The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1878-12-06

TTTCtVtIF I
the purpose OF the Secretary faithfully to execute the
law, and TO afford a fair trial TO the measure.
In the present financial condition OF the country,
am persuaded that the welfare OF legitimate bust
and industry Of every description will be best
promoted by abstaining from all attempts to make
radical changes in the existing financial legislation.
Let IL be understood that during the coming year
business of the country will be undis-
turbed by Governmental interference with the
laws affecting it, and we may conf
IDENTIFY expect that the resumption of
specie payments, which will take place at the APP
pointed time, will be successfully and easily main
tanned, and that it will be followed by healthful
and enduring revival of business prosperity.
Let the healing influence OF time, the inherent
erges of people, and the boundless of
our country, have a fair opportunity, and relief
from present difficulties will surely follow.
Military Affairs.
The report of the Secretary of War shows that the
that our small force has been actively employed,
and has faithfully performed all the service re-
quired of il. The morale of the army has inn
proved. and the number of desertions has mate
rally decreased during the year.
The Secretary recommends
L. That pension be granted TO the widow of the
late Lieut.. Henry II. Benner. Eighteenth Infantry,
who lost his life by yellow fever while i'm command
OF the steamer j. NJ Chambers sent with supplies
for the relief Of sufferers in the South from that
disease.
3 The establishment of the annuity scheme for
the benefit of the heirs OF deceased officers as sug-
gested by the Paymaster General.
3. The adoption by Congress of aplan for the pub
LEGATION OF the records of the Of the Rebellion,
now being prepared for that purpose.
4. The increase of the extra per diem of soldier
teachers employed in post-schools. and liberal APP
preparations for the erection OF buildings tor
schools and libraries at the different posts.
3. The repeal or amendment OF the act of June
Is. 1873. forbiddng the of the army as posse
con,itus. otherwise, for the purpose of execut-
ing the laws, except in such cases and under such
circumstances as may be expressly authorized by
the constitution or by act of Congress"
q. The passage OF joint resolution of Congress
legalizing the issues OF rations tents and medicines
which were made for the relief of sufferers from
yellow fever
T. That provision be made for the erection of a
fire proof building for the preservation of certain
valuable records, now constantly exposed to de-
struction by fire.
These recommendations are commended to your
favorable consideration.
Naval Affairs.
The report Of the Secretary If the Navy shows
that the navy las improved during the last fiscal
year. Work has been done seyenty-ive vessels
ten of which have been thoroughly repaired and
made ready for sea. Two Others are III rapid
progress toward completion. The total expenditures
Of the year. including the amount appropriated
for the deficiencies of the previous year. were
sir ,46S, 3!l2c5. The actual expenses charceablc
to the year. exclusive of these Deficiencies were
S13.3U6.9l09 or S1d1 1915 less than those of the
previous year and SI.92S G,1.1l less than the ex.
penses. including the deficiencies. The estimates
Tor the fiscal year ending june 80 1880 are S15 5G2
3S1 45exceeding the appropriations Of the present
year only S3 1895: which is occasioned by
the demands of the Naval Academy and Marine
Corps as explained in the Secretary's report. The
appropriations for the present fiscal year are S14-
52S 40, which. in the opinion of the Secretary
will be ample for all the current expenses of the de-
partment during the year. The amount drawn
from the treasury from July TO November /, 1875
is s4.74O5i4.14. of which S70.9S0.75 has been re-
funded. leaving as the expenditure for that period
SA.G'. 5,3.3J or $3.50 .sJ.24 less than the CORE
spending period OF the last fiscal year.
Postal Affairs.
The report of the Postmaster General embraces a
detailed statement OF the operations of the Post
Office Department The expenditures of that de-
partment tor the fiscal year ended June 81 1873,
were S34.ldj. OSl49. The receipts. including sales
of stamps. money-order business and official
stamps. were S29.2i, 1853. The sum Of S29U,
1850. included in the foregoing statement Of cx.
pcnditures l. chargeable preceding years so that
the actual expenditures for the fiscal year ending
June 80. ISIS. are S33.S1i.641.5O The amount
drawn from tie treasury on appropriations. IN,
addition 20 the revenues of the department.
was Sj.:G .Gj2.S2. The expenditures for the hsta
year ending June 30 $780, are estimated at SO,
81 ..U0 aud the receipts from all sources at So.
