The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1861-12-10

o"'ii "''N
| land.
respectfully refer to the report of the
Secretary of War for information respect
inc the numerical strength of the army,
and for recommendation having in view
an increase of its efficiency and the well
being of the various branches of the SER
vice entrusted to his care. 1t is gratify-
ing to know that the patriotism of the
people is equal to the occasion, and that
the number Of troops rendered to the
Government greatly exceeds the force
that Congress authorized me to call into
the field. refer with pleasure TO that
portion of his report which makes allus-
ion to the creditable degree of discipline
already attained by our troops, and 10 the
excellent sanitary condition Of the entire
army.
The recommendation by the Secretary
for an organization Of the militia upon a
uniform basis is subject Of vital impor
tance TO the future policy of the country,
and is commended to the serious atten-
ton of Congress. A large addition to
the regular army in connection with the
detection that has so remarkably dimin.
ished the number of lis officers, gives pc,
cular importance TO his recommends
ton for increasing the corps of cadets to
the greatest capacity Of the military acad
envy.
By mere omission. | presume, Con
gress has failed to provide chapains for
the hospitals occupied by volunteers.
The subject was brought to my notice,
and'I.was induced. to throw off form Of a
letter, one copy of which-was personally
addressed to each of the persons, and at
the dates, respectively named and sta
ted in schedule, containing also the
form of the letter, marked A. and here
with transmitted. These gentlemen,
understand. entered upon the duties OF
Chaplain at the times respectively stated
in the schedule, and have laborel faith
| fully therein ever since. | therefore rec
ommend that they be compensated at the
same rate as Chaplans in the army. |
further suggest that further provision be
made for Chaplains TO serve at hospitals
as well as with regiments.
The report of the Secretary OF the Ma,
w presents in detail the operations OF
that branch of the service, and the actiy-
iy and energy which have characterized
its administration. and the result of meas
ures to increase its efficiency and power.
Such have been the additions by cou-
struction and purchase that it may al
most be said a ravy has been created and
brou ht into service since our difficult
ties commenced. Besides blockadng
our extensive coast. squadrons larger
than ever before assembled under our
flag, have been put ahoat, and performed
deeds which have increased our naval
renown.
| would invite special attention to the
recommendation OF the Secretary of the
Navy for more perfect organization o
the Navy. by introducing additional
grades in the service. The present or.
ganizalion is defective and unsatislacto.
ry, and the Suggestions submitted by the
Department will, il is believed, if adopt
ed, obyiate the difficulties alluded To-
promote harmony and increase the eff.
cheney of the Navy.
respectfully recommend to the con,
sheraton OF Congress the present condi
lion of the statute laws, with the hope
that Congress will be able 10 find an ca.
sy remedy for the many inconvenience
and evils which constantly embarraSs
those engaged in their practical admins
tration. Since the organization OF the
Government, Congress has enacted some
\ five thousand acts and joint resolutions
which fill more than Two thousand close
lv printed pages, and are scattered thro'
many volumes. Many ofthese acts have
been drawn in haste, and without sutii.
cient caution, SO that their provisions are
often obscure in themselves, or in con.
dict with each other, and at least SC
doubtful as 10 render il difficult for even
the best informed persons 10 ascertain
precisely what the statute law really Is.
Ii seems TO me very important that the
statute law Should be made as plain and
Ineligible as possible. and be reduced
10 rs small n compass as may consist
with the fullness aud precision of the
will OF the legislature, and the perspieui-
ty of its language. These. well done,
would greatly facilitate the labors Of
those whose duty II is 10 assist in the ad.
minsration OF the laws. and would be 4
lasting benefit to the people by placing
before them In = more accessible and in.
teligible form the laws which SO deeply
concern their interest and their duties.
am informed by some whose opinions
respect, .hat all the acts OF Congress now
in force, and Of permanent and general
nature. might be revised and rewritten
so as 10 be embodied in one volume. or n
least two volumes, OF ordinary aud con,
venient size. respectfully recommend
to Congress TO consider the subject. and
if my suggestion be approved, 10 devils,
such a plan rs 70 their wisdom shall seen
most proper for The attainment o; tho enc
proposed.
There are three vacancies on tht
Bench OF the Supreme Court-two by
T the decease Of Justices Daniel and Me
kean. and and one By the resignation o
Justice Campbell. ] have so far for
horne making nominations to fll tles'
} vacancies. for reasons which will nov