Presidents -- United States -- Messages; United States -- Politics and government -- Sources
From the Life-Saving Service it is reported that the number of
disasters to documented vessels within the limits of its operations
during the year was 437. These vessels had on board 4,608 persons, of
whom 4,595 were saved and 13 lost. The value of such vessels is
estimated at $8,880,140 and of their cargoes $3,846,380, making the
total value of property imperiled $12,726,520. Of this amount
$11,292,707 was saved and $1,432,750 was lost. Sixty-seven of the
vessels were totally wrecked. There were besides 243 casualties to
small undocumented craft, on board of which there were 594 persons, of
whom 587 were saved and 7 were lost. The value of the property involved
in these latter casualties is estimated at $119,265, of which $114,915
was saved and $4,350 was lost. The life-saving crews during the year
also rescued or assisted numerous other vessels and warned many from
danger by signals, both by day and night. The number of disasters
during the year exceeded that of any previous year in the history of
the service, but the saving of both life and property was greater than
ever before in proportion to the value of the property involved and to
the number of persons imperiled.
The operations of the Marine-Hospital Service, the Revenue-Cutter
Service, the Steamboat-Inspection Service, the Light-House Service, the
Bureau of Navigation, and other branches of public work attached to the
Treasury Department, together with various recommendations concerning
their support and improvement, are fully stated in the report of the
Secretary of the Treasury, to which the attention of the Congress is
especially invited.
The report of the Secretary of War exhibits satisfactory conditions in
the several branches of the public service intrusted to his charge.
The limit of our military force as fixed by law is constantly and
readily maintained. The present discipline and morale of our Army are
excellent, and marked progress and efficiency are apparent throughout
its entire organization.
With the exception of delicate duties in the suppression of slight
Indian disturbances along our southwestern boundary, in which the
Mexican troops cooperated, and the compulsory but peaceful return, with
the consent of Great Britain, of a band of Cree Indians from Montana to
the British possessions, no active operations have been required of the
Army during the year past.
Changes in methods of administration, the abandonment of unnecessary
posts and consequent concentration of troops, and the exercise of care
and vigilance by the various officers charged with the responsibility
in the expenditure of the appropriations have resulted in reducing to a
minimum the cost of maintenance of our military establishment.
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