North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1864-12-14


in the United states no banks of fssue not
authorised by Congress, and no bank note
circulation not secured by the government,
that the government and the people will de
rive general benefit from this change in the
banking system in the country can hardly be
questioned. The national system will create
a reliable and permanent influence in support
of tie national credit, and protect the people
against losses in the use of paper money -
Whether or not any further legislation is ad
visable for the suppression of state bank is
sues, it will be for Congress to determine
1t seemS quite clear that the treasury cannot
be satisfactorily conducted unless the govern
ment can exercise restraining power over
the bank note circulation Of the country.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary Of war, and
the accompanying documents: will detail the
date of the last annual message, ard also the
operation of the several administrative bu-
reaus of tho, War Department during the
las year. . ...2 - 81.
1t will also specify the measures deemed
essential for the national defense, and to
keep up and supply the requisite military
force. The report Of the Secretary Of the
Navy presents a comprehensive and satisfac-
tory exhibit Of the affairs OF the department.
and Of The naval service. 1t is subject of
copgratulatisn and laudable pride to our
counirymen that navy Of such vast pro-
portions has been organized in so brief pc
riod and conducted with SO much efficiency
-.. .-s - CONDITION OF THE NAVY.
The general exhibit Of the navy, including
vessels under construction on the 1st of De-
cember, 1864. shows a total of GIL vessels
carrying 4,6l0 guns and $40, 1896 tons, being
an actual increase during the year, over and
above all losses by shipwreck or in battle, Of
80 vessels, l67 guns, and 1927 tons. The
total number men at this time in the naval
service, including officers, is about 81 ,000.-
There have been captured by the navy during
the year GA YeopEI0, u..a ,L-rp rphnIa number
Of naval captures since hostllities commenced
is 1879, Of which 267 are steamers. Th,
gross proceeds arising from the sale cfcon
demncd prize property, thus far reported,
amounts 10 $l4 SOC, ,2505l. A large amount
of such proceeds is still under adjudication,
and yet to be reported, The total eXpendi-
lures OF the Navy Department, of every de-
scIiptiop, including the cost of the INN ense
squadrons that have been called into exist
euce from the 4th of March, 1861, to the lst
OF November, 1864, are S23S, ,647 1862, 3d.
Your favorable consideration is invited to
the various recommendations of the Secreta-
ry of the Navy, especially in regard to ma
w yard and suitable establishment for the
construction and repair Of iron vessels and
the machinery and armature for our ships, to
which reference was made in my last annual
message.
Y Ynur attention is also invited to the views
expressed in the report in relation to the
legislation Of Congress at its last session, IN
respect to prize on our inland waters.
THE vICE-ADMIRALTY.
cordially concur in the recommended ton
of the secretary, as to the proprietY of Gre
ating the new rank of vice admiral in our ma
val service.
THE PosToEFICE.
Your attention has been invited to the re%
of th a. lnfo lol
account of the operations and financial condi
ton of the Post office Department. ...
The postal revenue for the year ending
June 30th, 1864, amounted to $l2,43S, ,253,
78, and the expenditures to $l2,644,7S6,20;
the excess Of expenditures over receipts being
S2O6652, ~. ua
The views presented by the Postmaster
General on the subject of special grants by
the government in aid of the establishment
Of new lines of ocean mail steamships, and
the policy he recommends for the develope
ment of increased commercial intercourse
with adjacent and neighboring countries,
should receive the careful consideration Of
Congress. -....-
1t is of noteworthy interest that the
steady expansion of population, improvement
and governmental institutions over the new
and unoccupied portions of our country, have
scarcely been checked, much less imp9ded
or destroyed, by our great civil war, which
at first glance would seem to have absorbed
almost the entire energies Of the nation.
NEVADA.
The organization and admission of the
State of Nevada has been completed, in con-
formity with law, and thus our excellent sys-
tenn is firmly established in the mountains,
which one seemed barren and uninhabita-
BILE waste, between the Atlantic States and
those which have grown up on the coast oi
the Pacific ocean.
THE TERRITORIES.