The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1899-12-06

During the past year we have reduced
our forces i'm Cuba and Porto Rico.
In Cuba we now have 3S4 officers and
10 19G enlisted men, In Porto Rico, 81
officers and 2,S15 enlisted men and
battalion Of 4OO men composed OF ma
tive Porto Ricans; while stationed
throughout the United states are 80
officers and 17.]t7 men. and in Hawaii
II officers and 4iS enlisted men.
Tho operations of the army arc fully
presented in the report of the secre-
tary of war. cannot withhold from
officers and rlen the highest comnen-
dation for their soldlcrly conduct in
trying situations, their willing sacri-
fees for their country, and the integ-
rity and ability with which they have
performed unusual and difficult duties
In our island possessions.
In the organization OF volunteer reg
iments authorized by the act of March
?, 1899, it was found that no provision
had been made for chaplains. This
omission was doubtless from inadver-
tance. j recommend the early author
iZation for the appointment of one
chaplain for each of said regiments
These regiments are not in the Philip
pines and it is important that imme-
diate action be had.
DERBY rule, the civic progress in Cuba,
Porto Rico. and 80 far as practicable
in the Philippines, the rehabilitation
Of the postal service has bCen an es-
sential and important part of the work
1t becomes necessary to provide mail
facilities both for our forces of oc-
cupation and for the native popula-
ton. To meet this requirement has
involved q substantial reconstruction.
mentary, defective and inadequate.
that a new and comprehensive organ
ization had, to be created. American
trained officials have been assigned to
the directing and executive positions,
while natives have been chiefly en-
ployed in making up the body or the
force In working out this plan, tn"
merit rule had been vigorously ana
faithfully applied.
The Postal Service.
The appointment of director general
Of posts of Cuba has given to an eX-
pert who had been chief postofiice
Inspector and assistant postmaster
general, and who united large expert
enue with administrative capacity. For
the postmastership at Havana the
range of skilled and available men was
scanned. and the choice fell upon one
| who had been twenty years in the SER
vice as deputy postmaster and post
master of a large city. This principle
governed and determined the seleCt ton
| of the American officials sent not only
| TO Cuba, but to Porto Rico and the
| Philippines and they were instructed
to apply it so far as practicable in the
| employment of natives as minor post
| masters and clerks.
The postal system in Cuba, though
remaining under the general guidance
| of the postmaster general, was made
| essentially independent. 1t was felt
that it should not be a burden upon
the postal service of the United States,
| and provision was made that any de-
felt in the postal revenue should be a
charge upon the general revenues of
! tn eisland.
! Though Porto Rico and the Philip
pines hold a different relation to the
| United States. yet for convenience OF
administration, the same principle of
an autonomous system has been ex-
tended to them. The development of
the service in all of the islands has
| been rapid and successful. 1t is push
ing forward American lines, with
free delivery, money order and registry
systems and has given the people mail
/ facilities far greater and more reliable
than any they have ever before en-
! joyed. 1t is thus not only vital
, agency of industrial, social and busi-
ness progress, but an important infiu-
| ence in diTusins a just understand
ing of the true spirit and character OF
American administration.
| The domestic postal service continues
to grow with extraordinary rapdity
| The expenditures and the revenues
will each exceed 500, 100000 during the
current year. Fortunately, since the
revival of prosperous times, the 'reve-
! nueS have grown much faster than the
expenditures, and there is every indi.
cation that short period will witness
| the obliteration of the annual deficit
| In this connection, the report of the
postmaster general embodies q state.
ment of some evils which have grown
up outside of the contemplation of law
in the treatment of some classes o
mail matter which wrongly eXercis.
the privilege of the pound rate ant
shows that If this matter had beer
properly classified and had paid tn,
rate which iU should have paid insteaC
of a postal deficit for the last fisca
year of $6,610,000, there would hay,
been on one basis a surplus of S17
637 $50, and on another s5,733, 1886. Tht
reform thus suggested, in the opinion
of the postmaster general. would no
only put the postal service at once OF
safe, sustaining basis, but woylC
permit great and valuable improve
ments, and 1 commend the subject t,
the consideration of the congress.
The Navy.
The navy has maintained the spiri
and high efficiency which has alWay
characterized that service and has los
none of the gallantry IN heroic actiol
which has signalized its brilliant an,
glorious past. The nation has euua
pride in it's early and later achieve
ments. It's habitual readiness for eV
|
and admiration of the country. TIL
people are interested in the continues
preparation and prestige Of the nav
and will justify liberal appropriation
for its maintenance and Improvement
The officers have shown peculiar adap
tation for the performance of new an
delicate duties which cur recent wa
has imposed.
1t cannot be doubted that congress
will at once make necessary proVisio
for the armOr plate for the vessels nov
under contract ard building. Its at
tention is respectfully called to tn
report of the secretary of the navy
III which the subject is fully presentet
| unite in his recommendation that tn
congress enact such political legisla
tion as may be necessary To enabl
the department to make its contract
early in the coming year for armor 1
| the DeS' puallly lnaL can De ODthlne
in this country for the Maine, Obi
and Missouri, and that the provision
of the act OF March g. 1859, limitin
the price of armor to $500 per ton b
removed.
In the matter of naval constructor
Italy and Japan, of the great powers
laid down less tonnage in the yea
1899, than this country, and Italy alon
has less tonnage unGer construction
| heartily concur in the recommenda
ton for the increase of the navy, a
suggested by the secretary.
our future progress ana prosperit