The Wichita city eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1872-1883, 1877-12-06

foreign nations, and especially the export.
of domestic productions, has of late years
largely incre .sed; but the greater portion
OF this trade is conducted in foreign YES
sells. The Importance of encouraging oul
foreign trade, and especially by direct and
speedy interchange with countries on thi.
continent cannot be over-estimaied, and il
Is "a matter OF great moment that our OWL
shipping interests should receive to the ut
most practical extent. the benefit of ON
commerce With other lands These consid
erations are lorcibly urged by all the large
commercial cities Of the country, aud pub
lie attention is generally and wisely attract
ed 10 the solution Of the problem they pre-
sent 1t is not doubted thar congress will
take them up in the broatest spirit of lib
crafty, and respond 10 The public demand
by practical legislation upon the subject.
OPERATIONS OF THE ARMY
The report of the secretary OF war show,
that the army has been actively employed
during the year, and has rendered very i'm
portsnt service in REFRESHING hostilities in
the iudian country, in preserving peace and
protecting life and property in the interior
as we'll as along the Mexican border 4
long and ar,luous campaign has been pros
ecuted with final complete success against
! portion OF the Ncz Perces tribe of Indians
! full account OF the campaign will be
/ found in the report of the general of the
army. Ii will he seen that in its course a
number of battles were fought. in which a
number of gallant officers and men lost
their lives. join with the secretary OF
war and the general of the army in award
| ing 10 the officers and men employed in the
long and toilsonie pursuit, and in the final
capture of these Indians, honor and praise
which is very justly their due.
VERY SERIOUS RIOTS,
which occurred in several of the states in
July last, rendered necessary the employ.
ment OF considerable portion Of the army
TO preserve peace and maintain order In
the states of West Virginia, MARYLAND,
Pennsylvania, and Illinois, these disturb
ances were so formidable Us to defy the To-
Cal and state authorities, and the national
executive was called upon in the mode pro-
viGed by the constitution and laws, 10 fur
nish military aid and | am gratItied to he
able 10 slate thai the troops sent in response
10 these calls for aid in The suppression OF
domestic violence, were able by the iniiu-
ence OF their presence in the disturbed re-
gioDs, Ia preserve the peace and restore or
der without the use of force. In the dis
charge 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 the country
DISTURBANCES
on the Rio Grande in Texas, to which
have already referred, have rendered nee
essary the constant employment of "a mill
tary force Ill that country. \ 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 details. | regret to
say that these lawle>s inc ursions INTO our
territory by armed bands from the MexI-
Gun SHE Of the line for the purpose of rob
berry, have been OF frequent occurrence and
In spite ef the most vigorous efforts of the
coninisder OF our forces, the marauders
have generally succeeded in escaping INTO
Mexico with their plumber. In MAY last, I
gave orders fOr theexerclse Oi the utmost
vigilance ON The para OF our troops for the
suppression of these raids and tie punish
ment Ut the guilty parties, as well us The /
recap'hrc OF properly stolen Oy them. /
General Ord, commanding in Texas /
WAS directed TO invite the cooperation Of
the Mexican authorities in efforts 10 this I
end, and assure them | WIS anxious TO
avoid giving the least oitcuse TO Mexico (.
AT the same time he WAS directed 10 give
notice o! my determination To put an end /
10 the Invasion OF our territory by lawleSs I
gang, intent upon the plumber OF our citi- |
Zens and etfectually punish the outlaws, !,
even II II should make the crossing of the !
border Id their pursuit necessary. Ii is .
believed that this policy has had the effect !
10 check somewhat these depredations, and /
that with considerable increase OF our |
force In that country, and the establish |
lnent OF several additional military posts |
along the Rio Grande, so rs TO more effectu- |
ally guard that extreme border that peace 1
may be observed, and the lives and proper. |
" OF our citizens in Texas he protected
THE Army.
Prior to the first day of July last the |
army was, in accordance with law, reduced !
10 the maximum Of $4,000 enlisted men,
being 25Oo below the force previously au-
.horlzed. This reduction was made as ie-
lulred by law entirely from the infantry
and artillery branches of the service, with
out any reduction of the cavalry Under
lie law rs II now stands. il is necessary for
he cavalry regiments to I've recruited 10 100
men in each company for service ON the
Mexican and Indian frontiers. The neces-
'ary effect Of this legislation is to reduce
he infantry and artillery arms of the ser
nee "eiow the number required ior eiiicien-
y, and concur with the secretary of war
II recommending that authority be given
% recruit all companies OF infantry to at
east nifty men, and all batteries of artillery
o d, least seventy-tive men, and power be
gwen IN case oi emergency 10 increase the
ormer 10 100 and the latter to III each. |
invite your special attention to the follow
NJ recommendations of the secretary of
var:
l. That provision be made for supplying
0 the army more abundant and better
upply OF reading matter.
2. That action be taken by congress look
ng to complete revision and publication
! the army regulations.
3. That section 125 of the revised statutes
Uniting the number OF officers on the re.
red list be repealed.
4. That the claims arising under the act
l July 4, 1864, for supplies taken by the
rnly during the war be taken from the of
GERS OF the quartermaster and comnissary ,
encralS ana transferred To the southern {
iaims commission, or some other tribunal
aving more time and better facilities for :
ne prompt Investigation and decision than :
re possessed by these officers.
8. That congress provide for an annuity )
md for the families OF deceased soldiers, :
J recommended by the paymaster general :
the army. :
NAVY DEPARTMENT. G
Report OF the secretary Ut the nlvy shows
ial we have SIX squadrons now engaged a
| the protection of our foreign commerce T
al other duties pertaining to the naval !;
'rvice. The total expenditures of the de- q
trtment for the fiscal year ending June q, Il
81, were $16,07797454 There are un.
aid claims against the department charg- t.
Die TO hast year, which are presented to the u
of congress by the report Of q