The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-04

legacy of their example, their wisdom
ana their patriotism. Drawing fresh in
inspiration from their lessons, let us en-
ulaie them in love of country, and re-
spect for the Constitution and the laws,
The report of the Secretary of the
treasury affords much information re-
specting the revenue and commerce of
the country. His views upon the curren-
cy ana with reference to a proper adjust
ment OF our revenue system, internal
as well as impost, are commended to
the careful consideration of Congress.
In my last annual message I
expressed my general views upon
these subjects. need now only call
attention to the necessity OF carrying
into every department of the Govern
ment system of rigid accountability,
through retrenchment, and wise econ
omy. With no exceptional nor unusu-
al expenditures, the oppressive bur-
uens OF taxation can be lessened by
such modification of our revenue
laws as will be consistent with the pub
lie faith, and the legitimate and neces-
sary wants of the Government.
The report presents a much moro sat
lstactory condition of our finances than
one year ago the most sanguine could
nave anticipated. During the fiscal
year endingthe Both of June, 1865, the
last year of the war, the public debt
was increased $94I ,9O2 537, and on the
31st of October, 1865, it amounted to
S2,74O, ,S54, $50. On the 3lst of October,
1856, It had been reduced to 81, ,55l ,3lO,-
OO6. The diminution, during period
of fourteen months, Commencing Sep
tember 1st, 1865, and ending October
3lst, 1866, having been $2O6, ,379, ,565.
In the last annual report on
the state of the finances it was estimated
that during the three-quarters of the fis-
ca! year ending the 30th of June last, the
Ea "a ~
During that period, however, it has
been reduced $Sl, 1856, 1887, the receipts
of the year having been $50, ,9O5, ,9O5
more, and the expenditures $500, ,529, ,235
| less than the estimates. Nothing could
more clearly indicate than these state
ments, the extent and availability of the
natlonal resources, and the apiClity and
safety with which, under our form of
government, great military and naval
| establishments can be disbanded, and
expenses reduced from a war to a peace
footing.
During the fiscal year ending the Both
OF June, 1866, the receipts were $55S, ,O32,- :
$40, and the expenditures $500, $50, $40,
leaving an available surplus of $37,-
2Sl $50. 1t is estimated that the receipts
for the fiscal year ending the 3Oth of
June, 1867, will be $475, ,O61, 1856, and that
the expenditures will reach the sum of
S3l6, ,O7S, leaving in the treasury
PAAS VI SACoyODO1OUos TOT lLle HScAl
year ending June Both. 1865, it is esti-
| mated that the receipts will amount to
S436, 900, 900, and that the expenditures
will be 1885,, ,247, ,641, showing an excess
of SS5, ,T52, 1853 in favor of the government.
These estimated receipts may be di-
minished by reduction of excise and
lmpOrtdutleS, but after all necessary re-
ductions shall have been made, the reYe-
nue. ofthe present and of offollowing years
Will doubtless be sufficient to cover all
legitimate charges upon the treasury,
and leave large annual surplus to be
applied to the payment of the princi-
pal of the debt. There seems now to
be no good reason why taxes may not
be reduced as the country advances in
population and wealth, and yet the
debt be eXtinSuiShed within the next
quarter of Il century.
The report of the Secretary of War
furnishes valuable and important in
formation in reference to the operations
of his 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 reg
ular troops. The army has been prompt
ly paid, carefully provided with medi-
cal treatment, well sheltered and sub
sisted, and is to be furnished with
breech-loading small arms. The mill
tary strength of the nation has been
unimpaired by the discharge of volun-
teers, the disposition of unserviceable
or perishable stores; and the retrench-
ment of expenditure. Sufficient war
material to meet any emergency has
been retained, and from the disbanded
volunteers standing ready to respond
to the national call, large armies can
be rapidly organized, equipped and
concentrated. Fortifications on tho
coast and frontier have received or are
being prepared for more powerful ar
maments; lake surveys and harbOr and
river improvements are in course of en-
ergetic prosecution. Preparations have
been made for the payment of the addi-
tional bounties authorized during the re-
cent session of Congress, under such reg
ulations as will protect the government
from fraud, and secure to the honorably
discharged soldier the well earned re-
ward of his faithfulness and gallantry.
More than 6,00O manned soldiers have
received artificial limbs or other surgi-
cal apparatus; and IL national ceme-
teries, containing the remains of 1O4, ,526
Union soldiers, have already been es-
tablished. The total estimate of mill
tary appropriations is $25, ,205, 1853.
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. Of these, one hundred and fifteen
vessels, carrying one thousand and TWEEN
ty-nine guns, are in commission, distribu-
ted chiefly among seven squadrons. The
number of men in the service is thirteen
thousand six hundred. Great activ-
ity and vigilance have been displayed by
all the squadrons and their movements
have been judiciously and efficiently ar
ranged in such manner as weuld best pro-
mote American commerce and protect
the rights and interests OF OOr nOuDtrv.
men abroad. The vessels unemployed
are undergoing repairs, or are laid up un-
til 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 ta-
ken by Congress, was selected by the
Secretary of the Navy as the most eligi-
Bile location for that class of vessels. It
is important that a suitable public sta.
ton 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
tor naval purposes, which passed -sthe
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
vessels, as well as navy yard of area suf-
ficient for the wants,of the service on the
Delaware river. The naval pension fund
amounts to S11, ,75O, 900, having been in
creased $780, 900 during the year. The
expenditures of the Department for the
fiscal year ending Both June last, were
S43, 1924 ,526, and the estimates for the
coming year amount to S23, ,568, 1876. At
tention Is invited to the condition of our
nd tho &c