Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1868-12-18

OF the Executive which arose upon this re-
port and those which had from time to time
been presented by the commissioners appoin-
ted to inspect each successive section of the
work After carefully considering the law
Of the case he affirmed the right of the Ex-
ccutive to order, if necessary, thorough re-
vision of the entire road. Commissioners
were thereupon appointed to examine this
and other lines, and have recently submitted
a statement Of their investigations, Of which
the report of the Secretary Of the Interior
furnishes specific information.
The report Of the Secretary of War con-
tains information of interest and Importance
respecting the several bureaus Of the War
Department and the operations of the army.
The strength of our military force on the
Both of September last was forty eight thou
sand men, and it is computed that by the LIST
of June next this number will be decreased
to 10000 1t is the opinion of the Secre-
tary of War that within the next year con-
siderable diminution Of the infantry force
may be made without detriment to the inter
ests Of the country; and in view Of the great
expense attending the military peace estab-
lishment. and the absolute necessity of re-
trenchment wherever it can be applied, it is
hoped that Congress will sanction the reduc-
ton which his report recommends. While
in 1860 16, 900 men cost the nation S16,-
5000, the sum Of $65, $50, 600 is estl-
mated as necessary for the support of the
army during the fiscal year ending June 80,
1870. The estimates of the War Depart
ment for the last two fiscal years were: For
1867, 1913 S14 461, and for 1868, $685.
205, 900 The actual expenditures during
the periods were, respectively, s95, 224, AIS
and 1928, 246 ,64S- The estimate submit
ted in December last for the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1869, ST., 4,7o7 The ex
penditures for the first quarter ending the
Both of September last were S27 ,219,ll7,
and the Secretary Of the Treasury gives
1866, 1000, 900 as the amount which will prob
ably 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 nlnety-three
millions. The difference between the estl-
mates and expenditures for the three fiscal
wears which have been named is thus shown
to be S175, 545, 343 for this single branch Of
the public service.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
exhibits the operations of the Department
and of the Navy during the year. A con-
siderable reduction of the force has been eff
fected There are forty-two vessels, curry
ing four hundred and eleven guns, III the SIX
squadrons which are established in different
parts of the world Three Of these vessels
are returning to the United States, and four
are used as storeships, leaving the actual
cruising force thirty-fve vessels, carrying
three hundred and ffty-six guns. The to-
tai number of vessels in the navy are two
hundred and six, mounting seventeen hun
dred and forty three guns. EIghty-one YES
sells Of every description are IN use, armed
with six hundred and nincty-six guns. The
number of enlisted men in the service, in
Guiding apprentices, has been reduced to
eight thousand five hundred. An increase
of navy-yard facilities is recommended as a
measure which WILL in the event of war, be
promotive Of economy and security A more
thorough and systematic survey Of the North
Pacific ocean is advised, in view Of our re-
cent acquisitions, our expanding commerce.
and the increasing intercourse between Pa
cifc States and Asia The Naval pension
fund, which consists of a moiety of the avails
of prizes captured during the war, amounts
to fourteen million dollars Exception is
taken to the act of 23d of July last, which
reduces the interest Of the fund loaned to
the Government by the Secretary as trus-
~, 90 tl,poo fnctnod oe c:y
which was originally stipulated when the in
vestment was made An amendment of the
pension laws is suggested to remedy ominsiops
and defects in existing cnactments. The ex-
penditures of the Department during the
last fiscal year were $40, 100, 1894, and the
estimates for the coming year amounted to
800. 1898, Ala.
The Postmaster Generals report furnish
es full and clear exhibit of the operations
and condition Of the postal service. The Or
binary postal revenue for the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1868. was $16,292 500, and
the total expenditures, embracing all the
service for which special appropriations have
been made by Congress, amounted to 500
1870, 592, showing an excess of expenditures
Of Sc, 437 ,991. Deducting from the ex-
penditures the sum of 81 1886, 525, the a
mount of appropriations for ocean steamship
and other special service, the excess of ex-
penditures was 81, 541, 1866 By using an
unexpended balance in the Treasury of So
500, 1000, the actual sum for which special
appropriation is required to meet the deici-
eney is S743 1855 The causes which pro-
duced this large excess of expenditure over
revenue were the restoration of service in
the late insurgent States and the putting in
to operation OF new service established by
acts of Congress which amounted with in the
last two years and half to about 4S.700
miles equal TO more than one-third of the
whole amount of the service at the close of
the war. New postal conventions with Great
Britain, North Germany, Belgium the Meth
eriands, Switzerland, and Italy, respectively
have been carried into effect. Under THEN
provisions important improvements have re-
suited in reduced rates of international pos
tage and enlarged mail facilities with Euro
pean countries Tue cost of the United
States trans Atlantic ocean mail service since
January l, 1868, has been largely lessened
under the operations of these new conventions
a reduction of over one half having been
effected under the new arrangements for
ocean mail steamship service which went in
to effect on that date, The attention of Con-
gress is invited to the practical suggestions
and recommendations made in bis report by
the Postmaster General.
No important question has occurred dur
ing the last year in our accustomed cordial
and friendly intercourse with Costa Rica
Guatemala, Honduras. San Salsado France
Austria, Belgium, Switzerland, Portugal
the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Nor
way. Rome, Greece, Turkey, Persia, Egypt,
Liberia, Morocco. Tripoli, Muscat. Siam,
Bernie, and Madagascar. Cordial relations