The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-12-07


mes Of the last fiscal year amounted to
s14,R56,15s, and the expenditures to
SIS, 3,O94,7 ,728, leaving surplus of re-
ceipts over expenditures OF 1851, ,430.
Progress has been made. in restoring
postal service in the Southern States.
The views presented by the Postmas-
tor General against the policy fgrant.
ing subsidies to ocean mail steamship
lines upon established routes, and in
favor Of continuing the present sys.
tenn, which limits the compensation
for ocean service 10 the postage earn
ings, are recommended to the careful
consideration Of Congress-.
1t appears, from the report of the
Secretary of the Navy, that while, at
the ecommencemento Of the present year,
there were in commission $50 vessels
OF all classes and descriptions, armed
with 5000 guns and manned by e51,-
900 men, the number of vessels at pre-
sent in commission is III, with $50
guns and IL, 1913 men. By this prompt
reduction of the naval forces the OK.
penses Of the Government have been
largely diminished, and a 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 squadrons
have been re. established, and consist
of vessels much more efficient than
those employed on similar service pre-
yious to the rebellion. The sugges.
tion for the enlargement Of the navy.
yards, and especially for the establish.
ment of one in fresh water for the IRON
clad vessels, is deserving of considera.
tion, as is also the recommendation
for a different location and more am
pie grounds for the Naval Academy.
In the report of the Secretary of
War, q general summary is given of
the military campaigns of 1864 and
1865, ending in the suppression Of arm.
cd resistance to the national authority
in the insurgent States. The opera.
tions of the general administrative Blu.
reaus Of the War Department during
the past year are detailed, and an es,
innate made of the appropriations that
will be required for military purposes
in the fiscal year commencing the 3Oth
day Of June, 1866. The national mill.
tary force on the lst of May, 1865,
numbered 1,0O0,516 men. It is pro-
posed to reduce the military establish
ment to n peace footing, comprehend
ing fifty thousand troops of all arms.
organized so as to admit of an enlarge.
ment by filling up the ranks to eighty
two thousand six hundred, if the cir.
cumstances of the country should re-
quire an augmentation of the army.
The volunteer force has already been
reduced by the discharge from service
Of over eight hundred thousand troops,
and the Department is proceeding rap
idly in the work of further reduction.
The war estimates are reduced from
S516,24O,l3l to S33,8l4,461, which a.
mount in the opinion of the Depart.
ment, is adequate for a peace estab.
lishment. The measures of retrench.
ment in each Bureau and branch of
the service exhibit a dilligent economy
worthy Of eommendation. Reference
is also made in the report to the ces-
sity Of providing for a uniform militia
system, and to the propriety Of making
suitable provision for wounded and
disabled officers and soldiers.
The revenue system of the country
is a subject Of vital interest to it's hon.
DR. and prosperity, and should command
.he earnest consideration Of Congress.
The Secretary ofthe Treasury will lay
before you full and detailed report Of
.he receipts and disbursements Of tho.
asst fiscal year, Of the first quarter of the,
present fiscal year, of the probable re-.
,eipts and expenditures for the other 3:
quarters, and the estimates for tho
year following the Both Of Juno, 1885,.
might content myself with refer
,nce to that report, in which you wili
ind all the information required for
7our deliberations and decision. But
he paramount Importance of the sub
ect so presses itself on my mind, that
cannot but lay before you my views.
# the measures which are required for
he good character, and, ] might al.
most say, for the existence Of this pee.
lie.
The hfo ofa republic Hes certainly in the energy,
irtue and intelligence OIL cItisehs but equal.
Y true that good revenue system is the life Of an
he nation has voluntarily burdened itself with a
ebt unprecedented IN our annals. Vast as 10 its
mount, It tades away into nothing when compared
pom our country and upon man by the preservation
the DAiions life. Now, Che arst occasion ofthe
leetnSo Congress since the return Of peace
he utmost importance 70 iBaa9uaate just policy.
,hich shall at oDet be pas in motion, and which
hall commend itseft to those who c. me- aftet us for
s continuance. We must ann at nothing less than
ecessary followed q state - civil war. We must
ndeavor to apply the earliest pefnedy 70 the dsran
ed state ofthe currency and not shrink from detis-
eope, shall Immediately begin 10 effect reduction
the debt, and, u Persisted in diseAarge II fully
ithin adehniteiy fixed number Of years.
IL s our hrst duty 10 prepare in earnest for our re-
oyery rom the eyer'increasng euls ofan iTedcem|
BILE currency, without sudden reyulson, ahdyet
ithout untimey procrastnation. For thatendyc
%. Ihoid 1t the duty OF the Executive to insiet
pom trngalty IN the expenditures; and sparing
conomy IS itsefa great national resource. OF the
anka to which authority has been gwen to issuo
otes secured by bonds Of the United States we may
squire the greatest moderation and prudence, and
10 law must DO rigidy enforced when It's limits are
xceeded, Wemay, each one Of us, counsel our &C.
We and enterprlslng countrymen to be constantly
their guard TO liqudate debes contracted in pa
er currency, and by conducting business as nearly
possible on o system OF cash payments or short
edits, to hold themselves prepared 10 Teturnto
e standard Of gold and silver, To aid our. fellow
tiEens In the prudent management Of their none
ry affairs. the duty devoYes on us 10 diminish BY
" the amount OF paper money now In circulation.
Five years ago the bank note circulation Of the
'untrynmountcd 10 not much more than two hum
'ed millions; now tho circulation, bank and nation
exceeds seven hundred millions The simple