The New York Herald Newspaper, December 6, 1876, Page 3

, Guction. THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE Review and Vindication of His Administration. POSITION OF OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS. Tnjurious Effects of a Reduction in the Consular Service. CONDITION OF THE ARMY AND THE NAVY A Defence to the Charges Made Against Secretary Robeson. EXHIBIT OF THE POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT Naturalization and Expatri- ation Considered. An Educational Qualification for Voters Recommended. THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION. Benefits That. Would Have Resulted from the Annexation of St. Domingo. To THE Sexats axp House Or Representatives:— In submitting my eighth and last annual Message to Congress it seems proper that I should refer to, and in wome degree recapitulate, the events und official acts of the past eight years, It was wy fortune or misfortune to be called to the office of Chiof Executive withoutany previous political training. From the age of seven- ten I had never even witnessed tho cxcile- ment attending a Présidential campaign but twice antecedent to my own candidacy, and at but one of them was I eligible as a voter. Under such circumstances it is but reasonable to suppose that crrors of judgment must have occurred, Evon had they not, difference of opinion betwoen the Executive, bound by.an oath to the strictest perform. ance of his duties, and writers and debaters must have arisen. It is not necessarily evidence of blunder on the part of the Executive because thore are these dif- ferences of views. Mistakes have been made, os all tan sec, and I ndmit—but it seems to me oftencr in the selections made of the as- Vistants appointed to aid in carrying out the various duties of administering the government— in nearly every case selected without a personal Acquaintance with the appointee, but upon recommen- dations of the Representatives chosen directly by the people. Itis impossible where so many trusts aro to de allotted that the right partics should be chosen in tvery instance, History shows that no administra- Mon, from the time of Washington to the present, baa been free from these mistakes. But I leave compar. isons to history, claiming only that I have acted in every Instance from a conscientious desire to do what was right, coustitutional, within the law and for the very best interests of the whole poople.. Failures have been made resulting from errors ot judgment, but not of intent. THR SITUATION IN 1863. My civil career commenced too at ata most critical and difficult time, Less than four years before the country bad emerged from « conflict such as no other nation had ever sarvived. Nearly one half ot the Btates had revolted against the government, and of those remaining faithful to the Union a large per- centage of the population sympathized with the rebe! lion and made an “enemy in the rear” almost as cangeroug us the, moro hovorable cuemy in front. Tho latter committed errors of judg- ment, but they maintained them openly und courageously; the former received the protection of the government they would see destroyed, and reaped all the pecuniary advantage to be gained out of the then existing state of affairs, many of them by obtaining contracts and by swindling the govern- mentin the delivery of their gooas, JONSON'S ADMINISTRATION, Immediately on the cessation of hostiiities the then noble President, who mad carried the country so far through its perils, fell 4 martyr to his patriotism at the hands of an assassin, The intervening time to my first inauguration was filled up with wranglings be tween Congress and the new Executive as to the best mode of “reconstruction,” or, to speak plainly, as to whether the control of the government should be thrown immediately into the hands of those who had so recently snd persistently tried to destroy it, or whetber the victors should continuo to have an equal voice with them tn this control. RECOSSTRUCTION, Reconstruction, as finally agreed upon, means this, and ouly this, except that the late slave was en- franchised, giving an increase as wi upposed to the Union loving and Union supporting votes, 1! freo in the full senso of the word, they would not disappoint this expectation, since at the beginning of my first administration tho work of reconstraction, much em- barrassed by tho Jong delay, virtually commenced. It was the work of the legislative branch of the covern- ment My province was wholly in approving ther acts, which I did most heartily, urging the Legisia- tures of States that hal not yr aone 80 to ratify the fitteenth amendment to the conativu- tion, The country was laboring under an enormous ot contracted in the suppression of the rebellion, and taxation was 80 oppr Vo as to discourage pro- Another danger also threateued ua; a for- eign war. Tho last difficulty had to be adjusted and was adjusted without a war, andiu a manner highly honorable to all partics concerned, RRDUCTION OF THE DEET. The taxes have been reduced within the last seven years nearly $200,000,000, and the national debt has ‘been reduced in the samo time over $435,000,000 by refunding tho six per cent bonded debt for bonds bearing five and four and one-half per cent. in- terest respectively, The annual interest has been re- duced (rom over $130,000, 000 in 1869 to but little over $100,000,000 in 1876, The balance of trade has been changed from over $10,000,000 against the United Btates in 1869 to more than $120,000,000 in its favor im 1876. Its confidently believed that the bainnce of trade ip favor of the United States will iacrease, not diminish, ‘and that the pledge of Congress to resume specie pay- Tent in 1879 will be easily accomplished, even in the absence of much desired further legislation on the sabject, INDIA POLICY. ‘A policy bas been adopteu toward the Indian tribes inbabiting @ large portion of the territory of the United States, which has been humune, has substan- tally ended Indian hostilities in the whole lard except in a portion of Nebraska and Dakota, Wyoming and Montana Territories, the Binck Hills region and ap. proaches theroto, Hostilities there have grown out of the avarico of tae white man, who has violated our treaty stipulations in his seareh for guid, The ques- tion might be asked why the government bas not enlorced obedience to the terms of the troaty prohibit- ing the occupation of the Black Hills region by whites, The auswer is simple. The fret emi grants to the Block Hills were removed by troops, bat rumors of rich divcoveries ot gold jook ito that region ihereased numbers, Goid has actually been foand in paying quantity, and an eflort yo remove the miners would only result in the deser- Mon of the bulk o/ tho troops that might be sent there Jo remove them. Aijl dificuity in this matter has, however, been removed, subjoct to the approval of Congress, by atreaty ceding the Biack Hilis and ap- proaches tosettiemont by citizens, The subject of the Indian policy anc treatment is so fully set torth by { | | torily pertormed. NEW YORE ‘HERALD, “WED NESDAY. ‘DECEMBER 6, 1876-“QUADRUPLE ‘SHEET. the Seeretary of the Intcrior and the Commissioner of Indian Afairs in their reports, and my views are so fully expressed thereic that 1 omit further reterenco to the subject, and | refer to the reports and recom- mendations as my own. OUR FORKIGN RELATIONS. The relations of the United States with forelgn Pow- erscontinue on a friendly footing. Quéstions havo arisen from time to time tn