Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1861-12-21

me 70 call into the field. ! refer with
Measure to those portions of his report
which make illusions to the creditablc
degree Of discipline already attained
l,y our troops, and to the excellent san
itary condition of the entire army.
The recommendation by the Secre-
,ary tor an organization of the military
upon uniform basis, is su'j ect OF
vital importance to the future safety of
the country, aud is commended to the
serious attention Of Congress. The
large additions to the regular army. in
connection with the detection that has
80 considerably diminished the number
Of its officers. give peculiar importance
10 his Recommendation for increasing
the corps Of cadets TO the greatest ca
pacity of the Military Academy by
more admissions.
presume you are aware that Con-
rress has failed to provide chaplains
Tor the hospitals occupied by volunteers.
This subject was brought to my notice,
and was induced to draw up the form
of . letter, a copy Of which was proper.
y addressed to each Of the persons and
at the dates respectively named and
stated i'm q schedule. containing also the
form Of the letter. "A" and herewith
transmitted. Thes gentleman, / un-
derstand, entered upon the duties de-
signated, at the time respective stated
in the schedule, and have labored
faithfully therein, ] therefore recom-
mend that they be compensated at the
same rate as chaplains in the army. |
suggest that general provision be made
for chaplains to serve at hospitals as
we'll as with regiments.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy presents in detail the operations
of that branch of the service, the ac-
,ivity and energy which have charac-
terized its administration, and the re-
suits of measures to increase its efficien-
CIV and power. Such have been the
additions, by construction and pnr-
chase, that it may almost be said navy
has been created and brought into SER
vice since our difficulties commenced.
Besides blockading our extensive South
ern coast, squadrons larger than ever
before assembled under our flag, have
been put afoat, and have performed
duties which have increased our naval
rcnown.
Iwould invite special attention to the
recommendation of the Secretary of
the Navy for a more perfect organiza-
ton than the present one, which is SO
defective and unsatisfactory. The sug-
yestions submitted by the Department
will, it is believed, if adopted, obviate
any difficulties and tend to promote
harmony and increase the efficiency of
the navy. r>
THE LAWS OF coNGnNssee
respectfully recommend to the con-
sdcration of Congress the present con-
dition of the statute laws. with the
hope that Congress will be able to find
an early remedy for many inconven-
icnc;cs and evils which constantly en-
barrass those engaged in their practical
administration. Since the organiza-
ton of the Government, Congress has
enacted some five thousand Acts and
Joint resolutions, which fill more than
two thousand closely printed pages,
and are scattered through many vol
umes. Many of these Acts have been
drawn in haste and without sufficient
caution, so that their provisions are Of
ten obscure in themselves or in conflict
with each other; at least so doubtful as
to render it difficult for even the best
informed persons to ascertain what the
statute law really is. 1t seems to me
very important that the statute law
should be made as Ineligible as posi-
BILE, and be reduced to as small COM
pass as may consist with the fulness
and precision of the will of the Lcgisla-
ture and the perticacity of its Ian
guage.
This we'll done would, think, great
ly facilitate the labors Of those whose
duty it is to assist in the administra-
ton of the laws, aud would be lasting
benefit to the people, by placing before
them in a more accessible and intelligi-
BILE form, the laws which SO deeply con-
Germ their interests and their duties.
l am informed by some, whose opinions
respect, that all the Acts of Congress
now in force and of a permanent char
acter could be revised and rewritten so
as to be embraced in one volume, or at
least two volumes Of ordinary and con-
venient size, respectfully recon-
mend to Congress to consider the sub
ject, and if my suggestions be approved.
TO such plan rs in their minds shall
ecm most proper for the attainment
81 ,ha a,1 s,r..v.<,>ad