Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1877-12-07

| orders. The recommendations submitted TO
! the Secretary of the Treasury by commits
| sion appointed to examine into the collection
| of customs duties at the port of New York
| contain many suggestions for the modification
! of the customs laws, to which the attention Of
/ Congress is invited. II is matter Of con-
graduation that Notwithstanding the severe
burdens caused by the war the public faith
| with all creditors has been preserved, and
that the result of this policy the public
credit has continuously advanced and our
public securities are regarded with the high
est favor in the markets Of the world. trust
| that no act of the government will cast
shadow upon its credit.
The progress of refunding the public debt
has been rapid and satisfactory. Under the
contract existing when l entered upon the dis
charge Of the duties Of my Office, bonds bear
ing interest at the rate Of four and one-half
per cent. were being rapidly sold, and within
three months the aggregate sales of these
bonds had reached the sun Of 500, 600, 600
With my sanction the Secretary of the Treas
ury entered into new contract for the sale of
four per cent. bonds, and within thirty days
after the popular subscription for such bonds
was opened. subscriptions were had, amount
ing to So. igG. 80. which were paid for with
in 30 days after the date of subscription. By
this process within but little more than one
year. the annual interest on the debt was re-
that suitable provision be made to enable the
people to easily convert their savings into
government securities as the best mode IN
which small savings may be well secured and
yield n moderate interest. II is an object OF
public policy 10 retain among our own people
the securities of the United States. In tins way
our country is guarded against their sudden
return from foreign countries, caused 10y 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 is conducted IN foreign vessels. The
Importance Of charging our foreign trade,
and especially 10y direct and speedy inter
change with countries ON this continent cah-
not be overcstimated. and it is a matter of
great moment that our own shipping interest
should receive. to the utmost practical extent,
| the benefit of our commerce with other lands.
These considerations are furcihly urged by all
the large commercial cities. gpd public atten-
ton is generally and wisely attracted to the
solution of the problem they present. 1t is
not doubted that Congress will take them up
in the broadest spirit of libcrnlity and respond
to the public demand by practical legislation
upon this important subject.
rHE ARMY.
The report of the Secretary of War shows
that the army has been actively employed
during the year and has rendered very impor-
tant service in Expressing hostilitics IN ia.
{ Indian country, and in preserving peace and
D protecting life and property in the interior, "'
I wen rs along the Mexican border. long
e and arduous campaign has been prosecuted
| with final and complete success against por
, ton of the Ncz Perces tribe of Indians. A
. full account of this campaign will be found IL
T. the report Of the General of the army. II
70 will be seen that in its course several battlci
& were fought in which q number Of gallant of
A., fccrs and men lost their lives ! join will
e the Secretary Of War. and the General of th'
&. army in awarding to the officers and men cm
ulov,d in the long and toilsume pursuit, anS
i in the final capture Of these Indians. the hon
f or and praise which is 50 justly their due.
The very serious riots which occurred il
+ several of the States in July last rendered
d necessary the employment of u considerable
/ portion Of the army to prcst rye the peace aut
d maintain order In the States of West Viz
j. ginia. Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois
e these disturbances were 80 formidable as q
"a defy the local and State authorities. and tn
Il, National Executive was called upon IN tn
be- mode lroyid, by the constitution and laws
T. TO furnish military aid. | am gratlied 10 b
able to state that the troops sent in respons
Is to calls for aid in the suppression Of domestl
p, violence were able. by the influence of thei
e presence in the disturbed regions. to prosery
ir the peace aud restore order without the Us
r. Of force. In the discharge Of this dehcat
n and important duty, both officers and me
d acted with great prudence and courage, am
$ for their services deserve thanks OF the coul
> try.
, Disturbances along the Rio Grando in Tex
e as to which l have already referred hay
,e rendered necc ssary tho constant employmer
a of a military force i'll that vicinity. full r,
is port Of all recent military operations III tla
H. quarter has been transmitted TO the House c
Representatives III answer 10 a resolution 9
,e that body and il will not, therefore. be nece'
,a sarv 10 enter into details. | regret to say tia
~ these lawless incursions into our territory b
/ armed bands from the Mexican side Of III
H. line for the purpose of robbery have been c
v frequent occurrence, and in spite of the mo-
IL vigorous efforts Of the commander OF our FOL
r. ces the lnarauders have generally succeeded j
lr escaping into Mexico with their plunder. |
10 MAY last / gave orders for the exercise Of I'll
Is utmost vigilance on the part of our troops fC
NJ the suppression Of these raids and the punisl
ID Iaeut Of the guilty parties as well as the r.
In capture Of property stolen by them.
ls Gen Ord. commanding in Texas. was d
l., rect to invite the co-operution of the MeNica
TO authorities in efforts to this end and 10 assui
d them that ! was anxious 10 avoid giving I'll
least offence to Mexico At the same time b
was directed to give notice of my determine
~ ritory by lawless bands intent upon the plui
rs der Of our peaceful citizens even if the efie,
IL tuul punishment Of the outlaws should mai
e the crossing of the border by our troops
~ their pursuit necessary. 1t Is believed thu
a. this policy has had the effect to check son
a. what these deprcdatiOus. and that with n con
: siderable increase of our fore upon that frol
l. tier ana the establishment Of several addition
T. military posts along the Rio Grnnde so as
! llx-
al peace may be preserved, and the lives al
~ property OF oar citizens in Texas fully pr
=. tected.
H. Prior to the first day Of July last the arm
=. Was IN accordance with law. reduced 20 II
h maximum of -, coo enlisted men, being r
e. duction Of 300 below the force previous
", authorized. This reduction was made, as r
w quired by law, entirely from the infantry Al
" artillery branches Of the service, without al
w. reduction Of the cavalry, Under the law,
II it now stands il is necessary that the cayali
oI regiments be recruited 10 100 men in ca,
On company for service ON the Mexican and i
a. dian frontiers. The necessary effect of tn
ne legislation is to reduce the infantry and arti
a! lery arms of the service below the number r
10 quired for efficiency; and / concur with Il
"' Secretary of War III recommending that a
i9' thority be given 10 recruit all companies
ne infantry to at least 30 men, and all batteries
en- artillery to at least - men, with power
= case of emergency to increase the former
Vi 100 and the latter to 122 men each. invi
VI your special attention to the following recon
ca mendntions of the Secretary of War
, FRsT-That provision be made for suppl
-''tt ing 10 the army more abundant and bett
"a supply of reading matter.
ne SEcoND-That early action be taken
IN Congress looking TO IA complete revision Al
II, republication of the army regulations.
~ IHIRD-'llnt the section of the ReVlS