Democratic banner., 1849-12-31

advance OF our PoPuLo'Aon IA WA "N" N"
tricts, and the extension Of commerce, may
render psetssary. An estimate of the a.
mount whieh can be ad~vantageously ex-
nended Within the next fiscal year, under
the direction of the. Bureau of Topograph-
ical Engineers, accompanies the report Of
the Secretary Of War-to which l respect
fuIly invite tile attention of Congress.
The cessiOn of territory made by the late
treaty with Mexico, has greatly increased
u exposed frontier; and rendered its de-
fence more difficult That treaty has also
brought US under obligations to Mexico, to
comply with which a military force is re-
quisite; but our military establishment is
rot materially changed, as to its efficiency.
from the condition on which it stood before
the commencement of the Mexican War.
Some addition to it will, therefore, be
necessary, and | recommend to the favora-
bic consideration of Congress an increase
Of the several corps of the army, at our dis
tant Western Forts, as proposed in the &C
sompanying Report of the Secretary of
War.
Great embarrassment has resulted from
the effect upon honorable rank in the army,
heretofore given to brsyet and staff com,
missions. The views of the Secretary Of
War on this subjsct. are deemed impor-
tant, and, if carried into effect, will, it is
believed, promote the harmony of the SER
vice. The plan proposed for retiring disa-
blsd officers, and providing an Asylum for
such of the rank and file as, from age,
wounds and other infrmities, occasioned by
services, have become unfit to perform
their respective duties, is recommended as
a means Of increasing the efficiency of the
army, as an act o fjustice due from a CRATE
full country to the faithful soldier.
The accompanying report Of the Secre-
tary of the Navy presents o faithful and sat-
isfactory account of the condition and op-
e~rations ofthe naval services during the past
year. Our citizens, engaged in the legiti-
mate pursuits of commerce., have enjoyed
its benefits. Wherever our national ves-
sells have gone, they have been received
with respect. Our officers have been treat
ed with Kindness and courtesy, and they
have, on all occasions. pursued a course Of
strict neutrality, in accordance with the
policy of our Government.
The naval force at present in commission
is as large as is admissible with the num-
Der of men authorized by Congress to be
employed.
l invite your attention to the recommen-
dation of the Secretary Of The Navy, on the
subject of a reorganiza alton of the Navy in
its various grades ofoficers, and the estab-
lishnent of a retired list for such of the Of
fcers as are disqualified for active and ef-
Eective service. Should Congress adopt
some such measures as is recommended, il
would greatly increase the efficiency of the
Navy and reduced its expenditures.
also ask your attention to the views ex-
pressed by him, in reference to the employ
ment of war steamers, and in regard to the
contracts for the transportation o. the United
States mails, and the operation Of the sys-
tenn upon the Navy.
By an act CT Congress passed August IA,
1913, provision was made for extending the
Post Office and mail accommodations to
Californis ard Oregon. Exertions nave been
made to execute the law, but the limited
provisions Of the act, the ~insdequacy of the
means it authorizes, the i'll adaptation of
our Post Office laws to the situation Of that
country. and the measure Of compensation
for services allowed By those laws, compsr-
ed with the prices of labor and rents in.
California, have rendered those exertions,
in a great degree, Intellectual. More par
ticular and efficient provision by law is re-
quired on tins subject.
The act Of ls4S, reducing postage. has
now, BY its operation, during tour years,
produced results fully showing that the in
come from such reduction of postage is suf-
fcient to sustain the whole expense of the
services of the Post Office Department,
not including the cost of transportation in
mail steamers on the lines from New York
to Ohagres, and from Panama to Austria,
which have been considered by Congress
as properly belonging to the mail service.
1t Is submitted to the wisdom of Con-
gress whether a further reduction of post-j
tage should not now b. made, more par
Icularly on the Letter correspondence,
and should be relieved from the unjust bur-
den of transporting and delivering the
ranked matter of Cohgtess-for which
7 public service provision could be made
from the Treasury. l confidently believe
That = change may safely be made, reduce
mo All NlnnIa Iokkn, ri