Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-12-05
TENNESSEE THURSDAY EVENING, DECEMBER s. 1867 NO 81.

should be so adjusted as to bear most
heavily on articles Of luxury, leaving
necessaries of life as free from taxation
as may be consistent with the real wants
Of the Government, economically ad'
ministered. Taxation would not then
fall on men of moderate means, and
while none would be entirely exempt
from assessment, oil in proportion to
their pecuniary abilities would con-
tribute toward supporting the State, A
modification OF the internal revenue sys'
TEN by large reduction in the number
Of articles now subject to tax would be
followed by results equally advan.
tageous to citizens and the Government
1t would render the execution OF
the law less expensive and more GER
tain, remove distractions to industry,
lessen temptations to evade law, dimin.
ish violations and frauds perpetrated
upon its provisions, make its operation
less inquisitorial and greatly reduce in
numbers the army of tax gatherers
created by system which takes from
the mouth of honest labor the bread it
has earned. Retrenchment, reform and
economy should be carried into every
branch of public service that expendi.
lures of the Government may be reduced
and people relieved from oppressive
taxation. A sound currency should be
restored, and public faith in regard to
the national debt sacredly observed.
The accomplishment of these important
results, together with the restoration Of
the union of the States upon the princi-
pies of the Constitution would inspire
confidence at home and abroad in the
stability of our institutions and bring to
the nation prosperity, peace aud good
will.
The report of the Secretary of War,
dd interim, exhibits the operations Of the
army and the several bureaus Of the War
Department The aggregate strength of
the military force on the Both OF Septem-
ber last was Sc, ,3l5 men, Total estimate
for military appropriations is S77 l24,
707, including deficiency in last year s
appropriation of $l3, 100000. Payments
at Treasury on account of service for
War Department from January lst to
October 29th, 1867, a period of ten
months, amounted to $l09,8 900. The
expenses of the military establishment as
well as the numbers of the army, are now
three times as great as they have ever
been in time of peace, while discretionary
power is vested in the Executive to add
millions to this expenditure by an
increase of the army to the maximum
strength allowed by law.
The comprehensive report of the Sec
retary of the Interior furnishes interest
ing information in reference to the
important branches of the public service
connected with this Department. The
menacing attitude of warlike bands Of
Indians, inhabiting the districts of
country between Arkansas and Platte
rivers and Dakota Territory, required
the presence of large military force in
that region. Instigated by real or i'm
aginary grievances, Indians occasionally
committed acts of barbarous violence
upon emigrants and our frontier settle
ments, but a general Indian war has been
Providentally averted.
The commissioners, under the act of
the goth of July, 1867, were invested with
full power to adjust existing difficulties,
negotiate treaties with disaffected bands,
and select for them reservations remote
from travelled routes between the MisSs-
sippi and Pacific. They entered with
out delay upon the execution of their
trust, but have not yet made any official
report Of their proceedings. 1t is OF
vital Importance that our distant Terri
tories should be exempt from Indian
outbreaks, and that the construction of
the Pacific railroad, an object of ma
tional importance, should not be inter-
rupted by hostile tribes, These objects,
as we'll as the material interests and
moral and intellectual improvement of
the Indians, can be most efectually at.
tanned by concentrating them upon por-
tions of country set apart for their 0x-
elusive use, and located at points remote
from highways and encroaching white
settlements.
Since the commencement of the second
session of the thirty ninth Congress, five
hundred and ten miles of road have been
constructed on the main line and branch
of the Pacific railway. The line from
Omaha is rapidly approaching the east
ern base of the Rocky Mountains, while
the terminus of the last section con-
structed of the road in California,
accepted by the Government on the 2fth
of October last, was but eleven miles
distant from the summit of the Sierra
Nevada. The remarkable energy evinced
by the companies affords the strongest
assurance that the completion of the
road from Sacramento to Omaha will be
not long deferred
During the last fiscal year l,04l, ia
acres of public land were disposed of.
The cash receipts from sales and fees
exceeded one.half million dOllars-the
sums realized froln those sources during
the preceding year.
The amount paid pensioners, including
expenses and disbursements, was
eighteen millions six hundred and nine
teen thousand nine hundred and fifty
six dollars, and thirty.six thousand four
hundred and eighty.two names we're
admitted to rolls, The entire number of
pensioners on the 20th of June last was
one hundred and fifty.five thousand four
hundred and seventy-four.
Eleven thousand six hundred and
fifty FIVE patents and designs we're issued
during the year ending September Both,
1867. and at that date the balance in the
Treasury to the credit of the patent fund
was two hundred eighty.six thousand six
hundred and seven dollars.
Reports of the Secretary Of the Navy
state that we have seven squadrons &C.
lively and judiciously employed under
efficient and able commanders in pro-
-ecting the persons and property of
A meriean citizens, maintaining the dig
nifty and power Of the Government, and
promoting the commerce and business
interests os our countrymen in every
part of the world OF the 23S vessels