The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-23
WASHINGTON NOTES.

WASHINGTON, Nov 22-Gen. Ord, in COM
mand of the Department of Texas, under
date Of September 10, sent his report to the
Assistant Adjutant General of the Military
Division of the Missouri, giving lengthy &C.
count of the border operations Of the Mexi-
can banditti, most of which has been antici-
pated by press publications. The report
closes with the following significant sugges-
| tons:
| It seems to me that the circumstances of
the plumber of the stock ranches on the Rio
| Grande, are almost identical with the piracies
committed on our commerce at one time by
| the Algerines, who fled in safety to their own
ports with their prizes There the ofenses
| were committed on the open sea, and here
they are committed with the same ease on the
open plains In both cases the pirates found
a ready sale for their captures in the ports
where their expeditions were fitted out, name
ly: Algiers, Tripoli, etc., for the Moors;
Matamoros, Reynasa, Camargo, Mier and
Guerrero, for the MeXicans; and in both cases
the pirates were rewarded by promotion and
honors.
Patroling the country along the Rio Grande
with view of intercepting the raiders before
they can reach the river with stolen herds in
their possession, is as if we had tried to stop
depredations upon our commerce by the
Barbs by scattering our cruisers along the
north coast of Africa with view of intercept
ing some Algerine pirate before he could get
within three leagues of land with his Ameri-
can prize.
The success of Capt McNally, of the State
troops, in striking the party of Cortinas's men
in possession of stolen herd recently, was
due to his accidentally capturing two stray
Cling robbers, who by the use Of the only Ell
fectual means known in such cases, but not
legitimate enough for regulars to apply, were
compelled to betray the position and strength
of their band. have good reason for the be-
lief that the order from the Mexican govern
ment for the arrest of Ccrtina was due to the
orders tor the movement OF naval force to the
Mexican border, as Cortina was not the only
leader Of raiding bands, and the others are
still at their old business.
Some more effectuaI means must be adopted
than sending troops and sailors to look on
while our people are being despoiled and
murdered, for it is very evident that the sailors
and soldiers, however willing, can do nothing
if confined to this side of the river, and an
order to make reprisals, with means to carry
out the orders, has sometimes resulted in in
demnity as well as security.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 22-The Lighthouse
Board reports that as soon as suitable lamps
can be prepared mineral oils will be substi-
tuted for lard oils in the higher order of lights.
The success in the experiments for fog is
marked. The board hopes to arrive at re-
suits not only valuable to science, but of
practical importance in enabling it to con-
tend with one of the worst elements of dan
ger which the mariner has to meet with on
our extended and dangerous coast.
Since the jurisdiction of the board has
been extended over the waters of the Missis-
sippi and Ohio valleys, it has been found
that the change of banks and the short range
of lights do not justify permanent or expen-
sive structures or high order OF lenses. The
best quality of lanterns have been obtained,
and steamboat owners, captains and pilots
united in testifying to the great value OF the
lights, and the success Of the system is
assured A large number of lanterns and
buoys will be required, and an increased ap-
is necessary. The necessities for
lights on these waters is now unquestioned.
Two light vessels for the shoal water Of the
Virginia shoal coast are nearly completed.
Gen. Meyer, the chief signal officer, con-
cludes his report thus u: The chief signal
officer finds, as he reviews the results of the
year, causes for encouragement. The ques-
ion of the useful pre-announcement OF ap, {
preaching meteoric changes may be consider
ID as determined by now five years of sue i
,essful service. With each year of labor the q
paths for improvement open more plainly.
What was conjecture becomes certainty. {
The cooperation of scientists is assured both
It home and abroad. q
The uses of the work accomplished, the re- ]
ults to be hoped from that in the future, ]
nave been well appreciated. The popular sup ]
bort and the support of the press have not j
allied. Legislation has been favorable. The
opportunities for rendering public good y
lave opened wide to the service. The effort f
lust be to use them wisely. +
The report of the chief of army engineers 1
hows that the work now in progress upon b
,ur sea coast defenses consists exclusively in f
construction of powerful earthen barbette
,atteries for guns of the heaviest calibre, f
which batteries are either exterior to and sup
Elementary to the older casemated works. or 6
re notifications and engagements of the
orbette batteries of former times
These earthen corbette batteries, with G
massive paradoes, traverses on either side of S
ach gun, and strong parodoes, where needed, +
viii furnish, with depressing gun carriage. 7
he greatest protection for the armament and f
annoneers that can be obtained outside of
ron casemate constructions. {
The necessity for the continued prepare g
ion of these massive batteries has been pre- ]
entei in the annual report of the cepart- ]
nent from year to year. Their size, the r
weight of their ornaments and time required q
or their completion, form the reasons why S
hese works must be prepared in advance and
lot upon the advent of war.
CONVICTION OF A CROOKED WHISKY MAN.