the foreign relations of the government, but the United States have been happily free during the past year from the complications and embarrassments which have surrounded some of tho foreign Powers. The diplomatic correspondence sub- mitted herewith contains information as to certain of the matters which have occupied the government, The cordiality whieh attends our relations with the Powers of the earth has been plainly shown by the general participation of toreign nations in the Exhibi- tioa which has just closed, and by the exertions made by distant Powers to show their interest in and Inendly tvelings toward the Untied States in the com- memoration of tho Centennial of the nation. The gov- ernment and people of the United States have not only fally appreciated his exhibition of kindly but it may be justly and fairly expected that no small benefits will rosult, both to ourselves and other na- Mons, from @ better acquaintance and u better appre. ciation of our mutual advantages and mutual wants, THE FOREIGN BERVICR. Congress, at its last session, saw fit to reduce tho amount annually appropriated fur foreign tutercourse, vy withholding appropriations for Pepresentatives of the United States in certain foreign countries and for certain coneular officers, aud by reducing the amounts Usually appropriated for certain other diplomatic posts and thus necessitating change in the grade of the representative, For these reasonF, immediately upon the passage of the bill making appropriations for the diplomatic and consular service for the pre ent fiscal year, instructions were issued to tho, representatives of the United States at Bolivia, Ecuador and Columbia and to tho consular officers tor whom no appropriation had becan made, to close their respective legations and conéul- ates and cease from the periormanee of their dutics, and in like manner steps were immediately taken to subsiitute chargés d’afluires for ministers resident in Portugal, Denmark, Greece, Switzerland aud Para. guay. While thoroughly impressed with the wisdom of sound economy in tho foreign service a8 in other branches of the government, I cannot oscape the ovn- clusion that in some instances the withholding of up- propriations will prov in expeusive econ- omy, aud thas tho small retreuchmont se- cured by a change of grado in certain diplomatic pests 16 not an adequate consideration tor the loss of jutluence aud importance which will attend our lor. eign representatives under this reduction. I am of tho Opinion that a re-examination of the subject will euusy a change iu some instances in the conclusivns Teacbod on these subjects at the last session of Con- gress, THR ALABAMA CLALIB. ~ The Court of Comunesioners of Alabama Claim: Whoso lunctions were continged by uo act of the last session of Congress uatil the 1st day of January, 1877, bas carried on its labors with ene and general satislacuion, By areportirom «# clerk of the Court, trausmitted herewith, bearing date November 14, L576, it appears that within the time now allowed by [uw the Court will have disposed ot all tho claims prosented lor adjudication. Ibis report also contaius a statement of the general results of the jabors of the Court to dato thereof, 1t is « source of satisfaction that the method adopied for the satisiaciton of tho ciusscs of claims submitted to the Court, which are of loug standing and justly evtitled to early consideration, should prove suo- ‘ceasiul and acceptable. TUR BOUNDARY COMMISSION, 11 is with satisfaction that 1 am otiabled to stato that tho work of the julut comwission for dotermiuing the boundary tne between the United States and the Brit- isl possessions, [rom the northWest angle of the Lako of the Woods to the Rocky Mountuips, commenced tn 1872, bas been completed. Tue final agreoments of the Commissioners with the maps have been duly signed, und tue work of the commission 1s complete. The tix. ing of the boundury upon the Pacific coast by tno protocol of March 1, 1873, pursuant tu the uward of the Emperor of Germany by article 34 of the Treaty of Washington, with tho termination of the work of this commission, adjusts and fixes tho entire boundary between the United States und the British possessions, excey.t tho portion of territory ceded by Ruxsia to the United States under the treaty of 1807, ihe work intrusted to the Commissioner and the officers of the army at- tached to the commissien has been well and satisiac- ‘The original of the final agreement of the Commissioners ned upon the 20th of May, 1876, with Che original “st of astronomical stations ebserved,” the orginal official “list of monumnents murking the jntervational boundary line,” and the Maps, records nd generul reports _reiating to the comnussion huve been depositec ia the Depart- ment of State, ‘The official report of tho Commussivnor on the parcof the Umted States, with ‘the report of the Chief Astronomer of the United States, will be submitted to Congreas within a short time, EXTRADITION. 1 reserve for a separate communication to Congress a statement of the. condition of the questions which lately urose with Great Britain respecting the surren- der of fugitive criminals vader the Treaty of 1842 ‘THE OTTOMAN TREATY. The Ottoman government gave notice, under date of January 15, 1874, of ix desire to terminate tne treaty of 1862 concerning commerce and navigation pursuant to the provisions of the twenty-second article thereof. Under this uotice the treaty terminated upon the dih day of June, 1876 That government has invited ne- gotiations toward the conclusion of a new treat; By the act of Congress of March 23, 1874, the President was authorized when he shvuld reee.' atisiactory information that the Ottoman governmont or that of Egypt bad organized new tribunals hkely to secure to Citizens of the United States tno same impartial Justice enjoyed under the cxereiso of judicial functions by diplomatic and consular olficers of the United States, to suspend the operation of the act of June 22, 1860, and to accept for citizens of the United States the jurisdiction of the new tribunals, Satisfactory in- formation baving been received of tho organization of such tribunals in Egypt, I caused a proclumation to be tssued on the 271 of March last suspend- ung the operation of the t of June 22, 1860, in Egypt, according to the provisions of the act rf co! of the proclamation accom- panies this Message. Tho United States has united with the otner Powers in the organization of Ubese courts It 18 hoped that the jurisdictional ques- tions which have arisen may be reudily adjusted, and that this advance in Judicial’ reform may be hindered by no obstacles. THE HAWANAN TREATY. The necessary legislation to carry into effect the convention respecting commercial reciprocity con- cluded with the Hawanan Islands in 1875 having been had, the proclamution to carry into effect the conven- tou as provided vy the act gree August 15, 1876, was duly issued upon the 9th day of September tast. A copy thereol accompanies this Message. COMPLAINTS AGAINST MEXICO. The commotions wh'cu have veen prevalent in Mexico for sume time past and which unhappily seem to Le nos yet wholly quicted have led to complains of citizens of tho United States of injuries by persons im authority. It is hoped, however, that these will vitimately be adjusted to the satisiuction of bos gov- erumeats. The trontier uf the United States in that quarter has not been exempt irom acts of violence by citizens of one republic or those of the other. The trequency of these is