The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1868-12-10

the Union Pacific Railroad Company,
who had been especially instructed to
examine the location, construction
and equipment of their road. l sub
mitted for the opinion of the Attor-
ney General certain questions In re-
gard to the authority of the Executive
which arose upon this report, and
those which had from time to time
been presented by the Commissioners
appointed to examile 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 infor-
nation.
The report of the Secretary Of War
contains 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 $4,000
men. and it Is computed that this
number will be decreased to 1900.
1t is the opinion of the Secretary Of
War that within the next year a CON-
siderable diminution of the infantry
force may be made without detriment
to the interest of the country. and ia
view of the great expense attending
military peace establishments, and
the absolute necessity of retrench-
ment wherever it can be applied,
it is hoped that Congress will
sanction the reduction which his
report recommends. While, in
1860. 5000 men cost the nation
S16.472, 900, the sum OF $50, $50, geo
Is estimated as necessary for the sup.
port of the army during the fiscal
year ending June 30, 1870. The esti-
mates of the War Department for the
lasttwo fiscal years were for 1867,
$33, 8l4, 46l. and for 1868, $25. 205, 500
The actual expenditures during the
same periods we're respectively $685.
224 415 and $l23, GAG. 648. The esti-
mate submitted 10 December last, for
the fiscal year ending June 30, 1869,
was ST., 124 703. The expenditures
for the first quarter ending the Both
September last, were $27, 219. III; and
the Secretary of the Treasury gives
$66, 900, 600 as the amount which will
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 $93, 900, 000
The difference between the estimates
and expenditures for the three fiscal
years which have been named, is thus
shown to be $175. 545 ,343 for this sim
gle branch of public service.
The report Of the Secretary of the
Navy exhibits the operations Of that
Department and of the navy during
the year. A considerable reduction
of the force has been effected. There
are forty-two vessels, carrying All
guns, in the six squadrons. which are
established In different parts of the
world. Three of these vessels are re-
turning to the United States, and four
are In use as store ships, leaving the
actual cruising force thirty five yes
sells, carrying $50 guns. The total
number of vessels in the navy is 206,
mounting LAB guns. Eighty one
vessels Of every description are in use,
armed with 696 guns. The number
of enlisted men in the service, includ-
ing apprentices, has been reduced to
$500. An increase of navy yard facili-
ties is recommended as a measure
which will, in the event of war. be
promotige of economy and security.
A more thorough and systematic
survey of the North Pacific Ocean is
advised, in view Of our recent acqui-
sition, our expanded commerce and
the increasing intercourse between
the Pacific States and Asia. The
Naval pension fund, which consists of
the moiety of prizes captured during
war, amounts 10 $l4,000,000.
Exception is taken to the act Of the
23d July last, which reduces the in
terest on the fund loaned to the Gov
eminent by the Secretary, as trustee,
to per cent. instead of per cent,
which was Originally stipulated when
the investment was made. In the
to the Pension Laws l
suggested to remedy the omissions
and defects In the existing enactments.
The expenditures of the Department
during the last fiscal year were $40
120,394, and the estimates for the
coming year amount to 800, 993, 314.
The Postmaster Generals report
furnishes a full and clear exhibit of
the operations and condition of the
Eostal service. The ordinary postal
I6fSuut iOE Tue Usual Ytdt 6uuluK
June 30, 1868, was SIG, 292, 600, and
the total expenditures, embracing all
the service for which special appro-
pr;atious have been made by Con-
gress, amounted to $22 100, 1872, show
ing an excess of expenditures Of
81, 437 ,99l. Deducting from the ex-
penditures the sum of 81 1896, 525, the
amount of appropriations made ia
October to steamship and other spe-
cial service, the excess of expendi-
lures was 81 81, 466. By using from
the Treasury $3800,000, the actual
sum for which special appropriations
we're required to meet, the deficiency is
S741 ,266. The causes which produced
this large excess of expenditure over
revenue, were the restoration of mail
service in the late insurgent States, and
the putting In operation of new mail
service established by acts of Con
yress, which amounted, within the
last two years and half, to about
Is, 700 miles. equal to more than one
third Of the whole amount of the ser
vice at the close Of the war.
New postal conventions with Great
Britain. North Germany, Belgium,
he Netherlands, Switzerland and
Italy respectively have been carried
INTO effe,t. Under their provisions i'm
oortant improvements have resulted
n the reduced rates of international
postage. and enlarged facilities with
European countries.
The cost of the United States
Trans Atlantic Ocean Mail service
since January LIST. 1868, has been
argely lessened under the operations
IF these new conventions. reduc-
ions of over one-haIf having been
Effected under the new arrangements
ior ocean mail steamship service,
which went into effect on that date. |
The attention Of Congress is invited |
o the practical suggestions and rec