Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-12-12


gate strength Of our military force. OF
the Both of September last. was SO,
3l5. The total estimate for militar,
appropriation is ST. Il24,7O7, includinl
deficiency in last years appropria
tivn Of Sl3,600,000 Tho payment,
at tho Treasury on account of th,
service of the War Department from
January ] to October 20, lS67-a DO
Rod Of ten months-amounted tc
Z slO9,SO7 600. The expenses of the
military establishment, as well as the
numbers Of the army, are now three
times as great as they have been in
time Of peace; while the discretiona-
ry power is invested in the Executive
to add millions TO this expenditure by
an increase Of the army TO the maxi.
mum strength allowed by the law.
The menacing attitude of some of
the warllke bands of Indians inhabit-
ing the district Of country between
the Arkansas and Platte rivers, and
portions of Dakota Territory, required
the presence Of large military force
in that region. lnstigated by real or
imaginary grievances, the Indians oc-
casionally committed acts of barbar-
Gus violence upon emigrants and our
frontier settlements but general
Indian war has been providentially
averted. The Commissioners under
the act Of 10th July, 1867, were inves-
ted with full power to adjust existing
difficulties, negotiate treaties with
the disatfected bands, and select for
them reservations remote from the
travelled routes between the Mississip.
| pi and the Pacific. They entered
without delay upon the execution of
their trust, but have not yet made
any official report of their proceed
ings. 1t is Of vital Importance that
our distant territories should be ex-
cmpt from Indian outbreaks, and that
the construction of the Pacific Rail.
road, an object OF national Importance
should not be interrupted by hostile
tribes. These objects, rs well as the
material interests and the moral and
intellectual improvement of the Indi-
ans, can be more efiectually secured
by concentrating them upon portions
of country set apart for their exclu-
sive use, and located at points remote
from our highways and encroaching
white settlements.
Since the commencement Of the sec
ond session of the Thirty-ninth Con-
gress, five hundred and ten miles of
road have been constructed on the
main line and branches of the Pacific
Railway. The line from Omaha is
rapidly approaching the Eastern base
of the Rocky Mountains, whilst the
terminus of the last section of con.
structed road in California, accepted
by the Government on the oath day
Of October last, was but eleven miles
distant from thesummit of the Sierra
Nevada. The remarkable energy
evinccd by the companies offers the
strongest assurance that the compile.
tion of the road from Sacramento to
Omaha will not be long deferred.
During the last fiscal year seven
million forty-one thousand one hun.
dred and fourteen acres Of public land
were disposed of,'and the cash receipts
from sales and fees exceeded by one.
half million dollars the sum realized
from those sources during the proceed
ing year The amount paid to pen
sioners, including expenses Of disburse-
ments, was slS,Gl9, 95G, and thirty
six thousand four hundred and eighty
two names were added to the rolls.
The entire number OF pensioners on
the 30th of June last was one hundred
and fifty-five thousand four hundred
and seventy.four. Eleven thousand
six hundred and fifly-fve patents and
designs were issued during the year
ending September 30, 1867, and at
that date the balance in the Treasury
to the credit OF the Patent fund was
S2S6,607.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy states that we have seven squad
rons actively and judiciously employed
under efficient and able commanders,
in protecting the persons and proper
ty of American citizens, maintaining
the dignity and power of the govern
ment, and promoting the commerce
and business interests of our country
men in every part Of the world. OF
the two hundred and thirty eight YES
sells composing the present navy Of
the United States, fifty-six, carrying
five hundred and seven guns, are in
squadron service. During the year
the number of vessels in commission
has been reduced twelve, and there
are thirteen less on squadron duty
than there wero ut the date Of the
last report. A large number Of yes
self were commenced and in the course
Of construction when the wartermina-
ted. and although Congress had made
the necessary appropriations for their
completion, the Department has eitn'
er suspended work upon them or linn
tied tho slow completion Of the steam
vessels, so as TO meet the contracts
for machinery made with private es-
tablishments. The total expenditures
Of the Navy Department for the fiscal
year ending juno 30, 1867, were s3l, )
03I,0l1. No appropriations have
been made or required since the close
of the war for the construction and
ranair of vessels for steam machinery
ordnance, provisions and clothing, fu-
ell, hemp, &C., the balances underthese
aeveral heads having been more than
sufficient for current expenditures. 1t
should also be stated, to the credit of
the Department, that, besides asking