Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1856-01-10

10 tae sum OF SoU,4lO,UUO. II
The amount of the public debt at the COM
mencement of the present fiscal year was forty
million five hundred and eighty-three thousand
six hundred and thirty-ope dollars and de-
duction being made of subsequent payments,
the whole public debt of the Federal govern
mcnt remaining at this time, is less than forty
million dollars. The remnant of certain other
government stocks, amounting to two hundred
and forty-three thousand dollars referred to in
my last message as outstanding, has since been
paid.
l am fully persuaded that it would be diff
cult to devise a system superior to that by
which the fiscal business of the government is
conducted. Notwithstanding the great num-
Der Of public agents of collection and disburse-
ment, it is believed that the checks and guards
provided, including the requirement of month
ly returns, render it scarcely possible for any
considerable fraud on the part of those agents,
Or neglect, involving hazard of serious public
loss, to escape detection.
i renew, however, tho recommendation here
tofore made by me, Of the enactment of law
declaring it felony on the part of public officers
to insert false entries on their books of record
or account, or to make false returns, and also
requiring them on the termination of their SER
vice to deliver to their successors all books and
records and all other objects Of public nature
in their custody. Derived as our public reve-
nue. is, in chief part of duties on imports, its
magnitude affords gratifying evidence of the
prosperity, not only of our commerce, but also
the other great interests upon which that de-
pends.
The principle that all moneys not required for
the current expenses of the government should
remain for active employment in the hands OF
A., 10 E,pt hat ba
annual revenue from all sources exceeds by ma
ny millions of dollars the amount needed for the
prudent and economical administration of the
public affairs, cannot fail to suggest the propri-
ETY. of an early revision and reduction of the tar
if of duties on imports. 1t is now so generally
conceded that the purpose of revenue alone can
Justify the imposition of duties on imports, that
tho impost tables and schedules unquestionaby
require essential modification. a departure from
the principles Of the p escnt tariff is not antcl-
pated.
ARMY.
q The Army during the past year has been ac-
lively engaged in defending the Indian frontier
the state OF the service permitting but few and
small garrisOns in our permanent fordcations
The additional regiments authorized at the last
session of Congress have been recruited and or
ganized, and large portion of recruits have al
ready been sent to the field. All the duties
which devove on the military establishment
have been satisfactorily performed and the
dangers and privations incident to the character
of the service required of our troops, have fur
nshed additional evidence of their courage, zeal
and capacity to meet any requlsitlon which their
country may make upon them.
For the details Of the military operations, the
distribution Of the troops, and additional pro
visions required for the military service, refer
to the report of the Secretary OF War, and the
accompanying documents.
Experience, gathered from events which have
transpired since my last annual message, has but
served to confirm the opinion then expressed OF
the propriety of making provision by retired
list for disabled officers and for increased com
pensation to the officers retained on the list fol
active duty. All the reasons which existed
T when these measures were recommended on or
5 mer occasions, continue without modification OK
cept so far as circumstances have given to some
| Of them additional force
The recommendations heretofore made for a
partial reorganization of the army are also re
: newed. The thorough elementary education
given to those officers who commence their ser
J vice with the grade Of Cadet qualities them t(
a considerable extent to perform the duty Of ev
efficiency to artillery, requires the practice anC
special study of many years and it is no
\ therefore, believed to be advisable to maintain
in time of peace a larger force Of that arm thar
: can be usually employed in the duties appertain
ing to the service of the field and siege artillery
The duties of the Staff in all its yariou
branches belong to the movements of troops
!, and the efficiency Of an army in the field woul,
! materially depend upon the ability with whicl
these duties are discharged. 1t not, as in th
:. case of artillery, speciality but requires alsc
= an intimate knowledge of the duties of an off
. Ger of the line, and it is not doubted that t.
: complete the education of an officer for eithe
the line or the general Staff it is desirable tha
: he shall have served with both With this view
it was recommended on former occasion tina
: the duties of the Staff should be mainly per
formed by duties from the line and with tn
conviction of the advantages which would re
u suit from such a change, it is again presented
y for the consideration Of Congress
NAVY.
4 The report of the Secretary of the Navy, here
a with submitted, exhibits in full the naval oper
a atons of the past year together with the pres
"a ent condition of the service; and it makes sug
! gestions of further legislation, to which you
"A six steam frigates for which appropriations wer
A. made by the last Congress, has proceeded in th
l. most satisfactory manner, and with such expe
dition as to warrant the belief that they vii
be ready for service early in the coming spring
g. Important as this addition to our naval fore
= is it still remains inadequate to the contingen
A. exigences of the protection of the extensive Sc
of coast and vast commercial interests of the I'm
"a ted States. In view of this fact, and of th
II acknowledged wisdom of the policy of gradui
"a and systematic increase of the Navy, an apprt
~ priation is recommended for the construction
of six steam sloops of-war.
t. In regard to the steps taken in execution
y the act of Congress to promote the efficiency
90 the Navy, it is unnecessary for me to say mo
v than to express entire concurrence in the obse
ic vations on that subject presented by the Seer
n, tary in his report.
r. POST OFFICE.
ht 1t will be perceived by the report of the Pos
g. master General that the gross expenditure of tt
5, Department for the last fiscal year was SO ,96S
y 342, and the gross receipts 81 ,342, l36-makir
IL an excess of expenditure over receipts Of 81
he 626 ,206; that the coast of mail transportatit
r during that year was 1914, 1852 greater than Il
IN previous year.
n Much of the heavy expenditures to which II
in Treasury is thus subjected is to be ascribed
is the large quantity Of printed matter convey
hit by the mails, either frankei or liable to !
ed pastago by law, or to very low rates of postaa
compared with that charge on letters, and
r- the great cost of mail service on railroads al
b. by ocean steamers. The suggestions of the Pos
r. master Gnneral on the subject deserve the CO
IS sideration Of Congress.
bv INTERIOR.
IN The report Of the Secretary Of the Inter
We will engage your attention, as well for the us
ar full suggestions it contains as for the intere
Al. and Importance of the subjects to which the
he refer. The aggregate amount of public lar