Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-08-28
WASHINGTON.
THE HOT SPRINGS ACT.

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 ex-
cess 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 very marked, and
the total receipts for the months of
July and August to date show a de-
crease of nearly half a million dol
lars compared with tue amount
collected during the CORE
spending 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 a reduction of the
tobacco tax from twentv-four to sixteen
cents pound. which measure is pend
ing in congress, and is vigorously
pressed by leading tobacco dealers.
So long as this question remains unde-
cided dealers are naturally unwilling to
have larger stock of tobacco on hand
than is absolutely necessary for meet
ing the demands oftheir business. The
total amount received from Internal
revenue sources from July l to Aug.
p, 1878, is So, liz 1899, against Sc, 55S, 451
for the corresponding term IN
1877, being a decrease Of
S425. 552. Should this decrease con-
tinue at an approximate rate, the re-
ceipts from internal revenue must fall
largely below the estimates to an eN-
tent extremely embarrassing to the
country. 1t is not improbable, there
fore, 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
provided for by the appropria-
ton bill, the engineer corps will
be in no haste about carrying out the
provisions Of the law, as 1t is entirely
discretionary with the secretary of war
whether the money appropriated is eX-
pended or not. Some Ofthe 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 ABSOLUTELY
needed and which involve a great deal
of time In making plans and a large ex-
penditure of money Designs for these
will probably not be matured until Win
ter. 1t is estimated that between six
and seven millions of the eight and one
half millions appropriated, will be ex-
pended by the government between now
and the first of July next, for river and
harbor improvements.
THE GOVERNMENTS MEXICAN POLICY.
A special from Washington, dated
Aug ed, says it is stated upon appa-
rently good authority that the admins
tration has settled upor the. following
policy as regards the Rio Grande border
difficulties with Mexico:
F1rst-Raiders are to be pursued with
increased vigor when they retreat to
Mexican soil. and punished if caught
sorties will be increased from time to
time.
Second-Th commanding officer of
the pursuing columns will not seek a
conflict with the Mexican regular for
ces, 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 @marauders, return
to the American bank of the river.
ThGrd-Under no circumstances will
the pursuing forces be permitted to ex-
ceed these distractions, and while on
Mexican soil they will strictly confne
themselves to the single object Of their
expeditions. The utmost care will be
taken to give no offense or cause of
complaint tothe Mexican authorities or
people that may follow from the faith
fdl and circumspect execution of their
dutles.l sl8T MUY5lL0
Foauth-No otfense 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.
Nothing which may occur on
the south bank of the Rio Grande as a
result Of the execution of this policy
will be accepted by the administration
as an immediate caus e5ofs war between
the countries, but If the Mexican regu-
lar tronps shall cross the river in retail
alton for these measures, a casus belli
may be considered therefrom.
This is said to bean outline Of the
instructions TO Gen. Ord. 49,