Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1871-12-15
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The converting of Congress brings with
II the usual reports from the heads of de-
partments. We give below summary of
some of them:
The report of Commissioner Of Internal
Revenue Douglass shows that the receipts
from all sources for 1871, exclusive of the
direct tax on lands. and the deposits Of ma
tlonal banks, were Sl44,0ll JIG. The esti-
mated receipts for the current fiscal year.
under the present laws, are 1926, OOO,O 900.
The commissioner recon nends a special
tax of $500 IN all persons selling raw or
leaf tobacco to other than manufacturers or
regular dealers, in quantities of less than
twenty five pounds. He also recommends
the abolition Of tobacco bonded ware hous-
es, He also recommends the abolition Of
stamps on canned meas, fruits, ETC., and
requests congrc. sional authorization for
stamping large amounts of forfeited tobac
co held by the government, in order that 1t
may DO old. He recommends some mod
ifications of the laws relative TO the collec-
ton of taxes, imposition of fines, etc. The
report concludes by stating that $50 accounts
OF collectors of revenue are still onen,
ll5 OF which have been placed In the hands
OF attorneys for suits against the bonds
men Of the delinquents.
Tho report of the Secretary OF War shows
that the army on July /, had been reduced
10 1000 men. The expenditures for the
wear were about s4O, 00O, 900 including 81
600, 900 for river and harbor Improvements.
The estimate for military purposes for the
fiscal year ending June l, 1873, is 49,, 4l5,-
;72. The secretary alludes to the existence
of an armed rebellion, of a regular organ-
zltion and great strength, in parts OF the
southern states. and to the necessity of us
ing the armed force OF the nation TO put ii
down, and bring the leaders to speedy JUS
ice. Gen. Belk nap closes with an express
sion Of the hope that a reform will be eff
iected In all the departments Of the govern
lnent by the labors Of the civil service COM
mission.
Secretary Robson, In his annual report,
urges Congress not to permit our navy,
now scarcely respectable for nation Of our
rank and responsibility, to pass out of OK
lstence ms an arm of our national power
but he has kept down his estimate in con-
iormity with the legislation last year. The
naval appropriations for the present fiscal
year were twenty million two hundred and
ninety -four thousand seven hundred dol
lars. with an additional half million foi
permanent improvements at the navy
Yards, especially at Mare Island on the Pa
cifc coast, and League Island on the At
lantic coast. The Secretary renews his rec
ommendation of the establishment, undei
Government patronage, OF iron ship build
ing Yards and docks, to economic eNpend
lturos In the navy and to aid In restoring
commerce. He also recommends the abo
Iition OF the grades of Admiral and Vic'
Admiral, after the death of those who now
MI them, and that the grade of Commo
dore be dispensed with, leaving ten Real
Admrals.
The Secretary of the Treasury In com
mencing, goes straight to the marrow OF hi
report. lie states the reduction of the pub
lie debt for the fiscal year ending June 30
1871, to be s94, 1877 ,704 "a, and the decrease
from March l, 1859, to Dec. /, 1871, to bt
s277, 2ll, 1902 10. The revenue for the yea
1871, and the receipts since the first of Ju
ly last show, he says, that the time has ar
rived when a further reduction in take
can be made, and yet leave the Govern
mont In a position to pay hly millions o
dollars annually OF the public debt, includ
lng the amount pledged through the sink
ing fund. He adheres to the opinion ex
pressed in a previous report, that "th
sound policy of the country should con
template a revenue sufficient TO meet tn
ordinary expenses OF the Government, pa,
tho interest on the public debt, and from
iwenty-fv TO my million dollars Of thu