Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1896-12-12


tneir accommodation and for the reception
una entertainment of the delegates In view
OF the Importance OF this assemblage and OF Its
uelioerations and OF the honors and hospitals
Ties accorded to our representatives by other
countries on similar occasions, earnestly
nope that such an appropriation Will be made
for the expenses necessarily attendant upon
tne coming meeting in our capital city rs Will
be worthy OF our national hospitality and indi-
catiVe OF our appreciation OF the event
THE NAVY.
The work OF the navy department and Its
present condition are fully exhibited in the re-
port OF the secretary. The construction OF
vessels for our new navy has been energeti-
cally prosecuted by the present administration
upon the general lines previously adopted, the
department having seen no necessity for radi-
cal changes In prior methods under which the
work was found to he progressing in manner
hngy hhgniy satisfactory 1t has been decided
tract that the builder should pay trial ex-
penses, and II has also been determined to pay
no speed premiums In future contracts.
On March T. 1893, there were In commission
but two nrmored vessels, the double turreted
monitors Miantonomoh and Monterey. Since
that date OF vessels heretofore authorized
there have been placed in their first commits
sion three hrst-class and two second-class bat
tie ships, two nrmored cruisers, one harbor
defense ram and five double-turreted moni-
tors, Including the Maine and the Puritan just
completed. Eight new unarmored cruisers and
Two new gunboats have also been commits
stoned. The Iowa, another battle ship, will be
completed about March 1, and Mt least four
more gunboats will be ready for sea in the
carly spring
1t is gratifying to state that our ships and
their outfits are believed to be equal to the
best that can be manufactured elsewhere, and
that such notable reductions have been made
In their cost as to Justify the statement that
quite number of vessels are now being con-
structed Mt rates as low ns those that prevail
In European shipyards.
Our manufacturing facilities are at this tim lie
ample for all possible naval contingencies
Ihree OF our government navy yards, those at
Mare Island. Cal. Norfolk, Va, and Brooklyn
N, ". N
eNo, our ordnance plant TN in Washington is
pedo station we are successfully making
the highest grades of smokeess powder. Three
hrst-class private ship yards at Newport News
Philadelphia and San Francisco are building
battle ships; eleven contractors, situated in
the states of Maine, Rhode Island, Pennsylva-
MIA, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia and Wash
ington are constructing gunboats or torpedo
boats; two plants are manufacturing large
quantities of tirst-class armor, and American
factories are producing automobile torpedoes
powder, proiectiles. rapid-hring. guns and
everything else necessary for the complete
outfit OF naval vessels.
There have been authorized by congress sin ct
March, 1893, five battle ships six light draft
gunDoatS, 10 torpedo boats and one submarine
torpedo boat Contracts for the building o
all OF them have been let The secretary eX-
presses the opinion that we have for the pres
ent sunicient supply OF cruisers and gun
boats, and that hereafter the construction o
battle ships and torpedo boats will supply ou
needs.
Ine secretary is considering and will formu.
late during the coming winter, plan for lay
ing up ships in reserve, thereby largely re-
dncing the cost of maintaining our vessels
aioat
PUBLIC LANDS
Our public lands, originally amounting q
0o0O, 900 acres, have been so reduced thai
only about 6O), ,OOJ acres still remain in gov
ernment control, excluding Alaska. The pal
ance, being by far the most valuable portion
has been given away to settlers to new state.
and to railroads, or sold at a comparativel!
nominal sum.
The patenting OF land in execution OF rail
road grants has progressed Or rapidly during III,
acres have thus been conveyed to these cor
porations. l agree with the secretary that the
carefully dealt with and their alienation
guarded by better economy and greater pru
dence.
THE INDIANS.
The total Indian population of the United
States is l77 ,235. according to a census made II
1898. exclusive of those within the state OF New
York and those comprising the five civilize'
tribes OF this number there are approximate
ly $1,000 children of school age. During th
year % 90 OF these were enrolled in schools
1t may be said in general terms that in ever.
particular the improvement Of the Indian un
der government care has been most marked ant
encouraging
PENSIONS
The diminution OF our enormous pension rol
and the decrease OF pension expenditure whicl
have been so often confidently foretold, still
fail in material realization. The number o
year ended June 30, 1885, was 970,67S This i
the largest number ever reported. The amour
paid exclusively for pensions during the yea
was Sl3S, PA 81, slight decrease from tina
| OF the preceding year, while the total eXpend
| itureS on account OF pensions, including
the cost Of maintaining the department
| and expenses attending pension distribution
| amounted to si42 205, 5000, or within q very
| small fraction OF one-third Of the entire ex
pense of supporting the government during tn
| same year. The number of new pension Ger
tificates issued was 9O,6i0. OF these 1874 rep
resent original allowances OF claims, and Ii, 81
| increases of existing pensions.
The number OF persons receiving pension
| from the United States, but residing in foreig
countries at the close of the last fiscal year
was isl and the amount paid to them durin
| the wear was SjS2, ,735 80
The sum appropriated for the payment @
| pensions for the current fiscal year endin
June 3O 1897 is S1i0 OOO, 900 and for the succeed
| ing year 1t is estimated that the same amour
| will be necessary.
The commissioner OF pensions reports tina
| during the last fiscal year 339 indictments wer
found against violators OF the pension laws
Upon these indictments l67 convictions re
| suited
| In my opinion, based upon such statement
as these and much other information and OBJ
| servation, the abuses which have been allowe
| to creep into our pension system have done in
calculable harm in demoraliZing our people an
undermining good citizenship. have endeav
ored within my sphere OF official duty to pro
tect our pension roll and make 1t what 1t shoul
| be, roll of honor, containing the names c
those disabled in their country's service an
worthy of their country's affectionate remem
| brance.
When have seen those who pose as tn
| soldiers friend, active and alert in urgin
greater laxity and more reckless pension ex
| penditure, while nursing selfish schemes,
| have deprecated the approach OF q situatio
| when necessary retrenchment and enforue
| economy may lead to an attack upon penSto
abuses so determined to overlook the dis
| elimination due to those who, worthy OF na
| tion's care, ought TO live and die under th
protection of u nations gratitude.
| THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT..
| The department of agriculture is so inti
| mately related to the welfare of our peopl
| and the prospe rity of our nation that 1t shoul
| constantly receive the care and encouragement
| OF the government.
| Under the present management oil the Ge
| partment its usefulness has been enhanced 4
| every direction. and at the same time striC
| economy has been enforced to the utmost ex
| tent permitted by congressional action. Fror
| the report OF the secretary 1t appears tha
through careful and prudent financial manage
ment he has annually saved large sum froI
his appropriations.
| CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
The progress made In civil service reform fur
nishes cause for the utmost oongratulation.
has survived the doubts OF its friends as well q
| the rancor of its enemies and has gained POI
manent place among the agencies destined /
| cleanse politics and to improve, economize an
| elevate the public service. There are now