6Gf. 80 leaving deficiency 20 be appropriated
ont OF the treasury of S5.Wt. Sc ~. The report
calls attention the fact that the compensation OF
Po~tmasters and of railroads Tor carrying the mail
Is regulated 10y law and that the failure OF Congress
to appropriate the amounts required for these pur-
hoses does not relieve the Government % responsi
billy but necessarily increases the deficiency bills
which Congress will lac called upon to pass.
In providing for the postal service. the following
questions are presented: Should Congress annually
appropriate sum for its expenses largely in excess
OF its revenues, should such rates of postage be
established will make the department self-sus-
tanning: Should the postal service be reduced by
excluding from the mails matter which does not
pay its way: Should the number Of post-routes be
diminished: Should other methods be adopted
which viii increase the revenue or diminish the
penses Of the postal servicey
The International Postal Congress. which met at
Paris. May !. ISIS. and continued in session until
sumo OF the same year. was composed Of delegates
from nearly all the civilized countries of the world.
1t adopted new convention TO take the place of
the treaty concluded at Berne. Oct. 9. 1S,i. which
goes into effect on the LIST of April. lS19. between
the countries whose delegates have signed it, 1t
was ratified and approvedby and with the consent of
the President Aug II. ISIS. AsynopSs Of this Uni
versal Postal Convention will be found in
the report of the Postmaster General and the frll
text in the appendix thereto. In its origin tive
Postal Union comprised twenty three countries.
having population OF 35JUU0,GjU OF people and
VIII soon. by the accession Of the few remaining
countries and colonies which maintain organized
postal services. constitute. in tact well as IN
name, as its new title indicates. universal union.
upon uniform basis of cheap postage
rates, the postal intercourse between all civilized
nations.
Some embarrassment has arisen out Of the con-
lict between the customs laws of this country and
the provisions of the Postal Convention i'll regard
pers TO this country by mail 1t is hoped that
Congress will be able 10 devise some means of
IttbllCilluS ullllCultleS WHICH nave thus Dcen
created, so as TO do justice TO all parties involved
The Judiciary.
The business of the Supreme Court and Of the
courts in many of the circuits. has increased to
such an extent during tho past years that additional
legislation is imperative TO relieve and prevent the
lelay of justice. and possible oppression TO suit
)rs, which is thus occasioned. The encumbered
condition of these dockes is presented anew in the
'eport of the Attorney General. and the remedy
suggested is earnestly urged for Congressional
ion. The creation of additional Circuit Judges. as
proposed. would afford complete remedy. and
would involve an cxpense-at the present rate OF
alares-of not more than $50 600 a year,
Indian Affairs.
The annual reports OF the Secretary Of tho In.
error ana the commissioner 0f Indian Affairs
PRESENT an elaborate account ot the present cOndi.
ion Of the Indian tribes. and OF tat branch Of the
,ublic service which ministers 90 their interests
While the conduct OF the Indians. generally has
'cen orderly, aud their relations with their
lcighbors friendly AID peaceful two local
disturbances have occurred which were de
'lorable in their character. bat remained
apply confined to a comparatively small number
4 Indians. The discomfort among the Bsnnocks
Which led first TO some acts of violence on the part
4 some OF the members OF the tribe and finally 10
he outbreak. appears 10 have been caused by an
nsuhcency OF food on tho reservations and this in
TO have been owing 10 tine inadcquacy oi
hc appropriations. made by Congress to the
rants OF the Indians. az time when the
indians were prevented from supplying the den.
iency by hunting. After an ardtoi,s pursuit nv
e troops of the United States and several engage
lents. the hostile Indians were reduced 10 sub.
nctioi. and the larger part OF them surrendered |
themselves as prisoners In this connection / dc. |
ire To call attention to the recommendation made