The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1856-01-25
Concluded from last week. )

ARMY.
The army during the past year, has been ac-
,vely engaged in defending the Indian frontier
athp state of the service permitting but few and
small garrisonS in our permanent futihcations
The additional regiments authorized at the last
session OF Congress have been recruited and or
ganized, and large portion of the troops have
already been sent to the field. All the duties
which devolve on the military establishment
have been satisfactorily performed and the dan
gers and privaiionS incident to the character of
the service required Of our troops, have furnish
ed additional evidence ofthpir courage. zeal and
capacity 10 meet any reqaistloU which their
country may make upon them. For the details
Of the military operations, the distribution Of
the troops, and additional provisions required
for the military service, | refer To The report of
the Secretary OF War and the accompanying
documents.
Experience, gathered from events which
have tFanspIred since nv last anual message,
has but served to confirm the opinion then eX-
pre,sed Of the proprety of making provision,
by retired list, for disabled officers, and Tor in-
creased compensation for the officers, re-
tained on the list for active service. Al; the
reasons which existed, when those measures
We're recommended on former occasions, con-
tinue without modification, except so far as Cur
cumstances have given 10 some Of them addi-
tional force.
The recommendations, heretofore made for a
partial reorganization Of tie army, are also re-
nrwed The thorough elementary education
given to those officers who commence their SER
vice with The grade Of cadet. qualities them, to a
considerable extent, TO perform the duties of ev-
cry arE Of the service bat' to give the highest
efficacy to artillery, requires the practice and
special study Of many years: and il is not, there
tJre, believed to be advisable 10 maintain, in
tine Of peace, larger force Of that arm than
can be usually employed ia the duties apprttain-
ing 70 the service Of field and siege artillery.
The duties OF the slad in all lis various braa-
Ch1S belong to the movements Of troops and The.
efficiency ofan army ia tba Grid would matrri-
ally GePend upon the ability with which those.
dullrs are discharged. II is net, as in The case
OF the artillery, speciality, tnl requires. also.
an intimate knowledge The dnties of an officer
otthe line, and it is not doubted that, TO com
pIete the education ofan officer for eiiher th.
llne Or the General staff. il is desirable that he
Shaii have Spr"ed in both enfitf -: -
was fpcommrnded on former occasion that the
duties of the staff Should br mainly performed By
details from the line; and, With conviction Of
the advantages which would result from such
change, it is again presented for the consIdera-
ton Of Congress.
NAVY.
The report OF the Secretary Of Che Navy, here
with submitted exhibits IN far the naval ope
ratjons ofthe past year, together with the pres
ent condition Of the service, and il makes sug-
-estious of further legislation, 80 which your
attpntion is invited.
The construction Of the six steam ffigatpS, for
which appropriations were made by the last
Congress, has proceeded an the most satisfactory
manner, and with such exprdiion, as to war
rant the belief that they wii be ready for SER
vice early in the coming spring. Important as
this addition to our naval force is, il still remains
inadequate to the contingent eXIgencieS OF the
protection OF the extensive sea coast and vast
commercial interests of the NJTnited States. 10
view ofthis fact, and fthe acknowledged WIS
dom ofthe policy of gradual and systematic
':ncrease Of eAe navy, an appropriation is recon-
nrnded farfbe construction of SiK steam sloopS
ot-war
In regart'to the steps taken in execution of
The act Of Congress 10 promote the efficiency Of
the navy, it is unnecessary for me to saw more
vations on than sabject presented by The Secre-
tary ia his report.
PoST-oFFICE.
il will be perceived bv the report ofthe Post
master General, that the gross expenditure oi
the department for the last fiscal year was une
million nine hundred and sixty-eight thousand
three hundred end forty-two dollars, and the
gross receipts seven million three hundred and
torty-two Thousand one hundred and thihy-sS
dollars, making an excess Of expenditure over
receipts Of two million SIX hundred and twentg
SIX honsand two hundred and six dollars and
that the cost of mali transportation during that
year was six hundred and spventy-fonr thousanc
nn- hundrel and tifty-two dollars greater thar
the previous year. Much of the heavy expen'
dtu!es TO which the Treasury is thus subjected
Is to be ascribed in tsae large quantity of printed
matter conveyed by the mails either lranked
or liable to no postage by law, or 10 very low
rates Of postage compared with that charged oil
5eiiers and TO the great cost of mail service OF
railroads and by ocean steamers. The sugges
tons Of the Postmaster General on the subjec
Deserve the consideration of Congress.
INTERIOR.
The report OF the Secretary of the lnterio
will engage your attention, as we'll for The use
ful suggestions it contains, as for the interes
and Importance of the subjects to which the.
refer.
The aggregate amount OF public lands sol
during the last fiscal year, located with militar
scrip or land warrants, taken up under grant
Tor roads, aud selected as swamp lands by States
lstwenty-iour Is million FIVE hundred and fifty
seven thousand four hundred and nine acres {
which the portion sold was fifteen million seve
hundred and twentynine thousand FIVE hun