Bedford inquirer and chronicle. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1854-1857, 1856-12-12


existing organization, and to increase the
efiicieDeyof the army, and further obscrva-
tion has but served TO confirm me in the
views then expressed, and to enforce in my
mind the conviction that such measures are
not only proper hut necessary
have, in addition, TO invite the atten-
tion of Congress to q change Of policy in
The distribution Of troops, and TO the neces-
sity Of providing more rapid increase o.
the military armament. For details ol
these and other Subjects relating 10 the ar
my, refer you to the report of the Secre-
tary ef War.
The condition Of the navy is not merely
satisfactory, but exhibits the most crafty
ing evidences of increased yigor. As 1t is
comparatively small, it is more important
gi,at it should be as complete as possible 10
all lie clements Of strength; that 1t should
he efieieht in the character of its officers,
IN the zeal and discipline of its men, IN the
reliability Of its ordinance, aud IN the ca
paei.y Of It's ships. In all these various
qualities tie navy has made great progress
within the last few years. The execution
Of the law Of Congress, of February, 70
1865. to promote the efficiency of the ma
vy, has been attended by the most adyan-
tageous results. The law for promoting
discipline among the ,,fen is found convent
enf and ssluterys The systea Of granting
an honorable disehafge to faithful seamen
outhc expiration of the period Of their en-
listment, and permitting them tore enlist
after leave of absence of a few months,
without cessation Of pay, is highly beneh-
ciAl in its influence.
The apprentice system recently adop'ea
is.esidently destined 70 incorporate into the
service large number of our countrymen
hitherto so difficult to procure. Several
hundred american boys are now on three
Years cruise in our national vessels, and
will return we'll trained seamen. In the
ordnance department there is decided and
gratifying indication Of progress credita-
bic 10 Il and to the country. The sugges-
tons Of the Secretary of tue Navy in regard
to farther improvement in that branch OF
iI.e service commend to your favorable
action.
The new frigates ordered By Congress are
now ahoai, and two of them ii acti9e ser
vicc. They are superior models of naval
architecture, and with their formidable bat
terry add largely to public strength and Sc
CURLY.
lconcur in the views expressed by ths
Secretary of the Department IN favor OIL
stili further increase Of cur naval force.
The report of the Secretary of the Int.
rior presents facts and views in relation (
internal affairs over which the supervision
If his department extends, of much inter
est and Importance.
The aggregate sales Of the public lands
during the last fiscal year, amount to nin'
millions, two hundred and twenty sevel
thousand eight hundred and seventy eigh
acres, for which has been received the sun
Of eight millions eight hundred and twelt.
me thousand fear hundred and fourteen dol
fars.
During the same period there have beel
located with amilirary scrip and land war
rants, and for other purposes, thirty mllllol
one hundred thousand two hundred an
thirty acres, thus making total aggregat
Of thirty nine million three hundred an
twenty eight thousand one hundred an
eight acres. On the 30th of Septembe
last, surveys had been made Of sixteen mil
lion eight hundred and seventy three thous
and six hundred and niEety nine acres,
large proportion Of which is ready for maj
ket-
The suggestions in this report IN regar
10 the complication and progressive expar
sion of the business of the different b'
reaux Of the department.; to the pension 81
tenn; TO the colonization of Indian tribe
aud the recommendation in relation to var
Gus improvements in the District of Celun
bia, are especially commended to Jour col
sideration.
The report Of the Postmaster Gener
presents fully the condition of that depar
mcnt of the government. lis expenditur
for the last fiscal year we're ten milllol
four hundred and seven thousand eight hui
dred and sixty eight dollars; and its gro
receipts seven millions six hundred al
twenty thousand eight hundred and one do
lars-mading an excess of expenditure ov
receipts Of two million seven hundred al
eighty seven thousand and forty six dollar
The defcieney of this department is ih
seven hundred and forty four thousand dc
lars greater than for the year ending Ju
81, 1883.
Of this deficiency, three hundred a
thirty thousand dollars is to be attribut
TO tue additional compensation allowed POI
masters by the act of Congress Of Juue