Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-10


tate of obvious Justice that the burden OF taxa ION
be made to rest equally as possible upon All
classes and all sections and interests of the
have heretofore recommended TO your consid-
eration the revision of the revenue laws prepared
under the direction of the Secretary of the Treas
ury and also legislation upon some special ques-
tions affecting the business of that department,
more especially the enactment of law TO punish
the abstraction of books papers from the hles
of the government, and requiring all such books
and papers, and all other public property, 10 be
turned over by the outgoing officer TO his succcs-
sor; of a law requiring disbursing officers to DC
posit all public money in the vaults of the treasu-
ry, OF in other legal repositories. Where the same
are conveniently accessible and a law TO extend
existing penal provisions TO all persons who may
become possessed of public money by deposit or
otherwise, and who shall refuse neglect, on due
demand. TO pay the same into the treasury in
yi,e your attention anew to each of these objects
The army during the past year mas Deen so con-
stanty employed against hostile Indians IN various
quarters, that ii can scarcely be SAID win propI
ETY. of language, TO have been peace establish
ment Its duties have been satisfactorily perform
ed, and we have reason To expect, rs result OF
the years operations greater security to the from
tier inhabitants than has been hitherto enjoyed
Extensive combinations among the hostile Indians
of the Territories of Washington and Oregon at
one time threatened the devastation Of the newly
formed settlements of that remote portion OF the
country.
From recent information, we are permitted to
hope that the energetic and successful operations
conducted there will prevent such combinations in
(
nifty to make steady progress in the development
of their agricultural and mineral resources.
Legislation has been recommended by me on
previous occasions cure defects in the existing
organization, and to increase the efficiency Of the
army. and further observation has but served to
confirm me in the views then expressed and to en-
| force my mind the conviction that such mea-
/ sures not only proper but necessary.
I have. in addition, to invite the attention of
Congress to change of policy in the distribution
Of troops, and to the necessity of providing more
rapid increase of the military armament. For de-
tails of these and other subjects relating the
| my refer TO the report of the Secretary of War
The condition of the navy is not merely satisfac
tory, but exhibits the most gratifying evidences of
| increased vigor. As it is comparatively small, it
is more important that it should be complete as
possible in all the elements of strength that it
should be efficient in the character Of It's officers
In the zeal and discipline OF Its men, in the rela-
/ blity of its ordnance and in the capacity of its
ships In all these various qualities the navy has
/ made great progress within the last few years -
/ The execution Of the law of Congress, of Februa-
Ty % 1870. ito promote the efficiency of the navy,
has been attended by the most advantageous re-
suits. The law for promoting discipline among
/ the men Is found convenient and salutary. The
/ system Of granting honorable discharge 20 faith
full the expiration of the period of their
/ enlistment and permitting them TO re-enlst after
leave of absence of few months, without ces-
sation of pay, is highly beneficial in its influence
The apprentice system recently adopted is evident
ly destined to incorporate into the service n large
number of cur cOuntrynen hitherto difficult to
procure Several hundred American boys now
on three years cruise in our national vessels and
| will return well trained seamen. In the ordnance
department there is a decided and gratifying indj-
cation of progress creditable to il and to the
| try The suggestions of the Secretary Of the Ma
| Wy in regard to further Improvements in that
/ branch of the service commend to your fayora-
bic action.
! The new frigates ordered by Congress are
now afoat, and two of them in active service.
| They are superior models of naval architecture
! to public strength and security.
| | concur in the views expressed by the Sec
| rctary of the Department in favor of still
further increase OF our naval force.
The report of the Secretary Of the Interior
presents facts aud views in relation to internal
| affairs over which the supervision of his de-
partment extends, of much interest and impor-
tance.
| The aggregate sales of public lands, during
the last fiscal year, amount to 0, ,227, ,S7S acres
| for which has been received the sum of SS,-
81, 4l4. During the same period there have
been located, with military scrip and land
warrants, and for other purposes, &c, 100, ,230
! acres, making a total aggregate of 80 ,32S, los
acres. On the Both of September last, sur
! veys had been made of l6,S73, ,699 acres a
large portion Of which is ready for market.
The suggestion in this report in regard to
the complication and progressive expansion of
| the business ofthe different bureaux of the de-
nization Of Indian tribes, and the recommen-
dations in relation to various improvements in
| the District of Columbia. are especially COM
mended to your consideration.
| The report of the Postmaster General pre-
| sents fnlly the condition of that department
of the government. Its expenditures for the
| last fiscal year, were ten million four hundred
| and seven thousand eight hundred and sixty
| eight dollars and its grossTeceipts seyenmi-
| lion six hundred and twenty thousand eight
! hundred and one dOllars-making an excess of
! expenditure over receipts of two million seven
| hundred and eighty seven thousand and forty
six dollars. The deficiency of this depart
ment is thus seven hundred and forty -four
/ thousand dollars greater than for the year end
! ing June 30, 1856. OF this deficiency, three
| hundred and thirty thousand dollars is attribu-
| ted to the additional compensation allowed
| Tostmasters by the act of Congress of June %,
! 1854. The mail facilities in every part of the
country hove been very much increased in
that period, and the large addition of railroad
| service, amounting to seven thousand nine
! hundred and eight miles, has added largely to
the cost of transportation.
! Tho inconsiderable augmentation of the income
| OF the Post Office Department under the reduced
rates of postage, and its increasing expe nditures
must for the present, make it dependent to some
! extent upon the treasury for support The recon-
mendatons of the Post Master General. in relation
to the abolition of the franking privilege. and his
views on the establishment of mail steamship lines
/ deserve the consideration of Congress also call
the special attention OF Congress to the statement
| OF the Post Master General respecting the sums
! now paid for the transportation of mails to the
fanama Railroad Company, and commend to tn cir
early and favorable consideration the suggestions
OF that officer in relation TO new contracts for mail
transportation upon that route, and also upon the
| lehuhntepec and Nicaragua routes
! The United States continue in the endowment of
amieable relations with all foreign powers
when my last annual message was transmitted
to Congress, two subjects of controversy one re.