Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1899-12-08
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS.


Medals for Volunteers, Postal Service,
the Gallant Navy, Pensions.
The president details the reorganization
of the army and recommends that con
gress provide q special medal of honor
for the volunteers, regulars, sailors and
marines on duty in the Philippines who
voluntarily remained in the service after
their terms OF enlistment had expired.
The force now in Manila consists of 80;
officers and 3J,57S regulars and 594 officers
and 1888 Of the volunteers, making an
aggregate Of 1 ,499 officers and 1896 men.
When tho troops now under orders shall
reach Manila, the force in the archipelago
will comprise 2,O5l officers and G3,4S3
men.
The operations of the army are fully
presented In the report of the secretary of
war. cannot withhold from officers and
mon the highest commentator for their
soldiery conduct in trying situations, their
willing sacrifices for their country and
the integrity and ability with which they
have performed unusual and difficult du-
ties in our island possessions.
Domestic Postal Service.
The domestic postal service continues
to grow with extraordinary rapidity. The
expenditures and revenues will each ex-
ceed SlOO, 200, 600 during the current year.
Fortunately since tho revival of prosper
GUS times the revenues have grown .luch
faster than the expenditure, and there is
every indication that short period will
witness tho obliteration of the annual de-
hcit. 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 of
mail matter which wrongfully exercise
the privilege of the pound rate and shows
that if this matter had been properly
classified and had paid the rate which it
should have paid, instead of a postal de-
hcit for the last fiscal year of $6,6l0,OO0
there would have been on one basis sur
plus of 1857 $40, and on another $5,733,-
836 The reform thus suggested, in the
opinion of the postmaster general, would
not only put the postal service ut once on
self-sustaihing basis, but would permit
great and valuable improvements, and L
recommend the subject to the consider
alton of congress-
The Gallant Navy.
Inc navy mas maintained the spirit ana
high service of efficiency which have nl-
ways characterized that service and has
lost none Of the gallantry in heroic action
which has signalizcl it's brilliant and
glorious past. The nation has equal pride
in its early and later achievements. Its
habitual readiness for every emergency
has won the confidence and admiration of
the country. The people are interested in
the preparation and prestige Of the navy
and will justify liberal appropriations fol
its maintenance and improvements. The
officers have shown peculiar adaptation
for the performance of new and delicate
duties which our recent war has imposed.
1t cannot be doubted that congress will
at once make necessary provision for the
armour plate for the vessals now under
contract and building heartily concur
in the recommendation for the increase of
the navy rs suggested by the secretary of
the navy.
Pensions of widow..
Reviewing the report Of the pension
commissioner, the president recommends,
following the request of the Grand Army
Of the Republic, that congress shall SO
amend the widows pension act to permit
the pension Office to grant pensionablc
status to widows under the terms of the
third section Of the act of June ~, 1890,
whose income aside from the proceeds OF
daily labor is not in excess of $3.50 per
annum. believe this to be simple act
of Justice and heartily recommend it,