Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1864-12-08

debt on the lst day of July lasr, although
somewhat exceeding the estimate of the
Secretary Of the Treasury made to Congress
at the commencement Of the last session,
falls short Of the estimate Of that officer
made in the preceding December, as to its
probable amount at the beginning of this
year, by the sum Of So, 9s5, ,079 SO. This
fact exhibits satisfactory condition and
couduct Of the operations of the Treasury.
The National Banking system is proving
to be acceptable to capitalists and to the
people.
On the 25th day of November, 5S4 Ma
tional Banks had been organized, a consid-
cradle number of which were conversions
from State banks, Changes from the State
system to the National system are rapidly
taking place, and it is hoped thatvery soon
there will be in the United States no bank
of issue not authorized by Congress, and no
bank-note circulation not secured by the
Government that the Government and the
people will derive general benefit from this
change in the banking systems Of the cOun-
try can hardly bequestiOned. The national
system will create a reliable and permanent
influence in support of the national credit
and protect the people against losses in the
use of paper money. Whether or not any
further legislation is advisable for the sup
preston of State bank issue, it will be for
Congress to determine. 1t seems quite clear
that the Treasury cannot be satisfactorily
conducted unless Government can exercise
a restraining power over the banl-notc cir
culation Of the country.
The report Of the Secretary of War and
the accompanying documents will detail the
campaigns Of the armies III the field since
the date Of the last Annual Message, and
also the operations of the several admins
trative bureauX of the War Department
during the last year.
1t will also specify the measures deemed
essential for the national defence, and to
keep up and supply the rcquisit military
force. The report of the Secretary Of the
Navy presents a comprehensive and salts
factory exhibit of the affairs of that depart
ment and Of the naval service It's a sub
ect of congratulation and Iaudable pride to
our countrymen that a navy of such pro-
portions has been organized in so brief
period and conducted with 50 much cflici-
encv and success.
The general exhibit Of the navy, includ-
ing vessels under construction on the Ist
of December 1864, shows a total of Gil
vessels, carrying 4,6l0 guns, 5l0,3 1896 tons
beirg an actual increase during the year.
over and above all losses by shipwreck or
in battle, of 50 vessels, l67 guns, and A.
427 tons. The total number of men at this
time in the naval service including officers,
is about 81 900. There have been captured
by the navy during the year, 324 vessels,
and the whole number Of navy captured
since hoStilities commenced is 1879, of
which 267 are steamers. The gross pro-
cceds arising from the sale of condemned
prize property thus far reported amounts To
Sl4, ,306, $50 81 large amount of such
property is still under adjudication, and
yet to be reported. The total expenditure
Of the Navy Department of every dcsCrip-
tiUn, including the cost of the immense
squadronS that have been called into cXis-
tcncc from the 4th of March, 1861, to the
lst Of November, 1854, are S23S, GA, ,262 80.
Your favorable consideration is invited to
the various recommendations of the Secrc-
tary of the Navy, especial in regard to a
navy-yard and suitable establishment for
the construction and repair Of iron vessels
and the machinery and armaturc 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 i'll relation to the
Legislation OF Congress at its first session,
in regard to prize on our inland waters.
cordially concur in the recommendation
of the Secretary as to the propriety of crea-
ting the new rank Of Vice Admiral in our
naval service.
Your attention is invited to the report OF
/ the PoStmastcr-Gcneral for a detailed ac-
count of the operations and financial con-
dition of the Post-otficc Department.
1 The postal revenues for the year ending
June 80, 1854, amounted to $l2, ,46S, ,253 IS
and the expenditures to Sl2,644, 1856 20: the
, excess of expenditures over receipts being
: $206, ,652 ~.
7 The views presented by the Postmaster
General on the subject Of special grants by
( the Government in aid to the establishment
of new lines of ocean mail steamships, and
the policy he recommends for the develop
mcnt 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, improve
the new and moccupied portions of ouI
country, have scarcely been checked, much
less impedcd or destroyed, by our great civil
war, which at first glance, would seem tc
have absorbed almost the entire energies OF
the nation.
The organization and admission of the
State of Nevada has been completed in
conformity with law, and thus our excel
lent system is firmly established in the
mountains which once seemed a barren
and uninhabitahle waste between the At
lantic States and those which have grown
up on the coast of the Pacific Ocean
The territories of the Union are gener
ally in condition of prosperity and rapid
growth. Idaho and Montana, by reason OF
their great distance and the interruption
of communication with them by Indian hos
tilities, have been only partially organized
but it is understood that these difficulties
are about to disappear, which will permit
their Governments, like those of the 9th
ers, to go into speedy and full operation as
intimately connected with and promotive
of this material growth of the nation,
ask the attention Of Congress to the valua
bic information and important recommen
dations relating to the public lands, Indian