The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-12-15


readjusting the tariff so as to increase
revenue and at the same time decrease
the number Of articles upon which duties
are levied. Those articles which enter
into our manufactures and are not pro.
duced at home, it seems to me, should be
entered free. Those articles of manufac-
ture which we produce constitutional
part of, but do not produce the whole,
that part which we do not produce should
enter free, also. l will instance fine
wool, dyes, etc. These articles must be
imported to form part Of manufacture
of higher grades of wooden goods. Chem
icals used rs dyes compounded in medi-
cines and used in various ways in manu-.
facture come under this class. The in.
PRODUCTION free Of duty of such woods as
we do not produce should stimulate the
manufacture Of goods requiring the use
of those we do not produce, and there-
fore would be benefit to home produc'
ton. There are many articles entering
into home manufacture which VIC do not
produce ourselves, the tariff upon which
increases the cost Of producing the man
ufactured article. All corrections iu
this regard are in the direction of bring
ing labor and capital in harmony with
each other, and of supplying one OF the
elements Of prosperity so much needed.
The report of the secretary OF war
herewith attached and forming part OF
this message, gives all information con-
cernipg operations, wants and necessities
of the army. and contain many sugges-
tions and recommendations which COM
mend to your special attention. There is
no class of government employees who are
harder worked than the army officers and
men, none who perform their tasks more
cheerfully and efficiently, and under cir.
cumstances of greater privations and
hardships. Legislation is desirable to
render more efficient this branch a. pub
lie service. All the recommendations OF
the secretary of war l regard as judi
cious, and especially commend to your
attention the following:
The consolidation of governmen arsen'
ais, the restoration Of mileage to officers
travelling under orders, the exemption OF
money received from the sale Of subsist-
ence stores from being covered into the
treasury the use Of appropriations for the
purchase of subsistence stores without
waiting the beginning Of the fiscal yeal
for which the appropriation is made, fol
additional appropriations, for collector
of torpedo material, for increased appro
priations for the manufacture OF frms
for relieving the various states from in
debtedness for arms charged to them du
ring the rebellion, for dropping officer
from rolls of the army without trial fo
offence of drawing pay more than onc'
for same period, for the discouragemen
of the plan to pay soldiers by checks, au'
for the establishment of professor &
rhetoric and English literature at Yves
Point.
At the commen cement of the last ses
sion Of congress most OF our efficient wood
en- ships were put in condition for immc
diate service, ana the repairs Of our irol
clad feet were pushed with utmost vigor
| The result is that these are now in an CT
fective state and need only to be manne'
and put in commission to 60 at will int
service Some of our new sloops author
lied by congress are already in commits
siou, and most of the remainder are laun
ched and wait only the completion Of tn
machinery to enable them to take thei
places as part of our effective force. Tw
iron tordedo ships have been completed
during the last year, and four OF ou
large double-turreted iron clads are nov
undergoing repairs. Whom these are fin
ished everything that is useful of our na
w as now authorized will be in conditio
for service, and with the advance in th
science of torpedo warfare the America
navy. comparatively small as it is, will b
found at any time powerful Tor the pur
poses of a peaceful nation.
Much has also has been accompllshe
during :he year in aid OF science, and
increase the euu oi general knowledg
and further the interests of commerce al
civilization. Extensive and much -ncedc
soun3iDgs have been made 20: hydrogr;
phic purposes aud 10 fix the proper rout,
Of ocean telegraphs. Further surveys I
the great isthmus have been undertake
and completed. and two vessel. of the nav
are now employed, in conjunction wit
those of England, France. Germany al
, Russia, in observations connected with Il
transit of Venus, SO useful and interestiI
to the scientific world The estimates t,
this branch Of .he public service do d
differ materially from those Of last yea
those for the general support of II
, service being somewhat less, and those f
permanent improvements at the vario
f stations rather larger than the correspon
ing estimate made year ago. Tho re
ular maintenance and steady increase
. the efficiency Of this most important ar
; in proportion to the growth of our maj
q time intercourse aud interests is reccoI
$ mended to the attention Of Congress. III
4 use of the navy in time Of peace might
further utilized by direct authorzati,
of employment OF naval vessels in expl
. rations aud surveys of the supposed nav
= gable waters of other natonalities oD ii
X. continent, especially the tributaries
;. two great rivers Of South America, Il
. Orint co aud Amazon Nothing prevent
r under the existing laws, 'uch expedition
q except that expenditures must be ma
$ in such expeditions beyond those usual
n provided for in appropriations. The 6e
n designated Is unqaestionably one ofint,
O est and one capable OF large developme
Of commercial Interests, advantageous
q people reached aud those who may esta
q lish relations with them.
e Tue education Of the people entitled
o the exercise of the right ol franchise
@ regard essential TO general prosperi
t, everywhere aud e>pecislIy - in republic
o where ho:h education or previous cont
le tion does not enter lnlo account in givi
rs suffrage. Noxt to the puhIlc school
% posIofhce is the great agent of educati
IN over our vast territory The rapid