Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1878-08-29

ment for his prosecution.
A Washington dispatch under date
of the 23rd inst. says that the Sioux
commissioners had an interview with
the president, to-day, regarding the re
moval of the Spotted Tail and Red
Cloud Indians to the general depart
ment on the Missouri river. The prin-
cipal recommendations in the report of
the commissioners is that the Red
Cloud Indians be removed to White
Clay Creek, and the Spotted Tail In
dians to Rosebud, and that the names
of the agencies be changed to Agallala
and Rosebud.
THE HOT SPRINGS ACT.
A Washington local lawyer claims to
be able to prove that the sheet of the
enrolled bill. which contained the Hot
Springs clause, omitted from the ap-
preparation bill on the closing night of
congress, was sent to New York the
next day, and has subsequently, been
returned to the clerk of the house. ~
REVENUE RECEIPTS FALLING OFF.
The receipts from internal revenue
collections for the month of July last,
the first month of the fiscal year, were
nearly one million dollars in excess of
the amount collected in July, 1877, and
gave every indication of continued
prosperity. The falling off during the
month of August, however, has been
marked, and the total receipts for the
months of July and August to date
show decrease Of nearly half million
dollars compared with the amount col
lected during the corresponding term of
the last fiscal year. This heavy decrease
is attributed by the department to the
depression of business throughout the
country, also to the possibility Of re-
ductlOn Ofthe tobacco tax from "a to 1G
cents a pound, which measure is pend
ing in congress, ard is vigorously
pressed by leading tobacco dealers. So
long as this question remains undecided
dealers are naturally unwilling to have
a larger stock of tobacco on hand than
is absolutely necessary for meeting the
demand of their business. The total
amount received from internal revenue
sources from July to Aug q, 1873, is
$6,112, ,S99, against Sc, ,53S, ,451 for the
corresponding term in 1877, being
decrease of 1926, ,552. Should this de-
crease continue at an approximate
rate, the receipts from internal revenue
must fall largely below the estimates to
an extent extremely embarrassing to
the country. 1t is not improbable,
therefore, the question of an income
tax will be again agitated upon the
meeting of congress.
RIVER AND HARBoR IMPROVEMENTS.
A Washington special of the 21st says
the officers of the engineer corps have
completed their plans for carrying into
operation the provisions of the river
and harbor appropriation bill, and have
secured for them the approval of the
secretary of war. Advertisements for
proposals are being sent out for the
continuance of all works in progress,
and contracts involving five or six mil
lion dollars will be let within the next
three or four weeks. No new works
have yet been designed, and although
| the commencement of many is prOvid-
ed for by the appropriation bill, the
engineer corps will be in no haste
about carrying out the provisions Of
the law, as it is entirely dis
cretionary with the secretary of war
whether the money appropriated is ex-
! pended or not. Some of the new works
for which appropriations have been
made are Of urgent necessity, and will
| be commenced as soon as possible, and
| there are others which are not absO-
| lutely needed and whichinvolve q great
| deal of time In making plans and a
large expenditure Of money. Designs
for these will probably not be matured
until winter. 1t is estimated that be
tween six and seven millions Of the
eight and one-half millions appropri-
ated, will be expended by the govern
ment between now and the first of July
next, for river and harbor improve
ments.
/ THE GOVERNMENTS MEXICAN POLICY.
A special from Washington, dated
Aug. 22d, says it is stated upon appar-
emily good authority that the admins
| tration mas settled upon the following
policy as regards the Rio Grande bor-
| der difficulties with Mexico:
| F5rst-Raiders are to be pursued with
increased vigor when they retreat TO
Mexican soil, and punished if caught.
The troops engaged IN these pursuing
sOrtieS will be increased from time to
| time.
Second-The commanding officer of
the pursuing columns will not seek a
conflict with the Mexican regular fore
es, but will not avoid one if such forces
interfere. He will, in the event of such
opposition, overcome it if possible, and,
after having exhausted all reasonable
measures to accomplish the capture
and punishment of marauders. return
to the American bank of the river.
Tbird-Under no circumstances will
the pursuing forces be permitted to ex-
ceed these instructions, and while on
Mexican soil they will strictly confine
themselves to the single object of their
| expedition. The utmost care Will be
taken to give no ofense or cause of
complaint to the Mexican authorities
or people that may follow from the
faithful and circumspect execution of
their duties.
Fourth-No offense is meant to the
Mexican government, the design of the
United States being simply to punish
depredations upon the rights, property,
and lives of its citizens.
FyH-Nothing which may occur on
the south bank of the Rio Grande as q
result Of the execution of this policy
will be accepted by the administration
as an immediate cause of war between
the countries, but if the Mexican regu-
lar troops shall cross the river in retail
alton for these measures, casIs belli
may be considered therefrom.
This is said to be an outline Of the in
structions to Gen. Ord.