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About The Oregon scout. (Union, Union County, Or.) 188?-1918 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 19, 1885)
Moro Monov for Diplomacy. I earnestly urge that congress recast the appropriations for the maintenance of the diplomatic and consular service on a footing commensurate with the lmport portancc of our national interests. At every post where a representative is ne cessary, the salary should be so graded us to permit him to live with comfort. With tho assignment of adequate salaries, the so-called notarial extra ofllcial fees which our ofllccrs abroad arc now per mitted to treat as personal perquisites should be done away with. Every act requiring the certification and seal of the olUcer would be taxable at schedule rates, and the fee therefor re turned to the treasury. By restoring these revenues to the public use, the consular service would be self-supporting, even with a liberal increase of the present low salaries. The further pre vention of abuses, a system of consular inspection should be instituted. The ap pointment of a limited number of secre taries of legation at large, to be assigned to duty wherever necessary, and in par ticular for temporary service at missions which from any cause mav be without a head, should also be authorized. 1 favor also authorization for the details of olll ccrs of the regular service as military or naval attaches at legations. Some for eign governments do not recognize the union of consular with diplomatic func tions. Italy and Venezuela will only re ceivo tho appointee in one of his two capacities, but this does not prevent the requirement of a bond and submission to the responsibilities of anolllcer whose du ties lie cannot discharge. The super-added title of consul-general should be abandoned at all missions. I deem it expedient that a well-devised measure for the reorganization of the extra territorial court3 in Oriental coun tries should replace tho present system, which labors under the disadvantage of lumbering judicial and executive functions in tho same ollice. In several Oriental countries generous offers have been made of premise.-' for housing the legations of the United States. A grant of land for that purpose was made some years sinco by Japan, and has been referred Join tiin otiini.it mpas.'iirps nf im nredocessors. The Siamese government lias made a gift to the United States of commodious quarter?, in llangkok. In Corea the late minister was permitted to purchase a building from the government for lega tion tist. In China" the premises rented for the legation are favored as to loc.il charges. AtTangicrs the house occupied by our representative has been for many years the property of this government, having been given for that purpose in 1S22 by the sultan of Morocco; I approve the suggestion heretofore made thai, in view of the conditions of life and admin istration in the Eastern countries, the legation buildings in China, Japan, Corea, Siam and i)crhap3 Persia, should be owned and furnished by tho govern ment, with a view to permanency and security. To this end I recommend that ai.t lority be given to accept the gifts ad verted to in Japan and Siam, and to pur chase in the other countries named with provisions for furniture and 'repairs. A considerable saving in rentals would result. Tho Blfr Fair. The world's industrial exposition held at New Orleans last winter with the as sistance of the federal government, at tracted a largo number of foreign exhib its, and proved of great value in spread ing among the concourse of visitors Irom Mexico and Contril and South America a wide knoweidge of the various manufact ures and productions of the country, and their availability in exchange for tho production of those regions. Ara EBt Ijongft. Past congresses have had under con sideration tho advisability of abolishing the discrimination made by the tariff laws In favor of the works of American artists. The odium of the policy which subjects to a high rate of duty tho paint ings of foreign artists and exempts the productions of American artists residing abroad, and who receive gratuitously ad vantages and instruction, is visited upon our citizens engaged in art culture in Europe, and has caused them, with practical unanimity, to favor the aboli tion of Mich nn ungracious distinction, and in their interest aud for other obvious reasons 1 strongly recommend it. Tho Public Treasury. Tho report of the secretary of tho treasury fully exhibits the con dition of the public finances and of the several branches of government connected with ids department. The Miggestious of the secretary relating to tho practical operations of this important department, and his recommendations regarding simplification and economy, particularly in tho work of collecting cus toms duties, are especially urged upon the attention of congress. The ordinary receipts from ail sources for the li'-oal year ended Juno 30, 1SS5, were 322.090,700.38. Of this sum 181, .171,939. 