The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-12-31

mendation heroiefora nude 81 e Of the enactment Of
law declaring tslcny the part Of public officers TO i
ssr Elise entries in their books OF record account 10
make false returns, and also requiring them the erm
nation Of their service deliver their al
books, records, and other objects Of public nature n
their custody.
Derived as DOR pubfc revenue is in chief part from de-
ties on imports IL magnitude affords gratifying esideaee
"a the prosperity, not only Of commerce, but OF the
other great interests upon which that depends.
The principle that all moneys not required for the cur
rent expenses Of the should remain for active
employment Ia the hands OF the people, and the censpcu
Gus TACT tat the annual revenue from an sources exceeds
by many millions Of dollars the needed for pru
dent and economical administration Of public aharsl can
not fall suggest the pfopr.ty eff am osriy revision and
reduction Of the tariff 81 duties imports il is
generally conceded that the purpose Of alone
Justify the imposition OF duties imports that, in
adjusting tao mpost tables and schedules which iiqacs
tonaby require essential melEcsti6us departure from
the principles ofthe rrv.ent tariff is not anticipated.
The army during the past year, has been actively
gagged in defending indian frontier, Tho state Of
service permitting bat few and small garrison in per-
nanent fortiheaons The additional regiments author
lied at the last session Of Congress have been recruited
and organized, and large portion Of the troops haze
already been sen, to the field. All the duties Which de-
Volye the military establishment have been satsfac
ioy pcrfords ad ts dangers aud priyations incident
e the aatt0 Of the service required Of troops have
furnished additional evidence of their courage, zeal,
capacity TO meet any equision which their country may
make upon them. For the details of the military opera
tons, the distribution Of tbs tronps and additional pro-
visions required for 'Es military service, refer TO the
i. 49, y
documents.
Experiences gathered from events which have trsnspfed
since my last annual messages has bat served 70 confirm The
opinion then expressed Of tho propsey Of making pros
SON. by retired lst !og disabled tces and for increased
compensation to the officers retained onthe list for active
duty hlt the reasons which existed when these
were recommended former OCCASIONS continue without
modification except far circumstances have given
some OF them additional force.
The recommendations, heretofore made for a partial
reorganization OF the ARMY, are also renewed The thor
ough elementary education given TO those ofiiees, who
commence their service win TIE grade ~ cadet quail
es them TO considerable extent, perform the duties
OF every arm o. The services; but TO give the highest
efficiency to artillery requires the practice apd special
study OF many years; and il is therefore, Believed
be advisable TO maGtain in oc 81 peace, larger force
OF that arm than can be Usually employed in the duties
apparasnns 70 the service of field and siege artillery
The duties OF the staff in all IFS various branches belong
to the movements Of troops, and the efficiency of army
in the field would materially depend upon the ability with
which those duties are discharged II Is az 10 ire
of artillery, spccatY But reeuiroc also, intimate
knowledge of the duo Of officer of the line, and is
not doubted that, 10 complete the education Of officer
for either the line the general staff it desirable that
he shall have served in both. With this view, II
recommended former that the duties Of the
staff should be mainly performed by details from the line;
and, with conviction Of the advantages witch would
sutrom such change, II again Presented for the
sideration of Congress-.
NAVY. ~.
The report of the Secretary ofbo Navy herewith sub
med exhibits in ul the naval operations of the past
year, together VIII the present condition Of the service,
and 4 suggestions of further legislation, TO which
your attention is invited.
THE construction of the steam friga,cs for which
appropriations made by tho last Congress- has pro-
ceeded in the most satisfactory manner, and with sue
pedon to the belief that they will be eady for
service early Ia the coming spring Important es this id
don to oo naval force il, still remains inadequate to
the contingent eygences of the protection of the
sye coast and vast commercial interests of the United
States In view Of this fact, and of the acknowledged
wisdom of the policy Of gradual and systematic
OF the navy, appropriation arecesided iof the
81 strucon Of six steam, e'oors-oi-war.
In regard TO the steps taken execution of the act of
- AZ e.
cessnry for mo to say than 10 express entire
in the observations that subject presented by the
Secretary in his report
l, will be perceived by the report of the Postmaster Cen
ea that the gross expenditure Of the do.Ttment for the
last fiscal year nine million .ine hundred and sixty
eight thousand three hnored and orty.wo dollars, aud
the gross reas million three hundred and forty
TWO s.ousaid hundred and thirtysix dollars, making
of expenditure receipts Of two million SIX
hundred and twenty-sx thousand two hundred and six
dollars; and that the cost of mail transportation during that
six hundred and seventy four thousand nine hun
bred and ftytwo dollars greater than the previous year
Much Of the heavy expenditures to which the Treasury IS
thus subjected be ascrbed to the large quantity OF
printed matter conveyed by the nails either ranked or
liable postage by law, to very low rates OF post
dge compared with that charged letters; and to the
great Of mail railroads and by steam
es The suggestions of the Postmaster General the
subject deserve the consideration of Congress.
INTERIOR.
The report Of the Secretary of the Interior will engage
for the and Importance Of the subjects to which
, they refer.
The aggregate amount of public land sold during the
last fiscal year, located with military scrip land
rants, taken up under grants for roads, and selected
swamp lands by States, is twenty million five hun
dred and fifty thousand four hundred and nine
Of which the portion sold was fifteen million seven hum
dred and twentynne thousand five hundred and twenty
four acres, yielding in receipts the of eleven million
four hundred and eghtyve thousand three hundred and
eighty dollars. In the period OF time, eight million
hundred and twenty thousand eight hundred
and fyour have been surveyed; but in consdera-
ton Of the quantity already subject to entry additional
tracts have been brought into market.
The peculiar relation Of the general government TO the
District of Columbia renders proper to commend 10 your
not only its material but also its moral interests in
Guiding education, especially in those parts OF the
district outside OF the cities of Washington and George
town.
The commissioners appointed revise and codfy the
laws of the District have made such progress in the per-
Torrance of their task insure its completion in the
time prescribed by the act Of Congress
Information has recently boon received that the peace
OF the,seenens the Territories of Oregon and Wash
ngtonis disturbed by hostltes the part of the In
dans, with Indications Of extensive combinations of a
hostile character among the tribes in that quarter the
moro in their possible effect by of The
determined foreign interests existing iii those Territories,
to which your attention has already been especially in
ved Efficient have been taken, which, IL is
believed VIII restore quiet, and afford protection TO our
citizens.
Il In the Territory of Kansas there have been acts pro
cul to good order, but have occurred under
circumstances Justify the ntepostion Of the federal
4f-l..t