The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1875-12-01
WASHINGTON.


pmCIal appointments
WASHINGTON Nov 3O.-Judge Advocate
Gen. Joseph Holt, of the army, has been re-
tired upon his own application, and Assistant
Judge Advocate General VIM. McKeen Dunn
has been appointed Judge Advocate General to
fill the vacancy, the appointment to date from
Dec. l, 1875.
There will be no appointment of Assistant
Judge Advocate General, Congress having
passed law at its last session providing for
the abolition Of that Office when it should be-
come vacant
Gen. Hancock's Report.
Gen. Hancock's report states that there are
23S officers and 1888 men in the military divis.
ions OF the Atlantic states, occupying twenty
posts.
He makes several recommendations for re-
pairs OF garrsons, and says assertions have
been materially red uced the past year.
RumOred Fender Of the Comm issjOne
ship of Indian A fairs TO an ex Congress.
man.
1t is reported on good authority that the
President has rendered the position of Com
missioner of Indian Affairs to ex-Con.
gresham VIM II. Epson of Ohio.
Gen. POpe's Report
The report of Bre7et Major General John
Pope, commanding the department Of the Mis-
souri,, after reviewing at some length the CAM
pagns against hostile Indians in the depart
ment during the past year, says:
All the bands of Indians in the Southwest,
Cheyennes and Arapahoes, Kiowas and Co.
manches, are now at their respective agencies,
brought there by military force after cam
paign of eight months of almost unprecedent-
ed hardship and exposure, and after heavy
exp -nse to the vernment. They are brought
there. too, entirely subdued and in such condi-
ton and under such circumstances that there is
not the least danger, in my opinion, of any
further trouble with them if they are only
treated with humanity and dealt with with
even ordinary honesty. Unless they are prop
erly fed they must either suffer the paugs of
hunger or starve to death. To see that they
are so cared for as the government and human
ity demands, and as the usual appropriations Of
Congress provide, is duty devolved upon
another department of the government. If
to believe it las not been done in the past,
further troubles with these Indians may nearly
be considered at an end
Referring to feeding the Indians he says:
1t is presumed, though without posti We
knowledge, that the appropriations of Congress
ed will be sufficient for the purpose, and can
not, in view of the peace of this frontier and
the honor and good faith of the government,
too strongly urge that this subject,be clearly
looked after, and that measures more vigorous
and efficient than those hitherto pursued be
adopted and enforced without delay. The mill
itary force have done well all they have the
right or power to do and they cannot or ought
not to be held accountable for any further hos
tiities with these Indians, due to bad treatment
and want of food at the agencies to which they
have been forced to return and where they are
now.
1t is revolving to any humane man to see such
things done and far more to be required to be
the active party to commit violence upon for
lorn Indians, who under the pr essure of such
necessity, only do what any man would do I'M
der like circumstances. desire to say with
all emphasis what every army officer on the
frontier will corrobOrate, that there is no class
of men in this country who are so diSinclined
among them. The army has nothing 10 gain
with war with the Indians. On the contrary,
they have everything to lose.
Gen. Pope thinks the army should not be
left to the mercy of the Indian agents, who
make causes of war and then call the troops to
thor assistance.
He expresses the opinion that the mainten-
ance OF the smaller posts is inexpedicnt.
The Democratic Caucus.
The Democrats propose to hold their caucus
on Saturday at p M, to agree upon candi-
dates for elective officers of the House of Rep.
resentatives.
Contested Seats IN the House of Repre-
sentatiyes.
The following is correct list of the contest
ed seats in the House OF Representatives.:
Alabama. Bromberg VS.. HARRISON.
Florida, Flnlay VS.. Walls.
Illinois, Lemoyne VS.. Farwell.
Louisiana, Spencer VS.. Morey and Breux vs..
Darrall.
Massachusetts, Abbott vs.. Frost.
Minnesota, Cox VS. Strait.
New York, Lowery vs.. Norton, BIRD district.
South Carolina, Lee VS.. Rainey and Butts vs..
Mackey.
Virginia, Platt vs. Goode.
Idaho Territory, Fern VS.. Bennett.
Utah Territory, Boskin VS.. Cannon.
Rumored Protest of Spain Against the
Sale of Cuban Bonds in this Country
NEW YORK, Nov. 30.-It is reported that
the government used the cable wires for some
houts this forenoon in the transmission of des-
patches between Secretary Fish and Minister
Cushing at Madrid. A rumor is added that
Spain has demonstrated against the q. S. gov
eromenr permitting the sale OF CUBAN bonds in
this country. claiming that their issue here is
in violation of treaty obligations.