The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1861-12-18
The several arms of the service are estimated

Eugr eers ...... .... LOT 10.
Total. GAO, 2o,as. eso,s.l
The appropriations asked for the service Of the
next fiscal year are computed for force Of sOO,.
900 men. They have been reduced to the low.
est possible amount consistent with the public
interest, aud are based upon a strictly economi-
cal administration of the various branches Of
this department.
Congress at its extra session authorized an in.
crease of the army to 500, 900 men, and appro.
priated $500, 900, 900 for its support. He rec
ommends the reduction of the volunteer force
to 500, 900 men, by consolidating such regiments
as may from time to time fall below the regula-
ton STANDARD.
The report then compares the strength of our
army now, with some of the great armies of Eu-
rope, and with the armies of the Revolutionary
waT, and declares that if the emergency should
demand it, the Government could place three
millions of men in the field. He also speaks
favoraby of the high state of discipline our ar
mics have arrived at in so short O period. He
refers to the Bull Run disaster, as the conse-
queuce of the premature advance of brave but
undisciplined troops. The possession of Yves.
tern Virginia, he says, and the occupation of
Hatteras and Beaufort have nObly reduced our
transient reverses. He speaks with qualification
of the loyal Government established in a portion
Of Virginia, and of the present loyal position Of
Mary yland, and says that the loyal Governor of
Virginia is proceeding to organize Courts under
the constitution and laws of the State in all her
eastern counties in the occupation of our troops,
and suggests that authority should be given to
army, with power to exercise all the functions Of
loyal government wherever the civil autbrity
has ceased to exist, and especially to enforce the
obligations of contracts, and the collection Of
debts due to loyal creditors.
He speaks of the successful efforts which have
been made to supply arms in this country, and
states that an agent was sent to Europe, with au-
thority to purchase two million Of dollars worth
of arms, and that a large number of arms have
been received, and others are on the way. He
Foundry, and the reorganization of the militia
of the nation on a uniform basis. He also rec
ommends that our Notifications on the seaboard
and lakes shall be put in good condition.
He also makes the following recommendations:
"By existing laws and regulations, an officer
of the regular army ranks an officer Of volun.
teers of the same grade, Notwithstanding the
commission of the latter may be Of antecedent
dates. In my judgment. this practice has ten
IL and Eo,;S ho
portunity Tor distinction OF volunteer officers,
and change should be made by which senior
i,v of commission should confer the right of
command.
submit for reflection the question, whether
the distinction between Regulars aud Volunteers
which now exists, should be permitted to con-
tnue. The efficiency of the army, it appears
to me, might be greatly increased BY q consoli.
dation of the two during the continuance of the
war, which, combining both forces, would con-
stitute them one grand army Of the Union"
He SAYS the Government has made saving of
two dollars to man, for transporting soldiers
from New York to Washington, by way of Har-
risburg, instead OF following the old route. and
that all the railroads of the country had follow
ed the example of reduction thus set, by which
SO Is per cent has been saved to the Govern
ment for transportation. He recommends, II
the Potomac shall remain obstructed, the build
ing of another railroad from Baltimore to WI ash.
ington, and also that railroad be constructed
from the Navy Yard to Georgetown, forming
connections with the present depots in Virginia
in crossing the Potomac, by using the Aqueduc,
Bridge.
He pays high compliment to Gen. Scott, and
expresses great confidence in the abilities of Gen
Mcclellan. He says, while errors may have been
occasionally committed in managing the affairs
of the Department, yet, he has qualification in
speaking of the economy displayed in the var
Gus branches OF the service, ard thinks no force
so large, and so we'll equipped, was ever put in
the field in so short a space of time, and at SC
small an expense.
| In conclusion he says:
"While it is my intention to preserve the
strictest economy and accountability, I think the
last dollar should be expended, and the last mar
armed to bring this unholy rebellion to speedy
and permanent close.
"The geographical position of the metropoli.
OF the nation, menaced by the rebels, and re
quired to be defended BY thousands of oul
troops, induces me to suggest for consideration
the propriety and expediency of a reconstruction
of the boundaries Of the States of Delaware
Maryland and Virginia. Wisdom and true
craftsmanship would dictate that the seat of the
National Government for al time to come shoul(
be placed beyond reasonable danger of seizure
by enemies within, a. well as from capture By
foes from without. By agreement between th,
| States named, such ~ was effected for simila
purposes BY Michigan and Ohio, and by Nilsson
ri and Iowa, their boundaries could be change<
so as to render the Capital more remote than q
present from the influence OF State Government
which have arrayed themselves in rebelIo.
against the Federal authority. To this end, tn,