suppoxed to be facreased = and their adjustment made more diticult by the considerable chavgo im the course of the lower part of the Riv Grande River, which river isa part of the boundary between the two countries have piaced on side of the rive jons of laud which by ex! conventions belong to the jurisdictiow of tho govern- meant Ou the opposite side of the river, The subject of the adjustment of this cause ot difficulty ls under cou- sideration between the two republics. The government of the Unlied States of Colombia bas paid tbe award in the caso of the mer Montijo, ized by the authorities of that government some Years siuee, and the amount bas been trausterred to the claiman| THR MEXICAN COMMISSION. Tt is with satistac tuatlam able to announce that the joint ry jor the adjustment of claims between the United States and Mexico, under the Cun- vention of 1868, the duration of which Las been several tumes extended, bas brought its Jabors tu a close, From the report of the agent of the United States, which uccompauies the papers transmitted here- with, it will be seen that wihin the time limited by the commission 1,017 clams on the part of citizeas of the United sStaica saint Mexico wero | referred to the commission. Of these claims 831 were dismiased or disallowed, aud 1m 186 cases awards were made in favor of the claim- ants against tue Mexican Repdolic, amounting in the aggregate to $4,125,622 20, Within the same period 9US ciaims on the part pf citizens of the Mexican Re- pavlie against the Unwed States wore referred to the commission. Ut! these claims 831 were dismissea or disallowed, and in 167 cases awards were made in favor 91 tho claimants stthe United States amounting in the aggregate 1,498 41. By the terms of the Conveution the amount vl those awards is to be deducted frum the amount awarded in favor ol our citizens against Mexico, und the balance only to be paid by Mexico to the United Statos, leaving the United States to make provision fur tots proportion of the awards in favor of its own citizens, I invite your attentivn to the Jegisiation which will be neces- ‘sury to provide for the payment, THANKS TO BIR KPWARD TNORNTOX, In this connection | am pleased to be the acknowledgments vo sir Ed given to the is suMItted und that tair- weil kuown to belong ive of Great Britain, and which are hkewise recoguized by the representa- tive in this country of the Republic of Mexico, THM VENERUBLAN CLAIMS, Monthly payments of a very small part of the amount due by the government of Venevuela to citi- zeus of the United States ob account ot clams of the Jatter against that government continue to be mado with reasonable punctuality, That government bas proposed to change the system which tt has bitherto pursued in this respect by issuing bonds for part Ane amount of the several claims. The propomtion, however, could pot, it is supposed, properiy be ac- cepted, at Jeast Without the cuusent of the holders or certivicates of the indebtedness of Venesuela These aro Bo much dispersed that it would be difficult, 11 not wen to ascertain their disposition on the sub- | ect, NATURALIZATION. In former messages 1 have called the attention of | to the necessity of legisiation with regard to ralization and to the subject of ex- atrial id the election of nationality. The num- rs of persons of foreign birth seeking a home in the United States, the ease and facilixy with which the honest emigrant may, after the lapse of a reasonable tune, become possessed of all the privileges of citizen- sbip of the Unitea states, and the frequeat occasions which induce such adopted citizens to return to the country of thoir birth, render the subject of natural- vzation and the safecuards which experience has roved necesst for the protection of the onest naturalized citizens of paramount importance. | The very simplicity in the requi: ents of the law: on this question affords opportun want of uniformity in the th ious courts and in the sorms of the cert.ticates of naturalization issued allord a constant source of diMeulty. 1 suggest no the acquisition of cit! isting, but I invite the earnest attention of Congress vo the necessity and wisdom of some provisions re- garding uniformity in the records and certificates, and providing against the trauds which frequently tke place, and for tne vitiating of a record ‘of naturalization obtained by fraud. These provision are pocded In aid and for the protovtion of the honest cituzen of foreign birth and for tho want of which he is made to Buffer not inirequently, RXVATRIATION, The United States has insisted upon the right of ex- patriation and has obtained after a long struggle an Admission of the principle coniended for by acquies- | cence therein on the part of many foreign Powers and by the conclusion of treatics on that subject. It is, however, but justice to the government to which such naturalized citizens bave ‘formerly owed anilegiance, as well as to the United Stater, that certain tixed and definite rules thould be adopted governing such cases, and | providing how expatriation may be accomplisied. White emigrants in large numbers Lecome citizens of | the United States, it is also true that persons, both native born aud paturalixed, once citixets of the United states, either by 1ormal acts or as the effect of aseries of Incts and circumstances, abandon their Citizenship aud cease to be entitied to the protection of the United States, but continue, ou convenient occa- sions, Lo nesert a claim to protection in the absence of provisions va these questions QUESTIONS RELATING TO CLiTZBNSHIP, And in this conueczion | agata inviie your attention to tho necessity of legislation conceroing the Tages of Americau citizeus contracted abroad, cohocrning the status or American women, who marry foreigners, and of children born of’ Amerivan parents in # lurergt country. The delicate and evin- plicatea questions continually occurring, with reter- ence to naturalization, exputriation aud tno status of | sucb persons as | have avove referred to imduce me to earnestly direct your attention again to Jeets. CLAIMS OF ALIEN, In like manner | repeat my recommendation that some weans be provided tor the hearing and cetermina- tion of the just and subsisting claims of alions upou the government of the United st within a reasouaple Imitation and of such a8 way horeafter arise, While by existing provisions of law the Court of Ciaims may iD certain cases boresorted to by analen ciaun- ant, tho absence of any goueral provisions gov- erning all such cases and the want of a tmbunal ied om the disposition of such causes upon recognized, fixed und settled principles, either provides ‘no romedy in many deserving cases or compels a consideration of such claims by Congress or the executive departments of the government. It tg beheveu that other governments are in advance of the United States upon this question, aod thatthe prac- tee now adupted is entirely unsatistactory, THR STATR OF COLORADO, Congress by an act pc etter the Sd day of March, 1875, uuthorized the inhabitants of the Territory of Coidrado to form a State government with the namo of tho State of Colorado, and therein provided for the ad- miesion of said State, when formed, mto the Union upon an equal looting with the orginal States, A ijom having dven adoptod and ratified by the people of that 5! a the acting Governor having certified to mo the facte-ns provided by sald act, to- gether with a copy of suoh constitution aud ordinances us provided for iu the said act; and the provisions of the said