Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1879-12-03

I country Though an officer should he as free as
any other citizen 10 give his own money in aid Of
free ms any other citizen TO refuse TO make such
. gifts II salaries are but fair compensation for
the time and labor Of the officer, Il Is gross in
Justice to levy tax upon them. II they are made
. excessive In order that they may bear the tax,
me excess Is an indirect robbery Of the pnblic
innds. recommend, therefore, such a revision
and extension OF present statutes as shall secure
to those In every grade Of official life or public
employment the protection with which a great
and enlightened nation should guard those who
, are faithful In its service
, FOREIGN RELATIONS
} Our relations with foreign countries have con.
timed peaceful With Great Britain there are
sun unsettled questions, growing ont of the local
avs OF the maritime provinces and the action Of
the provincial authorities, deemed 10 be In dero-
! CATION OF rights secured by treaty to American
nsherlnen. The United States minister in Lon
don has been instructed 10 present n demand for
500 800 In view Of the damages received by
American citizens at Fortune bay on the 9Th day
OF January. 1873. The subject has been taken into
consderation by the British government, and an
early reply Is anticipated Upon the completion
OF the necessary preliminary examinations, the
SUBJECT OF our participation In the provincial
fisheries, az regulated by treaty, will at once be
brought to the attention OF the British govern
ment with view to an early and permanent set
tlement OF the whole question, which was only
temporarily adjusted by the treaty Of Wash
ington.
The assent of the government has been given
to the landing on the coast Of Massachusetts Of a
new and independent transatlantic cable between
France, by way Of the French island Of St. Pierre,
ana THIS country, subject to any future legislation
OF Congress upon the subject The conditions
Imposed, before allowing this connection with our
shores to be established, are such as TO its
| competition with any existing or future lines Of
marine cable, and preclude amalgamation there
with, to provide for entire equality OF rights to
our government and people with those Of France
IN the use OF the cable, and prevent anv exclusive
ilaFfaa dad ErvE rat,
TO the disadvantage Of any future cable communi-
| cation between France and the United States
which may he projected and ACCOMPLISHED by our
| cltlzens An important reduction Of the present
rates OF cable communication with Europe felt TO
be too burdensome to the interests OF our com
merce, must necessarily flow from the establish
| ment OF this competing line
The action Of the Egyptian government in pre-
| senting to the city of New York one Of the ancient
| obelsks. which possess such historic interest, is
hlgh!y appreciated as generous mark Of inter
| natlnna regard. II prosperity should attend the
enterprise OF Its transportation across the Atlantic
Its erection in conspicuous position in the chief
commercial city Of the nation will soon be accom-
| plished.
The government Of China has signhed its will
lingness to consider the question OF the emigra-
ton of its subjects to the United States with a
| dispassionate fairness and to cooperate in such
| measures as may tend to prevent injurious conse-
| quences tn the United States The negotiations
gence
|
Japan about the Loo Choo islands, the United
States government has taken measures to inform
| those powers OF It's readiness to extend its good
oiices Tor the maintenance of peace, II they shall
mutually deem 1t desirable, and find it practi-
cable to avail themselves OF the prefer
II IL qualification to be able to announce that,
through the judicious and energetic action Of the
| military commanders Of the two nations on each
side of the Rio Grande, under the instructions Of
their respective governments, raids and depreda-
tons have greatly decreased, and in the localities
| where formerly most destructive have now al
| most wholly ceased
| Diplomatic intercourse with Colombia IL again
inlly restored by the arrival of minister from
| tnat country to the United States. This is espe-
| ciaIy fortunate in view Of the fact that the
question OF an nteroceanic canal has recently as
sumed new and important aspect and is now
| under discussion with the Central American
countries through whose territory the canal, by
| the Nicaragua route, would have to pass. 1t is
| trusted that enlightened craftsmanship on their
part will see that the early prosecution Of such
| work will largely inure to the benefit, not only
| Of their own citizens and those of the United
| States, but of the commerce OF the civilized
| world it Is not doubted that should the work
| be undertaken under the protective auspices OF
the United States, and upon satisfactory conces-
| sions for the right of way, and its security, BY
| the Central American governments, the capital
| for its completion would be readily furnished
| from this country and Europe which might fail |
| ing such guarantees, prove inaccessible.
