The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1875-12-08

that the money II be deducted under the opera
ton OF the propos Cd scheme is worth 70 the
The wei settled PRINCIPLES governing life in.
snrance would be applicable To this plan, and
tue annuity tables would be prepared BY the
ence Of probabilities has reached great precision
in those COMPUTATIONS entering Into life tnsur-
ance, but sfter certain tables had been used ~
years, more less, corrections could be made III
they were found Deficient, which would more
perfectly accomplish the object OF the scheme,
viz: the rendering OF substantial assistance 10
the families OF deceased officers Of The army
Without actual expense TO the government. -
PAYMAsTER's MILEAGE, sEABoARD DEFENsE,
ETo.
The secretary asks for the re-establishment of
the mileage system for the paymaster's depart
ment to take the place Of the present "actual
expense" account way OF reimbursing paymas-
tiers for outlsys in travelling from point to point
The works for the defense of our seaboard, I'M
der the engineer department., have progressed
satisfactorily and as rapidly as the means pro-
vided would admit. The class OF works, adopted
In 1859, are heavy earth batteries, thoroughly
suitable 10 resist the attack OF the most powerful
ironciads. The battalion of engineers, under
the law OF June 49, 1874. reducing the army, has
been limited to two hundred enlisted men;
~ .nn,nsers IL too small for
the efficient performance of the duties
required ofthern-. II war should occur with a
plant and operate our torpedo defensesi would
be seriou,l y et, and ii is submitted whether the
needs Of this branch Of service may not jus,
battalion of not less than enlisted men. The
trials with torpedoes have continued and have
Importance Of this auxiliary in the: defense of
our harbols, as well as the certainty that their
use in time OF war win prevent an enemy's yes
sells from running past our batteries, and will
enable us TO hold them under the fire OF our ar
tillery. The secretary asks an appropriation of
% sns hs ASKS that e engineers 81 s
army be authorized TO survey the MiA sissippi,
with view to the better . protection OF
COUNTRY adjacent subject 70 overflow ".
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ESTIMATES.
The geographical explorations and surveys
west of the ore hundredth meridian, under the
war department, have been in progress since my
last report. The ield work OF the present sea-
SON was divided into two main sections, with
the intention of surveying tracts in Colorado
and California. and an officer with special
party was detailed to II AXE preliminary in
strnmeu tai survey, with view to a complete
examination as TO the feasibility OF diverting
of frrigation and il is hoped a report accom-
panied by estimates OF the cost will be received
nom the officer In charge ofthe partyin time TO
sion. The engineers estimates, amounting In the
agg esate TO sl7 ,20S S7s, a. approved, and add
tiOnal appropriations asked for arming and
that the appropriations tor this purpose arethe
same as in lSOS-s2O0,'c0. He recommends the
1n 81 az sne she te of
grand central ordnance depots.
MEXICAN AND INDIAN oUTRAaEs.
A campaign aga INST the predatory Indians
last referred to is now being vigorously pros.
ecuted. 1t is believed that the particular bands
against whom mi itary operations are being
conducted come from Mexico, and, following
their usual custom, have, after depredatinR on
tRs 10 e edge 81 Of sn nt the aked
Plains. No se ;isive result has g. yet
.een obtained from these operations.
ssPSFs q tbe the
where he denounces the dishonesty OF the In
dian agent, and cites me report Is Of the com
ineres sed security TO the inhabitants OF Arizona
i5S In 1ae ceh has ancdy SPe per
nfgrauon. and the population OF the ter
Iitsry has largely -, increased In the past year;
with increased facilities Of transportation, the
ductive Of those yielding the precious metals.
department OF the Platte forsshsdows trouble
between the miners and the Indians in the re-
less something is done 10 obtain possession of
that section for the white miners who have
been strongly attracted there by reports Of rich
deposits of the precious metals.
MEXICAN MATTERS AND ALASKA AFFAIRS. p
department of Texas contains detailed informa-
ton concerning the difficulties which have Gre
ated such excitement on the Lower Rio Grande
where some OF the most prominent officers and
wealthy merchants of that part OF Mexico ap.
pear TO be regularly engaged In hitting out par
ties to plumber the stock ranches on this side OF
| the river: Reports Of murder In open daylight
OF several In huential citizens, including United
States officials and soldiers, and other dastardly
outrages on the part of these vagrsnt MexicaDs
| were made to the division commander, who In
yites attention to the grave character
| prompt and decisive measures on the part Of
The general commanding the department Of
Columbia renews his recommendation that the
attention Of CONFESS be Inv Invited to the present.
hich, under recent decisions, is nearly without
| the Jurisdiction OF the courts Of law. The gov
AGENTS better than none, but Is reported as ir-
ritating TO those who consider themselves pos.
Of ns shp s ans bs s
between Indians and whites by the army, but
that authority Itself Is called In question BY the
United States District Court. II the army is 10
govern the territory, congress should clearly es-
| tablish that fact by appropriate legislation
recon- eco %endation that ALASKA be attached &c
4 Washington Territory q county, and brought
under i.s civil government, aud his facilities
are such as to give weight TO his opinion.
| ESTIMATES AND EXPENDITURES.
The actual expenditures Of the war
| department Tor the year ending
| June 81, 1874, including river and
6arbor improvements were ...... 80, 81, sl4 Il
| The same for the last fiscal year end
Ing June 81, 1875 Al ,777, s75
Showing reduction of......... 81 ,04S, $50 A
The estimates for the military estab-
| lishment for the ensuing fiscal year
ending June 80, 1871. 452 1886 s
| Those for the current fiscal year end ri -
Ing June So 1876, vere..... ..... ass 1853 s
Being incr< of.-.---..--....-..- 9es, 427 o
| The appropriations for that purpose ni ID ~
for the current fiscal year III 407
The secretary says that the excess OF the amour
i estimates for the ensuing f1scaI year owe
/ the annroprfatiOn for the currpntt dsral lvaa