act of Congress having been duly complied with L issued a prociamation upon the lst of August, 1876, a copy of which 18 bereto annexed, THE ARMY, The report of the Secretary of War shows that the my has been actively employed during the year in subduing, at toe request of the Indiau Bureau, certain wiid bands of the Sivax lado nation, and tn presery- ing the peace at the South during the election, Tho cotmmission constituted under the act of July 24, 1876, to consider and report on the whole subject ot retorm and reorganization of the whole crmy in August lust bas collected a large murs of statistics and optolons bearing upon the subject betore it. Theso aro now under consideration, and that report is progress- ing. Lam advised through the president of the com- mission that it will be imprecticable to comply with the clause of the act requiring the report to be presented througn me to Congress on the first day of this session, as there has not yet been time for that maturo deliberation which the importance of the subject demands Theretore, I ask that the time of making the report be exteuded to tn th day of January, 1877. Tu accordance with the resolution of August 15, 1876, the army regulations prepared under the act of Murch 1, 1875, have not been promulgated, but are beld antl ter the report of the above-mentioned commission been received und acted on, . ot of August 15, 1876, ihe cavalry force of tho my was increased by 2,500 men, with the proviso that they shouk! be discharged on the expiration of the hostilities, Under this authority the cavalry regiments have been strengthened, and a portion of them are pow ju the fleld, pursuing the remaunts of the Indians with whom they have been engaged during the summer, KSTIMATES OF TUE WAR DEPARTMENT, Tho estimaes of the War Department mado up on the basis of the number of men authorized by law and their requirements as showa by years of experi- @nce, anu alvo with the purpose ou the part of eau officers to provide for all contingencics urise during the time for which u estimates aro made, exclusive of engincer esti- mates, are presented in accordauce with acts of Con- gress, calling for surveys and estimates for improve- ments at various localities. Tho cstimates now pre- seuted are about $6,000,000 in excess of the appropri- ations for the yeurs 1874-75 and 1875-76. This in- crease ts agked tn order to provide for the increased cavalry force should their vices be necessary; to streperlsp economically work upon important public uildings; to provide tor armament of fortitications ond inanufacture of small arms and to replenish the working stock in the Supply Department. The appro- priations for theso last named the past few years beon so limited that the accumulations in store will be ovtirely exbausted during the present year and it will be nécessary to at ouce begin to ro- plenish them. RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR. I invite your special attention tu the following re- cow mendations of the Secretary of Wa First—That the claims under the act of July 4, 1864, for supplies taken by tho army during the war be re- moved trot the offices of the Quartermuster and Com- missary Generals and transierred to the Southero Claims Commission. These claims are of a precisely similar nature to those new before the Southern Clanns Commission, and the War Department burewus have hot the clerical force for their examination nor proper machinery for investigating the loyalty of the ciaim- ants, Second—That Congress sanction the sehemo of an anneity tund jor the benetit of the famiiies of deceased officers, aud that it ulvo provide for the permanent or- gauization of the Signal Sérvice, both of which were Tecommended in my Jast annual Message. Third--That the inanufacturing operators of the Ora. mance Department be concentrated at three arsenals and an armory, and that the remaining arsenals be sold and the proceeds applied to this object by the Ordnance Department. RIVER AXD HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS, The appropriations tor river and harvor improve- meuis for the current year were $5,015,000, With my approval the Secretary of War directed that ot this atnount $2,000,000 should be expended and 10 pew work shoud be begun, and bone prosecuted which Was Not of national noportance, Subsequently this amount was increased to $2,237,000, and the works aro now progressing on (his basi the improvement of the South Pass of the Mississippi River under Jomes B. Kads and his assoctates is progressing favor- ably, At the present time there i a chan- uel of twenty and tiree-tentha — feet in depth between the jetties at the mouth of the pass, and eighteen und a balf feet at the bead of the pass, Neither channel, however, bas the width required ve- fore paymeuts can be made by the United dtatea A comuuission of engineer officers is now examining works, and their reports will be presonted ag s00n as received, THE NAVY, Tho report of the Secretary uf the Navy shows that braach of the service to be 1b acoudition as eflective as it te poseibie to Keep it with the means aud authority the department It is, of cuurse, not possiplé to rivul the o and progressive estublisb- ments of great Europewn Powers with the old material of our navy, to whieh no increase bay been authorized since tho ight wmall cruisers built to piace of others which had gone to decay. ost has been done that was possible with the meunsatcommand, and by substaghally rebuiiding vome of our old ships witn durable material, und completely repairing and refitting our monitor ficet, tue navy has been gradually so brought up that, thoagh it does not maintain its relative pos tion among the progressive navios of the worid, it is now in a con- dition more powerful and eflective than it ever bas been in thine of peace. The cowpieie repairs of our five heavy iron-cla: only delayed on accoant of the ibadequacy or p> propriations made last year tor the working bureaus of the department, which were actually fess in amount than (hose made belore the war, notwithstanding the greatly enbaaced price of labor and materials und the increase in the cost of the naval ser- vice growing out of the universal use and great expenso of steam machimery. The money necessary for these repairs should be provided at once, that they may be completed without further un- necessary delay and expense. When this is done ali the strength that there fein our navy will be developed and made useful to ite fall capacity, and it will be pow- erful tor purposes of defence and also for offensive action—should the necessity for that arlse—within o Feasonabie distance from our shores, SECRETARY KONESON DEFENDED, The fact that our navy js not more modern than te has been = made against the Secretary oO the sane bis endeavors to navy that we have to its best and most efll- Ps sense of the country will rT ally doe to his practical action this time any effective naval force at THE POST OFFICE DRPARTMENT, Tho report of the Postmaster General shows tho ox- cess Of Oxpenditures, excluding expendiiares on nc. count of previous years, over receipts for the fiscal year ended Juve 30, 1376, 10 be $4,191,455 86, Ext nated expenditures for the iiscal year ending J une 30, 1878. Estimated revenue tor the samg period. . $36,723,432 30,645,165 Leaving an estimated excess of expenditure ed as a deficiency ol, $6,078,267 ostmaster General, hke his predecessor, convinced that a change in the Uasis of adjusting U salaries of postmasters of the fourth class us necessary