Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-12-04

the promptitude skill and courage displayed.
The past year has been one OF almost IN.
broken peace and quiet ON the Mexican from
tier, and there is reason to believe the efforts
of this government and of Mexico to maintain
order in that region will prove permanently
successful.
The department was enabled during the past
year to lind temporary though crowded &C.
cOmmodalion 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 construction of the
moth wing of the building, the part of the
structure intended for use of the war depart
ment, is being carried forward with all pos
sble dispatch, and the work should receive
from Congress such liberal appropriations as
will secure its speedy completion.
THE NAVY.
The report of the secretary of the navy shows
continued improvement in that branch of the
service. During the last fiscal year exte nsive
repairs have been made on vessels and two new
ships have been completed and made ready for
sea. The total expenditures, ended June 81, 1879,
including specific appropriations not esti-
mated for by the department, were 81 $685.
57l %. The expenses chargeable to the year,
after deducting the amount of the specific ap-
propriatiOn were $l3,3i3,3l7.79. But this Is
subject to a reduction of 1888. 725. SO, thar
not paid out during the year. The amount of
appropriations applied to the laat fiscal year
was $l4 533, 646.l7. There was therefore bal
ance of 81 ,479, 054 81 remaining unexpended
ID to the credit Of the d, partment on June 30.
1879.
30, 1881, are $l4, 1864, 1873, which exceeds the
appr priatiOns for the present fiscal year 1901 -
S97.2 The reason for this increase is ex-
planned in the secretary's report. The appro-
priatiOns available for the present fiscal year
are $l4 5O2, 25O.67. which will, 1.-THE opinion of
tne SECRETARY, answer all the ordinary demands
of the service. The amount drawn from the
treasury from July LIST to Nov. IA, 1879, was
SIS, TO. 404.12, of which 81 ,095, 1903 has been
refunded, leaving as the expenditures for that
period $4,674, 963.79. If the expenditures of
the remaining tw0-thirds of the year do not
exceed the proportion for these four months,
tn. re will reMaln unexpe1ded at the end of
the year $477 ,S5930 of current appropriations.
The report of the secretary shows the
gratifying fact that among all the disbursing
officers of the pay corps of the navy, there is
not one who is a defsulter to the extent of a
single dollar. l unite with him in recon.
mending the removal of the Observatory to a
more healthful location. That institution re-
fleets credit upon the nation and has obtained
the appreciation of scientific men in all parts
of the world. Its removal from its present To-
cation would not only be conducive to the
uebLtU Ot aus Objects aOu pEOLebSOES1 DuL NOulU
greatly increase its usefulness.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The appropriation for judicial expenses which
has heretofore been made for the department of
justice in gross was subdividei at the Last ses-
sion of Congress, and no appropriation what
ever was made for tie pa, ment of the fees of
marshals and their deputies, either in the ser
vice of process for the discharge of other du-
81 TDva hos L.,
tinued the performance of their duties without
compensation from the government, taking
upon themselves the necessary incidental out
lays, as well as rendering their own services.
| In only few unavoidable instances has the
proper execution of process of the United States
failed by reason of the absence of the requisite
appropriations. This coui se of official conduct
on the part of these officers, highly creditable
| to their fidelity, was advised by the at.
| tOrney general, who Informed them, how
ever, that they would necessarily have
| to rely for their compensation. upon the pros
pect of future legislation by Congress.
| therefore especially recommend that an imme-
date appropriation be made by Congress for
| this purpose.
| The act making the principal appropriation
! the department of justice at previous ses-
| sions has uniformly contained the following
clause: And for defraying the expenses which
| may be incurred in the enforcement of the act
approved Feb. 2S, 1870, entitled an act to
amend an act approved May 80, 1870, entitled
az act to enforce the right of citizens in the
United States to vote in the several states of tht
| United States, and for other purposes, or any
acts ameDdatory thereof or supplementary
! thereto"
! No appropriation was made for this purpose
| for the current year. AS no general election for
| members of Congress occurred, the omission
was matter of little practical Importance
| Such elections will, however, take place during
1
| pay of marshals aud deputies should be suth
| cient to embrace com pensation for the service,
they may be required to perform at such cleo
| tiops.
THE SUPREME COURT.
Tie business of the supreme court is at pres
ent largely in arrears. 1t cannot be expected
that more cases can be decided than are now
disposed of in the annual session, or that by
any assiduity the distinguished magistrates
who compose the court eau accomplish more
| than is now done. In Tie
courts of many of tho circuits the business
| has increased to such an ex.enl
that the delay of justice will call the attention
of Congress to an appropriate remedy. It i,
believed all is done in each circuit which car
| he fairly expected, and the evils arising from
delay arc less heavily felt by the United State
! than by private sultors, its causes are ad
| vanced by the courts when it is seen that the,
| character.
The remedy suggested by the attorney gen
| eral Is the appointment of additional circuit
| judges and the creation of an intermediate
| court of errors and appeals, which shall relieve
! the supreme court of part of its jurisdiction
| while a larger force is also obtained for th,
| performance of circuit duties. / recommenC
| this suggestion 10 the consideration of Con
| gress. 1t would seem to afford complet,
remedy and would involve if ten additiona
circuit judges are appointed, an expenditure
| the present rate of salaries Of not more thar
100000 year. whieh would certainly be sinai
In comparison with the obj acts to be attained
! THE PosToFFIoE.
The report of the postmaster general bean
testimony to the general revival in bushes,
throughout the country. The receipts Of
the postotfice department for the fiscal yea
ending June 80, 1879, was $50, 04l 9S2 sc, being
| $765, 1851 more than inthe preceding year,
and 81, 1881, 1853 % more than in 1877. The ex
penditues of the department were $33, AS,
| 500. As, of which the sum of 1876. 46l. 6J wa:
| paid on liabilities incurred in preceding years
| The expenditures during the year were $S0l.
! 209 a less than in the preceding year. Ihi,
reduction is to be attributed mainly to the op.
ration of the law passed on June II, 1877
changing the compensation of postmaster.
| from commission on the valu of stamps sold
to commission on the stamps cancelled.
The amount drawn frem the treasury on an
Preparations, in addition to the revenues o.
the department, was $303, 1876, being 81
ZIG. SO less than in the preceding year
The expenditures of the fiscal year endin,
June 80, 1881, are estimated at $39 800, 800
and the receipts from all sources at $32, 80,
600, leaving u deficiency to be appropriated fo
out of the treasury of $7,7lo,90O.
The relations of the department with tbs
railroad companies have been harmonized
notwithstanding the general reduction b,
Congress of their compensation by the appro
priati"n for general facilities. aud the railwa,
postotiice lines have been greatly extended, es
pecially in the Southern States.