31 was received from cus toms andd S112,.19S,725.5l from internal revenue. Tuo total receipts as given above wereo 21,829,103.51 hes than those for the year ending Juno 110. 1SS1. Tills diminution embraced a falling off of 13,59j.ii50.42 in tho receipts from cus toms and 9,0S7,310.07 in the receipts from internal revenue. The total ordinary expenditures of the government for tho fiscal year were $200,220 935.50, leaving a surplus In the treaMiry at tho close of the year of 03, .103,771.27. This is 10, 929, S5 1.32 less than the surplus reported at tho close of tho previous year. The expenditures arc classified as follows: Civil expenses g,n 0,., ,j Foreign Intercourse S iti 111V1 1 Indians o'k"'vua l'en.lons 6e!io'"u7 !! Mllltnry (river and liarbor ami "w',u Naf.C"aU) 42.070,578.47 intorett on I'u'.ili'dcLV."!!'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.! 6l,wV?.w'47 Ulatrlctof (.iiunmla J.iW.VM M Miscellaneous 6l,728,OJt.Sl The amount paid on tho publlo debt during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1SS5, was 15, 993, 235. -13, and there has been paid since that date and up to Nov. 1, 1SS5, the sum of 309, 82S, leaving tho amouut of the debt at tho last named date 1,514,475,800.47. There was, however, at that time In tho treasury ap plicable to the general purposes of the government tho sum of 8GU.S1S.292.3S. Tho total receipts for the current fiscal year ending Juno 30, 1SS0, ascertained to Oct. 1, 18S5, and estimated for tho re mainder of tho year, are 315,000,000. Tho expenditures ascertained and esti mated for tho eamo time are 215,000, 000, leaving a surplus at close of the year estimated at 70.000,000. Tho value of exports from the United States toforeigu countries during the last fiscal year was as follows: DomcMIe mcrchnndlsc 72S,6.2.fll6 01 Foreign merchandise l.VWti.ScJ tm Hold.. S4,77S,SH2 CO SlUer 33,75.!,ttlJ W Total $sO0,7-22.'2s0 00 Some of the principal exports with their values and the percentage they respec tively bear to the total exportation arc given .13 follows : AllTlL'I.ra. Value. , Colton and cotton mamtfac-l turn 'S2IS.7m.ni9, '23 t2 Manufactures' broadttutl ; iro,3n.s-:o -22.07 107,3i2,4;K) M,15fi.20S 21,7(17,30 '21,4tU.3-22 14.7 Oils, mineral, vegetable and nnituai Tobacco and Its manufactures Wood and Its manufactures. . 74S 3.41 2 115 Our Imports during the year were as follows: Merchandise $570.SS0,CS SO Hold '20,CJl,Mli 00 Sliver 111,3:0,(127 00 Total J02-2.S-2-2.5C0 0 The following arc given as prominent articles of Imports during tho year, with their values and with the percentage they bear to the importation : AltTKI.t. Value. l'eu-t Stijrarand molasses Co ire o Wool an 1 1ts manufactures Ilk and lis miinufactmos Chemicals, dyeings and medi cines Iron and steel nnd their m'fs.. F ax, hcniii jute and thelrm'fs Cotton anil Its manufactures.. Hides and skins other than fur tklns S7rt,73S,713 4(1, 723 318 4 1, V0, 4S2 tU.SIU.lKti 3.',070,Slfi 13.20 8. 00 7.73 (MM fi.07 fUH s.rct 4. S3 3.50 3l,.ViI,(i'.l 3-2.SM.S7l 2S, 152,001 20.5SG.443 Of the entire amount of duties col lected, 70 per cent was collected from the following articles of import: Sugar and molasses 29, wool and its manufactures 15, silk and Its manufactures S, iron and steel and their manufactures 7, cotton manufactures G, llax, hemp aud jute and their manufactures 5. In Favor of Protection. The fact that our revenues are in ex cess of the actual needs of an economical administration of the government, justi fies a reduction in tho amount exacted from tho people for its support. Our government is but the means established by the will of a free people, by which certain principles are applied which they have adopted for their benefit and pro tection, audit is never better adminis tered and its true spirit is never better observed than when tho people's taxa tion for its support is scrupulously lim ited to the actual necessity of expendi ture, and distributed according to just and equitable plan. The proposition witli which we have to deal is the reduc tion of tho revenue received by the gov ernment, and indirectly paid by tho peo ple from customs duties. The question of free trade Is not involved, nor is there now any occasion for the general discus sion of the wisdom or expediency of a protective system. Justice and fairness dictate that'in any modification of our present laws relating to revenue, tho in dustries and interests which have been encouraged by such laws, and in which our citizens have large in vest nients. should not bo ruthlessly injured or destroyed. We should also deal with the subject In sucli manner as to protect the interests of American labor, which is the capital of our worklngmen. Its stability and proper remuneration furnish tho most justifiable pretext for a protective policy. Within these limitations, a certain reduction should be made in our customs revenues. The amount of Mich reduction having been determined, the inquiry follows, Where cau the tariff best be remitted, and what articles can best bo released from duty in the interest of our citizens? I think the reduction should be made in the revenue derived from a