The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-12-04

ON the T6GT6u HSb, De repGal8Q, q, 1nab
the claims arising under the act of July
4, 1864, for supplies taken by the army
during the war, be taken from the Off
ces of the Quartermaster and ComissaryI
Generals and transferred to the South
ern Claims Commission or some other
tribunal that has more time and better
facilities for their prompt investigation
and decision than are possessed by these
officers; 8, That Congress provide for
an annuity fund for the families of de-
ceased soldiers, as recommended by the
Paymaster General Of the Army
The report of the
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY 3
shows that We have six squadrons now
engaged in the protection of our for
eign commerce and other duties per-
tanning to the naval service. The com
dition and operations of the Department
are also shown. The total expenditures
for the fiscal year ending june 80, 1877,
were S16,077, 974.54. There are unpaid
claims against the DEPARTMENT charge
able to the last year. which are present.
ed to the consideration of Congress. BY
the report of the Secretary the estimates
y y
1873, ere SIC, 233. 234 40, exclusive of the
sum of S2,3l4,23l submitted for new
buildings, repairs and Improvements at
the several navy yards. The approprl-
atoms for the present fiscal year, COM
mencing July /, 1877, are $13, 592, 1920.
The amount drawn from the treasury
from July to Nov. 1, 1877, is 1854, 303,-
TAO, of which there is estimated to be
yet available $102, $685. $50. showing the
amount Of actual expenditures during
the first four months of the present ifs
cal year to have been $431 $50, go
The report of the Postmaster General
contains fall and clear statement of
the operations and condition of the
PosToFFIeE DEPARTMENT
The ordinary revenSes OF the Depart
ment for the fiscal year ending June 30,
1877, including receipts from the money
drder business and official stamps and
stamped envelopes, amounted to $27,-
5I ,5S5.2G. The additional sum of 81
ol3,000 was realized from appropria-
tions from the general treasury for vari-
Gus purposes, making the receipts from
all sources, .$34.544, S85. &c. The total
expenditures during the fiscal
year amounted to $33, 4S6. 32244,
leaving an excess of total receipts over
total expenditures of $I,05S, 562. 80 and
an excess of total expenditures over or
binary receipts of So, 1854, 737.18.
Deducting from the total receipts the
sam of 1892 ,61S41 received from inter
national money orders of the preceding
fiscal year and deducting from the total
expenditures the sum of 81, 163, $3.50
paid on liabilities incurred in previous
fiscal years, the expenditures and re-
ceipts appertaining to the business OF
the last fiscal year were rs follows
Expenditures, $50, 322, 504. "a; re.
ceipts, ordinary, from money order
business and from official postage stamps
S27, 46S, 323, a. excess of expenditures
81, SD, 1904 The ordinary revenues
OF the Postoffice Department for the
year ending june 80, 1879, are estimated
at an increase of three per cent, over
those II 1877, making S29, 034 ,07S. IS,
and the expenditures for the same year
are estimated at $50, 427, I'll. leaving an
estimated deficiency for 1879 of ST, 393,
$4,000. The additional legislation, rec
commended by the Postmaster General
for improvements of the mail service,
and aid to protect the postal revenues
from the abuses practiced under exist.
ing 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 to which ]
invite your attention. The pressure of
business in the Supreme Court and in
certain Circnit Courts of the United
States IS now spch that serious delays
TO the great injury and even oppression
of suitors ocenr, and remedy should
he sought for this condition of affairs.
Whether it will be found in the plan,
briefly slletchedin the report, of increas-
ing the number of Judges of Cir
cult Courts and by means of this
addition to the judicial force
Of creating an intermediate court Of
errors and appeals, or whether some
: other mode can be devised for obviat
ing the difficulties which now exist.
leave to your mature consideration
The present condition of the
INDIAN TRIBES
: on the territory of the United State.
: and our relations with them are fully
e set forth in the report of the Secretary
5 of the Interior and the Commissions
1 of Indian affairs. After series of mos
deplora5le conflicts, the successful ter
g mnation of which, while rehectins
honor upon the brave soldiers who &c
9 complished it, cannot lessen our regre
: at the occurrence. we are now at peac,
| with all the Indian tribes on our hor
: ders. To preserve that peace by a JUS
9 and humane policy will be the object o
! my earnest endeavors. Whatever ma,
he said of their character aud sayao,
. propensities, of the difficulties Of intro
| dueing among them the habits of civil
+ lied life and the obstacles they hay,
: offered to the progress of setthug il
certain parts of the country, the indians
0 are certainly entitled to our sympathy
e and to consideration and respect on on
e part for their claims upon our sense o
s justice. They were the aboriginal occu
pants of the land We now possess. The,
e have been driven from place to place
: The purchase money paid to them i,
4 some cases for what they called thei
" own has still left them poor. In man,
$ instances, when they had settled dow
!, upon land assigned to them bv compac
y and began to support themselves b,
: their own labor, they were rudel,
Y lostled off and thrust into the wilderness
e again. Many, if not most of on
e Indian wars have had their origin il
= hlottan l,poraioAe, ,,,,.l .,4. /. e. ss...4.