The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1872-12-05

a reduction of the public debt from the LIST
of March, 1862 to the present time, as fol-
lows: From March 1st, 1869, to March 1st.
1870, sS7, 1S4, 7s2. "a; from March LIST, 1870, to
March LIST, 1871, SIT, 619, 63o. 25; from March
LIST, 1871, to March LIST, 1872, 1914, S95, 34S. "a:
from March 1st, 1872 to November LIST, 1879,
eight months, 1914, DAT ,237 81. Total, 1868.
69o, 999.o1. With the great reduction of
taxation by the acts of Congress at its last
session, the expenditure of the Government
in collecting the revenue will be much re-
duced for the next fiscal year. 1t is very
doubtful, however, whether any further re-
ductlon OF so yexatious burthen upon any
people Will be practicable for the present.
At all events, as measure of Justice to the
holders OF the national certificates of in
debtedness, l would recommend that no
more legislation be had upon the subject,
unless 1t be to correct errors of omission or
COMMISSION In the present laws, until suff-
gent time has elapsed to prove that it can
be done and still leave sufficient revenue to
meet the current expenses of the Govern
ment, pay interest on the public debt, and
provide for the sinking fund established by
law. The preservation of our national cred
1t is of the highest Importance. Next in
Importance to this comes solemn duty to
provide national currency of fixed, unvary-
ing value as compared with gold, soon as
practicable, having due regard for the in
terests of the debtor class and the vicissi-
tudes of trade and commerce-and convert
BILE into gold at par.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of War shows
the expenditures of the War Department for
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1871, to be
$35, 799, 991. 50; and for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1872, total, $35, 372, 157 20, showing
a reduction in favor of the last fiscal year of
$427, S34. 90.
The estimates for military appropriations
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1874, are
SIS, 1885,, 137, S79. The estimates of the Chief
of Engineers are submitted separately, for
fertilization, river and harbOr improvements,
and for public buildings and grounds, and
the Washington aqueduct. TIE affairs of
the Freedmen's Bureau have all been trans
ferred to the War Department and regula-
lions have been put into execution for the
speedy. payment of bounty, pay, ETC., due
colored soldiers, properly coming under that
Bureau. All war accounts for money and
property prior to 1871, have been examined
and transmitted to the Treasury for final
settlement.
During the fiscal year there has been paid
for transportation on railroads 81 800, 900, of
which $50, S57 was over the Pacific railroads;
for transportation by water, 1926, 1913 So and
by stage, S4S, 975.o4, and for the purchase of
transportation animals, wagons, hire of
teamsters, ETC., ETC., 1924, $50 "a.
About $370, 900 have been collected from
Southern railroads during the year, leaving
81, 100000 still due.
The Quartermaster has examined and
transmitted to the Accounting officer for
citizens for Quartermasters' extras taken
during the war. Subsisting supplies to the
amount of $500, S12 have been issued to
Indians.
The annual average mean strength of the
army was A,21O white and 2,494 colored
soldiers. The total deaths for the year re-
ported were 367 white and 81 colored.
The distribution of the medical and sur
gical history of the war is yet to be ordered
by Congress. There exists an absolute ne
Tool 81 f,,11
Der established by act of Congress of July
%, 1866, there being now SO vacancies, and
the number of successful candidates rarely
exceeds eight or ten ia any one year.
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 much to the wealth of
the country and increases the resources of
| the Government
The bridge across the Mississippi River at
Rock Island has been completed, and the
proper site has been determined upon for
! the bridge at La Crosse.
The able and exhaustive report made by
| tie Commission appointed to investigate the
| Sutro Tunnel has been transmitted to Con
gress.
The observations and report of the Signal
office have been continued. Stations have
! been mainta tanned at each of the prn cipal
lake sea ports and river cities. Ten add
tional stations have been established in the
| United States, and arrangements have been
made for exchange of reports with Canada
| and similar exchange of observations is con
templated with the West India Islands.
The favorable attention of Congress is in
vited to the following recommendations o.
| the Secretary of War: discontinuance o.
the appointment of extra feutenants, to serve
as adjutants and quartermasters.
! The adoption of a code providing specific
penalties for well defined offenses, so thai
| the inequality of sentences adjudged by
courts-martial may be adjusted.
| The consolidation of accounts under which
| expenditures are made, as a measure o.
economy.
A re appropriation of the money for tho
construction of depot at San Antonio, thu
title to the site being now perfected.
| A special act placing the cemetery at the
City of Mexico on the same basis as othe
national cemeteries.
Authority to purchase sites for military
posts in Texas.
The appointment of Commissary Ser
geants from non commissioned officers, as 6
measure for securing the better care ane
protection for supplies, and appropriation
omical section of the Army Medical Mu
scum. ...+.
| A re appropriation of the amount for the
manufacture of breech-loading arms should
| the selection be SO delayed by the Board OF
| officers to leave the former apprOprla
tions unexpended at the close of the fsca
| year. sr
| The sale of such arsenals east of the Mis-
| sissippi as can be spared, and the proceeds
| applied to the establishment of one large
| arsenal of construction and repair upon the
| Atlantic coast /; and the purchase of a suita
BILE site for proving and experimental
ground for heavy ordnance.
| The abrogation of laws which deprive IN
| yentors in the United States service from de
irving any benefit from their inventions.
| The repeal of the law prohibiting promo
! tions in the staff corps.
| 4 continuance of the work upon the coas
| defcnses.
The repeal of the 18th section of the act O.
July Is, 1866, taking from engineer soldiers
| the per diem granted to other troops.
A limitation of the time for Presentat1o1
| of claims for subsistence supplies, unde
| the act of July 4, 1864, and a modification il
the mode of the selection of cadets 70 ghe
military academy, in order to enhance tn,
usefulness of the academy, which is impaired
| by reason of the large amount of time neces
! sarily expended in giving new cadets
| thorough knowledge of the more elementar,
] branches of learning, which they shoult
ACQUIRE before entering the academy Also
| an appropriation for philosophical apparatu!
and an increase IL the number and the pay
| of the
| MILITARY ACADEMY BAND.
The attention of Congress will be called
! during it's present session to various enter
| prises for the more certain and cheaper
| TRANSFORMATION of the constantly increasing
| surplus of the Western and Southern pro
| ducts to the Atlantic sea board. The sub
| iect is one that will force itself upon the