North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-12-20

bellion, was $3 ,533;S45. The revenue of
the last fiscal year amounted to 81 ,546,158
and the expenditures to Sl2,694,728, leay
ing surplus of receipts over expenditures
ofs9el, ,43O. Progress has been made in
restoring the postal service in the Southern
States The views presented by the Post
master, General against the policy of grant
ing subsidies to ocean mail steamship lines
upon established routes, and in favor of
continuing the present system, which limits
the compensation for ocean service to the
postage earnings, arc recommended to the
careful consider alton of Congress
1t appears, from the report of the Secre-
tary OF the, Navy, that while, at the COM
mencemeut Of the present year, there were
10 commission $50 vessels of all classes and
descriptions, armed with 5000 guns and
m AIMED by $1,000 men, the number Of
vessels at present in commission is III,
with $50 guns and l2,llS men. BY this
prompt reduction of the naval forces the
expenses of the government have been
largely diminished, and number of YES
sells purchased fornaval purposes from the
merchant marine, have been returned to
the peaceful pursuits of commerce. Since
the suppression ofactive hostilties our for
eign squadrons have been re-estab lished,
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
especially fo!' the establishment of one in
fresh water for iron.clad vessels, is deserv-
ing of consideration, as is also the recon
mendation for different location and more
ample grounds for the Naval Academy.
In the report of the Secretary of War,
a general summary is given Of the military
campaigns of 1864 and 1865, ending to
TIE suppression of armed resistance in the
national authority in the insurgent States.
The operations ofthe general administra-
tive bureaus of the War Department dnr-
ing the past year are detailed, and an esti.
mate made ofthe appropriations that will
be required for military purposes in the
fiscal year commencing the 30th day of
June, 1866. The national military force,
on the 1st of May 1865, numbered 1000,
SIG men. 1t is proposed 10 reduce the
military establishment to a peace footing,
comprehendng $4,000 troops OF all arms,
organized so as to admit of an enlarge
ment by filling up the ranks to $4,000 if
the circumstances of the country should
require an augmentation of the army
The volunteer force has already been re-
duced by the discharge from service OF
over 100000 troops, and the department
is proceeding rapidly in the work OF fur
ther reduction. The war estimates. are
reduced from S5,l6 ,20O,13I to S33,S14,
6l,which amount, in the opinion ofthe
department, is adequate for apeace cstab-
lishment. The measures Of retrenchmcnt
in each bureau and branch of the service
exhibit diligent enconomy worthy OF COM
mcndation. Reference is also made in the
report to the necessity of providing for
unif ,rm militia system, and to the propri-
ETY. of making suitable provision for wound
ed and disabled officers and soldiers.
The revenue system of the country is a
subject of vital interest to its honor and
prosperity, and should command the ear
uest consideration of Congress The Sec
retsry of the Treasury will lay before you
full and detailed report ofthe receipts and
disbursements ofthc last fiscal year, of the
first quarter of the present fiscal year, of
the probable receipts and expenditures for
the Otter three quarters, and the estimates
for the year following the 3oth ofJune, ls-
sc. might content myself with refer
ence to that report, in which you will lind
all the information required for your del'o-
erations and decision. Bnt the paramount
importance of the subject so presses itself
on my miud, that / cannot but lay before
you my views of the measures which are re-
quired for the good character, and, | might
almost say, for the existence ofthis people.
The life of republic lies certainly in tho
energy. virtue and intelligence oft cit-
zens; but it is equally true that a good rev.
enue system is the life of an organized gov
ernmcnt. | meet you at a time when the
nation has voluntarily burden ed itself with
a debt unprecedented in our annals. Vast
as its amount, it fades away into nothing
when compared with the countless blessings
that will be conferred upon our country
.rd pron man hv tho preSarvatinn nf the