The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-12-04

I ahhhaA va hAAN HubNN uNpk was ~
duced in the sum Of $S,776,0O0, Irecom.
mend that suitable provision be made to
enable the people TO easily convert their
savings into government securities a. the
best mode In which small savings may be
well secured aud yield moderate inter.
est. II Is an object Of public policy to
retain among our own people The secnri.
ties Of the United States. In this way
our country Is guarded against their sud
den return from foreign utyles, caused
by war or other disturbances beyond our
limits.
THE COMMERCE.
Of the United States with foreign nations,
and especially the export Of domestic
productions, has Of late years largely
increased, but the greater portion Of this
trade Ia conducted In foreign vessels.
The Importance Of enlarging our foreign
trade, and especially by direct and speedy
interchange with countries on this con.
tinent, cannot be overestimated, and II Is
matter Of great moment that our own
shipping interests should receive to the
utmost practical extent the benefit Of our
commerce wIth other lands. These con-
siderationS are iotcibly urged by all the
large commercial cities Of the country,
and public attention Is generally and
wisely attracted to the solution Of the
problems they present. It's not doubted
that Congress- will take them up in the
broadest spirit Of liberaliLy and respond
to the public demand by practical legis-
lstiOn upon this important subject.
THE ARMY.
The report Of the Secretary Of War
shows that the army has been actively
employed during the year and has rem.
dered very important service, suppress
ing hostilities in the Indian country and
preserving peace and protecting life and
property In the interior IS we'll Us along
the Mexican border. A long and arduous
campaign has been prosecuted with final
success against portion Of the Nez
Perces tribe oil Indians. A fall account
Of this campaign will be found in the re.
port Of the General Of the Army. 1t will
be seen that in lis course several severe
battles were fought, in which a number
Of gallant officers and men lost their
lives. i Join with the Secretary OF War
and the General OF the Army in awarding
to the officers and men, employed in the
long and toilsome pursuit and the final
capture Of these Indians the honor and
praise which arc so justly their due.
The very serious riots which occurred
in several Oft the States in July,last, render
ed necessary the employment Of consid.
cradle portion OF the army 10 preserve the
peace and maintain order in the States Of
West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania
and Illinois. These disturbances we're 40
formidable as to defy the local and State
authorities, and the National Executive
was called on in the mode provided by
the Constitution and laws 10 furnish
military aid. lam grati6ed to be able to
state that the troops sent in response to
the calls for aid in the suppression Of do.
nestle violence were able, by the influence
Of their presence 10 the disturbed regions
TO preserve the peace and restore order
without the use Of force. In the discharge
OF this delicate and important duty both
officers and men acted with great pru.
dence and courage, and for their services
deserve the thanks OF tie country.
Disturbances along the Rio Grande, in
Texas, TO which l have already referred,
have rendered necessary the constant EN-.
ployment Of military force in that vicin.
ity. Atuil report OF all recent military
operations in that quarter have been
transmitted 10 the House Of Representa-.
tiyes in answer 10 resolution OF that
body, and 1t will, therefore, not be neces.
sary to enter into details. regret 10
say that these lawleAs incursions into our
territory by armed bands from the Mexi.
can side Of the line for the purpose Of
robbing have been Of frequent occurrence,
and in spite Of the moSt vigilant efforts
OF the commander OF our forces the ma.
RAIDERS have succeeded in escaping into
Mexico with their plumber. In May last
gave orders for the exercise Of the ut
most vigilance on the part OF our troops
for the suppression Of these raids, and
punishment Of the guilty parties, AZ we'll
IA the recapture OF the property stolen
by them. General Ord, commanding in
Texas, was directed to invite co.opera.
ton oil Mexican authorities in the efforts
to this end, and TO assure them that was
anxious to avoid giving the least oiIense
10 Mexico. At the same time he was
directed to give notice Of my determine.
ton to put an end to the invasion OF our
territory by lawleSs bands, intent upon
the plumber OF our peaceful citizens, even
II the eIlectual punishment Of the outlaws
should 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 depreda.
tions, and that with considerable In.
crease ofou forces upon that frontier,
and the establishment OF several add.
tional military posts along the Rio
Grande, the more etfectually to guard
that extensive border, peace may be
preserved, and the lives and property OF
our citizens in Texas fully protected.
REDUcrEoE OF THE ARMY.
Prior 10 the first day Of July last, the
army was in accordance with the law
reduced to the maximum OF %.
900 enlisted men, being a reduction
Of $500 below the force previously an.
thorized. This reduction waa M ade, as re.
quirel by law. entirely from the infantry
and artillery branches OF the seryice with.
out any reduction Of the cavalry. Under
the law as II now stands il Is necessary
that the cavalry regiments be recruited
TO 100 men in each company for service
on the Mexican and Indian frontiers.
The necessary effect Of this legislation il
to reduce the infantry and artillery arms
Of the service below the number required
for efficiency, and ! concur with the Sec
rotary Of War in recommending that
authority be given to recruit all compa.
MES Of infantry to at least SO men and all |
batteries OF artillery to at least IS men.
with the power in case Of emergency 10
increase the former to 100 and the latter
10 l22 men each. ! invite your special
attention 10 the following recommends.
tions of the Secretary Of War:
First-That provision he made for snU.
plying TO the army more abundant and
better supply OF reading matter.
Second That early action be taken bv
Congress looking to the complete revision
and republication Of The army regulations
Third-That section 1858 Of the Re.
yised States, limiting the number Of off.
GERS on the retired list, be repealed.
Fourlh-That the claims arising under
the act OF July 18th, 1884, for supplies
taken BY the army during the war, be