Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-12-19

or lands. These considerations are
lorcilly urged by all the large com
mcrcial cities Of the country, and pub
lie attention is generally and wisely
attracted TO the solution OF the prob
ems they present. 1t is not doubted
that Congress will take them up IN
the brondest spirit OF libcrality, and
respond ~ the public demand by prac.
lical Legislation upon this important
subject.
THE NEZ PERcEs WAR.
The report OF the Secretary OF War
shows that the army has been active
iy employed duiing the year, and has
rendered very important service in
suppressing hostiIitics in the Indian
country aud in preserving peace and
protecting life and property IN the in.
terror, as well as along the Mexican
border. A long and arduous cam.
paign has been prosecuted with final
complete success against portion OF
the Nez Perces tribe Of Indians. A
tall account of this campaign wihbe
found in the report Of the General Of
the Army. 1t will be seen that in its
course several severe battles were
iought, in which number OF gallant
Ulcers aud men lost their lives. |
Join with the Secretary Of War and
General of the Army in awarding to
the officers and men employed IN tho
long and toilsome pursuit and the final
ppiure Of these Indians, the ohonor and
praise which are so justly their due.
TnR LABOR DISTURBANCES.
The very serions riots which occur
red in several Of the States in July
last. rend cred necessary the employ
mont of n considerable portion Of the
army TO preserve the peace and main
iain order in the States Of West Vir-7
snia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and
Illinois. These Disturbances were so
formidable as to defy the local and
State authorities, and the National
Executive was called upon, in the
mode provided by the Constitution
and laws, TO furnish military, and
am gratifcd 10 be able TO state that
the troops sent in response to the calls
for aid in the suppression Of domestic
violence were able, by the influence OF
their presence in the disturbed re-
giuns, TO preserve the peace and re-
store order without the use OF force in
the discharge of this delicate and i'm.
portant duty. Both officers and men
acted with great prudence and cour-
aye. and for their services deserve the
thanks Of the country.
TUE RIO 0RANDE TROUBLES.
Disturbances along the Rio Grande,
in Texas, TO which | have already re-
fcrred, have rendered necessary the
constant employment Of u military
force in that vicinity A full report
ui all recent military operations in that
quarter has been transmitted to the
House of Representatives, in answer
to resolution of that body, and IL
will, therefore, not be necessary TO en-
ter into details. regret to say that
these lawless incursions into our terri
tory. of armed bands from the Mexi-
can side OF the line, for the purpose of
robbery, have been Of frequent occur
renee, and in spite of the most vigl-
liant efforts of the commander of our
forces, the marauders have generally
succeeded in escaping into Mexico
with the plunder. In May last gave
orders for the exercise Of the utmost
vigilance on the part Of our troops for
the suppression of these raids, and the
punishment of the guilty parties as
well as the recapture OF property sto-
len by them. General Ord, command
ing in Texas, was directed to invite
tho cooperation Of the Mexican au-
thorilies in the efforts TO this end, and
to assure them that | was anxioes to
avoid giving the least offense to Mexi-
co. At the same time he was directed
To give notice of my determination to
put an end to the invasion OF our ter.
ritory by lawless bands intent upon
the plumber Of our peaceful citizens,
even if the effectual punishment of the
outlawsshould make the crossing Of the
border by our troops, in their pursuit,
necessary. 1t is believed that this
policy has had the effect to check
somewhat these depredations, and
that, with considerable increase of
our force upon that frontier and that
establishment OF several additional mil
itary posts along the Rio Grandc, so
as more cfiectually TO guard that ex-
tcnsivc border, peace may be preserv-
ed, and the lives and property Of our
citizens in Texas fully protected.
REDUCING THE ARMY.
Prior to the first day of July last,
the army was, in accordance with law,
reduced 10 the maximum Of 10000 en-
listed men, being reduction Of 1000
below the force previously authorized.
This reduction was made, as required
by law, entirely from the infantry and
artillery branches of the service, With
out any reduction OF the cavalry. I'm
der the law, as il now stands, IL is nee
essary that the cavalry regiments DO
recruited to one hundred men in each
CON pany, Tor service on tho Mexican
aud Indian frontiers. The necessary
effect of this legislation is TO reduce
the infantry and artillery arms OF the
service below the number required for
efficiency, and concur with the Sec
retary OF War in recommending that
authority be given to recruit all com
panics OF infantry TO at least fifty men,
aud all batteries Of artillery TO at least
seventy-fvc men, with the power IN
cascs of emergency, to increase the
former TO one hundred aud the latter
to one hundred and twenty-five men
each. NO
invite your special attention TO the
\ following Recommendation Of the Sec
rotary OF War; First. That provision
be made for supplying to the army a
moro abundant and better supply Of
reading matter. Second. That early
action be taken by Congress looking
TO complete revision and republica-
tion Of the Army Regulations. Third.
!, That section 1865 OF tho Revised Stat
utcs, limiting the number Of officers
on the retired list, be repealed. Fourth.
That the claims arising undcr the act
Of July 4th, 1864, for supplies taken
by the army during the war, be taken
iron the Offices Of the Quartermaster
and Commissary Generals and trans
: lerrcd to the Southern Claims Com
mission, or some other tribunal having
morc time and better iaciliiies for the
prompt investigation and decision than
are possessed by these officers. Fifth.
That Congress provide for an annuity
fund for the families Of deceased sol
dicrs, as recommended by the Pay
master General OF the Army.