The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-12-15

W tuo VouuuyS VIII Ho uouUt Uo Cu0eIuHy
and promptly granted. A grateful peo.
pie surely will not hesitate 10 sanction
any measures having for their object the
relief Of soldiers mutilated,. and families
made fatherless In the efforts TO preserve
our national existence.
The report Of the Postmaster General
presents an encouraging exhibit OF the
operations Of the Post Office Department
during the year. The revenues Of the
past year from the loyal States alone OK.
ceeded the maximum annual receipts from
all the States previous % the rebellion, In
the sum OF S6, ,O38, ,08i; and the annual
average increase Of revenue during the
last four years, compared with the reve.
nues Of the four years Immediately pre-.
ceding the rebellion, was 1858, ,845.-
The revenues Of the last fiscal year has
amounted to 1856, 1853, and the ex.
penditures toSl3, ,694, 1913, leaving q sur
plus Of receipts over expenditures Of e8,.
81 ,430. Progress has been made In re-
storing the postal service in the Southern
States. The views presented by the Post
Master Gen. against the policy Of granting
subsidies to ocean mail steamship lines on
established routes, and in favor OF con-
tinuing the present system. which limits
the compensation for ocean service 10 the
postage earnings, are recommended to the
careful consideration Of Congress. 30
1t appears. from the report OF tbe
Secretary of the Navy, that while, at the
commencement of the present year, there
were In commission $50 vassels Of all
classes and descriptions, armed with
5000 guns and manned by 81 900 men,
the number OF vessels at present in conn
mission is 1T. with $50 guns and 1873
men. By this prompt reduction Of the
Eaval forces the expenses OF the Govern.
ment have been largely diminished, and
number OF vessels, purchased for naval
purposes from the merchant marine, have
been returned to the peaceful pursuits OF
commerce. Since the suppression Of
active hostilities our foreign squadron
have been re-established, and consist OF
vessels much more efficient than those
employed on similar service previous to
the rebellion. The suggestion for the
enlargement Of the navy yards, and es-
pecially for the establishment OF one In
fresh water for iron-clad vessels, is de-
serving Of consideration, as is also The
Recommendation for different location
and more ample grounds for the Naval
Academy. .a' ~ .H5..-' sl4 q.
In the report Of she Secretsry Of War.
= general summary is given Of the mill.
tary campaigns Of 1864 and 1865, end.
ing in the suppression of armed resist
ance to the national authority in the in
surgent States. The operations Of the
general administrative bureaus OF the
War Department during the past year
are detailed, and an estimate made oithe
appropriations that will be required for
military purposes In the fisca! year com.
mencing the 3Oth Gay Of June, 1906
The national military force on the let OF
May, 1865, numbered l.OOo,5l6 men.
It is proposed to reduce the military es-
tablishment to peace footing, compre-
bending fifty thousand troops Of all arms.
organized so as 10 admit OF an enlarge
ment by filling up the ranks to eighty
two thousand six hundred, il the circum-
stances Of the country should require an
augmentation Of the army. The volun-
teer force hes already been reduced by
the discharge from service OF over eight
hundred thousand troops, and the De-
par.ment is proceeding rapidly in the
work Of further reduction. The war es-
Inmates are reduced from 8516.24O.13l
to s33. 3.814.A6l, which amount. in the
opinion of the Department, ls adequate
for peace establishment. The meas
ures Of retrenchment 10 each bureau and
branch OF the service exhibit diligent
economy worthy of commentator. Ref
erence is also made in the report to the
necessity OF providing for Uniform mil
itia system, and to the propriety OF
making suitable provision for wounded
and disabled officers and soldiers. ,.
The revenue system Of the country is 6
subject OF vital interest to its honor and
prosperity, and should command the
earnest consideration OF Congress. The
Secretary OF the Treasury will lay before
you full and detailed report OF the re.
ceipts and disbursements Of the last fiscal
year, OF the first quartor OF the present
fiscal year. OF the probable receipts and
expenditures for the other three quarters,
and the estimates for the year following
the 3Oh OF June, 1866. 4 might con.
Ten. myself with reference to that re-
port, in which you will find all the inform
alton required for your deliberations and
decision. But the paramount importance
OF the subject so presses itself on my own
mind that cannot bu! lay before you my
views of the measures which are re-
quired for the good character, and.
might almost say, for the existence Of
this people. The life of q republic lies