New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-12-07

In inc FosuoHce Department the service has
increased IN efficiency. and conditions as to rev.
enue and expenditure continue satisfactory.
The increase of revenue during
Postal Service the year was ss,S5s.1s1 10, or SO
per cent the total receipts
amounting 10 s143.3S2e 24 "a The expenditures
We're s152,362,116 20. an increase of about per
cent over the previous year. being thus ss,979.-
492 So in excess of the current revenue. In
cluded in these expenditures was a total ap-
preparation of s12.956627 35 for the continual
ton and extension of the rural free delivery
service, which was increase of $4e02.237 80
over the amount expended for this purpose In
the preceding fiscal year. Large this ex-
penditure has been. the benefcent results at
tanned in extending the free distribution of mails
TO the residents of rural districts have justified
the wisdom of the outlay. Statistics brought
down to October !, 1904. show that on that date
there 271SS rural routes established. serv-
ing approximately 100000 OF people in rural
districts remote from postofices, and that there
were pending a. that time 1859 petitions for
the establishment OF new rural routes. Unques-
tionably some part of the general increase In re-
ceipts is due to the increased postal facilities
which the rural service has afforded The reve-
nues have also been aided greatly by amend
1nents in the classification of mail matter and
the curtailment of abuses Of the second class
volume of mail matter for the period beginning
with 1902 and ending in June 1905 Chat portion
for 1905 being estimated). is 4O47 per cent as
compared with 2J.46 per cent for the period i'm
mediately preceding and 1892 for the four year
period Immediately preceding that
Our consular system needs improvement SAL
aries should be substituted for fees, and the
proper classification. grading and transfer Of
consular officers should be
Consular Service. provided. I am not prepared
to say that a competitive
system of examinations for appointment would
work well. but by law 1t should be provided that
consuIs should be familiar, according to places
for which they apply, with the French, German
or Spanish languages. and should possess &C
uuaintance with the resources of the United
States.
The collection of objects of art contemplated
in Section $3.50 OF the Revised Statutes should
be designated and established
National Gallery q National Gallery Of Art,
of Art. and the Smithsonian Institu-
ton should be authorized TO
accept any additions TO said collection that may
be received by gift bequest or devise.
It IS desirable to enact a proper national quar-
sntine law. It is most undesirable that State
should on its initiative
National Quaran- enforce quarantine regula-
tine Law. lions which are in effect
restriction upon interstate
and international commerce. The question
should properly be assumed by the government
alone The surgeon general Of the National
Public Health and Marine Hospital Service has
repeatedly and convincingly set forth the need
for such legislation
I call your attention to the great extravaganza
in printing and binding government publica-
tons. and especially TO the fact that altogether
too many of these pubIica-
Extravaganza in tons printed. There is
Printing. constant tendency TO increase
their number and their VOL
ume It is an understatement to say that
no apprecable harm would be caused by.
an6 substantial benefit would accrue from,
decreasing the amount Of printing
done by at least one-half. Probably the great
majority of the government reports and the
like now printed are never read at ALL and
Furthermore the printing of much Of the material
contained in many of the remaining ones serves
no useful purpose whatever
The attention Of the Congress should be espe-
cially given to the currency question. and that
the standing committees or the matter in the
two houses charged with the duty
Currency. take up the matter of our currency
and see whether it is not possible to
secure an agreement in the business world
for lettering the system; the committees
of the greenbacks and the problem of securing
in our currency such elasticity as is consistent
with safety. Every silver dollar should be made
by law redeemable in gold at the option Of the
holder.
I especially commend to your immediate at
tention the encouragement
Merchant Marine. Of our merchant marine by
appropriate legislation.
The growing importance of the Orient as a
field for American exports drew from my prede-
cessor, President Mckinley
Oriental Markets. urgent request for its
special consideration by the
Congress. In his message Of 1895 he stated:
In this relation. as showing the peculiar volume
iarly favorable conditions which exist for their ex-
panison in the normal course Of trade. | refer TO
House Of Representatives. by the Secretary Of the
Pe2fnry e On Inf the e ef e4s OF STATE m
Ing appropriation for a commission TO study the
Empire and report to the opportunities for
and the obstacles 10 the enlargement OF markets
Of faqh n fod ae Ta" RECON Sas not there's
on during the last session: cordially i urge that
sideratiOn which its importance and umeuness
merit
In his annual message Of 1899 he again called
attention to this recommendation, quoting It,
and stated further:
I now renew the recommendation. the i'm
portance Of the subject has steadily grown since II
lost in studying for ourselves the resources or THIS
The Importance Of securing proper information
and data with a view to the enlargement Of
trade with Asia Is undiminisbed. Our consular
representatives in China have strongly urged a
place for permanent display of American prod
ucts IN some prominent trade centre of that en-
rtre under government control and MANAGE