tax upon the imported necessaries of life. We thus directly lessen the cost of living in every family of the land, and release to the public In every humble home a larger measure of tho rewards of frugal Indus try. National Banks and Silver Currency. During the year ended Nov. 1, 1S85, one hundred and forty-five national banks were organized, with an aggregate cap ital of 1(5, 93S, 000 and circulating notes have been issued to them amounting to 61,271,910. Tho whole number of these banks in existence on tho day above mentioned was 2,727. The very limited amount of circulating notes issued by our national banks compared with the amount the law permits them to issue upon a deposit of bonds for their re demption, indicates that the volume of our circulating medium may lie largely increased through ttiis instrumentality. Nothing more Important than the present condition of our currency and coinage can claim your attention. Sinco February, LS7S, the government has. under tlie compulsory provisions of law. purchased silver bullion and coined the same at the rate of more than 2,000.000 every month. IJy this process, up to tho present date 215,759,431 silver dollars have been coined. A reasonable appre ciation of a delegation of power to tho general government would limit its ex ercise without express restrictive words to tho people's needs aud the require ments of the public welfare. Upon this theory the authority to coin money given congress by the constitution, even if It permits tho purchase by the government of the bullion for coinage, in any event docs not justify such purchase and coin age to an extent beyond the amount needed for sulllcient circulating medium. The desire to utilize the sliver product of the country should not lead to a mis use or the perversion of this power. The neccBs'ty for such an addition to the silver currency of the natiou as Is com pelled by the silver coinage act la nega tived by tho fact that up' to thepresent time only about 50,000,000 of sliver dollars so coined have actually found their way Into circulation, leaving more than 105,000,000 in possession of the government, tho custody of which has entailed a considerable expense for construction of vaults for its deposit. Against this latter amount there are outstanding silver cer tificates amounting to about 93,000,000. Every month 2,000,000 of gold in tho publlo treasury are paid out for 2,000, 000 or more of silver dollars to be added to the Idle mass already accumulated. If continued long enough, this operation will result in the substitution of silver for all tho gold the government owiis, ap plicabru to Its general purposes. It will not do to rely upon the receipts of the government to make (rood this decline of ! gold, because the silver tints coined, having been maUo legal tender for all debts and dues, public and private, at times during tho last six months, fifty eight percent of the receipts for duties have been in silver or sliver certificates, while the average wlthlu that period hai Icon 20 per cent. The proportion of silver and its certificates received by the gov ernment will orobably increase as time goes on, for tho reason that the nearer the period approaches when It will be obliged to offv sllv r in payment of its obligitlo'is, the greater "inducements there u ill bo to hoard gold ogalnst de preciation In the value of silver, or for the purpose of speculating. I his Hoard ing of gold has already begun. When the time conies that gold has been with drawn from circulation, there will be ap parent the difference between the real value of the silver dollar aud a dollar in gold aud the two coins will part com pany. Cold, still the standard of value, and necessary in our dealings with other countries, will be at a premium over silver. Hanks which have substituted gold tor llie deposits of their customers may pay them with silver bought with said gold, thus making a handsome profit. KUii speculators will sell their hoarded gold to their neighbor who need it to liqudato their foreign debts at ruin oiu p'cimum over silver, and the labor ing men and women of the land, most defenseless of all, will find that the dollar received fer the wages of their toil tia3 sadly shrunk in its purchasing power, it may be said that the latter result will he but temporary and that ultimately tho price of labor will be adjusted to the change, but even if this takes place the wage-worker cannot possibly gain, but must inevitably lose, since the price lie is compelled to pay lor his living will not only be measured in a coin heavily de preciated and lliictuating aud uncertain in its value, but tills uncertainly in the value of the purchasing medium will be made the pretext for an advance in prices beyond that justified by actual depreciation. The words uttered In 1S3I by Daniel Webster, in the senate of the United States, are true to-day: "The very man of all others who has the deep est interest in a sound currency, and who suffers most by mischievous legisla tion iu money matters, Is the man who earns his daily bread by his daily toil. ' ' The