Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-12-04
BY TELEGRAPH
TO THE
Daily Kennebec Journal.
News From Washington.

Washington, 3. The Secretary of Wars
report the main facts relative to which were
printed two weeks ago from the bureau re-
port, shows the army on July LIST to have
been reduced to 10000. The expenditures
for the year were about forty millions, in
Guiding nearly four millions for river and
| harbor Improvements. The estimate for
military purposes for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1871, is 32,4l5,472. The treasury
has realized thus far for the present fiscal
year, $2l,766, 403 from State and arms and
other sources. An estimate of three millions
is made for settlement of claims yet due tn
State, for calling troops into service. TIL.
Secretary says; 1t is with great embarrass
ment that the appropriations made at the las
session can be economical as to answer
the pressing requirements of the service. He
recommends that extra lieutenants authorized
to serve as regiment quartermasters be dis
charged, as vacancies occur in those grades,
effectDg the ultimate reduction of eighty
lieutenants, and that the grades of quarter
master sergeants be abolished. The Secre-
tary alludes to the existence of an armed re-
bellion, and its great strength in parts of the
Southern States, and the necessity of using
armed forces of the nation to put it down and
bring the leaders to speedy justice. He
closes with renewed recommendation for
fire proof building for the war department,
and expresses a hope that a reform will be
effected in all departments of the government
by the lovers of civil service commission.
The report that dissatisfaction exists
among the council who are to represent the
United States at the Geneva Conference, with
the statement and case prepared by Bancroft
Davis, is unfounded.
There seems no doubt of quorum in both
Houses Of Congress tomorrow.
The Presidents message is expected to be
sent to Congress about one o'clock, and it
the distant press. All the other department
reports will be mailed in advance of deliv-
cry.
1t is understood that Speaker Blaine has
brought a list of standing committees here
fully made up, and has not consented to en-
terrain the question of changing any import
ant assignment. All assertions to the par
ticular appointments are mere speculative
guessings. The list is expected to be an
nounced tomorrow.
| 1t has been ascertaned from an official
source that no correspondence whatever has
passed between Minister Roberts and Secre-
tary Fish, relative to the recent events at
Havana, the only communication received
| from Mr.. Roberts during the past week being
some documents to be submitted to the
American and Spanish claims commission
nor have any official advices been received
| from Havana since the telegram from our
Consul General, who during the excitement
| consequent on the alleged Dissertation OF
Castano's tomb, advised our government that
there were fears of a general massacre, and
hence the importance Of the United States
| fleet there to protect American citizens and
there interests.
The prompt reply to his suggestions is al
ready known. The force on the North At
lantic station consists of the Severen, Swar-
| tara, Nantasket, Nlpsic kansas, Pawnee and
| Terror, with the " orcester and Canandaigua
just fitted out for the station, and the Shaw
| nut now on duty there and ultimately des-
| tined for the South Atlantic-ten ships in all
and mounting 20 guns.
The Justices Of the Supreme Court will
| call upon the President tomorrow.