The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-12-11

ilatlou IN reference to the operations OF
MS Department during the past year
Few volunteers now remain in the SER
vice, and they are being discharged as
rapidly as they can be replaced by regu-
lar troops. hearmy has been promptly
paid, carefully provided with medical
treatment, we'll sheltered and subsisted,
and is to be furnished with breech- load
ing small arms. The military strength
of the nation has been uuimpaired by the
discharge of volunteers, the disposition
of unserviceable or perishable stores, and
the retrenchment Of expenditure. SuAi-
cient war material to meet anyIemergency
has been retained, and, from the disband-
ed volunteers standing ready to respond
to the national call, large armies can be
rapidly organized, equipped and concen-
trated. Fortlfcations on the coast and
frontier have received, or are being pre-
pared for more powerful asmaments; lake
surveys and harbor and river improve
ments are iu course of energetic prose-
cution. Preparations have been made
for the payment Of the additional boun-
ties authorized during the recent session
of Congress, under such regulations as
will protect the Government from fraud,
and secure to the honorably discharged
soldier the Tell-earned reward of his
faithfulness and gallantry. More than
six thousand manned soldiers have receiv-
ed artificial limbs or other surgical appa-
ratus; and forty-one national cemeteries,
containing the remains of 1926 Union
soldiers, have already been established
The total estimate of military appropri-
ations is $25, ,205, ,669. r
1t is stated in the report of the Secre-
tary of the Navy that the naval force con.
sists Of 278 vessels, armed with 2,351
guns. Of these lis vessels, carrying
1929 guns, are in commission, distribu-
ted chiefly among seven squadrons. The
number of men in the service is 13,600
Great activity and vigilance have been
displayed by all the squadrons, and theil
movements have been judiciously and eff
fciently arranged in such manner as
would best promote American commerce
and protect the rights and interests of oul
countrymen abroad. The vessels unem
ployed are undergoing repairs, or are
laid up until their services may be requir
ed. Most Of the iron clad feet is a
League Island, in the vicinity of Phila
delphia, place which, until decisive ac
tion should be taken by Congress, was Sc
lected by the Secretary of the Navy al
the most eligible location for that class
of vessels. 1t is important that suita
BILE public station should be provided fol-
the iron clad fleet. tits intended tba
these vessels shall be in proper condition
FOR any emergency, and it is desirable
that the bill accepting League Island TO
naval purposes, which passed the Hous
Of Representatives at its last session
should receive final action at an early pc
riod, in order that there may be suita
BILE public station for this class of YES
sells, as well as navy yard ofan are
sufficient for the wants of the service Oh
the Delaware River. The Naval Pension
fund amounts to $11, ,75O, 600, having beel
increased S2,750,000 during the year
The expenditures of the Department 70
the fiscal year ending 30th June last wer
S42, ,324,526, and the estimates for th
coming year amount to to S23, ,66S, ,436.-
Attention is invited to the condition o
our seamen, and the Importance of iegis
lative measures for their relief and i'm
provement. The suggestions in behal
of this deserving class of our fellow-citi
zens are earnestly recommended to th
favorable attention of Congress.
The report Of the Postmaster Genera
presents a most satisfactory condition 0
the postal service, and submits recon
mendations which deserve the considera
tion of Congress. The. revenues of th
Department for the year ending June 81
I1S66, were $14,386, 986, and the expendi
lures S15 1852, ,079, showing an excess 9
the latter of 1866, ,O93. In anticipatio
of this deficiency, however, special ap
preparation was made by Congress in th
act approved July %. 1866. Includin
the standing appropriation OF $4,000
for free mail matter, as a legitimate por
tion of the revenues yet remaining ur
expended, the actual deficiency for th
past year is only $265, ,O93-a sum With
S51,141 of the amount estimated in th
annual report of 1864. The decrease {
revenue compared with the previous yea
was one and one-fth per cent, and the in
crease of expenditures, owing principal
to the enlargement of the mail service j
the South was. twelve per cent. On tn
I3Gth of June last there were in operatio
$3.50 mail routes, with an aggregat
length of 160,021 miles, an aggregate ar
nual transportation of 1885,, ,9l4 miles
and an aggregate annual cost, includin
all expenditures eff $8,410,104. Th
length of railroad routes is 32,092 mile
and the annual transportation &c, ,46
miles. The length of steamboat route
is 14,346 miles, and the annual transpol
tation 8, All, 1862 miles. The mail servic
lis rapidly increasing throughout th
whole country, and its steady extensio
in the Southern States indicates the
constantly improving condition. Th
growing importance of the foreign SCI
vice also merits attention. The Pos
Office Department of Great Britain an
our own have agreed upon preliminar
basis for a new Postal Convention, whic
is believed, will prove eminently benz
fetal to the commercial interests of th
United States, inasmuch as it conteu
plates a reduction of the information;
letter postage to one-half the existin
rates; reduction of postage with all 9th
er nnnntrias To and from which CORE;