Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1840-01-14
REPORT or THE SECRETARY
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- tho service from keeping The troops together
IN large masses The camp at Trenton. and
/ the concentration OF the regiments at Other
+ posts, during the past year. WAS attended with
saluiary effects. The secretary recommends
law providing lor llc enlistment of boys into
toe army rs well as into the navy.
Our soldiers, the secretary says, are better
paid, fed and clothed, and icorsc iode,a than
any troops n Europe and a regard ior ihciI
health, their morals and their discipline, re-
quircs that good barracks should be provided
wherever the troops are to be permanently
CHARTERED.
The collection of tho turbulcn, and hostile
tribes of Indians ON our Western frontier, re-.
quircs the speedy completion Of the chain OF
posts 30 that quarter
An examination into tho condition oltho do
fences of the country on the maritime frontier,
disclosed the fact. that they were unfinished
marmcd. and totally inadequate to protect tho
I harbors they were intended 70 guard. The
security aud honor of the country requires that
I they should be put in perfect state of defence
with as little delay as possible.
To render the army efficient, II IS necessary
TIC secretary thinks. 10 keep It together in large
masses, and that the garrison duty be performed
by small detachments, aided, in case OF need,
by the neighborng militia. 70 qualify the mi
D
- it tte.E- ---.is...ty er.isss 49, s.f ,..
The following plan Tor its organization has
been prepared and is recommended as one that
will diminish the burden of military service on
the citizen, and ensure the prompt application
of the national force TO the national defence.
II is proposed TO divide the United States
into eight military districts, and TO organize the
militia IA each district 50 as to have body OF
twelve thousand five hundred men in active
service and an equal number as a reserve.
This would give an active force of two hun
bred thousand men. The age ofthe recruit to
be from twenty to thir,y-scven the whole term
of service to be eight years-tour in the first
class and four in the reserve. One fourth part
to leave the service every year, passing at the
end of the first term into the reserve, and being
discharged from ordinary militia duty altogeth-
or at the end ofthc second. Twenty five thou
sand men would thus tie exempted from militia
duty every year and their places supplied by
like number OF new recruits. The remain
der at the militia only to be enrolled and mus
tered at long and stated periods, and only to
be called upon in case of imminent danger or
to repel invasion. The manner of enrol mcnt,
the number ofdays of service, and rate of com
pensation, together with the details of the sys-
TEN subject to regulation according to a plan
TO be submitted.
The eXper ence of the last summer has de-
monstraied the necessity OF prosecuting the
war in Florida until that country is freed from
the ruthless savages which possess it. Every
thing has been done by the officers and SOL
ders which could be expected considering
their limited means and the extensive field of
operations in whichthey have had to act Au-
thority TO raise one thousand men to serve du-
ring the war in Florida, and at its close 10 re-
ceive bounty in land is asked for. This is
rendered necessary by the unsettled state of
things on both our northern and western from
tiers, on each of which large force is requir-
ed TO be kept for the peace of the country.
Tho Importance of national foundry Is
again urged. and national "-'~''-'f~~'~'y y,
gdn-poWder recommended, II was ascertained
at the close ofthe last session of Congress that
there was not at that time sufficient supply
OF saltpetre or sulphur in the country for three
months supply OF our armies in cas-, of war.
The system of river and harbor improve
ments, requires revision Too many works
are authorised without sufficient examination
Many OF the artificial harbors are too small
some OF them are misplaced, and others have
been commenced with so little judgment, that
II would prove cheaper process to move the
town to n convenient position, than TO remove
the obstacles to the channel which leads UP to
1t.
The secretary bears testimony to the utility
OF the West Point Military Academy. The
condition OF the Institution is highly satisfac-
tory.
During the last six years the number of in
valid pensioners has increased from 1915 TO
1886 attributable chiefly TO the hardships en-
countered in the Florida war. The,number OF
pensioners of Revolutionary services, under
the act of 1915 is s2l5. The list ofponsioners
under the law of 1882 amounts to close. G2l
are on the roll Of those pensioned under the law
OF 1928 for the relief of certain officers and sol
dlers who served to the end OF the war. The
claims OF 1904 widows, exhibited under the act
of July 4, 1896, have been admitted, of whom
only 25l2 are now Supposed TO be living.
Under the law granting five years pay TO widows
OF revolutionary soldiers who were married
previous to 1894, 4l56 persons have received
pensions The total amount expended the last
year under the several pensions laws, is 5000,
GG1 go.
As the period is fast advancing when the
Indian population OF the states will be removed
10 permanent home it is subject ofdeep anx-
iety to determine on the most eligible plan foI
their government. The experience OF the last
/ year furnishes convincing evidence that some
/ thing must be done 10 prevent tho Indians as
somfied west ofthe Mississippi from DESTROYING
each other. The establishment oftribunals fol
/ the prompt trial and punishment of crimes
would, il is thought, restrain them from reach
1 crously numbering each other
4 THE COMMITTEES OF THE HOUSE.
The new Speaker has performed one Of hi,
most important duties m an admirable manner
We mean the appointment ofcommitteos. ;,
invariably has he behaved in This rtaftpr tIa