for the good ot the service, ax well as for the interests of the government, and urgently recommenus that the compensation of the class of postmasiers above mentioned ve based upon the business of their respec- tive offices, u# ascertained from the sworn returns to the Auditor or stamps cancelled. SOUTHERN POSTMAYTERS IN DANGER. Ajew postiasiers in ihe Southern States have ex- pressed great apprebension of their personal safety, On uccount of their conneetion with the postal servic and ba’ reports ot preben danger sh public lest it should result in the loss of their hves, But no posi lve testimony of interference has been submitted ex- cept in the cuse of 4 mail messenger at Spartanburg, in South Carolina, who reported that be had beeu vi0- mails on ai levtly driven away while in charge ot th count of bis poiitical alfiliation, An as tendent of the railway mail service investig case and reported that the messenger bad dis from his post, jcavivg his work to be performe substitute. The Postinaster General thinks Ub # suilleientiy suggestive to justity bim in ree ing that a more severe puurstment should be provided for the oflence of assiulting any person in charge ot the mails or of retarding or otherwise obstructing them by threats of personal :njury. REDUCTION OF DEFICIENCY, A very gratifying result is presented in the fact that the deficieacy of this department during the inst fiscal year was reduced to 34,081,700 1S, as agaist 169,938 88 of the preceding year, The difference W be traced to the lurge increase in ite ordinary re. WS OF tha Post Oilice Department for tue Post s.Ven fsval years ave increased at au average of over eight per ceut per annum, While the iucrease of exponditures for the gine period has been about 5,50 per cent per annum, and the decrease of deticiency in the revenues has been at the rate of neurly two per cont per anuam., AGRICELTURK, The report of the Commissioner of Agriculture ac- companying this Message will ve found one of great Interest, niarking, A¥ it does, the great progress ot the last century in the variety of products of the suil; i eased Knowledge and skill in the lubor uf produc. ihg, #*Ving aud manipulating the same to prepare them Jor tue use O. man; in the Improvements In machinery to ald the agriculiurist in tis labors, and in a knowi- edge Of the xcientitic subjects necessary to a thorough aystem of economy th agricultural production, namely :—Chemistry, botuny, entomology, Xc. A study of this feport by those interested in agricuitore, and deriving their support from it will find it of vaiue in poiuting Out those articles which re Taised in greater quantity than the needs of the world requir, and must sell, therefore, lor less than the cost Of production, and those which command a protit over cost of production, because there 1s nolan over pro- duction, 2 call special attention to the need of the department for a new gallery for (be reception of (ho exhibits re- turned from the Contennial Exhibition, imciuding the exnibits dovated by very many foreign nations, and to the reco:inmendations oi the Commissioner of Agri- culture generally, REPORTS OV DISTRICT OFFICIALS, The reports of the District Commissioners and the Bosrd of Hoalth ure just received, tuo late to read them and to make recommendations thereon, aud are herewith submitted, THK INTERNATIONAL EXIIMITION, Tho International Exhivition, held in Philadelphia this year in commemorativn of the one hundreuih anniversary of American independence, has proved a t suceess, and wilt, uo doubt, be of enduring ad- we to the couvtry. It has shown the great prog- in the arts, sciences and mechanical skill made in aw single century, and comonstrated that we are but little behind older outions tn any one branch, while m some we scarcely have a ri It has served, tov, not ‘only to bring peoples and prod: ucts of skill and labor from ull parts of tho worid together, but im bringing together people from all secions of our OWa country, Which must prove a great bencilt in the m.ormation imparted and the pride Of country eugendercd, It has been suggested by scientists interested in and covnected with the Sunith- sonian Institution, in a communication herowith gp- cloged, that the government extid:t by removed to the Capiiol and a suitable building be erected or purchased for its accommodetion as a permanent ex! T car. hestly recommend this, aud, believing that Congress wouid secoud this view, | directed that all government exhibits ut the Centennial Exuibition should remain where they aro except such as might be injured by re- mainiog 10 a building not iuteudea as a protection in inclement weatner, or such ax may bo wanted by the department furnishing them until the question of petmanent exhibition is acted oa. Althoagh the moneys appropriated by Congress to cuable the participation of the several executive de- partments in the Loiernational Exhibition of 1876 were hot gullicient to carry out the u aking to the full extent at first contemplated, it gives mo pleasure to reler to the ery ellicient aud creditable manner in which the Board appointed from those several departments to provide av ox- hibition on the part of tho goverument bave discharged. Welndoties with the tupds placed ut their command. Withput a precedent to guide them in the preparation of such a display the success ol their labors was amply attested by the sustained attention which the con- tents of the governineut building a'tructed during the period of the exhibition, from both foreign and bative v.sitors, I am strongly impressed with the value of the collection made by the government for the purpose of the exibition, illustrat- ing, a8 it docs, the mineral resources of the country, the staustical and practical evidences of our growth as a nation aud the uses of tho mechanical arts and tbe applicutions of applied science in the adaunis- tration of the affairs of government Many nations have voluniarily coutributed their exhibits 10 the United Stutes to increase the interest in any perm: beat exhibition Congress muy provide ior, For this act of generosity they should receive the thanks of the people, and I respectiuily suggest that a resola- tion of Congress to tuut effect be adopted. THE KLKCTION OF PRESIDENT. The attention of Congress canuvt ve too earnestly calied to the necessity of throwing some greater sate- guard over che method of choomng *#nod deciaring tno election of a President, Under the present system there seems to be nv provided remedy tor contesiing the election in any one State. The remedy ta partially, no doubt, in the enlightenment of electors, The cuin- " pulsory support of the ireé@ scbools aud the d siran- chivement uf all who cannot read and write the English language after a fixed probation, would meet my hearty approval. I wouid not make this apply, howuver, to those already voters, but I would to alt Decoming so alter the expiration of the pro- bation “fixed upod, —- Foreiguers coming to. this country to become citizens who are educated in their own ianguage would acquire the Tequisté knowlouge ol Ours during the neceseury rest- dence to obtain naturalization. Ll they did not take evough Mnterestin our language to acquire suilicicnt Knowledge of 1 to onabie thein to stuvy the imstitu- Vions aod laws of the country inteiligently | would wot couler upon them the might to make such laws nor to select those who do. SYNOPSIS OF KVENTS, 1 append to this Message, for convenient reference, 8 synopsts of administrative events and of all recom: mendations to Cunyress