The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-01-12

Accompanying INC icSiuenI n4eS-
sage are the Reports from the Secreta-
ries of the various Departments, the
telegraphic synopsis of which we SUBJ
join. They will afford a correct idea
of the substance of the documents, for
the whole of which of course we can
not find room:
SECRETARY OF The TREASURES REPORT.
Washington, Dec. 81.
The Secretary of the Treasury, in his
report, does not doubt that the actual
receipts of the Treasury for the present
and next fiscal years will be fully equal
to the estimates of the appropriations
made at the present session, and will
not exceed the amount contained in the
estimates. II is believed they can be
met with the ordinary and extraordin-
airy receipts already provided by law.
The estimated balance that will be
in the Treasury on the 3Oth June next
is only S3,53O,Oo0, and leaves no mar
gin for additional appropriations. If,
therefore, the demands should exceed
the appropriation, or Congress should
determine to provide within this period
for the payment Of any portion of the
public debt, it will become necessary
to make provision for such contingent
cy. If additional demands are created
upon the Treasury by legislation during
the present session Of Congress, pro-
vision must be made to meet them by
such increase of tariff duties as may
be required for that purpose. In such
event he respectfully refers Congress
to his last report as containing his views
in relation to this department on that
subject.
AS no provision was made for the
permanent redemption of any portion
of the twenty million of Treasury
notes, and authority for issuing them
expires on the 30th June next, it. will
be necessary for Congress to extend
the law for that purpose for another
period.
THE POSTMASTER GENERALS REPORT.
Washington, Dec. 27.
The Postmaster General gives an in
terestlng account Of the affairs of his
department., and advocates various re-
forms, and trusts that Congress will
either give its express sanction to the
Pacific contract for mails between
Portland and New Orleans, by voting
the necessary appropriations, or will
indicate to the department such course
of administration as shall warrant it in
closing with some of the proposals
which are now held under ad,";semept.
He urges some action to secure suita-
Bic postofices in New York and Phil
adeiphia, and recommends the repeal
of the clause in Act So, which directs
that in forwarding mails to foreign
countries, the preference should always
be given to American over foreign
steamships, when departing from any
port of the same destination within
three days of each other.
The dispatch is in the highest degree
eloquent on the mission of this depart
ment, ard hence that legislation which
provides for retarding instead of accel-
Grating the mails, may be safely pro-
nounced at least extraordinary in its
character. The Postofice Department
according to the theory of its organ
ization, should be selfsustaining, and
because of the peculiar character of its
functions, should not be charge on
the common treasury. He advocates
the abolition of the ranking privilege,
and the substitution of payment by
stamps, when the abuses would fall
where they belong, on the Government
officials by whom they were perpetra-
ted.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
Washington, Dec. 81.
The Secretary of War says of the
army of nearly 1850, not more than
1000 are in active available service
in the field, being scattered over the
area of three million square miles. He
hopes to make such alterations in the
disposition of troops next season as
will prevent any repetition of outrages
in the future upon the Southern and
Mexican borders, und recommends the
enlistment of men for mounted corps
of six months, beginning in May. In
actual battle with Indians, success will
be owing more to individual prowress,
skill in arms and horsemanship than in
dicipline. In point of economy great
advantages accrue to the country, and
recommends provision for retiring dis
abIed and inferior officers, as a meas
ure increasing the efficiency of the
army is deemed advisable. He pro-
ceeds to recommend the manufacture
of fified cannon beyond those required
for experimental purposes ;speaks fav-
orably of breech-loading arms it does
not appear necessary to request consid-
cradle appropriations for additional
masonry for fortifcations-such as are
not strong enough to offer good de-
fence against shipping, may, when an
emergency arises be reinforced at small
expense by eastern batteries properly
combined with them for mutual support
and of such extent as will give an ag-
gregate of sufficient power.
The army in Utah remains inactive,
and stands in the attitude of menac-
ing force towards conquerey and sui
len people. He is satisfied that the
preservation of rights and justice
through the means of any jurisprudence
known or recognized by the people of
the United States, is impossible in that
Territory There is in tho DreSant Of