The Washington herald., 1913-12-08

beginning Of the war, '.full 10000 are
now In the United States military serv-
| ice, about one-half of which number ac-
tually bear arms in the ranks
Looking forward to reconsuucuoh' ne
stated that he had issued prociama-
| ton which would give citizehs OF states
| in which the national authority had been
suspended an opportunity to. take the
/ oath of allegiance. CThis was the we'll
known amnesty proclamation OF the same
date as the message)
Still, he said the time for reconstruc-
tion had not yet come, continuing:
'sIn the midst of other cares, however
| important, We must not lose sight OF the
fact that the war power Is still our
main reliance. To that power alone can
we look, yet for a time, to give con-
| fdence to the people in the contested
| regions that the insurgent power will
: not again overrun them. Until that con-
fidence shall be established, little can be
done anywhere for what is called re-
construction. Hence, our chiefest care
must still be directed to the army and
navy, who have thus far borne their
harder part so nobly and well. And 1t
may be esteemed fortunate that in CIV
ing the greatest efficiency to these in
dispensabie arms We do also honorably
recognize the gallant men, from COM
-
and to whom. more than to others, the
world must stand indebted for the home
of freedom disenthralled, regenerated
enlarged and perpetuated."
Growth of Sea Power.
The reports of the department heads
fttingly supplemented the message of
the President. That of the Secretary of
the Treasurer showed that though the re-
boz, 600 and expenditures sis. 600, the dIf-
ference had been obtained by loans.
This report was to become the basis
of legislation to secure increased reve-
nue. by means of higher tariff, higher
taxes on liquors and taxes on docu-
ments and incomes The Secretary of
the Treasury required authority to bor-
row s400, ,O00. 900 on per cent bonds and
this the Congress was prepared to grant
him.
The reports from the War Department
showed that in November. 1868, there
were on the pay rolls of the government
about LOO full regiments. including $50
regiments of infantry, 164 of cavalry,
forty-seven of artillery, and four engi-
neers, with ia artillery batteries.
The Secretary of the Navys report
showed a great increase in the country's
sea power. The cost OF tie navy since
the war began had been $3.50, ,000, 900. Its
vessels, a1oat or under construction at
the close OF 1855, numbered SIS, with 40
guns, an increase of l6l vessels for the
year. The active fleet numbered 3s4 YES
sells of all classes. There had been lost
in the year thirty-four vessels. The num-
Der OF men in the navy had increased
from $500 at the beginnin- of the war
to more than 1900.
The blockade service had been highly
successful, its captures to November l,
1868, aggregating LOIS vessels, OF which
1I9 were steamers. The value of the
prizes taken or destroyed was $1,000 OO0
Those sold had brought 1855, ,SS5.
Congress Backs President.
While the Congress that heard these
reports numbered many representatives
who were opposed to the President polit-
ically, the body a whole was disposed
to grant the government every available
means of conducting the war.
In the House there were I02 Republi-
cans and unconditional Unionists seventy
five Democrats and nine border State
men. The House chose Schuyler Colfax
of Indiana, Speaker by a vote of I01 to
81. He was strong supporter of Lin
coins war measures. The Senate which
was strongly of the party Of the Admin
istration, included thirty-siX Republicans
and unconditional UniOnists, nine Demo-
Gratis, and five conditional Unionists.