Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-12-12

credit. The progress of refunding the
public debt has been lapid and salts
/ factory. Under the contract existing
when entered upon the discharge OF
the duties of my Office, bonds bearing
interest ut the rate of folr AMI hall
per cent. were being rapidly sold, and
within three months the aggregate sales
of these bonds had reached the sum of
two hundred million dollars With my
sanction, the secretary Of the treasury
entered into new contract for the sale
of four per cents, and within thirty
days after the popular subscription for
such bonds was opened, subscriptions
were had amounting 10 $75,496, $50,
which were paid for within 90 days after
the date of subscription. BY this pro-
cess, within but little more than one
year, the annual interest on the public
debt was reduced in the sum of s., 775,-
600.
A SAVINGS BOND.
recommend 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 Il moderate interest. 1t is an OBJ
ject for public policy to retain among
our own people the securities of the
United States. In this way our country
is guarded against their sudden return
from foreign countries, caused by war
or other disturbances beyond our limits.
The COMMERCE OF THE UNITED STATES
with foreign countries, and especially
the export of domestic productions, has
of late years largely increased, but the
greater portion Of this trade is con-
Quoted in foreign vessels. The import
ance of enlarging our foreign trade, and
especially by the direct and speedy in
terchange with countries on this CONT
ncnt, cannot be overestimatcd, and it is
n matter of great moment that our
shipping interest should receive to the
utmost practical extent the benefit of
our commerce with other lands. These
considerations are forcibly urged by all
the large commercial cities of the coun-
try and public attention is generally
well and wisely attracted to the solution
of the problems they present. 1t is not
doubted that congress will take them up
in the broadest spirit of liberality and
respond to the public demand, by prac-
ticabe legislation upon this subject.
THE REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR
shows that the army has been actively
employed during the year and has
rendered very important service in re-
pressing hostilitics in the Indian country
and preserving peace and protecting
life and property i'll the interior rs
well as along the Mexican border and
an arduous campaign has been prosecute
ed with final, complete success against
portion Of the Nez Pcrzes tribe OF
Indians. a full account Of this cam
paign will be found in the report of the
general of the army. 1t will be seen
that in lis course several battles were
fought in which number of gallant
officers and men lost their lives. joir
with the secretary of war ana the gen
cral of the army in awarding to the Of
iicers and men employed in the long
and toilsomc pursuit and i'll the tina
capture of those Indians, the honor and
praise which is SO justly their due.
THE VERY SERIOUS RIOTS
which occurred in several Of the states
in July last, rendered necessary the EN-.
ployment Of considerable portion OF
the army to preserve peace and maintain
order in the states of West Virginia
Maryland, Pennsylvania and Illinois
These disturbances were SO formidable
as to defy the local and state authorities
and the national executive was called
upon in the mode provided by the con,
stitutiOn and laws to furnish military
and | am gratiiied to be able to state
that the troops sent in response to these
calls for aid in suppression of domestic
violence, We're enabled by the influence
of their presence III the disturbed re-
gions, to preserve the peace and restore
order without the use Of force. In the
discharge Of this delicate and important
duty, both officers and men acted with
great prudence and courage, and for
their services deserve the thanks Oh
their country.
DISTURBANCES ALONG THE RIO GEANDE
in Texas, to which | have already re-
ferred, have rendered necessary the
constant employment Of military
force i'll that vicinity. a full report OF
all recent military operations in that
quarter, has been transmitted to the
house of representatives, i'll 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 | gave orders for
the exercise Of the utmost vigilance on
the mart OF orr trnnl.s for the