The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1868-01-04

The attention of Congress is earnestly in
vited to the necessity Of thorough re-
vision Of our revenue system; and our
internal revenue laws and impost system
should be so adjusted as to bear most
heavily upon articles of luxury, leaving
the necessaries of life as free from taxa
ton as may be consistent with the real
wants Of the GoyernmSx, economically
administered. Taxation would not then
fall unduly on the man Of moderate means,
and while none would be entirely exempt
from assessment, all, in proportion to their
pecuniary abilities, would contribute to-
ward the support Of the state. A
modification OF the internal revenue sys-
tenn by reduction in the number Of
articles now subject TO tax would be fol-
lowed by results equally advantageous to
citizens and Government. 1t would rem
der the execution Of the law less expcn-
sivc and more certain, remove all obstruc-
tons to industry, lessen temptation to
evade the law, diminish the violation aud
frauds perpetrated upon It's provisions,
make its operations less inquisitorial, and
greatly reduce in numbers the army Of
ax-eatherers created by the system, who
take from the mouth Of honest labor the
bread it has earned. Retrenchment, re-
form and public economy Of the public
service, that the expenditures Of the
Government may be reduced and the
people relieved from oppressive taxation.
A sound currency should be restored and
the public faith in regard to the national
debt faithfully observed The accom-
plishment Of these important results,
together with the restoration Of the Union
Of the States upon the principles Of the
Constitution, would inspire confidence at
home aud abroad in the stability Of our
institutions, aud bring to the nation
prosperity, peace and good will.
REPORT or THE SECRETARY or WAR.
The report of the Secretary of War
al interim, exhibits the operations Of the
army aud Of the several Bureaux Of the
War Department. The aggregate strength
of our military force on the 30th Of Sep
tembcr last was 56,3l5. The total csti-
mate for military appropriations is ST.
| IA, ,707. including a deficiency in last
years appropriation of $4,000, ,000.-
I The payments at the Treasury on account
Of the service Of tho War Department,
FROM January lst to October 10Th, 1867,
a period Of ten months, amounted 10
Ig119,s07 900. The expense of the mill
tary establishment, as well NJ the num-
bcrs Of the army, are now three times as
great as they have ever been in time oi
peace, while discretionary power is vest
ed in the Executive to add millions to
this expenditure BY an increase Of the ar.
my TO the maximum strength allowed By
law. The menacng attitude Of some Of
the warlike bands Of Indians inhabiting
the district Of country between the Ar
kansas aud Platte rivers, and a portion oi
Dakota Territory, required the presence
Of large military force in that region
Instigatcd by real or imaginary grievan.
ces. the Indians occasionally committed
acts of barbarous violence on emigrantt
and our frontier settlements; but gen
eral Indian war has been pToyidentially
averted. The Commissioners, under the
act of the Goth Of July, 1867, were in.
vested with full power to adjust existing
difficulties. negotiate treaties with the
Idisaiiected bands, and select for them res.
ervations remote from travelled routes, be-
tween the Mississippi and the Pacific
coast. They entered without delay upon
the execution of their trust, but have
not made any official report of their pro-
ceedings.
1t is of vital importance that our dis.
tant territories should be exempt from
Indian outrages, and that the construc,
ton of the Pacific Railroad, an object oi
national importance, should not be inter
rupted by hostile tribes These objects
fas we'll as the material interests aud NOR.
al and intellectual improvement of the
Indians, can be moro etfectually subserv.
ed by concentrating them upon portions
of the country set apart for their exclu
sive use, and located at points remote
from our highways, and not encroachine
upon the white settlements.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD.
Since the commencement of the sec
ond session of the Thirty-ninth Congress
$40 miles of road have been completed
on the main line and branches of the Pa
|, cifc Railroad. The line from Omaha il
rapidly approaching the eastern base o.
the Rocky Mountains. whilst the termi
nus of the last section of continental road
in California accepted by the Govern.
ment on the Oath day of October last
was but eleven miles distant from the
summit of the Sierra Nevada. The re-
markable energy evinced by the compa
the completion of the road from Sacra.
mento to Omaha will not be long defer.
red.
LAND SALES, PENSIONS, ETC.
During the last fiscal year 7,041, ia
acres of public lands were disposed of
and the cash receipts from sales and fees
exceeded by one-half million of dollars
the sum realized from these sources dur
ing the preceding year.
The amount paid to pensioners, includ-
ing expenses of disbursement, was $18,-
610, $50, and 26,4 ,482 names were added to
the rolls. The entire number of pension
ers on the 3Oth day of June last was 1885,
I474.
Eleven thousand six hundred and fifty
five patents and designs were issued dur
ing the year ending September 80, 1867,
and at that date the balance in the Treas
ury to the credit of patent funds was
$286,607.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Ma
Wy states that we have seven squadrons