Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1865-12-21
Tne Presidents Message.
Icone7a.aed,1
THE NAVY.

1t appears from the report OF
tn, Secretary of the Navy, that
while, at the commencement of the
present year, there were i'll COM
MISSION $50 vessels of all classes
and descriptions, armed with 5000
guns and manned by 1000 men,
the number of vessels at tpresent in
commission is III, with $50 guns
and II, ,l2S men. By this prompt
reduction of the naval forces the
expenses of the Government have
been largely diminished, and a
number Of vessels, purchased for
naval purposes from the merchant
mar ne, have been returned to the
peaceful pursuits of commerce
Since the suppression of active
hostiIities our foreign squadrons
have been re-established, and con-
sist of vessels much more efficient
than those employed on similar
service previous to the rebellion.
The suggestion for the enlarge
ment of the navy-yards, and es-
pecially for the establishment of
one in fresh water for iron-clad
vessels. is deserving of considera-
ton, as is also the recommendation
for different location and more
ample grounds for the Naval A
cademy.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
In the report ofthe Secretary of
War, Il general summary is given
ofthe military campaigns of 1864
and 1865, ending in the suppression
of armed resistance to the nation-
al authority in the insurgent
States. The operations of the
general administrative Bureaus
Of the War Department during the
past four years are detailed, and an
estimate made of the approprla-
tons that will be required tor mill
tary purposes in the fiscal year
commencing the 3Oth day of June,
1866. The national military force
on the lst of May, 1868, numbered
1,000,5l6 men. 1t is proposed
to reduce the military establish
ment to a peace footing, compre-
hending fifty thousand troops OF
all arms, organized SO as to admit
of an enlargement by filling up
the ranks to eishty-two thousand
six hundred, if the circumstances
of the country should require an
augmentation of the army. The
volunteer force has already been
reduced by the discharge from SER
vice of over eight hundred thou
sand troops, and the Department
is proceeding rapidly in the work
of further reduction. The war
estimates are reduced from S3l6,-
240, Isl to S33,oi4, }6l, when
amount, in the opinion of the De
partment, is adequate for a peace
establishment. The measures of
retrenchment in each Bureau and
/ branch of the service exhibit a dill
igent economy worthy of COM
mendation. Reference is also
made in the report to the necessity
of providing for uniform militia
system, and to the proprlety OF
making suitable provision tor
/ wounded and disabled officers and
soldiers.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
The revenue system of the coun-
try is a subject of vital interest
to its honor and prosperity, and
should command the earnest con-
sideration of Congress. The Sec.
retary of the Treasury will lay
before you a detailed report OF the
receipts and disbursements of the
last fiscal year, of the first quarter
Of the present fiscal year, Of the
probable receipts and expenditures
for the other three-quarters, and
the estimates for the year follow
inc the 30th of June, 1866. |
might content myself with a RET
erence to that report, IN which
yon will find all the information
required for your deliberation and
decision. But the paramount
Importance of the subject 50 press
es itself ON my mind, that | calinot
but lay before you my views OF
the measures which are required
for. the good character. and, l
might almost say, for the exist