Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-12-12

their services deserve the thanks Of
their country.
DISTURBANCES ALONG THE RIO GRANDE
in Texas, to which [ have already re-
ferred, have. rendered necessary the
constant employment of q military
force in that vicinity A full report OF
all recent military operations in that
quarter, has been transmitted to the
house of representatives, in answer to
a resolution Of that body, and it will not,
therefore, be necessary to enter into the
details. | regret to say that these law
less excursions into our territory, by
armed bands from the Mexican side of
the line, for the purpose of robbery,
have been of frequent occurrence, and
in spite of the most vigorous efforts OF
the commander of our forces, the
marauders have generally succeeded
in escaping into Mexico with their
plumber. In May last I 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
we'll as the recapture of property taken
by them. General Ord, commanding
in Texas, was directed to invite the CO
operation of the Mexican authorities in
efforts to this end, and assure them [
was anxious to avoid giving the least
offense to Mexico. At the same time
he was directed to give notice of my
determination to put an end to the
incurslons into our territory of lawless
bands with the intention to piunder
our peaceful citizens, even If the etfec-
tual punishment of the outlaws should
make the crossing of the border by our
troops in their pursuit necessary It is
believed this policy has had the effect
to check somewhat these depredations,
and that with considerable increase
of our force upon that frontier, and the
establishment Of sevaral additional mil
itary posts along the Rio Grande, so as
to more effectually guard the extern
sive border, peace may be preserved
and the lives and property of citizens in
Texas fully protected,
THE ARMY
Prior to the first day of July last the
army was. in accordance with law, re-
duced to the maximum of $4,000 en-
listed men, being reduction
of $500 below the force previously
authorized This reduction was made,
as required by law, entirely from the
infantry and artillery branches of the
service, without any reduction of the
cavalry. Under the law, as it now
stands, it is necessary that the cavalry
regiments be recruited to one hundred
men IN each company for service on
the Mexican and Indian frontiers. The
necessary effect of this legislation is to
reduce the infantry and artillery arms
of the service below the number re-
quired for efficiency, and [ concur with
the secretary of war IN recommending
that authority be given to recruit all
companies of infantry to at least fifty
men, and all batteries of artillery to at
least seventy-five men; in case of emer-
gency to increase the former to 100, and
the latter to 125 men each | invite
your special attention TO the following
recommendations of the secretary of
war: First, that provision be made for
supplying to the army more abundant
and better supply of reading matter;
second, that early action be taken by
congress looking to a complete revision
and republication of the army regula-
tons; third, that section 1858 of the
revised statutes, determining the num-
Der of officers on the retired list. be re-
under the act of July 4, 1864, for sup
plies taken by the army during the
war, be taken from the offices of the
quartermaster and commissary generals
and transferred to the southern claims
commission, or some other tribunal
having more time and better facilities
for their prompt investigation and de-
cision than are possessed by these
officers; fifth, that congress provide for
an annuity fund for the families of de-
ceased soldiers, as recommended by the
paymaster general of the army.
THE NAVY.
The report Of the secretary Of the
navy shows that we have six squadrons
now engaged in the protection of our
foreign commerce, and other duties
pertaining to the naval service.
The condition and operations
of the department are also
shown. The total expenditures for
the fiscal year ending June 3Oth,
1877, were $16O77, 974.54. There are
unpaid claims against the department
chargeable to the last year which are
presented to the consideration of con-
gress by the report of the secretary
The estimates for the fiscal year COM
mencing July LIST, 1873, are $16, 1885,
134. 40, exclusive of the sum of $231,-
Az. IL, submitted for new building. re-
pairs, and improvements at the several
navy yards. The appropriations for the
present fiscal year commencing July
1877, are $13, 500, 932 80. The amount
drawn from the treasury from July
LIST, to November LIST, 1877, is $5,343,-
O37.4O of which there is estimated to
be yet available 81, O29, 528.4O, showing
the amount of actual expenditures du-
ring the first four months of the pre-
sent fiscal year to have been s.
81, 5C91O.
THE POsT-OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The report of the postmaster gen
eral contains a full and clear statement
of the operations and conditions of the
post-office department. The ordinary
revenues Of the department for
ffcca! ondipr T-r,,o