Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-12-22
TIE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.

TIE INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
Secretary Chandler's report for the de-
partment Of the interior alludes to the fact
that, with the exception of the hostile Sioux
in Dakota, all the Indians are upon reserya-
tions entirely under the control Of the de-
partment. The progress Of the Indians in
education and agriculture is gratifying, and
must be steadily encouraged whatever other
policy may be pursued. The Commissioner
of Indian Affairs recommends these three
general principles of policy, which have the
approval Of the Secretary The concentra-
ton OF all the Indians upon a few reserva-
tloES, acceptance by them OF lands in sever
atty, and tie extension over them of the
United States law and jurisdiction of United
States courts. ard consequent dissolution of
tribal organization. Public lands have been
disposed of. during the year, to the amount
Of G,j24 go acres, or SIS ,944 less than the
previous year. The pension-roll has been
diminished during the wear by a greater
number than during any year since
1873, when the maximum was reached,
the disbursements Icing SOS ,35l 500, or
reduction Of Sl.33l,jl6 The geological
anu geographical surveys have been carried
on in two divisions, one under Prof. Hay
den IN tie western and northwestern por-
tons Of Colorado and the eastern part Of
| tan, covering an area Of about 10 600
square miles. and the other under Prof
Powell in tab and the northern part of
Arizona.
REPORT OF TIE SEC RETARY OF WAR
The Secretary Of War, in his annual re-
port, states tia, the health Of the army dur
ins the past year has been unusually good,
that Of the white and colored troops equally
so, the mortality being $ per 1000 of mean
strength. The number Of deaths by wounds,
on the other hand, has been uncommonly
large, - per LOCO. There are IS national
cemeteries, the appropriation for maintain
ng which, during the current year. Is l25,
600. Inc Secretary speaks warmly IN favor
of the success OF the Government savings
bank i1r soldiers, the deposits in which have
aggregated nearly half million dollars he
heartily supports the annuity scheme. Con-
yicIlons have been made on II, ,g4l cases
before court>-martial. OF which about 70 per
cent were Tor serious offences. such as deser-
ton, drunkenness on duty, assault and bat
terry lie thinks that the soldiers legal
rights are well protected. lie expresses the
opinion that the signal service has. during
the SIX years Of its existence, 50 justified IT,
establishment that Its organization should
be made permanent, and not he kept suhlec:
to the y.ei>-itudes OF other military nece>s.-
ties, in the detail and relief Of acting signal
officers.
1EE UNITED sTATEs TREASURY
Secretary Morrill'~ report Includes tate
meat Of tie revenue and expenses of the
government for tue last year, for the current
year. actual and estimated. and for the next
year The figures for 1876 are
Expenditure, interest, Nm2,321
oidinary i5a 2i654e
Total expenditure, s25s,4s7g7
Surplus. s-9p24,2h
The revenues Of the year were ten millions
more than was anticipated, and the eXpen
ses ten millions less.
The current year, Judging from the quar-
ter already passed and from the appropria-
tons, the Secretary concludes will stand as
follows
Net revenue. s25i, 81, ,iI9
Expenditure. interest s9s,9-4 40
ordinary, I55,6ii3iJ
Total, So. .62s 753
Surplus. s16,565 ,696
Mr.. Morrill, puts the revenue of ISIS at
S270 600 900, and the expenditures, includ-
ing interest, at 5000 900. The surplus
of revenue for the year 1876 was not
equal to the lawful requirement Of the sink
ing fund, nor will it be equal to it, this
year or next, unless the revenue should
greatly exceed expectations. But Mr.. Nor
rill shows that the sum total of liquidation
of debt since the sinking-iund law was
passed largely exceeds the sum total Of
annual requirements under the law. The
Secretary discusses the resumption of specie
payment, and asks for further authority to
iuud greenbecks in gold bond, bearing in
teres5 not to exceed IL per cent. With
this provision, the Secretary regards re-
sumption as perfectly feasible on the lst Of
January, 1879. The Secretary thinks that,
with no adverse influence to The public
credit, 4 gold fund would be sufficient Of one
half the sum to be redeemed.
The total issue OF silver change has beer
SD 600, 600, the redemption of fractional
currency Sl3, 900, 900. The Secretary dis
cusses the claim that silver may be rendered
in paymen of the public debt, and conclude:
that only gold will satisfy the just demand
Of the credi tor.
In regard to the administration Of the
revenues, Mr.. Morrill, has some criticism to
make on the laws regulating the machinery
/ thereof.