Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-12-06
Prompt Action.

The Maine delegation in Congress took
tho earliest opportunity to offer resolutions
locking TO reduction o: our national eX-
penlitures. Senator Morrill, introduced a
resolution tor the reduction of our Peace
Establishment. Mr.. Blaine in the House.
offered resolution proposing a commis-
sion OF three from the House, and three
from the Senate. with the General OF the
army t. report a plan Of rcorganiz alton
of the army.
At present there are sixty regiments in
the regular service, and each regiment
costs about million dollars each year
|. IS thought that the army can be reduc-
ed full ohc half with safety. 1t will be
seen that General Grant has causad an Or
der 10 be issued already which will cut
down the force Of the regular army, near
one third.
Mr.. Lynch of Portland has also intro
daced bill into the House which has an
important bearing on u great interest of
Maine:
1t provides that upon all lumber, hemp
and manila, and upon iron and copper
not advanced beyond bars, rods and bolts.
which shall be wrought up into the CON
struciioH Of steam or sail vessels of the
United States, whether for the hull. rig
glng or equipment of such vessels, there
shall be allowed under such regulations rs
the Secretary of the Treasury shall pre-
scribe, a drawback equal to the duties
which shall have been paid on such arti-
c!cs. Upon all articles of American man
ufacture actually used in the construction
of steam or sail vessels of the United
States, whether for the huh. rigging, equip
/ ment or machinery of such vessels there
shall be allowed under such regulations
rs the Secretary of the Treasury shall pre-
scribe, a drawback equal 10 all internal
taxes of the same.
Mr. Pike, our Representative, has not
been inactive. The Washington CORE
spondent OF The Portland Press says:
1t seems that notwithstanding the close
of the rebellion. some of the dock yards
ore still in full blast. turning out gunboats
and all manner OF marine craft a though
we Were in the midst of gigantic foreign
war. Whether this is due TO the fact that
I the venerable grandmother OF the seas ="
secretary WclIs-Das not yet learned of
/ the suppression of the rebellion, or TO the
| still more probable hypothesis that some
/ body had tat contracts aud failed to finish
their jobs in time TO be of service, does not
appear; but yesterday, in the House, Mr..
/ Pike of Maine, chairman of the committee
| OH Naval Affairs. offered Il resolution. the
effect OF which will be 10 put stop to any
4 further expenditures of this character
i When the government is selling of its
! war vessels ut auction by the hundred, at
1 a ruinons discount. it seems to be rather Il
| shahy piece of finance to continue building
/ more for the auctioneer's hammer, and Mr..
4 Pixies prompt aetl9n in this matter will no
doubt save the government millions of
dollars.
1 Ii is evident that the members OF Con,
gress are faly Impressed with the fact that
retrenchnieut must begin, aud at once, III
the expenses of running the National
/ Government. Tine old order of things,
must give way to newer and less eSpen-
i sive one. The fabulous sums necessarily
expended to save the life of the nation
while it wes in peril, should be succeeded
/ by the strictcst economy, and a speedy re-
turn to Peace Establishment.
~ Seward should be snubbed in his