made v7 me during the list seven years. Time may show some of tueae recom. mendations not to have been wisely conceived, bur I believe the larger part witl be nu aiscredit to the ad- ministration, THE ST, DOMINGO TREATY. One of these recommendations met with the united Opvosition of one political party in the Senate aud Witt a strong opposition trum the other—nam<ly, the treaty for tue anuexation of St. Domingo to the Untied States, to which I guail specially refer, maintaining, as ldo, that if my views bad been concurred m the country would bein a more prosperous condition to- day, Doth politically and finaucialiy, St Domingo 18 fertile, dnd upon its vo may be grown just ‘howe tropical provucts of which the United States use xO wnuch and whicu are producea and pre- pared for market now vy slave Iabor almest ex- clusively—numety, sugar, colfee, dyewouds, ma+ hogany, tropieal traits, tobacco, &c. About seventy- live per ceut of the exports vf Cuba are consumed in the United States. A lurge percentage of the exports of Brazil also fud the same market. These are paid jor almost exclusively in coin, legislation, particularly in Cabu, boing unfavoravie to a matnal’ exchango of the products of each country, Flour vd Irom tho Mississippi to Havana can pass by the very entrance to the city on 18 way to A portin Spain; then pay a duty xed upon articles to be re-exported, be transierred to a Spanish vessei and brought vack usmost to the point of stariug, paying a xecuna duty, aud sul have a profit over What would be received by direct shipment. Ail that is produced in Cuba could be produced in St. Domingo. Beinga pare of ihe United States, com- merce between the island and mainland would be free; there would be no expurt duties o2 ber shipments nor mmport duties on those comicg her. There would be no import dutics upon the supplies, machin- ery, SC, going Irom the States, The effect that would buve been produced upon Cuban commerce with these advantages to @ rival js observ: at a glance. The Cuvun question would have been settled long ago in favor of “tree Cuba;"? hundreds of Americun vessels would Bow be nuVuutageously used tu transporting tho valuable woods and other products of the soil of tue island to a market, and in carrying supplies and emi- grants to it, The island is but sparsely settiod, wiile 1% hae on area Mliciont lor the profitable employment of several miiiions 01 people, The soil would have soon fallen into the hands of United St capitalists. The products 80 Valuabie in commerce th igration there w bi veon encouraged. The ctnancipated race of sho South would h. foand there a congenial homo whero their civil rights would not be disputed and where their labor would be so much sought alter that the poorest among them could have found the means to go, Thus in cases of oppression apd crueliy, such as has praciwed upon them im many places within the last eleven y whole communi! sought refa; in 8t Domingo. pore the whole rave would have gone, nor Is what they should, Their labor 13 desirable, indispensable, almost where they now are, he possession of this territory would havo left the negro “waster of the situation’ by enuviing him to demand his riguts av home on the pain of finding them else- whero, 1 do not preecnt these views now as a recommenda. tion fora renewal of the subject of annexation, bat 1 do owe Vo it to Vindicato my previous action in regard to ie, AN END OF OFVICIAL LIFE. With the present Congross my oficial life termi- natos, Tt 18 not probable that puvlic affairs will ever ugain receive attention from me further than as a fede sagt the bade bole Henkin | Joe 4 interest in the honur, int and prosperity of tho whole land. nena prospeny S. GRRAN Exacutive Manstox, Dee. 6, 1876, ! POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT, The Annual Report of the Postmas- | ter General for 1876, eee SATISFACTORY EXHIBIT OF AFFAIRS, A Reduction of Over Two Millions in the Deficiency. THE CONTRACT SYSTEM REVIEWED. The following is a comprehensive summary of the Postmaster General's report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1876, as presented to Congress yesterday ;— The expenditures of this department dur- ar ended June 30, 1576, $38,263,487 OPdiNATY PECEIPES. 6 es cere ee B28, 405,426 Kecepis trom money order busivess, os wee 190,770 Amouut received Irom the gen- eral Treasury ax sums ape Propriated io steamship MUS voce eevee aoe 537,500— 29,181, Excess of expenditures over receipts... lncluded im the above statement of expenditures is the sum of $467,90L paid oo liabilities incurred iu previous fiscal years and not properly chargeable lo the expenditures of the lust fiscal year, Deduct ing this sum from the aggregate amount, the actual expenses ior the year were gz, 796,186, The expenditures and receipix oi tho department, therelore, on account of and upperteiuing to the busi- ness of the lust tixeal year (excluding expenditures on account of previous years) are as follow, to wil:— Expenditures $82,796,186 Receipts, ord: business, ++ 28,644,197 Leaving an excess of expenditures over apu above departmental receipts of,,., $4,161,988 Tbe expenaitures during the fiscal year were $525,196 more than bose of the preceding year, aud $8, 700,646 ieas than the estimates theretor, The ordinary reveipts tor the year were $1,782,208 (or 6.26 per cent) more than thoxe of the preceding year, aud $35,541 (or 0.11 per cent) more than the cst. nutes theretor. here was drawn trom the Treasury during the fiscal y y Year on uppropriations— For steamship service to Japan and China. $500,000 For steamship service to Brazil.. ‘i 37,500 ‘Yo supply deficiencies in the revenues ior the year ouded June 80, 1876. 4,000,000 To meet velicicneies of previous 651,029 Jo pursuance of act of Cougress (private, No, 12) of Juno 23, 1876.....0... 53 Total The © x year cuding Juno 30, 1878, are. Tile ordimary reveuucs are csti- mated at seven per ceut over the past fiscal year, making, .. $30,445,165 Estimated revepue trom money order business. .... 200, 000 Total estimated revenuo for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1878, $5,088,583 mn #4006 $36, 723,432 20,045,165 Estimated excess of expenditures to be ap- propriated out of the youeral Treasury us a deliciency... seeee $6,078,267 Ot the appropriations for deficiencies there were un- expended va June 80, 1875, the foliowing amounts :— For fiscal year ended June 30, 1871, For tiscal your ended Juno 30, 1 For tiseul year eudod June 30, 1 For tscal year ended June 30, 1374 For tiscal yur ended June, 80, 1379, Amount appropriated tor fiscul’ ‘your rr we 8 of 6,853,705 Total. During the past fiscal year the following umounts were drawn on account of paymunte for provious tls: cal years, viz -— For tscal year of 1870-71 For tigeal year of 1871-"7 For fiscal ye For tiscal your of 1875~ 533,488 4,000,000 $4,551,029 Amount of deficiency appropriations un- drawn and available lor payments of im. debsedness to June 30, 1876. Against the above sum thero 6 abiv the following unsettled accounts, esti mated :— Balunce due foreign countries, ...... $12,000 Mail service under contract oF revog- nized nut yet reported lor paymeut 989,069 Mail service unrecoguized,...,... 