Litchfield enquirer., 1866-12-13
2. THE REPORTS.
Below we give brief extracts of the an- nual reports from the Treasury, War, Navy Interior and Postoffce Departments: \

June 30, was $31, 196, 3s7; October 3i, the net decrease from August 31, 1865 amounted to $2O6, ,379, 1885. Ss ! 9l
 MT. McCulloch remarks that while these statements are in the highest degree en- couraging, "it is not expected, nor is it perhaps desirable, that the same rate of re- i duetion should be continued" He adds that "a further diminution of internal tax es, and modification of the tariff, which l will doubtless lead to g reduction of GUS | toms duties on many articles, will be re- l quired, in order that production may be increased and new life infused into certain | branches of industry that are now languish- | ing under the burdens which have been imposed upon them" The whole ques- 1 tion of the reduction of the debt is forcibly argued by the secretary; the subject of spe- cie payments is discussed: and the follow ing suggestions are offered to remedy the mischief caused by the fuctuating basis of values:
 ''First. In compelling the national banks to redeem their notes at the Atlantic cities or, what would be better, at single city.
 ''Second. In curtailment of the cur rency to the amount required by legitimate and healthful trade.
 'Third In careful revision of the tar if, for the purpose of harmonizing it with our internal taxes, removing the oppres- sive burdens now imposed upon certain branches of industry, and relieving alto gether, or greatly relieving. raw. materials from taxes, in order that the product of la- bor may be enhanced and production and exportation increased.
 Fourth. In the issue of bonds, payable in not over twenty years, and bearing in- interest at the rate of not over five per cent payable in England or Germany, to an amount sufficient to absorb the six per cent bonds now held in Europe, and to meet the demand there for actual and permanent investment. IT .ssH
 "Fifth. In the rehabilitation of the south ern states" fl 8.~ H. MT. McCulloch expresses the opinion that specie payments should be resumed as early as the first day of July, 1868.
 4ai 4 NATIONAL BANKS. The Comptroller of the Currency reports that there are 1,647 national banks in ac- tive operation. The number of new asso- citations organized last year was 51. The total resources of the banks, October 1, 1866, were q, ,525, ,493, 96O; their liabilities (circulation and deposits), $1, O24, ,274, ,3S6--! leaving surplus of $5O1,, ,22I, ,574 for capi- i tion last year was $1O1, ,824, ,698; but conver- ted state banks during the same period re- tired $5O, ,OOO, ,OOO of their state circulation, making the actual increase in the volume of currency about $50, 100000. The Comp troller recommends redemptions in New York, and gives his reasons at length. 9th or important recommendations are also made. sst .@ a2-'ai5H 2' '
 THE ARMY. !
 Secretary Stanton reports that up to the 1st of November last, 1,023, ,021 volunteers had been mustered out-leaving Il, ,O43 (white and colored) in the service at that date. The present strength of the army is 54,3O2, including 10, 900 colored troops; on ly 97 soldiers remained in hospital on the 30th of June last. 4
 Large sales of war material and govern ment property have been made, netting lowing: 287, ,000 horses and mules sold for $15, 269, 900; 4,400 barracks, hospitals and other buildings, sold for $447, GOO; dam- aged clothing, sold for $1, 152, 900; hospital property sold for $4, ,OOO, ,OOO; two hundred and sixty-two vessels, chartered for inland transportation at cost of $3, ,OOO, GOO, have been dismissed The military railroads, operated during the war at total expendi ture of $4b,00O, ,000, have been restored to their owners, with 433 engines and 6,6O5 cars. The military telegraph is. discontin- ued; its total cost was $3, 219, 900.
 Forty-one national military cemeteries have been established, and the interments number 104 ,526-all Union dead Sites for ten additional cemeteries have been se- lected. ~ -A '-S-
 The total expenditures of the War De- partment last year were $259, ,374, ,317 of which sum $2O5, ,272, ,324 were paid to the million of soldiers mustered out. The pay estimate for the coming year is $17, 728, ,560.
 TROOPS NOW IN THE SOUTH.
 General Grant reports that a military force has been kept in all the lately rebel1- ious states for the purpose of insuring the execution of law, and protecting life and property against the acts of those who, as yet, will acknowledge no law but force-a class smaller in his opinion, than could have been expected after such conflict as that through which we have passed, but sufi- ciently formidable to justify the course which has been pursued.
 THE FREEDMEN.
 -I It is estimated that one hundred and fff ty thousand freedmen and their children are now attending school in the southern states. Schools for refugee white children are also established. Their formation is ev- anywhere encouraged by the Bureau. There has been but little uniformity of action in different states in respect to the admins tration of justice. Assistant commission CTS have been instructed to transfer militia " jurisdiction as rapidly as possible to state judicial tribunals. This has been done completely in some states, while in Vir- ginia, Louisiana and Texas, Bureau courts are still in existence.
 THE NAVY.
 Secretary Welles reports that the navy has 278 vessels, 2,351 guns and 13, 500 men. Fifty-fou iron-clads are laid up, and are not completed. Sixty-nine vessels are in squadron service, carrying 694 guns. On the pension list there are ?, ,265 names; the total annual payment is $27O, ,739
 THE PosToFFICE.
 Postmaster-Ge General Randall reports that the Post-ofice revenue last year was $14,- 386, ,986, and the expenditures $15, ,352, 900. The deficit, therefore, is nearly million. The decrease of revenue compared with the previous year, was 1-2 per cent, and the increase of expenditures 12 per cent. The estimate of expenditures for the next fiscal year shows another deficit of $1, 776, 900. So the Postofice Department is not in a nourlshing condition. In the southern QtQfoo a 2RO x. L