The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1847-02-13

stant and approved on thai day will constitute an i'm
portant part OF our military force These regiments win
be raised and moved to the seat OF with the least
practicable delay
II will be perceived that this act makes no provision for
the organization into brigades and divisions of the in
creased force which IT authorizes, nor for the appon
ment of general officers to command it, Ii will be proper
that authority be given by law to make such organza
ton and to appoint, by and with the ady ice and consent
OF the Senate, such number OF major generals and
brgadier generals the efficiency of the service may
demand The number OF officers OF these grades now
in service not more than required for Their
specve commands; but further legislative action during
Your present session WILL in my Judgment, be required,
and to which it is my duty respectfully 10 invite your at
tentlon. 4fr. s. .-
Should the war, contrary 10 my earnest desire, be pro-
tracted to the close OF the term of service OF the
volunteers now In Aleyico, who engaged for twelve
months an additional volunteer force win probably be-
come necessary 70 supply their place Many OF the vol
unteers serving in Mexico is not doubted would
cheerfully engage at the conclusion OF their present
term, to serve during the war They would constl-
tute more efficient force than could be speedily OBJ
tanned by accepting the services of any corps who
might offer their services They would have the advan
tage OF the experience and discplineof years
vice. and will have become accustomed to the climate,
and be in less danger than levies of suffering from
the diseases of the country recommend therefore, that
authority be given to accept the services OF such of the
volunteers now in Mexico as the state of the public SER
vice may require, and who may, at the termination of
their present term voluntarily engage during the
war with Mexico, and that provision be made for
mssionng the officers Should this measure receive the
that bounty be granted to them upon their voluntarily
extending their term of service This would not only be
due to these gallant men, but would We economy to the
government because Z dischssgsd ne en s q the
heavy expense in bringing them back to their homes,
and in sending to the seat of corps OF fresh
troops to supply their place
By the act OF the thirteenth of May last the President
was authorized to accept the services of volunteers, in
companies baalions, squadrons and regiments, but no
provision was made for filling up vacancies which might
lxdp from Tho
of sickness other casualties In consequence OF this
OMISSION many OF the corps now in service have been
much reduced in numbers Nor was any provision made
for filling vacancies of regimenal company officers
who might die resign Information has been received at
the War Department of the resignation OF more than one
hundred Of these officers They were appointed by the
State authorities, and information has been received,
except in few instances, that their places have been
filled and the efficiency of the service has been i'm
paired from this cause To remedy these defects rec,
omnend that authority be given to accept the services OF
individual volunteers, to fill up the places OF such as
may die, or become unfit for the service and be dis
charged and that provision be also made for filling the
places OF regimenta and company officers who may die
resign By such provisions, the volunteer corps may
be constantly kept full, may approximate the maxi
mum number authorized and called into service in the
first instance
While it is deemed to be true policy to prosecute
the war in the manner indicated, and thus make the
enemy feel its pressure and its evils, shall be at all
times ready, with the authority conferred me by the
constitutions and with all the means which may be placed
at my command by Congress, to conclude Just and
honorable peace
OF equal Importance with energetic and vigorous
prosecution OF the the means required to detray
its expenses, and to uphold and MAINTAIN the public
credit.
med for the consideration of Congress the proprey OF
imposing, measure, revenue duties on some OF
the articles now embraced IN the free list The prlnci-
pal articles now exempt from duty from which any con-
siderable could be derived tea and coffee.
moderate duty these articles it is estimated,
would produce annually an amount exceeding two and
I,1f ,f l1ll,
when ample could be derived from duties other
articles for the support of the il may have
been deemed proper not to resort to duty on
these articles; yet when the country is engaged
in a foreign war, and all our resources are de-
manded to meet the unavoidable increased ex-
pendure in maintaining our armies in the field no sound
of the which may be derived from this
The objections which have heretofore existed to the i'm
position OF these duties were applicable to state OF
ever. engaged in a foreign war. We need money to
prosecute it. and to maintain the public honor and credit
cannot be doubted that the patriotic people Of the Uni
nit to the payment of this additional duty, any other
that may be necessary to maintain the honor OF the
try, provide for the unavoidable expenses OF the govern
ment, and to uphold the public credit II is recommend
ed that any duties which may be imposed these arti
cles be limited in their duration to the period of the
An additional annual revenue, it is estimated, of be-
tween half million and million of dollars, would be
derived from the graduation and reduction of the price OF
such OF the public lands as have been long offered
in the market at the minimum price established by the
existing laws and have remained unsold. And, in
addition TO other reasons commencing the measure
to favorable consideration, it is recommended
financial measure The duty suggested tea and coffee,
ana the graduation and reduction OF the price OF the pub
lie lands, would secure additional annual to
the treasury OF not less than three millions of dollars and
would thereby prevent the necessity Of mourning public
debt annually to that amount, the interest which
must be paid semi annually and ultimately the debt Il
self by a tax on the people.
Iii sound policy, and which has long been APP
proved by the government and people of the United
public emergency and then only for the smallest amount
which the public necessities will permit
The increased revenues which the measures
commended would produce would, moreover, enable the
government TO negotiate loan, for any additional sum
which may be found to be needed, with more facility,
and at cheaper rates than be done without them
Under the injunction Of The constitution which makes
my duty from time TO time to give to Congress nfor-
nation OF the state of the Union, and to recommend to
their consideration such measures" as shall be Judged
necessary and expedent," respectfully and earnestly
invite the action OF Congress the measures herein
presented for their consideration The public good
well as sense OF my responsibility to common
shtuents, in my Judgment, imperously demand that
and invoke favorable action upon them before the close
OF your present session. JAMES X. POLK.
WASHINGTON, Feb 10, 1917.
The reading of the message having been concluded,
Mr.. c. J. lNGERSOLL and submitted the follow
ing resolution:
day presented the House of Representatives relates
increase of military officers, be referred the Commit
tee on Military Affairs, much relates additional inn
post, TO the Committee on Ways Means, and much
relates the with Mexico to the Committee on For
eign Affairs with instructions to report thereon promptly
After few words from Messrs. THOMASSON and
WINTHROP, with regard to the actual number or
troops already authorized the resolution was agreed TO-
til