Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-12-05

CI1
His views upon the currency and with ref
erence to a proper adjustment of our reve
nue. system, internal as well as impost, ART
commended to the careful consideration q
Congress. In my last annual message
expressed my general views upon thest
subjects. l need now only call attention tt
the necessity of carrying into every de
partment of the Government q system o.
rigid accountability, thorough retrench-
ment and wise economy. With no ex-
ceptional nor unusual expenditures, the op-
pressive burdens of taxation can be les
sened BY such modification of our reve-
nue. laws as will be consistent with the
public faith and the legitimate and neces-
sary wants of the Government.
SATISFACTORY CONDITION OF OUR FINANCES.
The report represents q much more sat
isfactory condition of our finances than
one year ago the most sanguine could have
anticipated During the fiscal year ending
the 30th June, 1865, the last year of the
war, the public debt was increased $94l,
902, ,537, and on the 3lst Of October, 1866,
1t amounted to S2,74O, ,854, $50. On the 3lst
day of October, 1866, it had been reduced
to S2, SCI, ,3I0 ,006, the diminution during q
period of fourteen months, commencing
September LIST, 1865, and ending October
3lst 1866, having been $206, ,379, $50. In
the last annual report on the state Of the
| finances, it was estimated that during the
three quarters of the fiscal year ending the
Both of June last, the debt would be in.
creased SlI2,l94,947 During that period,
however, it was reduced 1921, l36, ,3S7, the
receipts OF the year having been SS9, ,529,-
905 more, and the expenditures 5000, ,529,- :
235 less than the estimates. Nothing could
clearly indicate than these statements the
extent and availability of the national re-
sources, and the rapidly and safety with
which, under our form of Government,
great military and naval establishments can
| be diSbanded, and expenses reduced from
war to peace footing.
REDUCTION OF TAXES.
During the fiscal year ending the 30th of
June, 1866, the receipts were $685., ,032, ,62O,
and the expenditures $500, 75O, $40, leaving
an available surplus of S37, ,2Si ,6SO 1t is
estimated that the receipts for the fiscal
year ending the 30th June, 1867, will be
S475, 100, 1856, and that the expenditures
will reach the sum of 53l6, 42S, ,075, leaving
in the Treasury surplus Of $l5S, ,633, ,308.
For the fiscal year ending June 80, 1868, it
is estimated that the receipts will amount
to 1886, 900, and that the expenditures
will be $3.50, al, ,64l-showing an excess
of SS5, 752, ,359 in favor of the Government
These estimated receipts may be diminish,
ed by reduction Of excise and import
duties; but after all necessary reductions
shall have been made, the revenue of the
present and of the following years viii
doubtless be sufficient to cover all legiti-
mate charges upon the Treasury, and leave
large annual surplus to be applied to- the
payment of the principal of the debt.
There seems now to be no good reason
why taxes may not be reduced as the ceun-
try advances in population and wealth,
and yet the debt be extinguished within
the next quarter of century.
THE ARMY.
The report of the Secretary of War
furnishes valuable and important informa-
ton in reference to the operations of his
Department during the past year. Few
volunteers now remain in the service, and
they are being discharged as rapidly as
they can be replaced by regular troops
The army has been promptly paid, carefully
provided with medical treatment, well
sheltered and subsisted, and is to be fur
nished with -breech loading small arms.
The military strength OF the nation has
been unimpaired by the discharge of
volunteers, the disposition of unservicable
or perishable Stores and the retrenchment
of expenditure. Sufficient war material
to meet any emergency has been retained,
and, from the disbauded volunteers stand
ing ready to respond to the national call,
large armies can be rapidly organized,
equipped, and concentrated.
Fortifications on the coast and frontier
have received, or are being prepared for
more powerful ornaments lake surveys
and harbor and river improvements are in
course OF energetic prosecution. Prepara-
tons have been made for the payment OF
the additional bounties 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 well-earned reward
of his faithfulness and gallantry More
than six thousand manned soldiers have
received artificial limbs or other surgical
apparatus and forty-one national cemete-
res, containing the remains of l04,5
| Union soldiers, have already been estab-
lished. The total estimate Of military ap-
preparations is -, 205,6 500.
TIE NAVY.
1t is stated in the report of the Secre-
tary of the Navy that the naval force at
this time consists of two hundred and
seVenty-eight vessels, armed with two
thousand three hundred and fifty-one
guns. or these, one hundred and fifteen
vessels, carrying one thousand and
twenty nine guns, are in commission, dis
triDuted chiefly among seven squadrons.
The number OF men in the service is thir-
teen thousand six hundred. Great ac.iv-
ity and vigilance nave been displayed by
all the squadro' S, and their movements
have been judi ciously and efficiently ar
ranged in suca a manner as would best
promote American commerce, and protect
the rights and interests of our country
men abroad. The vessels unemployed
are undergoing repairs, or are laid up
until their services may be required.
Most of the iron-clad fleet is at League
Island, in the vicinity of Philadelphia, a
place which, until decisive action should
be taken by Congress, was selected by
the Secretary of the Navy as the most
eligible location for that class of vessels
1t is important that suitable public sta
tion should be provided for the iron-clad
feet.
1t is intended that these vessels shall be
in proper condition for any emergency,
and it is desirable that the bill accepting
League Island for naval purposes, which
passed the House of Representatives at its
last session, should receive final action at
an early period, in order that there may be
suitable public station for this class of yes
sells, as well as navy yard of area sutfi-
cient for the wants of the service, on the
Delaware river. The Naval Pension fund
amounts to Sll, 100000, having increased
So, $50 OU0 during the year. The expendi-
lures of the Department for the fiscal year
ending 3Oth June last were $40, ,324 ,526,
and the estimates for the coming year
amount to S23, SOS, 1876. Attention is invi-
ted to the condition of our seamen, and the
importance of legislative measures fol
their relief and Improvement The sug-
stions in behalf OF this deserving class
of our fellow citizens are earnestly recon-
mended TO the favorable attention of Con.
gress.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the Postmaster General
presents most satisfactory condition of the
postal service, and submits recommends
tons which deserve the consideration o
Congress The revenues of the depart
r ment for the year ending June 80, 1866
r wore SlI 2Sh 4SS and the eYpenditures