Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1879-12-05


mitted TO Congress
Tbe attention of Congress is called 70
the annual report Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury on the condition Of the public
finances.
The ordinary revenues from all sources
for the fiscal year ended June 30th, 1879
were S273, ,S27, ,1S4 46; the ordinary e1pen-
ditures for the same period were S266 94I,-
SS3 So; leaving a surplus revenue for the
year, Of $6,sT9,3 300 90.
The receipts Of the present fiscal year,
ending June Both, 1880, actual and estl-
mated, are as follows: Actual receipts
for the first quarter commencing Jnly Isl,
1889, S79, ,S43, ,e63 81; estimated receipts
for the remaining three quarters OF me
year, $205, ,156, ,S36 SO; total receipts lor
the current fiscal year, actual and estiiil'il-
ed, S2S8 100000. -
The expenditures for the same PeTl0u,
actual and estimated, as follows: OF uI5
quarter commencing July ISL Io1 ~ "a -
exDenditures. s91 ,6S3, ,3o5 10; and 1or the
remaining three quarters Of the year the
evnendifTres are estimated at SllZ,5lb,-
6Iz 9O. making the total expenditures
s9e4 OOOOOO and leaving an estimated
snrnius revenue for the year ending June
96th 1880. of s24OOOOO0. The total re-
CENTS during the next fiscal year ending
June 3Oth, 1881, estimated according to eX-
istiug laws. will be $288, 900, 600; and the
estimated ordinary expenditures for the
same period will be $27S O97 1854 80, leav-
ing surplus of S9,9O2, ,635 81 for that
year
Of pensions during the last and the present
fiscal year, amounting to $21, IA, ,249 so,
has prevented the application of the full
amount required by law to the sinking
fund for the current year; but these ar
rears having been substantially paid, It IS
believed that the sinking fund can here
after be maintained without any change
of existing law.
The Secretary of War reports that the
War Department estimates for the fiscal
year ending June Both, 1881, are $40,38O,-
42S SO, the same being for a less sum Of
money than any annual estimate render
ed to Congress from that department dur
ing a period of at least twelve years.
He cOncurs with the General Of the
Army in recommending such legislation
as viii authorize the enlistment Of the
full number Of 5000 men for the line Of
the army, exclusive of the 8, ,463 men re-
ouired lOr detached duty, and therefore
not available for service in the field.
He also recommends that Congress be
asked to provide by law for the disposi-
ton Of large number of abandoned mill
tary posts and reservations which, though
very valuable in themselves, have been
rendered useless for military purposes by
the advance of civilization and settle
ment.
He unites with the Quartermaster Gen
eral in recommending that an apprOpria-
ton be made for the construction of a
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 Quar-
termaster Generals Office, and exposed to
great risk of total destruction by fire.
He also recommends in conformity
with the views of the Judge Advocate
General, some declaratOTy Legislation in
reference to the military statute of litnita-
tions as applied to the crime Of deserton.
In these several recommendations l
concur.
THE EADs PASS.
The Secretary of War further reports
that the work for the improvement of the
South Pass of the Mississippi river, un-
der contract with Mr.. James B. Eads,
made in pursuance of an act of Congress,
has been prosecuted during the past year.
with a greater measure of success in the
attainment of results than during any
previous wear. The channel through the
South Pass, which. at the beginning of
operations in June, 1875, had a depth of
Only7 and One-half feet Of water, had, on
the 6th of July, 1879, minimum depth
of twenty-six feet, having a width of not
less than 200 feet and central depth Of
thirty feet. Payments have been made in
accordance with the statute as the work
progressed, amounting in the aggregate
to $4,2500 600; and further payments viii
become due, as provided by the statute,
in the event of success in maintaining
the channel now secured.
The reports of the General of the Army
and of his subordinates, present a full
and detailed account of the military Op-
erations for the suppression Of hostilities
among the Indians of the Ute and Apache
tribes, and praise is justly awarded to the
officers and troops engaged, for prompt
ness, skill and courage displayed.
The past year has been one of almost
unbroken peace and quiet on the Mexican
frontier and there is reason to believe
that the efforts of this Government and of
Mexico to maintain order in that region
viii prove permanently successful.
This Department was enabled during
the past year to find temporary, though
crowded accommodations, and a safe de-
pository for portion Of its records in the
completed east wing Of the building de-
signed for the State, War, and Navy De-
psrtments. The construction of the north
wing of the building, part of the sUruc-
ture intended for the use Of the War De-
partment, is being carried forward with
all possible dispatch, and the work should
receive from Congress such liberal sppro-
priations as will secure its speedy compile
ton.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows continued improvement in that
branch of the service during the last fiscal
year. Extensive repairs have been made
upon vessels, and two new ships have been
completed and made ready for sea.
The total expenditure Of the year ended
June Both, 1879, including specific appro-
priations not estimated for by the depart
ment, were $13, 500, 1000. The expenses
ehargeable to the year, after deducting
the amount of the specific appropriations
were $13, ,34S, ,317. 79; but this is subject to
q reduction of $3.50, 1853. that amount
having been drawn upon warrants, but
not paid out during the year. The amount
Of appropriations applicable to the last
fiscal year was $14, SIS, ,646.17. There was,
therefore, a balance Of 81, 479, ,054, 81 re-
naming unexpended, and to the credit of
the Department, on June Both, 1879. The
estimates for the fiscal year ending June
3Oth, 1881, are $14 S64, 1875, which ex-
ceeds the appropriations for the present
fiscal year 1851, ,897.28. The reason for
this increase is explained IN the Secretary IS
report. The appropriations available for
the present fiscal year are $14, 502, $50. 81,
which will, in the opinion Of the Secretary,
answer all the ordinary demands of the
service. The amount drawn from the
Treasury from July 1st to November list,
1879, was S5, 770, ,4O4 70, of which 81 ,095,-
440.3S has been refunded, leaving as the
expenditure for that period $4, 674, 963. 79.
If the expenditures of the remaining two
thirds Of year do not exceed the proper
tion for these four months, there will re-
main unexpended, at the end of the year.
$477, ,359.3O of the current appropriations.
The report Of the Secretary shows the graft
fyng fact that among all the discussing
officers Of the pay corps Of the navy there
is not one who is defaulter to the extent
of a single dollar. l unite with him in
recommending the removal Of the Observ-
atory to a more healthful location. That
institution reflects credit upon the Nation.
and has obtained the appreciation of sci
entifc men in all parts Of the world. Its
removal from its present location would
not OnlV be conducive to the health of ifs