most distinguished advocate of bl metalism, dlscu-slng our silver coinage, has lately written: "No American citizen's hand has yet felt tho sensation of cheapness either in receiving or expending tho sil ver act dollars. And those who live by labor of legitimate trade never will feel that sensation of cheapness. However plenty silver dollars may become, they will not bo distribi'ied as gifts among tho people, aud if the laboring man should receive four depreciated dollars where he now receives but two, he will pay in tho depreciated coin more than double the price lie now pays for all tho necessaries and comforts of life. " Those who do not fot'.r any disastrous consequences arising from tho continued compulsory coinage of silver as now directed by law, and who suppose that the addition to the currency of the country Intended as its result will be a public bcnellt, are re minded that history demonstrates that the point is easily readied in the attempt to lloat at the same time two sorts of money of different excellency, when the better will ceaseto lie iu circulation. Tho hoarding of gold which lias already taken place-Indicates that we shall not escape the Usual experience in sin-li cases; ";o if the silver coinage be continued, we may reasonably expect that gold and its equivalent will abandon the field of cir culation to silver alone. This of course must produce a severe contraction of our circulating medium instead of adding to it. it will not be disputed that nuv at tempt on the part of the government to cause the circulating of the silver dollar. worth SO cents, side by side with gold dollars, worth 100 cents, must be seconded by the confidence of the people, that hott coins may retain tho same purchasing power and be Interchangeable at w:l.. Special effort has been made by tho si c- retary of the treasury to increase the amount of our silver coin in circulation, but tho fact that a large share of the lim ited amouut thus put out has soon re turned to the public treasury in payment ot duties, leads to the bellel that the peo ple do not now desire to keep It Iu hand; and this, with the evident disposition to hoard gold , gives rise to tho suspicion that there already exists a lack of confidence- among the peo ple touching our financial processes. There is certainly not enough silver now iu circulation to cause uneasiness, and tho whole amount coined and now on hand might, after a time, be absorbed bv tho people without apprehension; but it is the ceaseless stream that threatens to overllow the land which causes fear and uncertainty. What lias been thus far submitted upon tins subject relates al most entirely to considerations of a homo nature, unconnected with tho bearing which tho policies of other nations have upon tho question; but It is perfectly ap parent that a line of action in regard to our currency cannot he wisely settled upon or persisted iu without considering the attitude on tho subject of other coun tries with whom wo maintain intercourse through commerce, trado and travl. An acknowledgment of tills is found in the act by virtue of which our silver is eotnpulsorily coined. It provides that "the president shall invite the govern ments of tho countries composing the Latin union, so called, and of such other Kuropean nations as ho may deem advisable, to join tho United States in a conference to adopt a common ratio be tween gold and silver for tho purpose of establishing internationally tho use of bi-metalle money, and securing fixity of relative value between these metals." This conference absolutely failed, aud a similar fate has awaited all subsequent efforts in the same direction, and still we continue our coinage of silver at a ratio different from that of any oilier nation. The most vital part of tho silver coinage net remains imperative and unexecuted,, nnd without an ally or friend wu bat tle upon tho silver field iu an Illogical and losing contest. To glvo full effect to the design of congress on this subject I have made carelul and earnest endeavor since the adjournment of the last congress. To this end i delegated a gentleman well Instructed in fiscal science to proceed to the financial centers of Europe, aud iu conjunction with our ministers to En gland, France and Germany, to obtain a lull knowledge of the attitude aud intent of these governments respecting the establishment of such an International ratio as would procure free coluago of both metals at the mints of these coun tries aud our own. Jly my direction our consul-general at Paris has given close attcutlo.i to the proceedings of the con gress of the Latin union, In order to Indi cate our Interest In its objects and to report Its action. It may be said In brief, as tho result nf these efforts, that the attitude of tho leading powers remains substantially unchanged siuee tho mone tary conference of HHl, nor Is It to be questioned that the views of these gov ernments are in each Instance separated by tho weight of public opinion. Tho steps thus taken have, therefore, only more fully demonstrated the tiselessue-s of further