The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1861-12-20
officers in several branches of the military

officers in several branches of the military
service.
The action of Congress, therefore, con-
templated, the employment, if necessary, of
force, including the existing regular army,
of about fivt teIndred and fifty Thousand
men. To ensusa its efficiency, the Presi
dent was authorized to appoint any number
Of major generals and brigadler-generals he
might think necessary, and to increase the
staff of majorz generals in the field by dis
cretionary appointments OF aids de-camp;
with various rank, from captain to colonel.
This large increase of the army in men
and officers, aud the liberal additions made
by Congress to pay and rations, have aug
mented, and must necessarily augment, ex-
penditure far beyond the limit indicated by
the original estimates and the limits must
be still further extended by the additional
sums required for the increase of the navy,
and for othsr objects.
ADDITIONAL APPROPRIATIONS NECESSARY.
To meet these increased demands, arising
almost wholly from the increase of the army
and navy. aud the increase of pay and RAJ
tions beyond the original estimates, large
additional appropriations have been and will
be necessary.
OF these additional appropriations $47,-
985,566,6l were authorized by acts of the
last session, and $l42,13O,927 76 are now
asked for, making an aggregate increase, in
Guiding $22,797,933 81 for indefinite appro-
priations and redemption of Temporary debt,
beyond the estimates of July of $2l3,9O4,-
427 68.
To provide the large sums needed for the
disbursements of the current year, and the
large SUNS which the exigencies of the sue
ceeding year may require, will necessarily
engage the most serious attention of Sena>
tors and Representatives.
The drst great object of reflection and
endeayor, in the judgment of the Secretary,
should be the reduction of expenditure
within the narrowest practicable limits.
Retrenchment and reform are among the in
dispensable duties of the hour. Contracts
for supplies to the army and navy, as well
as for public work of all descriptions, should
be subjected to strict supervision, and the
contractors to rigorous responsibility. All
unnecessary Offices should be abolished, and
salaries snd pay should be materially redu
ce2 fthese ways the burdens of the PEG.
pie, imposed by the war, may be sensibly
lightened {; and the savings thus effected will
be worth more in beneficial effect and inhu-
ence than the easiest acquisition of equal
sums even without cost or liability to repay
ment.
THE PROPERTY OF REBELS TO HELP PAY THE
EXPENSES.
While thus recommending retrenchment
and the prevention of abuses, the Secretary
cells constrained to renew the suggestion
heretofore submitted by him, that the prop
erty of rebels should be made to pay in part
at least, the cost of rebellion. Property of
great value in loyal states is held by pro
prietors who are actually or virtually en-
gagged in that guilty attempt to break up
the Union and overturn its government
which has brought upon our country all the
calamities We now endure. That property
is justly forfeited to the people, and should
be subjected, with due regard for all rights
and interests concerned, to sequestration or
confscation. and the proceeds should be ap.
piled to the satisfaction of claims arising
from the war.
Property of rebels in rebel states should
be treated in like manner. Rights to SER
vices, under state laws, must, of necessity,
from an exception to any rule of con6sca-
ton. Persons held by rebels, under such
laws, to service as slaves, may, however, be
Justly liberated from their constraint, and
made more valuable in various employments,.
through voluntary and compensated service,
than il confscated as subjects Of property.
Whatever may be saved by retrenchment,
however, or exacted from rebellion, large
sums must remain to be provided for by
taxation and loans
ORDINARY EXPENDITURES TO BE PAID BY d.
RECT TAXATION.
Already in former report the Scores
tary has had the honor of stating the princi-
Piles by which as he conceives, the proper
tons of taxation and loans should be deter
mined. Reflection has only confirmed his
opinion that adequate provision by taxation
for ordinary expenditures, for prompt pay
ment of interest on the public debt, exist
ing and authorized, and for the gradual ex-
tinction OF the principal, is indispensable to
sound system of finance. The idea of
perpetual debt is not of American nativity,
and should not be naturalized. If, at any
time, the exacting emergencies of war cons
strain to temporary departure from the
principle of adequate taxation, the first mo-
ments OF returning tranquility should be de-
voted to its establishment in full suprema-
cy over the financial administration of at.
fairs.
1t is now even more apparent than at
the date of the July report that duties on
imports cannot be relied upon as a source
Of revenue sufficient for the proper objects
of taxation. Some modification may,
perhaps, be iudiclously made of the existing
tariff, and some increase Of revenue may in
this way be probably obtained.
But existing circumstances are not
propitious to wise and permanent adjust
ment of imposts to the various demands of