Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-31

Congress to his last report, as containing the
views Of the department on that subject AS no
provision has been made for the permanent re-
demption OF suv portion of the twenty m'llons
OF treasury notes, aud as the authority Tor ISSUING
them expires on the 30th Of June next It VIII De
neces sary for Congress to extend the law for that
purpose for another period.
The Postmaster General gives an interesting &C.
count of the affairs Of the department. lie adj
vocates various reforms and trusts that Congress
will either give vitality TO the specific contract for
carving the mails between Portland and New
Orleans by voting the necessary appropriation,
or else that IL will indicate for the department
such a course of administration as shall warrant
IL in closing some one of the proposals which
have been received aud which are now held under
adyisement. lie urges actien SO as TO secure
suitable post offices for New York and Philadel.
phia. He recommends the repeal of the clause
of the act of 1853, which declares that in for
warding the mails TO foreign countries the prefer
ence shall be given to an American over
foreign steamship when departing from the same
port for The same destination within three days
of each other. Dispatch Is the highest element
in the mission Of this department, and hence that
legislation which provides for ret riding instead
Of accelerating the mails, may be safely pro-
nounced at least extraordinary In their character.
The post office department, according to the
theory Of its organization, should be self sustain
ing; and because of t1c peculiar character Of
its functions should not be charge on the COM
mon treasury. The postmaster general advocates
the abolition Of the fraukng privilege, and the
substitution OF pre- payment by stamps, when It's
abuses would fall where they belong, on the gov
erument officials by whom they were perperrated.
Tue Secretary Of War says of the army, Of
nearly seventeen thousand five hundred men,
not more than eleven thoussndlare available for
active service in the field, and that they are scat
tered over an area Of 3 900 900 square miles He
hopes to make such an alteration in the disposi-
ton Of the troops next season, as will prevent
any future repetition of the. outrages en- the
southern and Mexican borders. He recommends
the enlistment of men for mounted corps for
six months, beginning in May. In actual battle
with the Indians, success is more owing to nd-
vdual proves, kl IN arms, and hofsemansnp,
than TO discipline. In point of economy, great
advantage would accrue to the country from such
a corps. lie recommends a provision for retir-
ing, disabled and ufrm Ulcers, as measure for
| increasing the efficiency of the army. IL
| IS not oeemed advisable TO proceed in the
manufactory of nfled cannon beyond
| those required for experimental purposes
lie speaks favorsbiy of the oreech. loading arms.
The secretary says IL does not eppear necessary
to request any considerable appropriation for ad-
oitonal masonry work for the fortifcations !;
such are not strsng enough to offer a good de-
| tense against shipping, may when the emergency
arises, be reinforced at small expense by earthen
| batteries, properly combined with them for mu-
| tual support, and 10 such extent as to give
| an aggregate armament of sufficient power.
4
| IN the attitude Ct menscing force towards a
| conquered aud sullen people. He is satisfied ~ At
the reservation Of right and justice through the
means OF any jurisprudence known or recogniz d
| by the people Of the United States, is impossible
In that territory. There is 10 the present attitu
Of affairs, scarcely any uecessy Tor the presence
| Of troops ana they will be otherwise disposed
OF during the coming season.
| The Secretary Of The Interior says that during
the first quarter of the fiscal year. ending IN Sep
iember, the sales Of land have yielded over 81
1877 900, and , 6l7,0 900 acres have been located
| with bounty warrants. Among the several re-
| commentators Is one that law be passed in a
spirit OF liberal ~ to settlers on unOfeted lands,
allowing 10 each TWO years rom tue date OF filing
| bis dccaraiory statement, within which to make
bis proof and pay Tor his land and at the
| same time making II incumbent upon the presi-
| dent TO offer Tor public sale by proclamation,
all lands that may have been surveyed by the
authority Of Congress at any time within two
| years after the plates OF survey have been ap-
| psoved. He also suggests u manner 10 preyenr
| frauds