Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1871-12-13
FROM THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Washington Dec. 9Th, 1871.

Washington Dec 9Th, 1871.
To the Editor Of the Republican:
Congress assembled on Monday, December
4th. at twelve clock, noon, and after some
preliminary business was transacted, listen
ed to the reading of the Presidents Message.
This is plain, sensible, business-like
document, clear and terse IN its style, and
full of useful information 1t opens with
the statement that during the year, success
has generally attended the effort to execut e
all laws, and that the policy has been, not
10 enquire into the wisdom of the laws en-
acted but to learn their spirit and inten t
and to enforce them accordingly.
The different reports from the heads of
departments are all quite lengthy; the sew
eral recommendations made AMI many
| points are embodied in the Presidents mes.
sage. The report OF the Secretary of the
Treasury shows thatfrom March St. 1869 To
December /, 1871, the national debt has
been diminished over 277 millions of dol
VI
the estimates, being some IL millions dol
lars more than the previous year, while the
cos of collection has been less The net
receipts for the year were little over 383
millions, and the expenditures a little over
292 millions; the estimates for the current
year are: receipts $50 millions, expendi-
lures 800 millions.
The report of The Postmaster General
| shows that the deficiency in thatsdepart-
ment is growing less every year, the rev.
enues getting larger, while the expenditures
are getting smaller. The deficiency for
| the last year is little over millions, and
this deficiency will, it is expected, becom c
gradually small Ter especially if Congress
should abolish the franking privilege The
adoption of the telegraph system by the
government is strongly recommended and
the establishment of Postoffice Savings
Banks. as in Eng land, suggested as a means
whereby 10 meet the expenditure. The
larger part of the report is taken up by sta
tistical tables.
The report of the Secretary of the Interior
embraces the several! bureaus under that de
partment Indian Affairs, Land Office, Pen
sion Bureau, Patent Office, Census Office
and Bureau of Education it contains
many interesting statements and tables.
CONGRESS
The committees in tina House. to the sur.
prise of many, were appointed Immediately
| upon re-assemblng. The Craftsmanship OF
the most important one, Ways and Means
was given to Mr.. Dawes, of Mass, while
Mr. Garfield, of Ohio, was pat at the head
of the committee of Apr OPERATIONS The
former committee is considered in favor of
revenue reform, 4 being high-tariff men, 4
free-trade men and l revenue-reformsr,
who consequently will hold the balance of
power. Much satisfaction is expressed at
| the appointment of the Commute es and
everybody, for wonder, seems to be well
satisfied. Many bills have already been in
troduced, and all the old ones have been
properly referred. Congress has entered
upon its work in earnest, and it is to be
hoped that such legislation may be had, as
will benefit the country and prove bless
ing to the people. Many important bills
are before Congress, and many more will be
introduced many of them, of course, will
fail to become laws but those that do ought
to be the very best ones | notice the name
OF your member, Mr. Hazelton, on the Com
mttees of Elections, and Expenditures in
the Navy Department w