attempts at present to arrive at any agreement on the subject with other nations. In tho meantime wc are accu mulating silver coin based upon our own peculiar ratio fo such an extent, and as suming so heavy a burden to be provided for iu any international negotiations, as will render us an undesirable- party to nny future monetary conference of na tions. It is n slgnltlcaut fact that four of the live countries comprising tho Latlu union mentioned In our coinage act. embarrassed with their silver currency, have just completed an agreement among themselves that no more silver shall be coined by their respective governments, and that such as lias already been coined aud is in circulation shall bo redeemed in gold by the country of its coinage. The resort to this expedient by these countries may well arrest tho attention of those who suppose that we can succeed without shock or Injury in tho ntteinpt to circulate upon Its merits all the silver we may coin under the pro visions of our silver coinage act. Tho condition in which our treasury may bo placed by a persistence m our present course is a matter of concern to every patriotic citizen who does not desire his government to pay In silver such of its obligations as should be paid in gold. Nor should our condition be such as to oblige us in a prudent management of our affairs to discontinue tho calling in and payment of interest-bearing obliga tions which wo have the right now to discharge, and thus to avoid the payment of further interest thereon. The so called debtor class, for whose bcnellt the continued compulsory coinage of silver is Insisted upon, are not dishonest because they arc in debt, and they should not be suspected of a desire to jeopardize tho linaucial safety of the country In order that they may cancel their present debts by paying tho same in depreciated dol lars. Nor should It be forgottcu that it is not tho rich nor the money-lender alone that must submit to such a read justment enforced by the government aud their debtors. Tho pittance of the widow and orphan and the incomes of helpless bcncllciaries of all kinds would be disastrously reduced. The depositors iu savings-banks, and other institutions which hold iu trust the savings of tho poor, when their little ac cumulations are scaled down to meet the new order of things, would, In their dis tress, painfully realize the delusion of the promise made to them that plentiful money would improve their conditlois. Wo have now on hand all the silver dol lars necessary to supply the present need of the people, and to" satisfy those who from sentiment wish to see them In cir culation, and if their coinage is sus pended they can be teadlly obtained by those who desire them, if t ho need of more is at any time apparent their coin ace may be resumed. That disaster lias not already overtaken us furnishes no proof that "danger does not wail upon a continuation of the present silver coin age. We have been saved by the most careful management and unusual expe dients, by a combination of fortunate conditions, aud by a coulldcnt expecta tion that the course of tho government in regatd to silver coinage would bo speedily "hanged by action of congress, l'ro'iperity hesitates upon our threshold beci.dje of dangers and uncertainties surrounding this question; capital timid ly shrinks from trade, and investors aro unwilling to take the chance of tho ques tionable sh ipn in which their money will bo returned to them, while enterprise haltsat a risk against which caro and sagacious management do not protect. As a necessary consequence labor lacks ei!ipIoyment,"and suffering and distress are visited upon a portion of our fellow citizens especially entitled to the careful consideration of those charged with duties of legislation. No interest appeals to us so strongly for a safe and staple cur rency as the vast army of the unem ployed. I recommend tho suspension of compulsory coinage of silver dollars directed by the law passed in February, lt78. On tho Rlvora and tho High Soan. Tho steamboat inspection service on the 30th of June, 1SS5, was composed of 110 persons, Including ollicers, clerks and ncsseiigcrs. Tho expenses of the ser vice over tho receipts were 13S,S22.27 during the fiscal year. The special inspec tion of foreign steam vessels, organized under the law passed In 1SS2, was main tained during tho year at an expense of 300, 110. 