Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-01

arrest and detention OF persons charged with
criminal offenses, and providing for an appeal
10 United States courts for the district OF Ore
Con In suitable cases. will, al & proper time, be
submitted To Congress
THE PUBIIC FINANCES.
The attention of Congress Is called to the
annual report Of the Secretary or the treasury
on the condition OF the pubic finances The Or
binary revenues from all sources for the fiscal
year ended June 80. 1879, were S2I3, s27, 1S4.46.
The ordinary expenditures for the same period
were 1906 al Os3. 3d. leaving a surplus revenue
for the year OF q, $40, 30O.93. The receipts for
the present fiscal year, ending June 80, $50. ac-
tual and estimated, are as follows: Actual re-
ceipts for the first quarter, commencing July /,
1879, Si9, s43, 663.6l; estimated receipts for the
remaining three-quarterS of the year. sos, 1885,
33639. Total receipts for the current fiscal
year, actual and estimated. S2Ss 900 O0G. The ex-
penditures for the same period will be, actual
and estimated, as follows: For the quarter COM
mencing July l. 1879, actual expenditures,
S9l GS3 3S51 10; and for the remaining three-quar-
tiers OF the year the expenditures are estimated
at S112. 316 6l49O. making the total expenditures
Slf4 .000,0Go and leaving an estimated surplus
revenue for the year ending June 80, 1880, of
S24. COG. 900.
The total receipts during the next fiscal year.
ending June 20. 1SSl estimated according to ex-
tstiDg laws, will be S2SS. 900, 000 and the esti-
mated ordinary expenditures for the same period
will be S2IS.c9I ,S6439, leaving a surplus OF
50 902, 635.61 for that year. The large amount
expended for arrears of pensions during the last
and the present fiscal year, amounting to
s21 IA, 249.6O. has prevented the application of
the full amount required by law to the sinking
fund for the current year. but these arrears hay
ing been substantially paid, 1t is believed that
the sinking fund can hereafter be maintained
without any change OF existing law.
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The secretary OF War reports that the War
department estimates for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1881, $40, 3SO. 42S 49, the same being
for less sum OF money than any annual eSti-
mate rendered to Congress from that depart
ment during a period OF at least twelve wears
n hn in
recommending such legislation as will author
lie the enlistment of the full number OF 25, 900
men for the line of the army, exclusive of the
3,46O men required for detached duty and there
fore not available for service in the field. He
also recommends that Congress be asked to pro-
vide by law for the disposition of a large num-
Der OF abandoned military posts and reServa-
tons, which, though very valuable in them
selves, have been rendered useless for military
purposes by the advance of civilization and
settlement. He uniteS with the QuartermaS-
ter General in recommending that an appro-
pr1at1on be made for the construction OF a cheap
and perfectly flre-proof building for the safe
storage OF vast amount of money, ac-
counts, vouchers, claims and other valuable
records, now in the QuartermaSter Generals
Office, and exposed to great risk of total de-
ftrucuon by fire. He also recommends,
in conformity with the views of the
Judge Advocate General, some declaratory
legislation in reference to the military Statute
OF Limitations, as applied to the crime of deser-
ton. In these several recommendations con-
cur. 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 during
the past year, with greater measure of success
In the attainment OF results than during any
previous year; The channel through the South
Pass which, at the beginning of June, 1875, had
depth of only ~ feet of water, had ON the
sth of July, 1879, minimum depth OF 26 feet,
having width OF not less than 200 feet and a
central depth of 80 feet. Payments have been
made in accordance with the statute as the work
progressed, amounting in the aggregate to
8, loco, and further payments will 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 opera
lions Tor the repression OF hOStilitieS among
the Indians OF the Ute and Apache tribes,
and praise is justly awarded to the officers
and troops engaged, for promptness, 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 will
prove permanently successful. This depart
ment was enabled, during the past year, to find
temporary though crowded accommodations
and safe depository for portion OF its records
In the completed east wing of the building de-
signed for the state, War and Navy depart
ments. The construction of the north wing of
the building, part of the structure intended
Tor the use OF the War department, is being car
r1ed forward with all possible dispatch, and the
work should receive from Congress such liberal
appropriations as will secure its speedy COM
pletion.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows continued improvement in that branch
OF the service during the last fiscal
made upon vessels. and two new ships
have been completed and made ready for sea.
The total expenditure OF the year ended June
estimated for by the department., were s1s, 555,-
1000. The expenses chargeable to the year.
after deducting the amount OF these specific ap-
preparations were 81, 343 3i1.19 but this is sub
having been drawn upon warrants, but not paid
out during the year. The amount OF apprOpria-
tions applicable to the last fiscal year was
$l4, 53s, 6461l. There was, therefore, balance
of 81 AS, 054.31 remaining unexpended and to the
credit OF the department on June 80, 1879 The
estimates for the fiscal year ending June 80,
1881, are S14. S64, 1875, which exceeds the ap-
preparations for the present fiscal year 1851 S9i-
2s. The reason for this increase is explained in
the Secretary's report. The appropriations avail
able for the present fiscal year are 81 5O2 $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
10 Nov. l, 1879. was S5.II0, 404.12, of which
81 ,095 1898 has been refunded, leaving as the
expenditure for that period a, ga. 963.19. II the
expenditures of the remaining twO-thirdS of the
year do not exceed the proportion for these four
months. there Will remain uneXpended at the
end OF the year 81, ,359. 50 OF the current appro
priatloDS. The report OF the Secretary shows
the gratifying fact that among all the diSbuISing
officers OF the pay corps OF the navy there is not
one who is defaulter TO the extent OF a single
dollar. unite with him in recommending the
removal OF the Observatory TO a more healthful
location. That institution reflects credit upon
the nation. and has obtained the appreciation OF
scientific men in all parts OF the world. It's re-
moval from its present locality would not only
be conducive 10 the health OF its officers and
professors, but would greatly Increase its use
fitness.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The appropriation for judicial expenses which
Justice in gross, was Subdvided at the last seS-
sion OF Congress, and no appropriation whatever
was made for the payment of the fees OF mar
ShalS and their deputies, either in the service Of
process or for the discharge of other duties, and
since June 80 these officers have continued the
performance Of their duties without compenSa-
ton from the government. taking upon them
selves the necessary incidental ontlays as well
as rendering their own services In only few
unavoidable instances has the proper execution
OF the process OF the United States failed by rea
son OF the absence Of the requisite appropria-
ton. This course of official conduct on the part
OF these officers highly crediIabe TO their fideli-
ty. was advised by the Attorney General. who
informed them however. that they would ne
eessarily have TO rely for their compensation
upon the prospects OF future legislation by Con-
greSS- l therefore especially recommend that
immediate appropriation be made by Con-
gress for this purpose. The act making the
principal appropriation for the Department OF
Justice at previous sessions has uniformly con-
tanned the following clause: And for defraying
the expenses which may be incurred In the en-
"a Eiah