The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1878-12-14
ARMY MATTERS.

caiiy supplied; that our small force has been
actively employed and have faithfully per-
formed all the service required of it. The
morals of the army has improved and the
| number of deserters has materially decreased
during the year. The secretary recommends
fIrst-That a pension be granted to the
widow of the late Lieutenant Henry H. Ben
ner, OF the 18th infantry, who lost his life by
yellow fever while in command of the steamer
J. NJ. Chambers sent with supplies for the
relief of sufferers in the South from that
disease.
Second-For the establishment of the an
nullty scheme for the benefit of the heirs of
deceased officers, as suggested by the pay
master general.
Third-The adoption by Congress of plan
| for the publication of the records of the war
OF the rebellion now being prepared for that
purpose.
tourth-The increase of the extra per diem
OF soldiers teachers employed in post schools
and liberal appropriations for the erection of
buildings for schools and libraries at the diff
ferent posts
Fifth-The repeal amendment of the
act of June 18th, 1878, forbidding the use of
the army as posse con,adtas or otherwise for
the purpose OF executing the laws. except in
such cases and under such circumstances as
may be expressly authorized by the constitu-
tion or by act of Congress
Sixth-The passage of a joint resolution of
Congress, legalizing the issues of rations, tents
and medicines which were made for the relief
OF sufferers from yellow fever.
Seventh-That provision be made for the
erection of fire proof building for the pres
ervation of certain valuable records now con-
stantly exposed to destruction by fire.
These recommendations are all commended
to your favorable consideration
NAVAL. AFFAIRS.
The report of the secretary of the navy
shows that the navy has improved during
the last fiscal year. Work has been done on
- vessela, 10 of which have been thoroughly
repaired and made ready fol sea. Two others
are in rapid progress toward com pletion. The
total expenditures of the year, including the
amount appropriated for the deficiencies of
the previous year, were SIT, ,46S, 392 65.
The actual expenses chargeable to the year,
exclusive of these deficiencies, were SIS, 306,-
9l4 90, or S767, l99 Is less than those of the
previous year, and 81, 92S, ,677 IA less than the
expenses including the deficiencies. The es-
Inmates for the fiscal year ending June 80,
$780, are Sl4, 5623S As, exceeding the ap-
preparations of the present year only S33, 949,
7o, which excess is accounted for by the de-
mands of the naval academy and marine corps,
u.
appropriations for the present fiscal year are
81, ,452, S43 10 which, in the opinion of the
secretary, will be ample for all the current ex-
penses of the department during the year.
The amount drawn from the treasury from
July lst to November lst. 1878, is 81, 740, 544-
Ia, of which SO, $50 IS has been refunded,
leaving as the expenditure for that period,
81, 669, 563 80, or $500, 500 "a less than the
corresponding period of the last fiscal year.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report OF the postmaster general en-
braces detailed statement of the operations
of the post Office department. The expendi-
lures of the department for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1878, were S34 l65, 0S4 49, 100.
Receipts, including the sale of stamps, money
order business and official stamps, were $780,
277,5l9 95. The sum of $3.50, 436 9S, in
cluded in the foregoing statement of expendi-
lures, is chargeabe to the preceding years, so
that the actual expenditures for the fiscal year
ending June 3d. 1878, are S33, S74, 647 80. The
amount drawn from the treasury OH apppro-
priation, in addition to the revenues of the de-
partment, was S., 307 $50 81. The expendi-
lures for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1850,
are estimated at $50, 81 900, and the receipts
from all sources at $50, 664, 023 80, leaving a
deficiency to be appropriated out of the
treasury of So, 907, ,876 10. The report calls
attention to the fact that the compensation
of postmasters of railroads for carrying the
mail is regulated by law, and that the failure
of Congress to appropriate the amounts re.
quired tor these purposes does not relieve
the government of the responsibility, but
necessarily increases the deficiency bills,
which Congress will be called upon to pass i'll
providing for postal service. The following
questions are presented Should Congress
finally appropriate sum for its expenses
largely in excess of its revenues, or should
such rates of postage be established will
make the department self-sustaining Should
the postal service be reduced by excluding
from the mails mattxr which does not pay its
way? Should the number OF post routes be
diminished Should other methods be
adopted which will increase the revenues or
diminish the expenses of postal service:
UNIVERSAL POSTAL SERVICE.
The international postal congress, which
met at Paris, May /, 1878, and continued in
session until June 4th of the same year, was
composed of delegates from nearly all civil
lied countries of the world. 1t adopted n
new convention to take the place of treaty
concluded at Berne, October 9, 1864. Such
convention goes into effect on the lst of
April, 1879, between the countries whosedee
gates have signed. 1t was ratified aud ap-
proved by and with the consent of the presi-
dent, August l3, 1878. A synopsis of this uni
versal postal convention will be found in the
report of the postmaster general and the full
text in the appendix thereto. In its origin
the postal union comprised % countries, hay-
ing population of $50, 600, 900 of people.
On the lst of April next it will comprise 43
| countries and colonies, with a population Of
more than $50, 600, 600 of people, and will
soon, by the accession of the few remaining
countries and colonies which maintain organ
lied postal services constitute in fact as well
| as in name, its new title indicates, a uni
versal union regulating, upon uniform basis
of cheap postage rates, the postal intercourse
| between civilized nations. Some embarrass-
| ment has arisen out of the conflict between the
| customs laws OF this country and the postal
convention in regard to the transmission of
| foreign books and newspapers to this country
| by mail. 1t is hoped congress will be able to
devise some means remedying the difficulties
which have thus been created SO as to do JUS
tice to all involved.
THE U. s. COURTS.
The business of the supreme court, and of
| the circuit courts In many OF the circuits, has
| increased to such an extent during the past
| year that additional legislation Is imperative
| to relieve and prevent the delay OF justice,
| and the possible opposition to suitors which
/ Is thus oceasloned The annual report OF the
attorney general and the remedy suggested is
earnestly urged for congressional action. The
creation OF additional circuit judges as pro-
| posed would afford complete remedy and
| would involve an expense at the present rate
1 of salaries Of not more than 500, 600 year.
THE INDIAN TROUBLES
The annual reports of the secretary of the
! interior and OF the commissioner OF Indian
affairs, presents an elaborate account of the
present condition of the Indian tribes, and of
that branch of the public service which min-
issers to their interests. While the conduct
1 ii