Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-01-10


tary service, refer 10 the report of the Secre-
tsGy Of Waraud the accompanying documents.
Experience, gathered from events which
have transpired since my last annual message,
has but served to confirm the opinion thenex-
pressed Of the propriety Of making provision,
by q retired list, for disabled officers, and for
increased compensation TO the officers retained
on the list for active duty. All the reasons
which existed, when these measures were Ie-
commended on former occasions, continue
without modification, except so far as circum-
stances have given to them additional force.
The recommendations, heretofore made for a
partial reorganization of the army, are also re-
newed. The thorough elementary education
| given 10 those Oh Gers, who commence their
service with the grade Of cadet, qualities them,
TO considerable extent 10 perform the duties
of every arm OF the service; but to give the b.
highest efficiency TO artillery,requires the prac-
tice and special study Of many years; and it
is not, therefore, believed 10 be advisable 10
maintain, in time Of peOce, larger force that
arm than can be usually employed in the du-
ties appertaining TO the service Of field and
siege artillery. The duties Of .he stall in all
lis various branches, belong to tie movements
of The troops, and the efficiency Of an army in
the field would materially depend upon the
ability with which those duties are discharged.
Elt is not, as i'll the case OF the artillery,
speciality, but requires, also, an Intimate
knowledge of the duties Of an officer Of the
line, and it is not doubted, that to complete
the education Of an officer for eitter the line
or the general staff, it is desirable that he
shall have served in both. With this view, it
was recommended on a former occasion that
the duties OF the staff should be mainly per-
formed by detailsfrom the line; and with con-
yction Of the advantages which would result
from such change, it is again presented for
1.-The consideration oG Congress.
NAVY.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Navy,
herewith subH itted, exhibits in full the naval
operations Of the past year, together with the
present condition Of the service, and it makes
suggestions Of further egSlalon, 10 which
your intention is invited.
The construction of the six steam frigates,
| for which appropriations were made by The
last Congress, has proceeded in the most sat
isfactory manner, and with such expeditions
as TO warrant the belief that they will DO
ready for service early the coming spring. In
portant aS this addition 10 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
United States. In view Of this fact, and of
the acknowledged WISDOM Of the policy OF
, gradual and systematic increase Of the navy, an
approximation is recommended for the construc-
ton Of six steam sloops Of war.
In regard TO the steps taken IN execution Of
/ the act OF Congress 10 promote the efficiency ot
the navy, it is unnecessary for me TO say moro
! than 10 express entire concurrence in The OBJ
Servaiions on that subjet presented 5y The
SecretoTy in his report. ..s
POST OFFICE.
It will be perceived, by The report OF the
Postmaster General, that the gross expeldl-
tuTe OF the department for the last fiscal year
was nine million nine hundred and sixty eight
: thousand three hundred and fourty two dollars,
and the gross receipts seven million three hun
/ dred and forty two thousand one hundred and
thirty six dollars, making an excess Of expend-
ilure over receipts Of two million six hundred
! and twenty six thousand two hundred and
5 six dollars; that the cost Of mail transportation
5 during that year was six hundred and seventy
four thous3nd nine hundred and fifty two dol
, lars greater than the previous year. Much OF
the heavy expenditures, 10 which the Treasury
{ is thus subjected, is 10 be ascrlbed 10 the
large quantity Of printed matter conveyed by
the mails, either iranked, OF liable 10 no post
uEG ny law, OF " very IOW rates VI pUSlhSc
: compared with that charged on letters; and
, 10 the great cost OF mail service on railroads
and by ocean steamers. The suggestions OF
the Postmaster General on the subject de-
! serve The consideration Of Congress.
INTERio OR.
The report ofthe Secretary of the Interior
will engoge your attention., os well for use
full suggestions il contains, as for the interests
and Importance Of the subject 10 which they
refer.
Tie aggregate amCun. OF public land sold
during the last fiscal year, located with mill
tary scrip or land wnrrantS, taken up under
grants for roads, and selected as swamp lands
by States, is twenty four million five hundred
and fify-Seven thousand four hundred aud
nine acres OF which the portion sold was
fifteen million seven hundred and twenty
nine thousand five hundred and twenty four
. acres, yielding in receipts The sum OF eleven
million four hundred and eighty-fye thousand
three hundred and eightydollar the same
i period Of time, eight million seven hundred
. and tweniy-thfee thousand eight hundred and
tiitY-iour acres have been surveyed; but, in
consideration OF the quuntity already subject
to entry, no additional tracts have been brought
inio market.
The peculiar relation ofthe general govern
: ment TO the District of Columbia renders it
. proper to commend TO your care not only its
material, but also its moral interests including
education, more especially in those par.s of
, the district outside of the cities Of Washing
I ton and Georgetown.
> The commissioners appointed 10 revise and
! codify the laws OF the District have made sucb
progress in the performance of their tosk, as
t 70 insure us completion in the time prescribed
by the &c; of Congress,
!, Information has recently been received. thar
the peace of the settlements in the Territories
s OF Oregon and Washington is disturbed bv
( hostilitles on the part OF the Indians, with in.
+ dlcahons OF extensive combinations of bos.
tile character among the tribes in that Gpa,te,
the more serious in their possible q ef.ci Inv
reason OF the undetermined FOREIGN interes,s
existing in those Territories, TO which your a,
;en;ion has already been especially inv;,s5
tfhcient measures have been taken, which, il
IS believed, will restore quiet, and afford nyo !.
n lection TO our citizens F'O
In the Territory Of Kansas, there have hem
ee'S preIudlcialto good order, bni as vet nnna
nave occurred under circumstances 10 iustirv
lne lntefposition Of the federal Executive -
. Fhat could only be in case Of obstruction IN
ieueral law, or Of organized resistance 10 ,e,,
lloIlI law, assuming tho character of insu,.
J reeton, which, it it should occur. Il weud La
my duty promptly 10 overcome and sunn,ess
I, 4 cherish The hope, however, that the occur
u aa GAs. a