The weekly clarion., 1872-12-12

10 GATE due. and deGuctS the cash Ia tb'
Treasury as according on the day of publ
cation, the reduction was 800, ,544 49l 2S--
The source of this reduction is a. follows
Reduction in principal sc
counts SSS,SOo,Ooo d
Reduction ia unpaid interest
accounts .-.-...... 33U.93Z u
Total ............ l03.290 $50 81
Reduction in cash on hand 2,746, ,465 =;
Total .............. 500, ,491 p
On the basis or the last table, the state
meats show q reduction OF the public deb
from the Ist of March, 1863, 10 the present
time, as follows:
From March /, 1859, to March
From March l, 1870 to March
], 1874 ....-'..'.'.'.--.. 94,s95 .348 "a
From March /, 1872 to Nov
ember 1, 1874 eight
IuoutnS ---.--.----.. o4-u4d.<o O
Total 1868. .696, $50 81
NO FURTHER REDUCTION OF TAXATION.
With the great reduction of taxation By
the acts of Congress at its last session, the
expenditure of the Government in collect
ing the revenue will be much reduced Tor
II
however, whether any further reduction OF
SO vexatious burden upon any people will
be practicable for the present. At all
events, as measure of justice to the hold
ers of the national certificates OF indebted
ness, | would recomme that no more
legislation be had on this subject, unless it
be 70 correct errors of omission or commits
sion in the present laws until sufficient tim g
had elapsed 70 prove that iJ cal be done aud
still leave sufficient revenue to meet the
A
interest on the public debt, and provide for
the sinking fund established by law. The
preservation of our national credit is of the
highest Importance. Next in importance
70 this comes q solemn duty TO provide a
national currency of fixed, anvarying value
as compared with gold, and as soon as prac-
ticable, having due regard for the interests
of the debtor class and the Vicissitudes of
trade and commerce, and convertible in to
gold at par.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Secretary of War shows
the expenditures of the War Department
foe the fiscal year ending June 80. 1871, to
be $35, ,799.991 81 and for he fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1872, to be So, 1872, ,l57 10, show
ing reduction in favor of the last fiscal
year of $427 1884 81. The estimates for mill
taTy appropriations for the next fiscal year
ending June 30 l774, are 33'S0l 1878 78.-
xDe OF the NDleI Engineers
are submitted separately for foFti1icatiOns,
river and harbOr Improvements, and for
public buildings and grounds, and the
w ashington aqueduc,. The affairs of the
Bureau have been transferred
To the War Department, and regulations
have been put in execution for the speedy
payment of the bounty, pay, &c, due color
cd soldiers, properly coming under that Bu
reaG. All the war accounts for money and
property prior to 1871 have been examined
and transmitted to the Treasury Depart
ment for final settlement.
During the fiscal year there been paid for
on railroads, $I,300,OOO, of
which $S0S57 was over the Pacific railroad; ;
for transportation by water, $685. ,373 So and
by stage $4S,975 81, and for the purchase OF
and animals, wagons, hire of
team sters, etc, 1924 $50 81. 4 bout 1870. 600
have been collected, from Southern railroads
during the year, leaving about $4,OO0,000
still due. The Quartermaster's Department
has examined and transmitted TO the ac
counting officer for settlement $376,l7 II of
claims by loyal citizens for QuarJermasters
stores taken during the war. Subsisfing
supplies to the amount of $S9,0f8 II have
been issued to Indians.
The annual average mean strength of tile
army was y, 10l white and 2494 coiOreG sol
1iers. The total deaths OF soldiers for the
year reported were 357 white and "a color
ed. The distribution of the Medical and
Surgical History of War is yet 20 be order
sd by Congress. There exists an absolute
necessity for a medical corps of the full
number established by act OF Congress of
July %, 1856, there being now fifty-niae va
cancies, and the humber of successful can
1idates rarely exceeds eight or ten in any
one year.
RIVERS ANDIHARBORS.
The river and harbor improvements have
been carried on with energy and economy.
Though many are only partially completed,
the results have saved to commerce many
times the amount expended. The increase
Of commerce, with greater depth of chan
nels, greater security in navigation, and the
saving of time, adds millions to the wealth
81 the country and increases the resources
Of the Government. The bridge acrcsS the
river at Rock Island has been
ard the proper site has been de-
upon for the bridge at La
Crosse,
THE sUTRo TUNNEL.
The able and exhaustive report made By
the commissioner appointed TO investigate
the SutrO tunnel has been transmitted 10
Congress.
THR SIGNAL OFFICE.
The observations and reports of the signal
officers have been continued. SAttIons have
been maintained at each of the principal
AXE, seaport, and river cities. Ten addi-
.ional stations have been established in the
United States, and arrangements have been
made for the exchange of reports with Cam
ida and a similar exchange OfObservations
s contemplated with the West India Is
ands.
SUNDRY MILITARY RECOMMENDATIONS.
The favorable attention OF Congress is
invited to the following recommendations
II the Secretary Of War: A discontinue
ance OF the appointment of extra lieuten.
lnGs to serve as adjutants and quartermas-
;ers; the adoption of a code providing q
specific penalty for a well-defined offense,
70 that the inequality of sentences ad-
judged by court-martial may be adjusted;
he consolidation of accounts under which
are made, as measure of
re-appropriation of the money
or the construction OF depot at San Anto-
lio, the title to the site being now perfect
sd a special act Placing the cemetery at the
City of Mexico on the same basis as other ma
ional cemeteries; authority to purchase
'ites for military posts in Texas; the ap-
OointmeDt OF commissary sergeants from
officers as measure for
securing the better care and protection of
an appropriation for the cata-
ogue table of the anatomical section of the
army medical museum; Ieappropriation
Of the amount for the manufacture OF
1reach-loading arms, should the selection
De so delayed by the board of officers as to
bar the balance o; the appropriation unex-
pended at the close OF the fiscal year; the
sale of such arsenals east of the Mississippi
Is can be spared, and the proceeds applied
70 the establishment of one large arsenal OF
and repair upon the Atlantic
coast; and the purchase of a suitable site
for proving and experimental ground for
heavy ordnance; the abrogation of laws
which deprive inventors ia the United States
service from deriving any benefit from their
the repeal of the law prohibit
nffn In fh.a az
nance of the work upon the coast defenses;
the repeal of the seventh section of the act
1f July 13 1866. taking from engineer sol
1iers the per diem granted 70 other troops
a limitation of time for the presentation OF
subs steRce supplies under the act of July
[. 1854, and a modification in the mode of
the selection of cadets for the Military Aca-
lemy. in order to enhance the usefulness of