The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-12-11

dations have greatly decreased, and. in iocaji-
ties where they were formerly most destruc.
Of this result, entertain a confident expe eeS~
ton that the continuance of this prevalence
Of quiet on the border will soon become so 8.
sured as to Justify 9 modifcation OF the pres
crossing the border without encouraging such
disturbances as would endanger the peace Gf
the two countries.
Mexico under the Claims Commission Of July
4, 1868, was duly paid, and has been put ia
course Of distribution In pursuance of the at
of Congress providing for the same. This sat-
isfactory situation between the two countries
leads me to anticipate an expansion of our
trade with Mexico, and an increased contriIu-
ton of capital and industry by our people to
the development of the great resources of that
country. earnestly commend to the wisdom
of Congress the provision OF suitable legisla-
ton looking to this result.
Diplomatic intercourse with Colombia IA
again fully restored by the arrival of the
Minister from that country to the United
States. This is especially fortunate in view of
canal has recently assumed a new and impor.
tant aspect and Is now under discussion with
the Central American countries, Through whose
s5Hss sve the 9 pas Il the trusted ssf
ened craftsmanship on their part will see
that the -, early prosecution of such a
work will largely inure to the ben
of the United States, but of the commerce Of
the civilized world. It is not doubted that.
should the work be undertaken under the pro.
upon satisfactory concessions for the right of
way and its security by the Central American
Governments, the capital for its completion
would readily be furnished from this country
and Europe, which might, failing such guar
antees, prove inaccessible. Diplomatic rela-
tons with Chilli have also been strengthened by
the reception of Minister from that country.
The war between Peru. Bolivia and Chill
still continues. The United States have
not deemed it proper to interpOse in the mat
ter, further than to convey to all the Gov
ernments concerned the assurance that the
United States for the restoration of p acc
upon an honorable basis will be extcnde l in
case the belli xerents shall exhibit readiness
with Brazil and the Argentine Republic, and
trade with those countries is improving.
A provision for regular and more frequent
mail communication in our ships between the
ports of this country and the nations of South
America seems to me to deserve the attention
of Congress as an essential precursor of an
enlargement of our commerce with them and
an extension of our carrying trade.
recent revolution in Venezuela has been
followed by the establishment of Provisional
Government: This Government has not yet
been formally recognized, and it is deemed
desirable to await the proposed action Of the
people, which is expected to give it the sane
ton of constitutional forms.
naval vessel has been sent to the Samoan
Islands to make surveys and take possession
of the privileges ceded to the United States
by Samoa in the Harbor of Pago-PagO. a
coaling station is to be established there,
which will be convenient and useful to United
States vessels.
The subject of opening diplomatic relations
with Roumania and Servia, now become indie
pendent sovereignties, is at present under
corresponds ce.
There is a gratifying increase of trade with
nearly all European and American countries,
mn holt <Hnt
in regard to its development it can and will
be still more enhanced, and that American
products and manufactures will find new and
expanding markets; The reports Of diplomatic
der the system now adopted, have resulted
in obtaining much valuable information.
which has been and will continue to be laid
before Congress and the public from time to
time.
The third article of the treaty with Russia Of
March 30, 1867, by which Alaska was ceded to
the United States, provides that the inhab-
i fants OF the ceded territory, with the excep.
admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights of
citizens of the United States, and shall be
maintained and protected in the free enjoy
ligion. The uncivilized tribes are subject to
such laws and regulations as the United
States may from time to time adopt
in regard to the aboriginal tribes Of
treaty and the necessities of the people require
that some organized form of government over
the Territory of Alaska be adopted. There
appears to be no law for the arrest of persons
charged with common law offenses, such as
assault, robbery and murder, and no magis-
trate authorized to issue or execute process in
such cases. Serious difficulties have al
ready arisen from offenses of this character,
not only among the original inhabitants, but
among citizens OF the United States aud other
countries who have engaged in mining. fish
Territory. a bill authorizing the appoint
ment of Justices of the Peace and COnstablcs,
and the arrest and detention of persons
charged with criminal offeHses, and providing
District of Oregon in suitable cases will, at the
proper time, be submitted to Congress.
THE PUBLIC FINANCES.
annual report of the Secretary of the Treas
ury on the condition of the public finances.
The ordinary revenues from all sources for the
sea year ended Jane 80 were
same period were S266, 947, Ss3.63. leaving a
surplus revenue for the year of s6,s'9,Ms3;
The receipts for .. the ,eop present fiscal
estimated, are as follows: Actual re-
ins July ], ISIS. s7e,s4s,eessI; es-
s5ec ya1 s5 ns @
for the current fiscal year, actual and estima-
ted, $2SS, 0O,CO9. The expenditures for the
same period Will be, actual and estimated. as
is7s, actual expenditures, 81, 49, 10. For
the remaining three-Quarters of the year
the expenditures are estimated at SRA
sitares RsSn a tne ea tota an e1P est
June 30, fSSO, of $4,000. 600. The total re-
ceipts during the next fiscal year ending
laws, will be $2ss, 100000, and the estimatcd
ordinary expenditures for the same period
will be SITS, O97, s64.39, leaving surplus of
s, BOZ, 635;6 for that year. The large amount
last and the present fiscal years, amounting
to $21, 741 ,249.6O, has prevented the application
of the full amount required by law to the
for the current year but these
believed that the Sinking-Fund can hereafter
be maintained without any change of the ex-
isting law.
WAR DEPARTMENT..
The Secretary of War reports that the War
Department estimates for the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1881, are $40, $50, 1885 the same
estimate rendered to Congress from that De-
partment during a period of ut least twelve
years. He cOncurs with the General OF the
Army in recommending such legislation as
will authorize the enlistment of the full num-
Der of 25,COO men for the line of the army,
exclusive of the 3,4O men required for de-
tached duty, and therefore not available for
service in the field. He also recon-
lIeHuS StIlSfcSS DC dSkeu 10 prov luc ny
law for the disposition of large number OF
abandoned military posts and reservations,
which, though very valuable in themselves,
have been rendered useless for military pur-
poses by the advance of civilization and set
Element. He unites with the Quartermaster-
General in recommending that an appropria
ton be made for the construction of cheap
and perfectly fire-proof building for the safe
storage of a vast amount of money, accounts,
vouchers, claims and other valuable records
now in the Quartermaster-Gener Office,
and exposed to great risk of total destruction
by fire. He also recommends, in conformity
with the views of the Judge-Advocatc Cen
eral, some declaratOry legislation in reference
to the military statute of limitations, as ap-
piled to the crime of desertiOn. In these sew
eral recommendations 1 concur.
The Secretary Of War further reports that
the work for the improvement of the South
Pass of the Mississippi River, under contract
with Mr.. James B. Eads, made in pursuance OF
an act of Congress, has been prosecuted dur
ing the past year with a greater measure OF
success in the attainment Of results than
during any previous year. The channel
through the South Pass, which, ut the Begin
ming of June, 1876, had depth of only seven
and half feet Of water, had, on the Sth of
July, 1879, a minimum depth of twenty-six
feet, having a width of not less than two
hundred and central depth of thirty feet.
Payments have been made in &C
cOrdance with the statute as the
work progressed, amounting in the
aggregate to 81, 225O, 600, and further payments
will become due, as provided by the statute,