Litchfield enquirer., 1864-12-15


 might perhaps, with good effect, and without injury. be presented to persons oflimited means With this view. l suggest whether it might not be both competent and expedient for Con gress to provi le that limited amount of some future issue of public securities might be held by any bona fide purchaser. exempt irom taxa- ton. and from seizure for debt. under such re- strictions ar limitations as might be necessa- " to guard against the abuse of so important a privilege. This would enable every prudent person to set aside small annuity against a possible day of want. Privileges like these would render the possession of such securities to the amount limited most desirable to every person of small means who might be able to save enough for the purpose. The great ae- vantage of citizeus being creditors, as we'll as debtors, with relatioH.ta the public debt, is ob- vious. Men readily perceive that they cannot he much oppressed by deot winch they owe to themselves.
 The public debt on the first day of July last although somewhat exceeding the estimate of the Secretary of the Treasury made to Con- gress at the commencement of last session, fails short of the estimate of that officer made in the preceding December as to it's probable amount at the beginning of this year, by the sum of S3995079 3a. This fact exhibits satisfactory condition and conduct of the oper- ations of the Treasury.
 NATIONAL BANKS.
 The National banking system is proving to be acceptable to capitalists and to the people. On the twenty-6f,h day o November, five hundred and eighty.four national banks had which were conversions from State banks. from, toto fa ho Not moi system are rapidly taking place, and it is hopei that very soon there will be in the United States no banks of issue not authorized by Congress, and no bank circulation not secured by the Government.
 That the government and the people will derive general benefit from this change in the banking system of the country. can hardly be questioned. The national banking system will create q reliable ana permanent influence Tn support of the national credit, and protect the peop.e against losses in the use of paper money. Whether or not, any further legisla- ton IS advisable for the suppression of State bank issues, it will be for Congress to deter mine. It seems quite clear that the Treasury cannot be satisfactorily conducted unless the government Can exercise restraining power over the bank note circulation of the country.
 MILITARY AFFAIRS.
 The report of the Secretary of War, and the accompanying documents will detail the cam paigns of the armies in the field since the date of the last annual message, and also the operations of the several administrative bu- reaus of the war department during the last year. It will also specify the measures deem ed essential for the national defense, and keep ID and supply the requisite military force.
 NAVAL AFFAIRS.
 Ths report Of the Secretary of the Navy presents cor prehensive and satisfactory eX- nibit of the atifairs of that Department, and oi the Eaval service. It is subject uf consrat. ulatlon and audaba pride to oar countrymen, tLat a navy of such vast proportions has been organized in so brief d period, and conducted with so much efficiency and success.
 Tie general exhibit of the navy. including vessels under construction on the first ot De- cember. 1864, shows q total of 61l vessels. carrying 4,GlO guns, and of 5lO.396 tohs, be- ing an actual increase during the year over and above all losses by shipwreck or in battle, of S3 vessels, l67 guns, and AZ 427 tons. The total humber of men at this time in the naval service, including officers, is about 900.
 There have been captured by the navy dur ing the year, 324 vessels and the whole nuui- Der of naval captures since hostiities con- nenced is 1897, of which 267 are steamers. The gross proceeds arising from the sale of amounts to $l4,396250 5l. A large amount of such proceeds Is still under adjudcation, and yet to be reported.
 The total expenditures of the Navy Depart ment. of every description, including the cost of hn h,f called into existence from the fourth of March 1861, to the lst of November. 1864. are S23S. 641,262 35. Your favorable consideration is invited to the Various recommendations of the Secretary of the Navy. and especially in re. gard to a navy yard and suitable estabiis men, for the construction of ocean. and the repair of iron vessels ard the machinery and arma- ture of our ships, to which reference was made in my last annual message.
 Your attention is also invited to the views expressed in the report in relation to the legis- lation of Congress at it's last session in re. spect to prizes on our island waters. cor. dially concur in the recommendation of the Secretary as to the proprietv of creating the new rank of Vice Admiral in our naval ser vice.
 POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT. out ol1CuttOu iS iuhitcu to tuC Oi tHS Postmaster-G General for a detailed account oI l the operations and Financial condition of the Post-Ofice Department. The postal revenues for the year ending June 30,h, 1864. amount ed to SIP ,43e, ,253 78, and the expenditures tt $l2644.756 20. the excess of expenditures l over receipts being $2G6.652 A.
 The views presented by the Postmaster General on the subject of special grants by the government in aid of the establishment O new lines of ocean mail steamships. aud the policy he recommends for the development of increased commercial intercourse with ad jacent and neighboring countries, should re I ceive the careful consideration of Congress. EXPANSION OF POPULATION. It is of noteworthy interest that the steady expansion of population. improvement ant governmental institutions over the new ani unoccupied portions of our country, havt scarcely been checked, much less impeded o destroyed, by our great civil war, which at frs glance would seem to have absorbed alHos the entire energies of the nation. The organization and admission of the Stat, 1 of Nevada has been completed. in conformit, with law, and thus our excellent system i firmly established in the mountains, which ono, seemed barren and uninhabitable waste be- tween the Atlantic States and those whicl have grown up on the coast of the Paci6, Ocear.