Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1877-12-08

CUiimtICt duu bluOi uutlt0 lltIldluluB 70
the naval service, the condition and
operation of the department also show
the total expenditures for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1877, were $5,607 ,707,.
454. There are unpaid claims against
the departments chargeable last year
which are presented to tie consideration
of congress by the report Of the secretary.
The estimate for the fiscal year, com.
mencing July l, 1878, are 81 ,623, 234 ,44O,
exclusive of the sum OF $2,3l4, 23l, sub
mitted for new buildings, repairs and
improvements at the several navy yards.
The appropriations for the present fiscal
year, commencing July 1877, are ST.
359, 293,290. The amount drawn from
the treasury from July |, to November
l, 1877, is $5,3i3, ,037 40, of which there
is estimated to be yet available $l,029,-
52S &c. showing the amount of actual
expenditures during the first four months
of the present fiscal year to have been
$4,3l3,509 10.
The report of the postmaster general
contains in full the condition of the
postofiice department. The ordinary
revenues of the department for the fiscal
year, ending July 30, 1877, including
receipts from money orders and
from official stamps and stamped en-
velopes amount to the sum of $27 ,53l,
5S5 26; the additional sum of $70,0l3,-
900, was realized from the general
treasury for various purposes, making
the receipts from all sources $34, ,544,.
S85 26. The total expenditures during
the fiscal year amounted to 1873 ,436, ,322.
44-.leaving an excess of total receipts over
total expenditures of 81 ,05S,562 80, and
an excess OF total expenditures over
ordinary receipts or $5,954,737 Is.
deducting from the total receipts the
sum of 1926, ,1s4 received from interna
tional money orders proceeding fiscal
year, and deducting from the total ex-
penditure the sum OF $l63,SlS 30 paid on
the Liabilities incurred in previous fiscal
year. The expenditure receipts apper-
tanning to the business of the last fiscal
year we're as follows Expenditures,
$32, ,322 504 "a; receipts ordinary from
money order business and from official
postage stamps, $27 1853, 1923 42 excess OF
expenditures, $4,854, 1870 n.
The ordinary revenue of the posto6ice
department for the year ending June 80,
| 1879, are estimated at an increase of 8
per cent. over those of 1877, making
S29, ,049, ,09S.28, and the expenditures tor
the same year are estimated at S3S, S,427,-
SSl. leaving an estimated deficiency for
| 1879 of 1888, 39202 The additional
legislation recommended by the postmas
ter general for the Improvement of the
mail service, aid to protect the postal
revenues from these abuses practiced
under the existing laws is respectfully
commended to the careful consideration
of congress.
The report of the attorney, general
contains several suggestions as to the
administration of justice, whiCn | invite
your attention to, The pressure of bus
mess in the supreme court and certain
circuit courts OF the United States is
now such that serious delays to the great
injury and even oppression of suffers
occur, and remedy should be sought for
this condition of affairs. Whether it
will be found in the plan briefly sketched
in the report of increasing the numbers
of the Judges of the circuit courts, and
by means of this addition to the judicial
force, of creating an intermediate court
of errors and appeal, or whether some
other mode can he devised for Obviating
the difficulty which now exists, leave
to your mature consideration.
The present condition of the Indian
tribes on territory Of the United States
and our relations with them are fully set
forth in the report of the secretary OF
the interior and commissioner OF Indian
affairs. After series of most depIOrable
conflicts successful termination
of which, while rejecting honol
upon the brave soldiers who
accomplished it cannot lessen our regret
at the occurrence. We are now at peace
with all the Indian tribes on our borders
10 preserve that peace by a just anC
humane policy will be the object of my
earnest cndeav0rs, Whatever may bt
said of their character and savage pro
pensities, of the difficulties of ofintroducinl
among them the habits of civilized life
and the obstacles they have offered t
: the progress of settling on certain part
of the country, the Indians arr
certainly entitled to our sym
pathy and to a cOnscientiOu
respect on our part for their claims upol
our sense of justice. They were tn,
l aboriginal occupants of the land we nov
possess. They have been driven from
place to place, and the purchase none,
| paid to them in some cases for what the,
r called their own has still left them a
. poor in many instances as when they ha'
e settled down upon the land assignee
: them by the compact, and began to sur
port themselves by their own labor
=, They were rudely jOstled off and thrus
: into the wilderness again. Most OF GU
;, Indian wars have had their origi
: in broken promises and acts of in
d Justice upon our part, and the ad
i vance of the Indians in Civilization
o has been slow, because the treatmen
:, they received did not permit faster an
e more general improvement. We cannC
e expect to improve and follow our guiC
: ance unless we keep faith with then
IS respecting the rights they possess, anC
n unless, instead of depriving them {
e opportunities, we lend them helpin
e hand. | cordially approve of the polio
Is regarding the management of India
e affairs outlined in the report of the seer
y tary of the interior and of the commi
n sioner of Indian affairs. The faithfl
is performance of our promises is the fir
ID consideration of good UNDERESTIMATE
le with the Indians. cannot too urgent
| recommend to congress that prompt ar
c. liberal provision be made for the consC
10 entious fHlfl!ment of all engagement
At entered into by the government with Il
IL Indian tribes. To withhold the mea
in necessary for the performance of pror
er ise is always false economy and is apt
b. prove disastrous in its consequent
lg Especial care is recommended to provi
of for the Indians settled on their rescry
or ton, cattle aud agricultural implemer
Mt to aid them in whatever efforts tn
,r. make to support themselves, and by I
BY establishment and maintenance Of schot
on to bring them under the control Of civ
Is. lied influences. | see no reason w
ed Indians who can give satisfactory prC
,rs of having by their own labor support
,h, their families for number of years, a
OF who are willing to detach themsel'
he from their tribal attractions, should ]
fiji be admitted to the benefit Of the hon
m stead act and the privileges Of citiz
to ship, and recommend the passage o
or law to that effect. 1t will be an act
ne, justice as well as a measure of encoura