Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1879-12-03

General some declaratory legislation in Sefer-
ence to the military statute of limitat.one, rs
applied to the crime of desertion. In these
several recommendations concur
The Secretary of War further reports that
the work for the improvement in 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 dur
ing any previous year. The channel through
the South pass, which, at the beginning of
June, 1875, had the depth of only seven and
half feet of water, had, on the Sth of july,
1879, minimum depth OF twenty-six feet, hay
ing width of not less than twenty-five and
central depth Of thirty feet. PAYMENTS have
been made in accordance with the statute as
the work progressed, amounting in the
aggregate to "a, 250, 900, and further payments
will become due, as provided by the statute and
in the event Of success in maintaining the
channel now secured. The reports of the Gen
eral of the Army and of his subordinates pre-
sent full and detailed account of the military
operations for the repression Of hostilities
among the Indians of the Ute and Apache
tribes, and praise is justly awarded to the Off
GERS and troops engaged for promptpess, 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
Mexico to maintain order in that region will
prove eminenNy successful
This department 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 designed for the State,
War and Navy Departments, The construc-
ton of the North wing Of the buildings 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 appropriation as
will secure its speedy completion.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shove continued Improvement in that branch
of the service during the last fiscal year Ex-
tensive repairs have been made upon vessels,
and two ships have been completed and made
ready for sea. The total expenditure Of The
year ended June 80, 1879, including specific ap-
propriations not estimated for by the depart
chargeable to the year, after deducting the
amount OF these special appropriations,
were $13, 343, 31779; but this is subject to
reduction of 1888, 725.9 81, that amount
having been drawn upon warrants, but
not paid out during the year. The amount Of
year was $14,53S ,64617. There was, there
unexpended and to the crsdit i Of the
department on June 80, 1879. The esti-
mates for the year ending June 80 1881, are
tons for the present fiscal year 1851, S97.2S.
The reason for this increase is explained
In the Secretary's report. The appro-
priations available for the present fiscal
year are $l4,502, 25067, which will, in the
ry demands of the service. Theamount drawn
from the treasury from July to Nov. l, 1879,
was S., 770, 44 Il, of which 81, 095, 1908 has
been refunded, leaving as the expenditure for
that period 81, GA, 963 ~ If the expenditures
of the remaining two-thirds of the year do not
10 fa, fhnca fo,, 1,,<l
there will remain unexpended at the end of
the year SAT-, $50 80 Of the current appropria-
tons.
The report of the Secretary shows the graft
flying fact that, among all the disbursing
officers of the pay corps of the navy, there is
not one who is defaulter to the extent of
single dollar unite with him in recommend
ing the removal of the Observatory to more
healthful location. That institution reflects
credit upon the nation, and has obtained the
appreciation of scientific men in all parts Of the
world. Its removal from its present locality
would not only be conducive to the health Of
its officers and professors, but would
greatly increase its usefulness.
United States Marshals.
The appropriation for judicial expenses which
has heretofore been made for the Department
OF Justice In gross was subdivided at the last
session of Congress-, and no appropriation
whatever was made for the payment of the
fees Of Marshals and their deputies either in
the service OF process or for the discharge of
other duties, and since July 80 these officers
have continued the discharge of their duties
without compensation from the Government,
taking UPON themselves the necessary incidental
OUTLAWS 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 reason of the absence of
the requisite appropriation. This course
Of official conduct on the part of the officers,
highly creditable to their fidelity, 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- I there
fore especially recommend that immediate
appropriation be made by Congress for this pur-
pose. The act making the principal appropria-
ton for the Department of Justice at previous
sessions has uniformly contained the following
clause: "And for defraying the expenses
which may be incurred in the enforcement
of the act approved Feb IS, 1870 entitled
An act to amend an act approved May
81, 1870 entitled An act to enforce the right
Of citizens of the United States to vote in the
several States of the United States, and for
other purposes, or any acts amendatory there
of or supplementary thereto" No appropria-
ton was made for this purpose for the current
year. As no general election of members of
Congress occurred, the omission was matter
Of little practical Importance. Such election
will, however, take place during the ensuing
year, and the appropriation made for the pay
of Marshals and deputies should be sufficient
to embrace compensation for the services they
may be required to perform at such election
The Courts.
The business Of the Supreme Court is
at present largely in arrears It can
not be expected that more causes
can be decided than are now disposed of in Its
annual session, or that by any assiduity the dis
tinguished Magistrates who compose the court
can accomplish more than is now done.
In the courts of many Of tne-circuits, also, the
business has increased to such an extent that
the delay Of justice will call the attention of
Congress to an appropriate remedy. It is
believed that all is done in each cir
cult which can be fairly expected from it's
judicial force The evils arising from delay
are less heavily felt by the United
States than by private suitors, as its
causes are advanced by the courts when
it is seen that they involve the discussion
OF questions Of q public character The remedy
suggested by the Attorney General is the ap-
pointment Of additional Circuit Judges, and the
creation Of an intermediate Court of Errors and
appeals, which shall relieve the Supreme Court
of part of it's jurisdiction, while larger force
is also obtained for the performance of circuit
duties. I recommend this suggestion to the
consideration of Congress. It would seem to
afford complete remedy, and would involve, if