Mexico weekly ledger., 1876-12-14

them are now in the field, pursuing the
remnants OF the Indians, with whom they
have been engaged during the summer.
The estimates of the War Department are
requirements, as . shown by
years of experience, and also with
the purpose, on the part Of the bureau Of
hcers, to provide for all contingencies that
may arise duringthe time for which the
estimates are made. The estimates of the
engineers, presented in accordance with the
acts of Congress, the estimates for surveys,
and estimates for improvements in various
localities now presented, are about$ Sc, 000,-
O0o In excess of the appropriations in the
years 1874, 1875 and 1876. This increase is
airy force, should their service be neces-
sary-to prosecute economically the work
upon important public buildings-to pro-
vide for the armament of Notifications and
manufacture of small arms, and replenish
working stock in the supply departments.
The appropriations for these last named
have for the past few years been SO limited
That the accumnlations in store will be en-
tirely exhausted during the present year,
and it will be necessary at onc to begin to
replenish them. / invite your especial at
tention to the following Recommendations
VI tue OecTotaTy Oh war:
First-That the claims under the act of
July l, 1864, for supplies taken by the Army
during the War, be removed from the
offices OF Quartermasters and Commits
and transferred to the South.
ern Claims Commission. These claims are
of precisely a similar nature to those now
before the Southern Claims Commits
sion, and the War Department and bureaus
have not thellerical force for their exami-
nation, nor the proper machinery for inves-
tigating the loyalty of the claimants.
Sec0nd-That Congress sanction the
scheme of an annuity fund for the benefit of
the families Of deceased officers, and that it
ton of the regular service, both of which
were recommended in my last annual mes
sage.
Third-That the manufacturing opera
lions of the Ordnance Department be con-
centrated at three arsenals and an armory
and that the remaining arsenals be sold and
the proceeds applied to this object by the
Ordnance Department.
RIvERs AND HARBORs.
The appropriations fer river and harbor
improvements for the current year were
10 OLD, COG. With my approval the Secre-
tary of War directed that, of this amount,
$500, 200 should be expended, and 40 new
works should be begun, and none prosecut-
ed which were not Of national importance.
Subsequently this amount was increased to
$223, 700, and works are now progressing on
this basis. The improvement Of the South
Pass of the Mississippi River, under J. b.
Eads and his associates, is progressing IA
vorably. At the present time there is a
channel of 20 $40 feet in depth between the
jetties at the mouth of the pass, and 1871
feet at the head Of the pass. Neither chan
mel, however, has the width required be.
fore payment shall be made by the United
States. A commission Of engineers and
officers is now examining these works, and
their reports will be presented as soon as
received.
THE NAvY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows that he believes the service to be in a
condition as effective as it is possible to keep
it with the means and appropriations given
the Department. 1t is not, of course, pos
sible to rival the costly and progressive es-
Establishments Of the great European powers
with the old material of our Navy, to which
no increase has been authorized since the
War, except eight small cruisers, built to
supply the place OF others which had gone
to decay. Yet the most has been done that
was possible with the means at command,
and they are substantially rebuilding some
of our old ships with durable material, and
completely repairing and refitting our mon
itor fleet. The Navy has been gradually
so brought up that, though it does not
maintain its relative position among
the progressive navies of the world, it is
now in a condition more powerful and ef-
fectiye than it ever has been in time of
peace. The complete repairs of our five
heavy iron-clads are only delayed on account
Of the i~nadequscy Of the appropriations
made last year for the working bureaus Of
the Department, which were actually less
in amount than those made before the War,
notwithstanding the greatly enhanced price
Of labor and materials and the increase inthe
cost Of the naval service growing out of the
universal use and great expense OF steam
machinery. The money necessary
for these repairs should be pro
completed without further unneces-
ssry delay and expense. When this is done,
all the strength that there is in the Navy
will be developed and useful to its full ca
pacity, and all will be powerful for the pur-
pose Of defense, and also for offensive ac-
ton, should necessity for that arise, within
a reasonable distance from u shores. The
fact that our Navy is not more modern and
powerful than it is has been made a cause
OF complaint against the Secretary OF the
Navy by persons who at the sam time criti-
else and complain of his endeavors to bring
the Navy that We have to its best n most
efficient condition. But the good sense OF
the country will understand that it is really
to his practised action that we have at this
time any effective navy force at command.
POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The report Of the Postmaster Genera
shows an excess OF expenditures, including
expenditures or account Of previous years
Receipts for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1876, estimated to be "a, 151, 9SS. 66 +; esti-
mated expenditures for the fiscal year end.
ing Jane 80, 1876, are $36, 723, 432 .43; esti-
mated revenue for the same period is $780,,
GAG, 165, leaving an estimated excess of eX.
penditure to be appropriated as a deficiency
of Sc, 01S, 250. 43. The Postmaster-General
like his predecessor, is convinced that q
change in the basis of adjusting salaries Of
Postmasters of the fourth class is necessary
for the good Of the service as we'll as for the
interests Of the Government, and urgently
recommends that consideration of the class
of Pestmasters above mentioned bt
based on the business of their respective
offices IS ascertsined from sworn returns tC
the Auditor of stamps cancelled. A few
Postmasters In the Southern States have eX'
pressed great a~pprehensions Of their per
sonal safety on account Of their connection
with the Postal Service, and have specially
requested hat their reports Of a%pprehend'
ed danger should not be made public, les
it should result in the loss of their lives