Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1861-07-17
r z P 0 r t S
OF THE
STATE DEPARTING EN- T.
SECRETARY OF WAR.

dcrson and Slemmcr. He states that,
while under the call Of the President for
the militia, in April, the Governors of
Delaware, Virginia, and Missouri peremp-
torily refused to send their quotas, each
of these states have since furnished
regiment, raised by patriotic citizens
The force now at the command of Gov
eminent is $40, 600 men, and after the
discharge of the three months volunteers
there will be q force of 230,0 900 officers
and men. The increase in the regular
army consists of one regiment Of cavalry,
one of artillery, and nine of infantry
The artillery contains twelve batteries, of
six pieces each.
Cameron recommends that the term
of enlistment in the new regiments shall
b. three years, and that, at the close of
the term, those who shall be ionorably
discharged shall receive bounty of one
hundred dollars. In making the seIec-
ton of offers it was necessary to make
the appointments, from th re gular ser
vice, by seniority or by selection. The
objection to the first method was, that
inefficient men might be promoted to
places which ought to be filed by young
and vigorous officers. The objection of
the second was, that favoritism might pre-
iudice the claims of worthy officers. 1t
was therefore Wisely decided, under the
advice of the General in Chief, to appoint
one-half from the regular army and one
half from civil life. Of the civilians APP
pointed. as regimental commanders, al
except one are either graduates of West
Point or have served with distinction in
the field. Mr.. Cameron asks the sane
ton OF Congress for these preliminary
steps in the augmentation OF the regular
forces and states that when at the close
of the war reduction Of The present force
is necessary, n sufficient one should be
retained to protect all the public proper
ty wherever it may be found.
Of the volunteer system he speaks
highly as substitute for standing army,
stating that facts now prove it reliable
and efficient in an emergency. The az
dor with which men of every rank and
every nation have forward, and the vol
untqry contributions both from individu-
ais and states, are alluded to The call
ing out ofa large force he deems in
strict accordance with wise economy,
and regards vigorous measures as mer-
ciful policy. The appropriation requr-
ed, in addition to that already made for
the year ending, June 80, 1861, for the
force now in the field, is s135 ,2s6, 397.
He recommends an appropriation for the
reconstruction and equipment of railroads
and for the expense of maintaining and
operating them, and also for the con-
struction Of additional telegraph lines and
their appurtenances. He urges the I'M
portarce of enforcing the strictest disci-
pine when active army operations are
carried on in the rebelious states. lie
recommends the organization OF a mill
tary tribunal to take cognizance Of Grim
inal offenscs and punish the guilty. The
tribunal, however, is not TO have Jurls-
diction if the functions of the federal
courts are uninterrupted. In regard to
the subsistence of troops he urges the I'M
portance of more fresh meat and vegeta-
blcs, and recommends, for the better pro
lection of the men, water proof caps and
blankets.
He notices the Sanitary Commission
and the organization Of military hospit-
ais. The arms made at our national
manufactures compare, he says, most
favorably with the best made for foreign
governments, and he recommends the
making Of those arms we may require,
and which the national armories cannot
supply, by private manufacturers in
place of foreign ones. AS the rifle can
non is so efficient, arrangements have
been made fer ritiing large portion Of
the guns now on hand. The presenting
of the Whiteworth guns is noticed. Mr..
Cameron deems necessary reorganiza-
ton, upon uniform basis, of the militia
ry of the country, and notices favorabIy
the efficient manner in which some of the
New England regin ents, now in service.
are equipped. He advises also the fur
Their distribution improved arms among
the militia. In abiding to the di,affec-
on among the officers of the army. he
traces its causes to defects in the system
of education ut the academy a. West
Point, and earnestly trusts that Congress
will examine thoroughly the system of
education and discipline in that institution,
and provide, without delay, a remedy
for whatever defect 1t may find. AS the
exigencies oft public service have great
" increased the labor of the War De-
partment, he asks for law authorizing
the apro ntment of an Assistant Secro-
airy of War"
SECRETARY OF TREASURY.
The financial provision recommended
by the Secretary ofthe Ire asury is Three
Hundred and Twenty Millions. He be-
leves that $50, 900 900 should be so ,ght
bv taxation, to meet the ordinary de-
mands Of 1852, for which actual appro-
priations have been made, mounting to
$685., $40 43, while interest. est;mat
ed at $,9,O0O,OOO and $4,000 to
ward tho reduction and final extnguish
ment of the public debt, bring the figure
very near the Secretary's estimate. He