Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-15

The Constitution confers on Congress the right to
regulate commerce among the several States II Il
of the first necessity, for the maintenance Of the
Union, that the commerce should be free and
unobstructed. No State can be justified in any
device 10 tar the transit of travel and commerce
between States. The position of many States is
such that, II they were allowed to take advantage
of 1t for purposes of local revenue, the commerce
between States might be iDjuriously burdened, oil
even virtually prohibited. II is best, while the
tendency TO dangerous monopolies of this kind Is
still feeble. to use the power of Congress so to
prevent any selfish impediment to the free circula-
ton of men and merchandise. tax on travel and
merchandise, in their transit constitutes one Of the
worst forms of monopoly, and the evil is increased
If coupled with denial Of the choice Of route
When the vast extent of our country is considered
it is plain that every obstacle to the free circulation
of commerce between the States ought to be stern
guarded against by appropriate legislation, with
in the limits of the Constitution. ..,
The report OF the Secretary Of the Interior ex-
plains the condition of the public lands, the trans
actions Of the Patent Office and the Pension Blu.
reau, the management of our Indian affairs, the
p. 0gress made in the construction of the Pacific
Railroad, and furnishes information in reference 70
matters Of local interest in the District of Columbia
1t also presents evidence of the successful operation
OF the Homstead Act under the provisions OF
which h ,l5o533 acres Of the public lands were
fourth of the whole number of acres sold or other
wise disposed of during that period. 1t is estima-
ted that the receipts derived from this source are
sufficient TO the expenses incident TO the sur
yey and disposal of the lands entered under this
act and that the payment in cash to the extent of
from forty to fifty per cent will be made by settlers
who may thus at any time acquire the title before
the expiration Of the period at which il would 9TH
erwise vest. The homestead policy was established
only after long aud earnest resistance; experience
proves its wisdom. The lands in the hands of in
dustrious settlers whose labor creates wealth and
contributes to the public resources worth more
to the United States than If they had been reserved
as solitude for future purchasers. The lamenta-
BILE events Of the last four years. and the sacrifices
made by the gallant men Of our army and navy
havesweed the..records of the Pension Bureau to
an unprecedented extent. On the 3oth day of June
last the total number Of pensioners was S5 sS6,
quirng for their annual pay exclusive of expenses
the sum Of $s,023, ,545 The number of applica-
tions that have been allowed since that date will
require large increase of this amount for the
next fiscal year. The means for the payment Of
the stpends due, under existing laws, to our dis
abed soldiers and sailors, and to the families OF
such have perished iu the service of the country
will no doubt be cheerfuly and promptly granted
A grateful people will not hesitate to sanction any
measure having for their object the relief of soldiers
mutilated and families made atherless in the efforts
to preserve our national existence.
The report of ihe Postmaster General presents an
encouraging exhibit of the operations of the Post
Office Department during the year. The revenue:
IF the past year from the loyal States alone exceed
the maximum annual receipts from all the State:
previous to the rebellion, in the sum of 1888, ,o9l
and the annual average increase Of revenue during
the last four years, compared with the revenues o
the four years Immediately preceding the rebellion
was So, ,5s3,s45. The revenues of the last fsca
year amounted to $l4, SO, l5s, aud the expend
lures to sl3,694, 72s, leaving a surplus 81 receipts
over expenditures of 1861 430. Progress has beer
made in restoring the postal service in the Southern
States The views presented by the PoAmaste
General against the police OF granting subsidies
ocean mail steamship lines upon established routes
and in favor Of continuing the present system
which limits the compensation for ocean service 4
the postage earnings, are recommended to the care
full consideration Of Congress.
1t appears, from the report of the Secretary o
the Navy, that while, at the commencement of tn,
present year, there were in commission SO" vessel
Of all classes and descriptions, armed with 300(
guns and manned by $1,000 men. The number o
vessels at present in commission is Ill, with 83(
guns ond IL, % men. By this prompt reduction o
the naval forces the expenses of the Governmen
will be largely diminished, and a number of YES
sells, purchased for naval purposes from the mer
chant marine, have been returned to the peaeefu
pursuits of commerce. Since the suppression o
active hostilities foreign squadrons have beer
re-estabshed, and consist of vessels much NOR
efficient than those employed on previous serRjc
previous to the rebellion. The suggestion for th
enlargement Of the navy-yards, and especially TO
the establishment of one in fresh water for iron
clad vessels, is deserving of consideration, as i
also the recommendation for a different Location
and more ample grounds for the Naval Academy.
!, In the report Of the Secretary of War, q genera
summary is given of the military campaigns o
1864 and 1865 ending in the suppression Of armed
resistance 10 the national authority in the insurgen
t States. The operation of the general adminstra
{ tive Bureaus of the War Department during tn
past year are detailed and an estimate made OF tn
appropriations that win be required for militar.
purposes in the fiscal year commencing the 3Ou
day of June, 1866. The national military force oi
: the lst of May, 1865, numbered l,000,5l6 men,
It is proposed to reduce the military establishment
t to a peace footing, comprehending fifty thousan'
troops of all arms, organized so as to admit Of al
0 enlargement by filling up the ranks to eghty-tw
e thousand six hundred, if the circumstances Of tn
e country should require an augmentation of th
army. The volunteer force has already been re
a duced by the discharge from service of over egh
. hundred thousand troops, and the Department
proceeding rapidly in he work of further reduC
A ton, The war estimates are reduced from s5l6
4 240,l3l 10 S33,sl4,4l6, which amount in ia
opinion Of the Department, is adequate for peac
. establishment The measures Of retrenchment /
4 each Bureau and branch Of the seryice exhibit
4 digent economy worthy Of commendaton. Re
erence is also made in the report TO the necessity
+ providug for a uniform militia SYSTEM and to til
e propriety of making suitable provision for wounde
/. and disabled officers and soldiers
o The revenue system Of the country Is suhje'
e of vital interest TO its honor and prosperity an
a should command the earnest consideration Of Cor
a gress The Secretary Of the Treasury will lay b
IT fore you full and detailed report of the receip
l. and disbursements Of the last fiscal year, OF Il
'r probable receipts and expenditures for the 9TH
e three quarters, and the estimates for the year 10
e lowing the 3Oth Of June, 1866. | might contel
is myself with reference to that report in whic
y you will find all the information required for yo'
Of deliberations and decision. But the paramount in
'e porance Of the subject presses itself on my min
r that cannot but lay before you my views OF Il
measures which required for the good characte
b. and, might almost say, for the existence Of th
people. The life of republic lies certainly in u
- virtne and ntelli0ence of its citLensi b