers and gunboats. and that
hereafter the construction of battlcships
and torpedo boats will supply our needs.
Much attention has been given to the
methods of carrying on departmental
business Important notifications in the
regulations have been made, tending to
unity the control of shipbuilding, far
as. may be, under the bureau OF conSruc-
ton and repair. and also to improve the
mode of purchasing supplies for the navy
by the bureau of supplies and accounts.
The establishment, under recent acts of
congress of "A supply fund. with which to