The weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1878-1881, 1879-12-09
his party, he should also be as free as any
other citizen to refuse to make such gifts.

OUR RELATIONS WITH FOREIGN COUNTRIES
Have continued peaceful. With Great Brit
ain there are still unsettled questions grow
ing out of the local laws Of the maritime
provinces, and the action of provincial au-
thorities deemed to be in derogation of rights
secured to American fishermen. The United
States Minister in London has been instructed
to present a demand for sos 1906. 02 in view
of the damages received by American citizens
of Fortuna Bay Oh the 9th day of January,
1873.
THE CUBAN QUESTION.
Questions of grave Importance with Spain,
growing out of the incidents Of the Cuban in
surrection, have been for the most part hap
pilv and honorably settled.
THE CHINESE QUESTION.
The Government of China has signifed its
willingness to consider the question of the
emigration of its subjects to the United States
with a dispassionate fairness, and to cooper
ate in such measures as may tend to prevent
injurious consequences to the United States.
The negotiations are still proceeding, and will
be pushed with diligence.
TIL I~NTER-oCEANIC CANAL
Has recently assumed a new and important
aspect, and is now under discussion with the
Central American countries through whose
territories the canal by the Nicaraguan route
WOulu have W pass. IL Is tTuSlcu Ludb eullSHU-
ened craftsmanship or their part will settle
the early prosecution Of such work, which
will largely inure to the benefit not only of
their own citizens and those of the United
States, but Of the of the civilized
world. 1t is not doubted that should the
work be undertaken under The protective au-
spices of the United States, and upon salts
factory concessions for the right of way, and
its security by the Central American govern
ynnytc t1a hoarifo1 For ikcf anp,p1otiOn urprr11
rapidly be furnished from this country and
Europe, which might, failing such guarantees,
prove inaccessible.
THE ARMY AND NAVY.
The Secretary of War reports that the War
Department estimates for the fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1881, are $40, ,42S.93, the same
being for a less sum of money than the annual
estimate rendered to Congress from that de-
partment during a period of at least twelve
years. He concurs with the General of the
army in recommending such legislation as
will authorize the enlistment of the full num-
Der of $4,000 men required for detached duty
and therefore not available for service in the
field.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
shows continued Improvements in that branch
of the service during the last fiscal year. EX-
tensive repairs have been made upon vessels,
and two new ships have been completed and
made ready for sea. The total expenditures
forth year ending June so, 1870, were $751;
$50, 710.O9; the expenses chargeable to
the year were $13, 3,315. 70, but this is
subject to a reduction of $2S3, 1850, that
amount having been drawn upon warrants,
but not paid out during the year. The
amount of appropriation applicable to the last
fiscal year was $14, 00O, 900; there was, there
fore, a balance of 81, 479, O54.37 remaining in
and to the credit of she Department on June
80, 1879.
THE BUSINESS OF H UPREM COURT
Is at present largely in arrears. 1t cannot be
expected that more eases can be decided than
are now disposed cffdtits annual session;
that by any assiduity ttS istinguishedlnaS Sie-
trates who compose thsfeouIftt car accomplish
more than is now done.S Ffins the courtsaof
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 appropriate remedy. 1t is believed that all
is done in such circuits which can fairly be
expected from its 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 they involve the decision of questions of
a public character. The remedy suggested
by the Attorney General is the appointment
of additional circuit judges, and the creation
of an intermediate Court of Errors and APP
peals, which shall release the Supreme Court
of a part of its jurisdiction, while a larger
force is also obtained for the performance of
circuit duties. I commend this suggestion to
the consideration of Congress. 1t would
seem to afford a complete remedy, and would
involve, if ten additional judges were appoint
ed, an expenditure at the present rate of sala-
ries of not more than $4,000 a year, which
would certainly be small in comparison with
the objects to be attained,
TRANSFER OF THE INDIANS.
The question whether a change in the control
Of the Indian service should be made was, In
mittee of both Houses for inquiry and report.
In my last annual message, 1 expressed thehope
that the decision of that question then in pros
pect, would arrest further agitation of this sui
ject. such agitation being apt to produce a dis
indians themselves. Since the committee hay
ing reported, the question has been decided in
sentatfves. for the reasons here stated; and in
view of the fact that further uncertainty on this
point will be calculated 70 obstruct other much a
the service and to unsettle salutary measures
now in progress for the government Of the Indi-
arrived at by Congress, at its last session, be
permitted to stand.
TIMBER LANDS.
The efforts made by the Department of the
Interior to arrest the depredations on the timber
lands of the United States have been continued
large number Of cases Of trespass have been pros
ecuted in the courts of the United States. Others
4 have been settled, the trespassers offering to
make payment to the Government for the value
of the timber taken by them. The proceeds OF
these prosecutions and settlements turned into
the Treasury far exceed in amount the sums ap:
proprtated by Congress for the purpose. A moro
important result, however, consists in the fact
that the destruction of our public forests by dep
relation, although such cases still occur has
been greatly reduced in extent, and it is prob
able that If the present policy is vigorously pur.
sued and efficient provision to that end is madt
by Congress, such trespasses, at least those or
a large scale. can be entirely suppressed, excepl
in the Territories where timber for the daily re
quirement of the population cannot, under thu
present state of law, be otherwise obtained.
" AGRICULTURE.
MY recommendations in former messages are
renewed, in favor of enlarging the facilities q