The war between Peru, Bolivia and Chill still
| continues. The United States have not deemed
1t proper to interpose in the matter, further than
to convey to all the governments concerned the
assurance that the friendly offices of the govern
ment OF the United States for the restoration OF
| peace upon an honorable basis will be extended |
in case the belligerents shall exhibit a readiness
| to accept them.
A naval vessel has been sent to the Samoan
| islands to make surveys and take possession OF
| the privileges coded to the United States by |
Samoa, in the harbor of Pago Page. coaling
station is to be established there, which will be |
uspfu
| There is gratifying increase OF trade with |
nearly all European and American countries, and
1t Is believed that with judicious action in regard
| TO It's development 1t can and will be still more
| enhanced and that American products and man |
ufactures will find new and expanding markets.
ALASKA.
The third article Of the treaty with Russia OF |
March 30, 1867 by which Alaska was ceded to the
United States, provides that the inhabitants of
the ceded territory, with the exception of the I'M
civilized native tribes, shall be admitted to the
enjoyment of all the rights of citizens Of the |
United States, and shall be maintained and pro- |
tected in the free enjoyment of their liberty |
property and religion. The uncivzed 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 that country. Both the |
obligations of this treaty and the necessities of
the people require that some organized form OF |
government over the territory of Alaska be |
adopted. There appears 10 be no law Tor the ar |
rest of persons charged with common-law offenses
magistrate authorized to issue or execute process
in such cases. Serious difficulties have already |
arisen from oiiense of this character not only |
among the original Inhabitants but among citi- |
zens OF the United States and other countries
who have engaged in mining, fishing and other I
business operations within the territory. bill |
authorizing the appointment of justices OF the
peace and constabes, and the arrest aud deten-
ton OF persons charged with criminal oifenses,
and providing for an appeal to United States
courts for the district of Oregon in suitable cases
will at proper time be submitted to congress.
THE TREASURY.
The attention of congress is called to the annual
report OF the secretary of the treasury the
dition OF the public finances. The ordinary rev.
enues from all sources for the fiscal year ending
June 3d. 1879, were 1913 S21, 1884, the ordinary
expenditures for the same period were S266, 947,-
Ss3; leaving surplus revenue for the year Of
So SI9 800, The receipts for the present fiscal
year, ending June 30, 1880 actual and estimated,
follows: Actual receipts tor the first quarter
commencing July |, 1879 $40, Sl3, 603; estimated
receipts for the remaining three-quarters of the
year. sos LOO, 1886 total receipts for the current
fiscal year. actual and estimated, s2SS, 000, 900.
The expenditures for the same period will be- ac-
tual and estimated, as follows; For the quarter
commencing July l. 1879, actual expenditures, |
sol 6S3 3S5 and for the remaining three-q
of the year the expenditures are estimated at
SlI2 3lObli-making the total expenditures s26i,-
o o. 600 and leaving an estimated surplus revenue
for the year ending June 80 1880, of S2i O00,0O0
The total receipts during the next fiscal year end
ing 1901 trtluldltu dccOiulug 10
laws, will be s2SS 900 OO0 and the estimated or
ninary expenditures for the same period will be
s27S 0M, 36i-leaving surplus of $500, 635 for
that year The large amount expended for arrears
of pensions during the last and the present fiscal
year amounting To S2l, Ti7 249, has prevented the
application OF the full amount required by law
to the sinking fund for the current year; but
these arrears having been substantially paid, 1t is
believed that the sinking fund can hereafter be
maintained without any change OF existing law,
THE ARMY
The secretary of war reports that the war de-
partment estimates for the fiscal year ending
June 3Oth, 1881, are $40, 1886, i2S 93, the same
being for u less sum OF money than any annual
estimate rendered 10 congress from that depart
ment during period of at least twelve years
lie coucurs with the general of the army in recon-
mending such legislation will authorize the
enlistment OF the full number OF $4,000 men for
the line of the army, exclusive of the 8 i63 men
required for detached duty, and therefore not
available for service in the field, lie also recon-
mends that congress be asked to provide by law
for the disposition OF a large number OF aban-
doned military posts and reservations. which,
though very valuable in themselves, have been
rendered useless for military purposes by the ad-
vance of civilization and settlement
The secretary OF war further reports, that the
work for the improvement Of the South Pass Of I
the Mississippi river, under contract with James