Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1899-12-07

presented in the report Of the Secretary
of War. ] cannot withhold from Off
cors and men the highest commentator
for their soldierly conduct in trying
situations, their willing sacrifices for
their country, and tho integrity and
ability with which they have per-
formed unusual and difficult duties in
our island possessions.
In the organization Of the volunteer
regiments authorized by the act of
March I'd, 1899, it was found that no
provision had been made for chaplains.
This omission was doubtless from In
advei tence | recommend tho early
author izaiion for the appointment Of
one chaplain for each of said reei-
ments. These regiments are now in
the Philippines, and it is important
that immediate action be had.
TIE osTAL SERVICE.
In restoring peaceful conditions,
orderly rule, and civic progress in
Cuba, Porto Rico, and, SO fan as prac-
ticable, in the Philippines, the re-
Mobilization of the postal service has
been an essential and important part
of the work. 1t became necessary to
provide mail facilities both for our
forces of occupation and for the native
population. To meet this requirement.
has involved q substantial recon-
struotion. The existing systems were
SO fragmentary, defective and in
adequate that new and compreh-
ensive organization had TO be created.
American trained officials have been
assigned to the directing and executive
positions, while natives have been
chiefly employed in making up the
body of the force In working this
plan the merit rule has been vigorously
and faithfully applied.
The appointment of director-general
OF posts of Cuta was given to an ex-
pert who had been chief postoliice in-
spector and assistant postmaster
general. and who united large
experience with administrative Ca
pacity. For the postriastership at
Havana the range of skilled and avail
able men was scanned, and the choice
fell upon one VINO had been 20 years in
the service as deputy postmaster and
postmaster of large city, This prin-
ciple governed and determined the
selection of American officials sent not
only to Cuba, but to Porto Rico and
the Philippines, and they were in
structed to apply it SO far as prac-
ticable in the employment of the natives
as minor postmasters and clerks. The
postal system in Cuba, though remain
ing under the general guidance of the
tally independent. 1t was felt that it
should not be burden upon the postal
service of the United States and pro.
vision was made that any deficit in
the postal revenue should be charge
upon the general revenue of the island.
Though Porto Rico and the Philip
pines hold 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 has
moved forward on American lines,
with free delivery, money order, and
registry systems, and has given the
people mail facilities far greater ard
more reliable than any they have ever
before enjoyed. 1t is thus not only
vital agency of industrial, social, and
business progress, but an important
influence in diffusing a inst under
standing of the true spirit and charac-
Ter of American administration.
The domestic postal service continues
to grow with extraordinary rapidity.
The expenditures and the revenues will
each exceed sl00, 200, 600 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 IN
dication that short period will witness
the obliteratioE of the annual deficit
In this connection the report of the
postmaster general embodies state
ment of some evils which have grown
UP outside of the contemplation CT Law
in the treatment of some classes of
mail matter which wrongly exercise
the privilege of the pound rate, and
shows that ff this matter had been
NJ operly classified and had paid the
rate which it should have paid, in
stead of postal deficit for the last
fiscal year of SG,6l0,0 600, there would
have been on one basis q surplus of
Sl7, 637, $40, and on another of 50, 1888,
SIG. The reform thus suggested, in
the opinion of the postmaster general,
would not only put the postal service
on self-sustaining basis, but would
permit great and valuable improve
ments, and | commend the subject TO
the consideration Of the Congress.
Tho navy has maintained the spiIit
and high efficiency which have always
characterized that service, and has lost
none of the gallaptry in heroic action
which has signalized its brilliant and
glorious past. The nation has equal
pride in its early and later achieve
ments. Its habitual readiness for
every emergency has won the confidence
and admiration of the country. The
people are Interested in the continued
preparation and prestige of the navy
and will justify liberal appropriations
for it's maintenance and improvement.
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 armor plate for the vessels now
under contract and building. Its at
tention is respectfully called to the
report of the Secretary of the Navy, in
which the subject is fully presented. l
unite in his recommendation that the
Congress enact such special legislation
as may be necessary to enable the de-
partment to make contracts early in
the coming year for armor of the hest
quality that can be obtained in this
country for tho Maine, Ohio, and
Missouri, and that the provision Of
the act of March Sd. 1899, limiting the
Price of armor to $500 per ton be 1e-
moved
In the matter of naval construction
Italy and Japan of the great powers,
laid down less tonnage in the year 1899
than this county. and Italy alone has
less tonnage and construction. l