The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-12-23


year. The six per cent. bonds issued
to chose companies amounted on the
9Th instant to $44, 337, 900, and addi-
tional work had been performed to the
extent Of So, 100000. The Secreta-
ry Of tho Interior in August last invi-
tod my attention to tho report of a
Government director of tho Union Pa.
cific Railroad Company who had been
specially Instructed to exa,uine the
location, construction, and equipment
of thoir road. submitted for the
opinion of $he Attorney General Ger.
tain questions in regard to the au-
thority Of the Executive which arose
upon this report and those whloh had
from time to time been presented by
the commissioners appointed to inspect
each successive section of the work.
After carefully considering tho Inv Of
the case no affirmed the right Of the
Executive to order, if necessary, n
thorough revision of the ontire road |.
Commissioners were thoroupon ap.
pointed to examine this aud other
lines, and have recently submitted
the statement of thoir Investigations,
of which the report of tho Secretary
of the Interior furnishes specific infor-
nation. .m ar
The report Of the Secretary Of War
contains information of intcrost and
Importance respecting the several bu-
reaus ofthe War Department and the
operations ofthe army. The strength
of our military forcc on the 30th of
September last was forty.eight thous-
and men, and it is computed that by
the lst of Juno next this number will
be decreased to $4,000. 1t is the
opinion Of the Secretary of War that
within tho next yenr oonsilerable Q
diminution of tho infantry force may
be made without detriment to the in
forests of the country and in view of
the great expense attending the mill
tary peace establishment, and tho abb
solute necessity of retrenchmcnt
wherever It can ho applied, it is hoped
that Congress will sanction the reduo
tion which his report recommends.
While in 1860, 1000 men cost tho ma
tion $l6,472,000, tho sum of $65, $685..
600 10 estimated as necessary for the
support of the army during tho fiscal
year ending June 30, 1870. The csti-
mates of tho War Department for tho
last two fiscal years we're: For 1867,
$33,8l4,46l, aud for 1868, $25,2O5,-
600. The actual expenditures during
the periods were respectively, $685..
224,4l5 aud $l23,246,648. Tho es.
innate submitted in December last
for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1869, $77,l24,707. The expepdi-
lures for the first quarter ending the
30th Of September last were $27, 7,2l9,.
III, and the Secretary Of the Treasu-
ry gives 500, 100000 as the amount
which viii probably be required
during the remaining three quarters if
there should be no reduction of the
army, making its aggregate cost for
the year considerably in excess of
ninety-threo millions, Tine difference
between the estimates and dxpend:,
lures for the three fiscal years which
have been named is thus shown to be
$l75,545,343 for this single branch Of
the public service. ~. 960 %lt
The report Of the Secretary Of the
Navy exhibits tho operations of tho
Department and Of the Navy during
tho year. A considerable reduction
of the force has been effected. There
are forty-two vessels, carrying four
hundred and eleven guns, in tho elk
sduadrons which are established in
different parts of tho world. Three of
tLtese vcssels are returning to the
United States, and four arc used rs
storeships, leaving the aotnal cruising
force Of thirty-fiv6 vessels, carrying
three hundred and 6fty-six guns.
The total number Of vessels. in tho
navy is two hundred and elk, mount.
ing seventeen hundred and forty ty-three
guns. Eighty.one vessels Of every
descrip.i. d are 10 use, armed ,wlth six
hundred and ninety.six guns. The
number Of enlisted men in the service,
including apprentices, hns been re-
duced to eight thousand Ave hundred.
An increase Of navy.ynrd facilities Is
recommended as u measure which will,
in the event Of war, be productive OF
economy and security. A moro thor
ough and systematic survey Of the
North Pacific ocean is advised. in
view Of our recent acquisitions, our
expanding commerce, and the increas-
ing interoonrse between Pacific States
and Asia. The naval pension fund,
which consists Of o moiety Of the avaiIa
Of prizes captured during tho war,
amounts to fourteen million dollars.
Exception is taken TO tlls aoG Of 23d of
July last, which reduces, tho interest
of the fund loaned TO tie aovernme Mt
blythe Secretary as trustee TO three
per cent. instead Of aix per cent,
which was originally stipulated when
the Investment was' 'made.l An amend.
ntsnt Of the pension laws 10 suggssted
to remedy omissions and defects Ia
existing snactnlonts, Tho expendi.
Affraa ~ cha D IN ana IA m Ant p