30. Sinco the close of tho 11s cal year reductions have been made iu tho force employed which will result In a saving during tho current year of 17,000 without affecting tho cllicicncy of the service. Tho supervising surgeon-general re ports that during tho fiscal year 11,711 patients have received relief through marine hospital service, of whom 12..SU3 were treated iu hospitals, and 28,911 at dispensaries. Active aud effective ef forts have been mndo through the medium of tills service to protect tho country against an Invasion ot cholera, which has prevailed iu Spain and Frauce, and the small-pox which recently broke out in Canada. The most gratifying results have at tended tho operations of tho life-saving servico during tho past lUeal year. Tho observance ot tho provision of law re quiring the appointments of the forco employed in the service to be made "solely with reference to Ihelr fitness nnd without reference to their political or party ulllllatlons," has secured tho result which may confidently bo expected In any branch of public employ incut where such a rule Is applied. As a consequence this servico Is composed of men well qualified for tho performance of their dangerous and exceptionally Important duties. Tho number of stations In com mission at tho close of the year was 203. The number of disasters to vessels and crafts of all kinds within their Held of action was 371. The number of per sons endangered iu such disasters was 2,130, of whom 2,128 were saved, and only 11 lost. Other lives which wcro im periled, though not by disasters to ship ping, were also rescued, and n I'trgo amount of property was wived through the aid of this service. The cost of its mainteuaucc during tho year was 828, 171.13. Tho work of tho coast and geodetic survey was, during tho last fiscal year, carried on within the boundaries and off the coast of thlrtv-two Mates, two terri tories and the District ot Columbia. Iu July last certain irregularities wcro found to exist in the management i this bureau, which led ton prompt Investiga tion of Its method. The abuses which were brought to light by this examina tion and tho reckless disregard of duty and tho interests of tho government de veloped on the part of some of those con nected with tlio i-ervlce, made a change of superintendeucy and a few of Its other ollicers necessary. Since tho bureau has been in new bauds, an I troductlon ot economies aud applicatlou ot business methods have produced an Important saving to the government and a promise of more uscfulresults. Tills service lias never been regulated by any thing but most Indefinite legal enact ments, nnd the most unsatisfactory rules. It was many years ago sanctioned apparently for a purpose regarded ns temporary, and related to a survey of our coast. Having gained a place iu the appropriation made by congress, it lias gradually taken to Itself powers and ob jects not contemplated in its creation, and extended its operations until It sad ly needs legislative attention. So far ns a further survey of our coast is con cerned, there "seems to be propriety in transferring that work to the navy de partment. The other duties now In charge of this establishment, If they can not be profitably attached to some exist ing departmentor other bureau, should be prosecuted under a law exactly iletlu ing their scope and purpose, and with a careful discrimination between the scien tific Inquiries which may properly be as sumed by tho government, and those which should be undertaken by state sui thorlt es or by individual "enterprise. It is hoped that tho report of the con gressional committee heretofore ap pointed to investigate this and other like matters will aid in tho accomplishment of proper legislation on tills subject. Tho Department ot War. The report of tho secretary of war Is herewith submitted. The attention of congress is invited to tho detailed account which it contains of tho administration of his department, nnd his recommenda tions and suggestions for the Improve ment o! the service. The army consisted, at tho date of the last consolidated returns, cf 2,151 ollicers aud 21,705 enlbted men. Tho expenses of the epartinent for the fiscal year end ing Juno 30, 1885, Including 13.101, -391.00 for public works nnd river and harbor Improvements, were I5,S50, 999.51. Besides the troop which were dis patched In pursuit of the small baud of Indians who left their reservation in Arizona and committed murders and outrages, two regiments of cavalry and one of Infantry were sent last July to tho Indian Territory to prevent an outbreak which seemed" imminent. They re mained to aid if necessary in the expul sion of IntrMilers upon tho reservation who have caused thu discontent among the Indians, but the executive proclama tion warning them to remove was com plied with without interference. Troops were also sent toltoek Springs, iu Wyoming, after the massacre of Chi nese there, to prevent further disturb ances, nnd afterwards to Seattle, In Washington Territory, to avert a threat ened attack upon Chinese laborers, and domestic violence there. In both cases the mere presence of the troops had the desired effect, it appears that tho num ber of desertions have diminished, but that during the last fiscal year they num bered 2.927, and one instance is given by thu lieutenant-general of six deser tions by the same recruit. I am con vinced that tliis number of desertions cau be much diminished by better discipline and troalmcut, but the punishment should lie Increased for repeated offenses. These desertions might also be reduced by lessening the ternicf first enlistments, thus allowing a discontented recruit to contemplate a nearer dlsi-harge and tho army a profitable riddance after one term of service. A re-enlistment would lie unite apt to secure a contented recruit and good soldier. The acting judge .advocate general reports that the number of trials by general courts-martial dining the year was 2,32S, and that 11. 