The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-12-17
[Concladea fl,om tirsl pnns.l

GcOneiaded from first pugsl
Of his life may be spent within the limits
of the civilized sectiou Tho latter has
no such personal interest. Another rea-
son is an economic one and still another
is the hold which the Government has
upon the life of the officer, to secure a
faithful discharge of his duties in carry
ing out given policy. The building OF
the railroad and the access thereby given
to all the agricultural aud mineral region
of this country, is rapidly bringing civil
lied settlements in contract with all the
tribes of Indians, aud no matter what
ought to be the relations between such
settlements and the aborigines, the fact is
they do not harmonize we'll, and one or
the other has to give way in the end. A
system which looks to tho determination
of a race is too horrible for any nation to
adopt, without entailing upon itself the
wrath of all Christendom. and engender-
ing in the citizen disregard for human
life and the rights of others, dangerous to
society see no substitute for such q
system except in placing all the Indians
be done, and giving them absolute protec-
tion there as soon as they are fitted for it.
They should be induced to take their
lands In severity, and to set up territorial
government for their own protection.
For the full details on this subject call
your special attention to the reports of
the Secretary oft Interior and the Com
missioner of Indian fairs
WAR DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Secretary Of War
shows the expenditures of the War De-
pa~tment for the year ending 30th of
June, 1869, to be $50, GA, ,042, of which
S23, ,9S2,3 $40 was dibsurbed in thespay-
ment of debts contracted during the war,
and is not chargeable to current army ex-
penses. The estimate of the army for
the next fiscal year is as low as 1t is believ-
ed it can be. The estimates of the bu-
reau of officers have been carefully scru-
tinized, aud reduced wherever it has been
deemed practicable. If. however, the
condition of the army should be such by
the beginning ofthe next fiscal year as to
admit of greater contraction ofthe troops,
the appropriation-asked fo- will not be ex-
pended. The appropriation estimates for
river and harbor improvements, and for
tifcations are submitted separately.
Whatever amount Congress may deem
proper to appropriate for these purposes
viii be expended.
The recommendation of the General of
the army that appropriations be made for
the forts at Boston, Portland, New York,
Philadelphia, New Orleans and San Fran
cisco, if for no others, is concerned in.
I also ask your special attention to the
recommendation of the General Command
ing the military Division of the Pacific
for the sale of the seal islands of st. Paul
and ST. George, Alaska Territory, aud
suggests that either it be complied with
or that legislation be had for the protec-
tion.of the seal fisheries. from which a
revenue should be derived.
The report of the Secretary Of War con-
tains a synopsis of the heads of bureaus
of the commanders of the military divi-
sions Of the Districts of Virginia, Missis-
sippi and Texas, and the report of the
General of the army in full. The recon-
mendations therein contained have been
considered, aud are submitted for your
action. l, however, call special attention
to the Recommendation of the Chief of
Ordnance for the sale of arsenals and
lands no longer Of use to the Government
1 also recommend the suggestion of the
Secretary of War that the act of the 3rd
of March, 1869, prohibiting promotions
and appointments in the staff corps of the
army be repealed. The extent of country
to be garrisoned, land the number OF mil
itary posts to be occupied, as the rule, is
the same with a reduced as with a large
one. The number of staff officers re-
quired is more dependent upon the latter
than the former condition.
THE NAVY