3od024 $5,104,462 1,354,004 Leaving, after settlement of all Habilities to Juue 80, 1874, a net bulance on dot ciengy appropriitions of, $3,760,808 POSTAGE STAMPS, STAMPED ENVELOPES AND FosTAL CARDS IisUKD, Tho number of ordinary postage stamps is- sued during the past tiscal year was 69S, 790,090, Valued At. ......eeeee +318, 773,454 Newspaper aud periodical stamps, 1,200,347 9452 Stamped envelopes, plain, 82,467,000 Stamped envelopes, request, 64,554,600 Nowspuper wrappers, 18,495,750. Postal cards, 15u,815,000 Otticial postage stamps, Oiligial stamped envelopes 19,690,155 Aggregating 1,049, 797,507 seveeeeeres $20,955, ‘Tue tollowing table stows the iperexso in sLamps of ali kings, stamped cuvelupes, newspaper wrappers, ‘aud postal cards over tne provious yoar:— 4 ed aia, 21 Fiscal Year| Fiscal Year| Increase. Ended Ended —. - {June 80,76, | Sume 80, "75. | Value, Ordinary - postage] H stamp! | $18,778,454] $18,271,479] $501,075 Stampo vpes, plain... | 2,280,318] 2,040,113] 24,207 ed = onvel request...) 2,079,57¢| 1,791,656} 287,802 Nowspaper wrap: | pers aiy 286,079) #12,050 Nowspaper ans pertodica, stamp: 129,252 Postal cards. 481,990 Total, after de. ducting for de: crouse 0 item of news- paper wrap pers, c = as Otlierl ‘stamps, pee and slampe. euvelopes anuj wrappers. 1,002,042] 1,189,492! he Deduct tor crouse tu last WOM sed vevs 4 - 96,550 Aggregate. .] $26,063,421] $26,477,610] $1,470,010 * Decrease A The amount of postage coliccted during tho year, Quder the act of Congress approved Juue 23, 1874 (which took effect January 1, 1875), on newspaper aud periodical publicutions mailed to regular subscribers oF Lews agencies from known offices of publication, commouuly knowa as second el: maticr, was $1,014,164, derived frot 39,444,599 pounds of ‘master at 2 cenis per poond, and 7,508,743 pounds at 3 cents per pound. Fhe amount collected during the six months ending June 30, 1876, was $486.44 Tho in- crenso ta theruiore at the rato of 941,207, or 4.24 por cont peranoum, The operations of the Dead Letter Office may be brielly summerized as follows :—fotal pumber of letters received during the year, 3,542,404, classified thus:—Ordinary mail letters, 2,356,194; local or drop, 444,000; of domestic origin’ returned from foreign countrics, 108,682; foreign origin, 195,500; returved to post oflices by proprie. tors of botols, 45,136; held for postage, 307,559. mnisdirected, 69,797; sUip, 2,884; withoat adare 6.040, 7 registered letters; 26,740 contained $41,447 1m money, 12,043 contained commercial paper to the value of $1,754,648, $40 contained deeds, mortgages, leases, railroad and other passago tickets, pension certificates wud bank books ; 37,054 contained postage stamps, 31,418 cuntained photographs, 20,267 contained jewelry, clothing, books, ehromos, masic, merchandise, &c, ; 25,788 contained receipts, bills of lading, allidavits, abstracts of title, paid notes and cance obligations of ali sorts, Tho whole number ot ered letters received, including 201 trom t fiscal yoar, was 6,748, of whieh 6,422 were delivere The amount of mooey takou from letters which could hot be restored to the owners was $6,002 CONTRACTS. There wero \n the serviow of the department on tho 80th of Sune, 1876, 6,126 contractors for the transpor- tation of the muils on public routes, There were at the close of the year 1,718 special offices, each with a mail cartier, whose pi allowed to exceed the of the office. © werd 9,003 (ot ereguting in length 251,798 tation, 136,269,708 wilos; in annaal coat, $15,201, 1 Adding the compensation of railway post ofiice clerks, route agents, mail route messengers, local ageats and mail messenger: amounting to 159,008, the uggregate annua! cost will be $18,861,048. The servico, was divided a8 follows:—Kuilroad —_routes—-Ldog'h, 72,48 mili ann transportation, 77,741,172 miles; ai cost, $9,543, 134—aboat 14.27 conte per le, Steambout routes— Long 4,853 mites; aunual transportation, 3,704,533 mi gal 465— avout 16.37 cents per mile. Otner routes, upon which the mails are required to bo conveyou with “‘colerity, cortainty and security” —Length, 194,507 miles; an- Dual traneportation, 64,824, miles; annual cost, $6,061, 641—about 0.41 ecuts per mie. There was av in- Av 1b length of roates of crense over the nreceding | | numberi 3,925 miles; in anna! transportation, of 2,447,498 miles aud a deorcase in cost of S162.224 Adding the increased cost lor raiiway post office elerks, route, local .107, the total increase cont Ww be railroad routes have been in creased in length 2,265 miles aud im cost $326,616, agunst an increase last year of 2,349 miles in lengst and $626,855 in cost. INKS AND DROUCTIONS. The amornt of foes imposed upon contractors, and deductions made from their pay for failures and othet detinquencins, for the year was $122,563, and the atmount remitted during (he same period was $13,085, leaving the bet amount of fines and deductions $109,477. MAIL MAGS, LOCKS AND KEYS. The total number of mail bags purchased and put Into service Was 104,74, of which 80,980 were for the trapstmission of printed and third class matter, aod SI4 were chiefly for the transmission of letters oF first class matter, Phe total cost of mail bags aud mati cateners, including repairs, labels, ke, amounted to $208,847, Compared with was an increase of 23,744 m: catchers, and of $22,099 in the total cost of mail bagt and malleatehers durimg the last fiscal year, The total cost of n locks aod keys was $16,720, MAIL DREREDATIONS, During the year ended June 30, 1876. 291 persons rested for violations of the postal laws und regulations, and given tm charge to the United sta authorities for trial, with the following results, viz -— Convicted, 1 acquitted, 11; otherwise disposed of, 48; awating trial, 1 Total, 201, recorded complaints during the year he 108s or rilling Of 6,726 tetlera, im money, bonds, drafts, &c., 2,155 were registered, valued at 1 unregistered, valued at $150,108, A letters reported missing 833 x1 for, and 764, valued at as actually lost, Of the 764 lout were male good and of the 658 orted rifled 2f contents, valued at aggregating in value $1, 1 restored to the owners. Casca sin in the bands of the special ageuts under Investigation, The whole number of let- tere registered throaghou Jnited States dari the year ended June 30, 18 exhibit shows an actual loss of only 1.049, reported 106, valued $ rozistered letter avout 26-1,000 of L per cent, or 2 3-5 for every 10,000 regia tered letters mailed. RAIL ¥ PORT OFFICK LINES. ines in operation tiree, extendi ‘The number of on the 20th of Jai over 17,71 line and of 781 miles compared with the preceding y The number of clerks employed was 1,04: an pe cost of $1,275,040; an increase of 141 clerks and 155,700, The postal union treaty, which went into operation atthe commencement vi ‘the fiscal year, hne greatiy situplilied the operatiens of our postal exebanges wita European countries; ax, under its provisions, country retainy to its excl which ive use allthe pustay it collects. Ali postage accounts on correspondence reciprocally exchanged yn «postal union countries bave been discontinued, and therefore no record has been kept of the’ number of amounts of postage ther The total weights of t mails despatcied from the United Staies to Postal Union countries during the year were as follows: —Lete ters, 95,984,186 grams, equal to 3, 386,103 ounces: printed matter and samples, 366,552,456 grams, equ to 12,985,398 ounces—being au increased weight over 1875 of 155,063 ounces of letters aud 1,727,067 ounces of printed matter and samples, The cust of the United States transatiantic mail steamship service for they ar 1376 was $172,343, be fog a reduction of $55,755 from the cost of the sa service for the your 1 The payments made to ti respective steamship lines carrying mails to Europe Wore as follows: —Cunard