The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1877-12-14

sar,. Il l. believed that this policy has had
/ the effect to cheek somewhat these depreda-
lions. and that with considerable increase
OF our force upon that frontier. and the eS-
4 Establishments of several additional military
posts along the Rio Grande. - ~ more eff
/ fectualy 10 guard that extensive border.
peace may be preserved and the lives and
property ~ our citizens In Texas mlly pro-
tected.
TiE STANDING ARMY.
Prior 20 July I, last, the Army was, IN ac-
cordance With law, reduced 10 maximum
OF ~ 700 enlisted 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 Pacific, without any reduce
ton Of the cavalry. Under the law as II now
stands, II l. necessary that the cavalry regi-
mcnts be recruited 10 100 men In each COM
pany for service on the Mexican and lndi ian
frontiers. The necessary effect Of this legis-
lation il 10 reduce the infantry and artillery
arms Of the service below the number re-
Quircd for efficiency, and concur with the
Secretary OF War in recommending that au-
thority be given To recruit all companies Of
infantry 10 NJ least 10 men, and batteries OF
artillery to at least Is men. and power be
given In case Of emergency 10 increase the
former to 100 and the latter 10 i25 men each.
! invite your special attentionto the follow
Recommendations or THE SECRETARY
I. That provision be made for supplying
10 the Army q more abundant and better
supply Of reading matter.
:. That early action be taken by Congress
looking 70 complete revision and publica-
tion Of the Army Regulations.
3. That Section l2j OF the Revised Stat
utcs, limiting the number Of officers on the
retired list. be repealed
4. That claims arising under the act of
July 4, 1864, for supplies taken by the Army
during the war, be taken from the Offices OF
the Quartermastcr and Commissary- Gener-
al. and transferred 70 the southern Claims
Commission, or some other tribunal having
more time and better facilities for their
prompt investigation and decision, than are
possessed by these officers.
3. That Congress provide for an annuity
found for the families 81 the deceased SOL
diers, as recommended by the Paymaster
General Of the Army.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the secretary az the Navy
shows that we have six sguadrors now en-
gagged in the protection Of our foreign COM
merce and other duties pertaining 70 the
naval service. The total expenditures for
the fiscal year ending June 90, 1877, We're
Si6,07.,9,f.55. There are unpaid claim
against the Department chargeable 20 last
year, which are presented TO the considera-
ton OF Congress ~ the report OF the Secre-
tary. The estimate, for the fiscal year COM
mencing July I, 1878 are Si6,23p, .3i.40, ex-
elusive OF the sum Of -, al4 ri, submitted
for new buildings. repairs and IL improvements
az the several naval yards. The appropria-
tions for the present ilsca! year, commence
ing July, 1871, are Si3,5ol $3.50. The
amount drawn from the Treasury from July
l 10 November /, 1877, i S5,3i3,037. Of which
there Is estimated TO be vet available Il ,029.-
53S, showing the amount of actual cNpendi-
lures during the first four months ~ the
present fiscal year To have been >4,Sf3,j09.
THE posT-0FrICE DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Postmaster-Gener
contains In full the condition Of the Post
Office Department. The ordinary revenues
OF the department for the fiscal wear ending
June 20, 1871, including receipts from the
m0ney-order business aud from official
stamps and stamped envelopes, amounted To
the sum OF S27,35l 81. The additional sum
Of $7,0l3,00O was realized from appropria-
tions from the General Treasury for various
purposes, making the receipts from all
sources 81 ~, 6S5. The total expenditures
during the fiscal year amounted 10 >33, 1885,
323, leaving an excess OF total receipts over
total expenditures Of 81 loss ,:559, and an ex-
cess OF total expenditures over ordi-
nary receipts OF Sa,9J4,s3s. Deducf-
ing from the total receipts the sum
Of 81. 2Gi. received for international money
orders 81 the preceding fiscal year, and de-
ductng from The total expenditure the sum
OF " ,lb3.sls paid on liabilities incurred in
the previous fiscal year, the expenditures
and receipts apperfaining to the business Of
the last fiscal year We're n follows: Ex-
penditures, So ,332 ,J0i; receipts ordinary,
from money order business and from ofiic-
expenditures, S4.s5f.162 The ordinary rev.
cnIies OF the Post-oiIice Department for the
year ending june 30, 1879, are estimated al
an increase Of per cent. over those OF 1877,
making 80 ,Of9,uoS. and the expenditures
for same year are estimated at S35,4l.,15l,
leaving an estimated deficiency for 1879 Of
81. 393, 392.
The additional legislation recommended
by the Postmaster General. for improve
mcnt Of the mail service and 70 protect the
postal revenues from the abuses practiced
under existing laws, Is respectfully recon-
mcnded 10 the careful consideration OF Con-
gress.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The report Of the Attorney -General con-
tains several suggestions a. TO the admnistra-
ton Of Justice, 10 which invite your atfen-
ton. The pressure Of business in the SUI
prcmc Court ~ the United States and certain
Circuit Courts Of the United states II now
such that serious delays, "a the great injury
and even oppression Of suitors, occurs, and
q remedy should oe sought for this condition
OF affairs. Whether il will be found In the
plan briefly sketched In the report, OF in
the number Of Judges Of Circuit
Courts. and by means oil this addition 70 the
judicial force, or by creating an iniermed-
afe Court Of Errors and Appeals, or whether
some other mode can be devised for obyiat-
Ing the difficulty which now exists, leave
70 your mature dclibcration.
THE INDIANS.
The present condition OF the Indian tribes
on the territory of the United States, and
our relations with them, are fully set forth
In the reports OF the Secretary Of the Tntc-
rior aud the. Commissioner III Indian Affairs.
After series of most deylorabc conflicts,
the successful termination Of which, while
honor upon the brave soldiers
a. no arcorr.li 4hed III cqn unf lesson ntar rc-