The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1862-08-29

appropriate for adjusting differences of
'Pihion' 1t Will be my pleasure as we'll as
otts 10 cooperate in any measure that
may be deyiseJ. for reconehng Just care
Tor the .publi&kdeience with proper de-
ference for the Most scrupulous suscepti-
bllltles of the State authorities.
The export of the Secretary of the
Treasury will exhibit in detail the opera
tons of that department. 1t will be
seen with satisfaction that the credit of
the Government securities remains UNI
impaired, and that this credit is fully
Justified 10y the comparatively small
amount of accumulated debt, notwth
ssnding the magnitude of our military
operations.
The legislation of the last session pro-
vided for the purchase of supplies with
the bonds Of the Government; but the
preference of the people for Treasury
notes has been SO marked that legislation
is recommended to authorize an increase
in the issue of Treasury notes, which the
public service seems to require.
No grave inconvenience need be APP
pretended from this increased issue, as
the provision of law by which those
notes are convertible into eight per cent.
bonds forms ar efficient and permanent
Safeguard against any serious deprecia-
ton of the currency.
Your attention is also invited to the
means proposed by the Secretary for IA
eilitating the preparation of these notes,
and for guarding them against forgery
1t is due to our people to state, that the
manufacture of counterfeit notes does not
existwithin our limits, and that they are all
imported from the Northern States.
The report of the Secretary of War,
which is submitted, contains numerous
suggestions for the legislation deemed
desirable, in order to add to the efficien-
cy of the service.
invite your favorable consideration
especially to those recommendations
which are intended to secure the proper
execution of the Conscript law, and the
consolidation of companies, battalions
and regiments, when SO reduced in
strength as to impair that uniformity OF
organization which is necessary in the
army, while On undue burthen is impos-
ed on the treasury. The necessity for
some legislation for controlling military
transportation on the railroads, and i'm
proving their present defective condition,
forces itself upon the attention OF the
Government, and / trust you Will be able
to devise satisfactory measures for attain
ing this purpose.
The legislation on the subject Of gen
eral officers involves the service in some
difficulties which are pointed out by thu
Secretary, and for which the remedy sug
gested by him seems appropriate.
In connection with this subject, / an
OF opinion that prudence dictates som,
sprovision for the increase of the army in
| the event of emergencies not now antici
pated. The very large increase Of forces
recently called into the field by the Pres
ident Of the United States, may render it
necessary hereafter to extend the pro-
visions of the Conscript law so as to en-
brace persons between the ages of thirty
five and forty-five years. The vigor and
efficiency of our present forces. their con-
dition, and the skill and ability which
distinguish their leaders, inspire the be-
lief that no further enrolment will be
necessary. But wise foresight requires
that, if necessity should be suddenly
developed during the recess Of Congress
requiring increased forces for our defence,
means should exist for calling such forces
into the field without awaiting the re-as-
sembling of the legislative department of
the GOVernment.
In the election and appointment of
officers for. the provisional army, it was
to be anticipated that mistakes would be
made, and incompetent officers of all
grades introduced into the service. In
the absence of experience, and with no
reliable guide for selection. Executive
appointments, as well as elections, have
been sometimes unfortunate. The good
of the service, the interests Of our coun-
try require that some means be devised
for withdrawing the commission of Off
GERS who are incompetent for the duties
required by their position. And | trust
YOU will find means for relieving the ar
my of such officers by some mode more
prompt and less wounding to their sensi
bility than the judgment Of q court-mar
tial
Within recent period Ne have effect
ed the object so long desired of an ar
rangement for an exchange of prisoners
which is now being executed by delivery
at the points agreed upon, and which
will, it is hoped, speedily restore oul
brave and unfortunate countrymen to
their places in the ranks of the army,
from which, by the fortunes of war, they
have been, for time, separated. The
details of the arrangement will be COM
municated to you in special report,
when further progress has been made in
their execution.
OF the particulars concerning the ope'
rations OF the War Department, you will
be informed by the Secretary in his re-
port and the accompanying documents
The report of tho Secretary of the
Navy embraces the operations and pres
ent condition of this branch OF the pub
lie service. both afioat and ashore, the
construction and equipment of armed
vessels at home and abroad. the manu-
facture of ordnance and ordnance stores,
and the establishment of workshops and
the Developments of our resources OF
coal and iron. Some legislation seems
essential for securing crews for vessels
The difficulties now experienced on
this point are fully stated in the Secreta-
rvs report, and invite your attention
to providing q remedy.
The report of the Postmaster General
discloses tho endorsements which re-
suited in the postal service from the oc-
cupaton by the enemy of the Mississippi
river, and portions OF the territory OF
the different States. The measures la
ken by the department for relieving
these endorsements as far as practica-
BILE, are detailed in the report. 1t is a
subject of congratulation that during the
ten months that ended on the 3D. OF
March last the expenses of the depart,
ment were largely decreased, whilst its
revenues was augmented, as compared
with corresponding period, ending on
tho S0th June, 1851, when the postal ser
vice was conducted under the authority