51 trials took place before garrison and regimental courts-martial. The Miggestiou that probably more than halt of the army have been tried for offenses great and small In one year may well ar lest attention. Of course many of these trials before garrison aud regimental courts-martial wero for offenses almost frivolous, and there should, 1 think, be a wav devised to dispose of these In a morn summary and less Inconvenient manner then by court-martial. If some of the proceedings of courts-martial which 1 have had occasion to examine present tho ideas of justice which gen erally prevail in these tribunals, I am satislicd that they should ho much re formed, if tho honor and the honesty of the army and navy arc. by tiielr liistru mentality, to be vindicated and pro tected. The board of formications or other do fenscs appointed in pursuance of. the provisions of tho act of congress ap proved .March 3, 18S", will in a short time present their iepnrt, and it is hoped that tills may greatly aid the leg islation so necessary to remedy the pies cut defenseless condition of our scacoast. The work of the signal service lias been prosecuted during tho last year with re suits ot Increasing benefit to the country The field of instruction lias been enlarged with a view of adding to Its usefulness. The number of stations in operation June 30, lss.i, was 1S9. 'lelegraphle reports are received dally from 100 stations. JCe ports nro also received from 75 Canadian stations, from 375 vol unteer observers, 52 army sur geons nt military posts and 333 foreign stations. The expense of service during the llscal year, after deducting receipts from military telegraph lines was 70,759,297. In view of tho fact referred to by the secretary of war that work of this service ordinarily Is of selen- tlllc nature, and tho further fact that ft is assuming larger proportions constantly and becoming more and more imsultcd to tho fixed rules which must govern tho army, l am inclined to agree witu nun in tho opinion that it should bo separately established. If this lsdoucthos2opQuud extent of its operations should as nearly as possible bo definitely prescribed by law and always capable ot exact ascertain moot . Tho military academy of West Point U reported as being iu u high state of efll eiency, and well equipped for tho satis factory accomplishment of the purposes ot Its maintenance. The fact that thu clasi which graduates next year Is an unusually largu one has constrained me to decline to mako appoint merits to second lieutenan cies iu thu army from civil life, so that such vacancies as exist In these places may he reserved lor such grauuates; ana yet it Is not probable that there will bo enough vacancies to provide positions for them all when they leave tho military school. Under tho prevailing law and usage those not thus assigned to duty never actually enter tho military service. It Is suggested that tho law on this sub ject bo changed so that Biich ot tlioso youug men as are not at once assigned to duty utter graduating may bo retained as second lieutenants in the army, If they deslro It, subject to assignment, when opportunity occurs, under proper rules us to priority ot selection. The expendi tures on account ot tho military academy or tho last fiscal year, exclusive of thd sum taken for its "purposes from appro priations for the support of the army, were 200,712.07. The act approved March 3, 1S85, de signed to compensate ollicers and en listed men for loss of private property while in tlie service of the United States, is so Indefinite- in its terms, and appar ently admits so many claims tho adjust ment of which could not have been con templated, that if it is to remain on tho statue-book It needs amendment. There should be a general law of con gress prohibiting thu construction ot bridges over navigable waters in such a manner as to obstruct navigation, with provisions for preventing the same. It seems that under existing statutes tho government cannot Intervene to prevent such a construction when en tered upon without Its consent. Thus It is represented that, while tho of ficers of tho government are with great care guarding against obstructions of navigation by a bridge across tho Missis sippi river at St. 1'aul, a large pier for a bridge has been built just below this place directly in tho navigable channel of the river. If Mich things are to be per mitted, a strong argument Is presented against the appropriation of large sums of money to Improve tho navigation of this and other Important highways of com merce. Tho Bocrotary of tho Navy. The report of the secretary of tho navy gives a history of tho operations of his department, and the present condition of tho work committed to his charge. Ho details iu full the course pursued by him to protect the rights of tho government In respect to certain vessels unfinished at the tljine of his