The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-11-22
WASHINGTON.
The Indian Contrayersx.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 2.-The letter of Secre-
tary Schurz to the the Secretary of War. dated
the 10th inst, did not reach Sherman till yes
terday after it was published. He thereupon
forwarded it to Sheridan to whose refaction on
the management of the Indian affairs by
agencies in the military division of the Mis-
souri, the Secretary took exceptions and re-
quested Sheridan to communicate to him the
facts 10 his possession sustaining his assertions
against the conduct Of the Indian service.
WASHINGTON. Nov. 21.-GeB. Sherman said
today. with regard to the transfer of the Indian
Bureau to the War Department, that such
trensfer is not desirable in view OF the fact
that it would entail great deal Of extra re-
sponsbility and care on the army. The whole
matter however, he said, rests on the PROPOSE
ton that either the Indian Bureau must come
to the War Department er the army must be
be turned over to the Interior Department to
protect the Indian Bureau. The General
thinks that the recent departure Of the Chey-
enne Indians from their reservations was be-
cause they were starving and is of the opinion
that the problem of controlling the Indians
rests on the ability of those who have charge Of
them to keep the supplies appropriate for them
by COMPRESSION the grounds near their reser-
vations and not hundreds of miles away.
Report of the Secretary of the Navy.
the estimates for the support of the navy
for the next fiscal year are about the same as
appropriated during the last session of Con-
$4,000 900 The report of the Secretary will
show that the appropriations have been con-
fined within the proper limits and that there
is small balance to the credit of the naval
academy and the marine corps. AS there are
some old vessels not worth repairing he will
probably recommend that they bs sold and the
proceeds applied to the general fund for the re-
pair of those which can be rendered more ser.
viceable. Unless Congress shall order the
building Of new vessels the Secretary. with the
means asked ORGAN render those we now have
more efficient and keep them in good repair.
Our navy is in q much better condition than
year ago and is well adapted to peace estab-
lishment, but even in case of war with for
eign power 80 vessels for hostile purposes could
at once be supplied. These include Is mont
tors and ftigates for coast defence, together
with torpedo boats, expsrients with whic b
show their efficiency for the purposes intended.
The steamship Franklin is regarded as one Of
the best ships, but with the present small per.
sonnet OF the navy and as she requires 500 men
there is no probability of putting her in COM
mission. She is now the receiving ship at Nor
folk, as is tbs Colorado at New York and the
Wabash at Boston.
The Tariff Laws.
NEW YORK. Nov. 21.-It is stated the follow
ing changes in the tariff laws were recon-
mended by Secretary Sherman in his annual
report;
First-Abolition of the present system of
testing the quality of sugar, and esta blishment
instead both of color and polariscope test,
limiting dutiabe grades Of sugar to only two
classes
Second-Not to allow any reduction or al
lowance whatever for damaged goods, thus
leaving the importer to provide by insurance
against whatever loss may be sustained in this
respect.
Thlrd-To tax dress silk according to weight
only, making duty thereon specific.
Fourth-To dispense with ad valorem duties
on gloves and to fix specific duties correspond
ing to material size, number Of buttons etc.