Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05

nc dS tepuly postmaster ana postmaster
of a large city. This principle governed
and determined the selection of the Ameri-
can ofhclals sent not only to Cuba, but to
Porto Rico and the Philippines, and they
, We're instructed to apply it far prac-
ticable in the employment of the natives as
minor postmasters 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 1t should not be burden
upon the postal service of the United
states, and provision was made that any
deficit in the postal revenue should be a
island.
Though Porto Rico and the Philippines
hold different relation to the United
States, yet, for convenience of administra-
ton, the same principle of an autonomous
system has been extended to them The
development of the service in all of the
islands has been rapid and successful. 1t
has moved forward on American lines, with
free delivery, money order, and registry
systems, and has given the people mail
facilities far greater and more reliable
IMAM any they have ever before enjoyed.
1t is thus not only vital agency of in
dustrial. social, and business progress, but
an important influence in diffusing a just
understanding of the true spirit and char
acter of American administration.
Ine domestic postal service continues to
grow with extraordinary rapidity. The ex-
pendltureS and the revenues will each eX-
ceed S1pOOO,GH during the current year.
Fortunately, since the revival of prosper
Gus times the revenues have grown much
faster than the expenditures. and there Is
every Indication that a short period will
witness the Obliteration of the annual de-
ficit In this connection the report of the
PoStmaSt er-General ernbodies a statement
of some evils which have grown up outside
of the contemplation of law III the treat
ment of some classes of mail matter which
wrongly exercise the privilege of the pound
rate, and shows that if this matter had
been properly ella ssified and had paid the
rate which it should have paid, instead OF
a postal deficit for the last fiscal year of
1,6l0,G1O. there would have been one
basis a surplus of s17.637.37O, and on an
other of $3,I33,S $50. The reform thus sug
gested in the opinion of the Postmaster
General. would rot only put the postal
service at once self-sustaining basis.
but would permit great and valuable i'm
provements. and I recommend the subject
to the consideration of the Congress-
THE NAVY.
The Navy has maintained the spirit and
high efficiency which have always charac-
terized that service, and has lost none of
the gallantry in heroic action which has
signalized its brilliant and glorious past.
The Nation has equal pride in it's 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 continued preparat ton
and prestige of the Navy and will justify
liberal appropriations for its maintenance
and Improvement. The officers have shown
peculiar adaptation for the performance of
new ard delicate duties which our recent
wa- has imposed.
1t can not be doubted that Congress will
at once make necessary provision for the
armor plate for the vessels now under con-
tract and building. It's attention is respect
fully called to the report of the Secretary
of the Navy, in which the subject is fully
presented. | unite in his recommendation
that the Congress enact such special legis
lation as may be necessary to enable the
Department to make contracts early in the
coming year for armor of the best quality
that can be obtained in this country for the
Maine. Ohio and Missouri and that the
provisions of the act of March J. 1899. linn
itng the price of armor to $500 per ton be
removed
In the matter of naval construction Italy
and Japan, of the great powers, laid down
less tonnage in the year 1899 than this
country, and Italy alone has less tonnage
under construction. | heartily concur in
the recommendations for the increase of
the Navy, as suggested by the Secretary.
THE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
Our future progress and prosperity de-
pend upon ability to equal. if not sur
pass. other nations in the enlargement and
advance of science. industry and commerce.
To invention we must turn as one of the
most powerful aids to the accomplishment
Of such a result. The attention of the Con-
gress is directed to the report of the Com
missioner of Patents, in which will be
found valuable suggestions and recommen-
dations.
On the 30th of June, 1899, the pension roll
of the United States numbered 991 ,519
These include the pensioners of the Army
and Navy In all our wars The number
added to the rolls during the year was
4o,Hl. The number dropped by reason of
death, remarriage. minors by legal limita-
ton, failure to claim within three years,
and other causes, was 43, 1856, and the num-
Der of claims disallOwed was 107 ,91g Dur
ing the year s9,oJ4 pension certificates were
Issued. of which 37011 We're for new or
original pensions. The amount disbursed
Tor army and navy pensions during the
year was $l3S, 300 o. 80, which was 81 COL =
i6l6l less than the sum OF the appropria-
t0nS.
The Grand Army of the Republic at IFS
recent national encampment held in Phil
ddelphla has brought to my attention and
10 that of the Congress the wisdom and
Justice OF a modification of the third sec
non OF the act of June p. 1890. which pro
woes pensions for the widows of officers
ana enlisted men who served ninety days
or more during the War of the Rebellion
ana were hOnOrably discharged nrovided
mat such widows are without other means
OF support than their daily labor and uere
married to the soldier, sailor, or marine on
account or whose service they claim pen
sion prior to the date of the act
The present holding of the Departmep. is
mat II the widows income aside from her
daily labor does not exceed in amount what
her pension would be, to wit, SOC per am
mum. she would be deemed to be without
other means of support than her daily Ia
bor and would be entitled to pension
under this act; while If the widows in
come independent of the amount received
by ner as the result of her daily labor ex-
cceds S96. she would not be pensionable
under the act. / am advised by the Com
missioner of Pensions that the amount of
the income allowed before title to pension
would be barred has varied widely under
different administrations of the Pension
ONCE, as well as during different periods of
the same administration, and has been the
cause of just complaint and criticism
With the approval OF the Secretary of
the Interior the Commissioner of Pensions
recommends that, in order to make the
practice at all times uniform and to do
justice to the dependent widow, the amount
OF income allowed Independent of the pro-
ceeds of her daily labor should be not less
than 500 per annum, and he urges that thu
Congress shall so amend the act as to per
init the Pension Office to grant pensionable
status to widows under the terms of the
third section of the act of June 81, 1890.
whose income frpr IA