accession to ofllco, and also concerning the dispatcli boat "Dolphin." claimed to bo completed and awaiting thu acceptance of tho de partment. No one can fall to see from tho recital contained In tills report that only the ap plication of business principles" lias been insisted upon in tho treatment of these subjects, and that whatever controversy has arisen was caused by the execution on tho part of tho department of contracts or obligations as they were legally con strued in the case of the "Dolphin," with entire justice to tiie contractor. An agreement lias been entered Into providing for tho ascertainment by n judicial inquiry of tho com plete or partial complianco with tho contract in her construction, and further providing for the assessment of any damages to which the government may he entitled on account of n partial failuro to perform such contract, or thu payment of the sum still remaining un paid upon her price in case a full per formance is adjudged. The contractor, by reason of ills failure in business, being unable to complete tho other thrcu ves sels, they wero taken possession of by the government In their unfinished con dition, under a clause iu the contract permitting such a course, and nro now iu process of completion iu the yard of tho contractor, but under the supervision of the navy department. Congress In its last session authorized the construction of two additional new cruisers and two gunboats, at a cost not exceeding in tho aggregate 2,995,000. The appropriation for this purpose hav ing boeWfno available on tho 1st day of July last, steps were at onco taken for the procurement of such plans for tho construction of these vessels as would bo likely to insure their usefulness w hen com pleted. Theso are of the utmost import ance, considering tho constant advance in the art of building vessels of this cliar ac or, aud tho lime is not lost which is spent iu their careful consideration nnd selection. All must admit the Importance of nn effective navy to n nation like ours, Hav ing such an extended sea coast to pro tect, yet we have not a single vessel of war that could keep the sea against a llrst-chiss vessel of any important power. Such a condition ought not longer to continue. Thu nation that cannot resist aggression is constantly exposed to It. Its foreign policy Is of necessity weak, and its negotiations are conducted with disadvantage, because it is not in condi tion to enforce the terms dictated by its sense of right and justice. Inspired as I am with thu hope, shared by nil patri otic citizens, that the day is not far dis tant when our navy will bu such as bellts our standing among the nations of tho 'earth, and rejoiced nt every step that leads In the direction of such a consum mation. I deem It niy duty especially to direct tho attention of congress to tho close of the report of tho secretary of the navy lu which thu humiliating features of the present organization of tills depart ment aro exhibited and the startling abuses and waste of his present method aro exposed. Tho conviction Is forced upon us with tho certainty ot mathe matical demonstration, that before wo proceed further iu tho restoration of a navy, wo need a thor oughly reorganized navy department. The fact that within seventeen years more than 75,000,000 has been spent Iu construction, repair, equipment and armament ot vessels, nnd thu further fact that instead of an effective and creditable licet wo liavo only the discontent and ap prehension of n nation undefended by war vessels, added to thu disclosures now made, do not permit us to doubt that every attempt to revive our navy has thus fur, for tho most part, been misdi rected, aud all our efforts iu that direc tion have been little butter than blind gropiugs and expensive, aimless follies. Unquestionably if wo aro content with thu maintenance ot a navy department simply ns nn ornament to thu government, a constant watchfulness may prevent some of tho scandal and abuse which have found their way into our present organization, nnd Its incurablu waste may ho reduced to tho mluiuiim; but if wo desire to build ships for present use instead ot naval reminders of thu duys that aro past, wo must have a depart ment organized tor the work, supplied with all tho talent and Ingenuity our country affords, prepared to tako advan tage of the experience of other nations, so systematized that all effort shall unite utid lead in ouo direction, and fully imbued with tho conviction that war vessels, though new, are useless unless they com bine all that the ingenuity ot man has up to tills day brought fourth relating to their construction.' I earnestly commend that portion of tho secretary's report de voted to this subject to tho action ot con gress, In tho hope th'it thu suggestions touching the reorganization of his de partment may bu adopted ns the Unit step toward tho reconstruction ot our navy. Tho Postofflco Department Tho affairs ot tho postal servico are exhibited by the report ot tho postmaster general, which will bo laid before you. The postal revenue, whoso rates ot gala