Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-09


and economical administration of public affairs
cannot fail to suggest the proprety OF an eary re
vision and reduction of the tariff OF duties on I'm
ports. 1t is now so generally conceded that th'
purpose of revenue alone can justify the Imposition
of duties on imports. that, in re adjusting The I'm
post tables and schedules, which unquesilonably
require essential notifications, departure iron
the principles Of the present tariff is not antIcIpa
ted.
ARMY.
The army during the past year has been active
" enqaued in defending the Indian frontier. the
state of the service permitting but few and small
garrisons in onr permanent fortlhca,lons. Inc
additional regiments authorized at the last session
of Congress have been recruited and organized,
and a large portion of the troops have already been
sent to the field All the duties which devolve
on the military establishment have been satisiac-
torily performed, and the dangers and priyatlons
ncideE: to the character of the ssrylce required 90
our troops have furnished additional evidence oil
their courage, zeal, and capacity TO meet any re-
QUESTION 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, reler to
the re8brt of the Secretary Of War and the accom-
panying documents.
| Experience gathered from events which have
transpired since my last annual message has out
served 10 confirm the opinion then expressed, Of
the proprety Of making provision by 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 meas
ures were recommended on former occasions con-
tnue without modification, except SO far as cir
cumstances have given to some of them additional
| force.
The recommendations heretofore made for
partial reorganization of the army are also renew
ed. The thorough elementary education given to
those officers vino commence their service with
the grade of cadet, qualities them, to consdera-
BILE extent to perform the duties OF every arm OF
the service but to give the highest efficiency to
artillery requires the practice and special study ot
many years and it is not, therefore, believed to
be advisable to maintain, in time OF peace, larger
force of that arm than can be usually employed in
the duties apperianng to the service of field and
siege artillery. The duties of the staff in all its
various branches belong 10 the movements of
troops, and the efficiency of an army in the field
would materially depend upon the ability with
which those duties are discharged. 1t is not, as
in the case of the artillery, speciality, but re
qures, also, an intimate knowledge of the duties
Of an officer of the Iine and it is not doubted that,
to complete the education of an officer for either
the line or the general staff it is desirable that he
shall have served in BOTH With this view, it
was recommended on former occasion, that the
duties of the staff should be 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 consideration
Of Congress.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy, here
with submitted, exhibits in full the naval opera
tons of the past year, together with the present
condition of the service, and it makes suggestions
of further legislation, to which your attention is
invited.
The construction of the six steam frigates, for
which appropriations were made by the last Con-
gress has proceeded in the most satisfactory man
! ner, and with such expedition as to warrant iie
belief that they will be ready for service early IN
the coming spring. Important as this addition TO
cur naval force is, it still remains inadequate 10
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 construction
of six steam sloops-of-war.
act of Congress to promote the efficiency of the
navy, it is unnecessary for me 10 say more than 10
express entire concurrence in The observations on
that subject presented by the Secretary in his re-
port.
POST OFFICE.
1t will be perceived, by the report of the Post
master General, that the gross expenditure OF the
department for the last fiscal year was nine mil
lion nine hundred and sixty eight thousand three
| hundred and f0riy-two dollars, and the gross re-
ceipts seven million three hundred and forty-two
thousand one hundred and thirty six dolIars-ma-
king an excess of expenditure over receipts OF two
million six hundred and twenty six thousand two
hundred and SIX dollars and that the cost OF mail
transportation during that year was SIX hundred
and seventy four thousand nine hundred and hfty-
two dollars greater than the previous year. Much
of the heavy expenditures to which the treasury
is thus subjected, is 10 be ascribed TO the large
quantity OF printed matter conveyed by the mails,
either tranked, or liable to no postage by law, or
to very low rates OF postage compared with that
charged on letters, and to the great cost of mail
service on railroads and by ocean steamers. The
suggestions of the Postmaster General on the sub
ject deserve the consideration Of Congress.
INTERIOR.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior will
engage your attention, as well for useful sugges
lions it contains, as for the interest and importance
of the subjects 10 which they refer.
The aggregate amount of public land sold du-
ring the last fiscal year, located with military
scrip or land warrants, taken up under grants for
roads, and selected as swamp lands by States, Is
twenty-four million five hundred and iftySeven
thousand four hundred and nine acres; of which
the portion sold was fifteen million seven hundred
and twenty nine thousand five hundred and TWEEN
ty four acres, yielding in receipts the sum of eev
en- million four hundred and eighty five thousand
three hundred and eighty dollars. In the same
period of time, eight million seven hundred and
twenty three thousand eight hundred and fifty
four acres have been surveyed but, in consldera
ton of the quantity already subject to entry. no
additional tracts have been brought into market
The peculiar relation Of the genera! government
TO the District OF Columbia renders it proper to
commend To your care not only It's material, but
also lis moral interests, including education, more
especially in thuse parts of the District outside OF
. the cities Of Washington and Georgetown.
The commissioners appointed 10 revise and codi-
fv the laws Of the District have made such pro-
Gress in the performance OF their task, insure
its completion in the time prescribed by the act of
! Congress.
Information has recently been received, that the
peace OF the settlements IN the Territories of Ore
gon and Washington is disturbed by hoslililes on
the part OF the Indians, with indications Of exten-
sve combinations OF a hostile character among the
tribes in that quarter, the more serious in their
possible effect by reason of the undetermined for
eign interests existing in those Territories, tC
which your attention has already BEEN especially
invited. Efficient measures have been taken
which, 1t is believed will restore quiet, and afford
protection to our citizens.
f In The Territory Of Kansas, there have beer
acts prejudcial TO good order, but as yet none
have occurred under circumstances to Justify tht
= e.