line, for 51 trips from Now York and 41 trips trom Boston to Queenstown and Liverpool, $43,627; Hamborg-Americun Packet Com- letters exchanged or t od r , for 39 trips irom New York and 14 bt ag from Pmiadelphia to Plymouth, Cherbourg and Ham- burg, $ North German Lioyd of Bremen, for’ 63 '\rps trom New York and 2f trips trom Baltimore to Kou ttanss tia and Bromen, $25,680; Liverpool and Great Western (Williama & Gulon), 39 trips from New York to Queenstowo and Liverpool, $24,874; White Star line, tor 33 trips from Now York to Queeistown and Liverpool, $17,084; In- man line, for 19 trips from New York to Queenstown and Liverpool, $9,z81; Canadian’ line, tor &3 trips te Liverpool, $3,603; Anchor line, for 51 teipa trom Now York to Glasgow, 2 1 Transatlantic Steam- ship Company, lor conveying mails from New York to Havre, $2, American Steamship Company, tor 4¢ tripa trot Philaueiphia to Queenstown, $1,996; Netheriands Stean Navigation Company, for 6 trips trot ae York to Rottersum, $2, making a total of $172,843, ‘the payments made to the respective transatlantic lines, on account of transportation of the British and French closed mails trom New York to Europe, were $12,516. ‘Tho United States postages on mails conveyed ta and from the West Indics, Panama, Central America, Brazil, Mexico, Bermada, Nova Scotia, New Granada, Venezuela and Honoluiu, at the reduced rat b hshed trom July 1, 1875, amounted to $119,617. and the cost ot the sea conveyance thereol was $45,436. ‘The United States postages ‘ou malls ¢: Japan aud China, by means of the subi direct mail steamers, amouuted to $18,679 The total cout of the United Stutes o mail stcamsbip service for the yeur 1876 (including $937,600 paid trom special appropriation tor steamship service to Japay and China and to Brazil) was $755,279, being a reduction Of $21,356 (rom the cost of the sume service for the your 1875, APPOINTMENTS. The report of the appuiutinent office shows the fol- lowing:—Numoer of post oltices established during the yeur, 1,993; number discontinued, 1,157; increase, 830; number in operation June 80, 1874, 36,547; num. ber in operation Junu 30, 1876, 30,383; pumber Mile by appointments of the Presiuent, '1,568; number tilied vy appointments of the Postmaster’ General, 34,815. Appointments were made during the yoa Un resignations and commissions expired, 5,140; on removals, 1,045; on chuoges of uames and sites, on deaths of postmasters, 333; on estabiiehment pow oflices, 1,998 Total uppoimtwents, 8,762 Num ber of cases acted on durimg tbe year, 10,114, The nuwber and aggregate compensation of special agents, route agebts, nail route messengers, railw: post ollice clerks and local agents 1p service during the year ouded Juno 30, 187%, were:—Forty three special agente, $142,061; 1,042 railway post oflice rk: $1, 1,014 route agente, $975,280; 219 ma! route messengers, $145,610; 137 iocal agents, $104,910, Total, 2,458, Total amount, $2,646,2 ‘The number of employ és in the Pust Oilice Depart oxtinasters, contractors, clerks in poss oftiocs, ents, railway post ollice clerks and other ofll- cors In service June 30, 1875, and June 3, 1876, re- spectively, were 51,177 im 1875 and 62,864 in 1876, The general resuits of the tree delivery service dur. ing tho year ure satisfactory. The post on local matter exceeded the entire expenses vy $84,376. VOSTAL MONEY OKDKR SYSTEM, Attho close of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1875, the number of domestic mouey order offices was 3,401, The number ot new offices established during the fol- lowing year was 805 aud the number discontinued waa pine, Ihaking « total of 3,697 ollices in opperation Ju 30, 1876. During the last fiscal yeur 4,998,000 do: tic money orders were issued, Whose uggregate val wus $77,035,072 73, ihe number of such orders paid was 4,047,035, amounting in value to $76,632,571 45, Yo the vtal amount of orders paid is we be added $473,767 40, the amount of orders | repaid to remitters, making the total payments $77,106,333, and tho excess of the payments over the issuca, $70,368, ‘The (oral amount uf fees recerved by pustinasters for the issue of domestic money orders was $045, 699, The foregoing statement of the year's transactions, when compared with that of the precoding y shows & dec je Of $395,277, oF o1 alt of une per cent, In the amount of orders issue decrease of $282,782, or threg-tenths of one por cent, in the amount of orders pald, and o gain of $152,687 of thirty-one per cout, In the amount of fees received. SALARINS OF POBTMASTERS, lI renew tne recommendation of my predecessor tm his last annual report tor a change im the basis of ad. jJusting the salaries postmasiers at fourth class olives, Prior to July 1, 1874, tho salaries wero maiuly upou the amount of stamps cancelled; bul since then, by acts of June 23, 1874, and July 12, ‘1876, commissions have been allowed ou the revenges, which are derived mostly from the sale of stamps That the change was nut correct in principle must be apparent upon reflection, and that it has not been udvaptugeous to the department is demonstrated vy experience, The old plan was the more equitable one, for the reason that the stampa eaneciled in @ Post Offco represent the amouut of tavor performed in andl mattcr for iling, while the sule of stamps 18 no test of the work required of the postmaster, der that postinusters were required to render sworn statemente of the amouut of stamps cancelled tor a fixed apd the sales of stamps shown in the quarterly ac: counts current operated as a check upon these stute- as, uncer 4 legitimate mode of doing basiness, there uust ordinarily bv a near correspondence between the amount of stamps sold and the amount cancelled, Unger the preseot system there ia nothing io « poste ster’s retar’ ect improper sales, have beiore me a het of tity offices, hastily so- u twhich the regate compensation for the two ‘sqending Jane 80, 1874, under the old law was §. Zit ced for the tWo ‘8 ending June 1570, Goder the new luw, $64,061, or an average $242 to each office ander the former, and of $1,28L under the latter, and - croase of $1,035, or 423 per cent. Ni all of those oflices, which are bus representatives of their kind, in close proximity to some city, and, from already been explained, the reasons for seach ‘go ixcrease will be reudily apparent. It has been Irequently tound that an outgoing postmaster bas nog- lected or retused to turn ir to jeversor the stamps remaining ia his hands, proferring to account for ther as sold, and thas getting the commissions al- Towed by law. by afterward setling the stamps to the pablic be would wctually receive the the offlee while the new work. ‘There is ample evidence in the establish the provalouce of the abuso in forins that have been suggested, STRAW mvs, During the last fiseal year the loss and annoyanee to the department occasioned by the Vicious system of + raw bid: ost wholly disappeared. In ali vases fajlute by bidders to execute contracta of jaw and by contracto: to their contracts, suits were prom, Sheie bonds and pressed to tipal ju Der of failures was less than in long period of time past, and the loss ment resulting th be stuted that the failures were ne greater in namber or atnount than aould naturally oc cur under the most stringent law that could be enacted. ? ._ REDUCTION OF FAT TO RAILROA! Tho cost of iniand mast was 60 materially by the gress, at its last session, that] attention to tt, altho it dows not oF the opera tong of this department to perform service according ly commenced om