The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-12-03

revised estimates of the, War Department for
the fiscal year ending June 10th. 1879, as they
will BE- submitted to Congress with the St Gre
tary's report next Monday: Salaries, contin-
gent expenses and postage. 81 1893. 1874; military
estsb ishments, SOL 597 270.65; public works.
ST. 953 OF rs; miscellaneous, 1891, 210 80, total
S43 lis 443 as After abiding to the injurious
effects of constantly interfering with the army
b5legislation threatening reduction, the Secre-
tary of War urges an elastic system of organ
ization which will be capable of extension in
case of necessity to an aggregate force of from
10000 to 100000 He thinks the cond1lon OF the
country makes necessary a milltaryEforce not
less than that now authorized by statute, which
should be capable of being raised to standard
necessary to meet any ordinary contingency
by increasing the numerical strength of the
companies The Secretary's report 10 speaking
of the Indian service fsvors the feedlng or the
Indian nations now provided with ratlons by
the government, through the mmissary De-
partment of the army. On the subject OF the
retirement of officers from active service, the
Secretary urges legislation which will remove
the present Limitation as to the number OF OH
GERS who may be on the retired list at the same
time. The number is now 300. The removal
of this limitation will not materially increase
the number, as careful inquiry shows that with
proposed changes there will be only about 40
officers to add to the list. The Secretary does
not favor any change in that portion OF the
statutes which leaves the question of retirement
to the discretion of the President. 1t has al
ways been urged by the younger officers of the
army that it should be obligatory upon the
President to retire officers at the age of g.
The New York Custom House Appoint
ments.
In the executive session of the Senate held
between two and three o'clock CHS morning,
the nominations of Roosevelt to be collector of
customs, and l.. Bradford Prince to be naval
officer for the port of New York, were reported
from the Cnn1 NIT on Gnn adverzaI,,
and both were placed on the calendar, which en-
| titles them to be called up for action at any ex.
ecutive session held today.
The Work of the Extra Session.
In the seven weeks of this session there were
nearly 1900 bills introduced in the House and
referred to committees. The bills passed by both
Houses which became laws were the army ap-
preparation bin for the current year and the ma.
| w deficiency BILL Bills to rcmonetize silver
| and to repeal the resumption act were passed
| by the House and sent to the Senate, but re-
| ceived no consideration by that body. The
| Paris exposition bill and the general deficiency
| bill were taken up and passed by the Senate
with amendments. but the amendments have
| not been acted on 10 the House. All upfnish.
| ed business however will hold its place in the
| next session.
/ Appointments Confirmed.
| The Senate in executive session confirmed
| Manuel Gavin of Florida, as Consul at Leg
horn; Robert L. McLaven Marshal for Mime.
sofa; George L. Norton of New Orleans, Su.
pervsing Inspector of Steamboats,; Owen p
| Fitzsimmons, Marshal for the District of Geor
| gia; Robert L. Clayton, Consul at Callao.
Various Matters.
| A delegation of Fox Indians is here. They
come without authority, and at interview with
the Secretary of the Interior Saturday they
were notified that they must pay their own ex
i penses, which they promised to do. They de
clined to state their grievances to the Secretary
| but wanted to see the Great Father
The commission which has been investigating
| the secret service will recommend no radca
| change and no cutailment of its powers and i'm
portance. The report comedies the value of the
| division and the excellence Of its present man
| agement.
For ten months ending Oct 81, the excess O
exports over imports was $96, 583, 1874, agains
| $128, SIG, 1888 in 1876.