The Indianapolis leader. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1879-1890, 1879-12-06

, The secretary of war reports that the wal
ing June 80, 1881, are $40. $50 ,l2S SO the same
being for q less sum Of money that any annua
partmen during period Of At ieaat ia e years
He cOncurs with the general of the army In
recommending such legislation as Will author
lie the enlistment of the full number of 25OO
mon for the line of the army, exclusive of the
3,463 men required for detached duty, and
He also recommends that Congress- be asked
to provide by law for the disposition OF a large
number OF abandoned military posts and
themselves, have been rendered. useless for
military purposes by the advance of civilian
ton and settlement.
He unites with the quartermaster general
In reeomm time that an n spRroprasion be
feotly fire proof building for the safe storage OF
q vast amount Of money accounts, vouchers
claims, ana other valuable records now in the
great risk to total destruction by fire.
He also recommends. In conformity with
the views Of the Judge advocate general,
some declaratOry legislation In reference In
the military statute OF limitations as applied
to the crime of desertion.
In these several recommendations 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 Vursuance of an
act of Congress, has been prosecuted during the
past year. with a greater measure of success In
previous year. The channel through the South
Pass, which, at the beginning of operations in
June, 1875, had a depth of only seven and one
a minimum depth OF % feet, having width OF
not less than 200 feet and a central depth of 30
with the statute, as the work progressed,
amounting In the aggregate to 81, $50 600; and
further payments will become due, as pro-
In maintaining the channeInow secured.
The reports of the general Of the army and of
his snD1rdd1af9S present 1,t. full and detailed
the suppression OF hOstilites among the In
dams of the Ute and Apache tribes. and praise
is justly awarded to the officers aud troops ell
gagged, for promptness, skill and courage dis
played.
The past year. has been one Of almost un-
broken peace and quiet on the Mexican from
tier, and there Is reason to believe that the
efforts of this Government, and Of Mexico, to
maintain order In that region will prove per-
manently successful.
This department was enabled during the
past year to find temporary though crowded
portion OF its records In the completed east
wing of the building, designed for the state
war and navy departments. The construction
! of the north wing Of the building, q part OF
the structure intended for the use OF the war
| department, is being carried forward with all
possible dispatch. and the work should receive
from Congress such liberal appropriations as
will secure Its speedy completion.
The report OF the secretary OF the navy
shows continued Improvement in that branch
! of the service during the last fiscal year. tx.
tensive repairs have been made upon vesses s,
and two new ships have been completed and
The total expenditures OF the year ended
June 30, 1879. including specific appropriations
not estimated for by the department. were
sl3555, 1909. The expenses charseabIe to the
year after deducting the amount of these spe-
citc appTopristions were slssasslz 81 but
amount having been drawn upon warrants
but not paid out during the year. The
last fiscal year was sia.sss sisf There vas Saas
therefore, balance of 81 .479 o5i.s7 remaining
unexpended, and to the credit of the depart
fiscal year ending June 30, 1881. are sl4, se4.
~ W, which exceeds the appropriations for
the present fiscal year 1881 ,SG Is. The reason
for this increase is explained In the secretary's
report. The appropriations available for the
present fiscal year are Sl4 ,5O2 0.o7, which will
! IN the opinion of the secretary, answer all the
/ ordinary demands of the service. The amount
drawn from the treasury from July to No
vember 1872 Was s. ,4O4.l2, OF which 81 0y5,
/ iic.s3 has been refunded, leaving as the ex-
! p-nditure for that period 81 ga, 96379 IL the
expenditures of the remaining twO-thirds of
the year 40 10 exceed the proportion for these
four months. there will remain unexpended
at the end of the year, s47 1853 80 OF the current
shows the gratifying fact that among
all the disbursing officers OF the pay corps
Of the navy there Is not one who is
unite with him In recommending the remov-
al OF the observatory to more healthful loca-
nation, and has obtained the appreciation of
scientific men In all parts Of the world. Itsre-
moval from It's present location would not only
be conducive to the health of Its officers and
professors, but would greatly increase Its use
fulness.
The appropriation for Judicial expenses
which has heretofore been made for the de-
partment OF justice. in gross, was subdivided at
The last session OF Congress, and no apprOpria-
the fees of marshals and their deputies either
In the service Of process or for the discharge OF
have the dn,ies
without compensation from the Government,
taking upon themselves the necessary Incl
dental OUTLAWS, as well as rendering their own
services In only a few unavoidable instances
has the proper execution of the process of the
United States failed by reason Of the absence
official conduct on the part of these officers,
highly creditsble to their idelity, was advised
by the attorney general, who informed them,
however. that they would necessarily have to
rely for their compensation upon the prospect
of future legislation by Congress. / therefore
especially recommend that Immediate apprO
priation be made by Congress for this purpose.
The act making the principal appropriation
for the department OF justice at previous SEES
sions has uniformly contained the following
clause: And for defraying the expenses
which may be incurred in the enforcement of
the act approved February ~, 1870, entitled
AN act to amend al act approved May 30, 1870,
entitled IAN act to enforce the right Of citi;
States Of the United States, and for other pur-
poses,' or any acts amendatOry thereof or sup
Elementary thereto"
No appropriation was made for this purpose
for the current year. AS no general election
for members Of Congress occurred the omission
was matter of little practical imnoGtance.
the ensuing year, and the appropriation made
for the pay of marshals and deputi. should be
sufficient to embrace compensation for the
services they may be required to perform at
such elections.
The business of the supreme court Is, at pres
emit, largely in arrears. II can not be expected
that more causes can be decided than are no.
disposed of in its annual session, or that by any
assiduity the distinguished magistrates who
compose the court can accomplish more
than Is now done. In the courts of many Of the
circuits, also, the business has increased to
such an extent that the delay OF Justice Will
call the attention of Congress TO an appropri
ate remedy. 1t Is believed that all Is done In
each circuit which can fairly be expected from
are less heavily felt by the United states, than
by private suitOrs, as Its causes are advanced
by the courts when 1t Is seen that they in
| volve the discussion of questions Of q public
character.
The remedy suggested by the attorney gen.
| eral, is the appointment of additional circuit
| judges, and the creation of an intermediate
court OF errors and appeals, which shall relieve
while larger force Is also obtained for the
| performance of circuit duties.
/ commend this suggestion to the considera-
ti0n Of Congress 1t would d seem to afford %
additional circuit judges are appointed, an
expenditure, at the present rate OF salaries, OF
not more than 100000 a year, which would Ger.
| to be attained
The report Of the postmaster general bears
| testimony to the general revival of business
postoffice department, for the fiscal year end
| Ing June ~, 1879, were 30O4l ,S82.S6, being
S7o4, 81 more than the revenues of the pre-
ceding year. The amount realized from the
and postal CARDS, was S764 1851 more than In
the preceding year, and &, 3S7 $50 % more than