The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-12-01
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.


| finances.
The ordinary revenues from all sources
| for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1879,
were $273, 1927, 1874 46; the ordinary expen-
ditures for the same period were $266, 947,
1858 SO; leaving surplus revenue for the
| year of So, 879, 800 SO.
The receipts for the present fiscal year,
ending June 30, 1880, actual and estlmat-
| ed, are as follows: Actual receipts for the
first quarter, commencing July 1, 1879,
| $40, S43, 663 81; estimated receipts for the
remaining three-quarters of the year,
| $20S, 1876, 1856 SO; total receipts for the cur
rent fitcal year, actual and estimated,
| $2SS, 900, 600.
The expenditures for the same period
will be, actual and estimated, as follows :
For the quarter commencing July 1, 1879,
actual expenditures, $91 ,6S3 1856. 10; and
for the remaining three-quarters of the
year the expenditures are estimated at
Sta 316,614 90-making the total expend-
| itures 1884, O00, 900, and leaving an esti-
mated surplus revenue for the year ending
June 80, 1880, of $24, 600, 900. The total
receipts during the next fiscal year end
ing June 80, 1881, estimated according to
existing laws, will be $2SS 000 600; and
the estimated ordinary expenditures for the
same period Will be $27S, 097. 1868 30-leav-
ing surplus of SO, 902, 635 81 for that
year.
The large amount expended for arrears
of pensions during the last and the present
fiscal year, amounting to $21, IA, 249 60,
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, it is be-
lieved that the sinking-fund can hereafter
be maintained without change of exist
ing laws.
WAR DEPARTMENT.
The Secretary of War reports that the
War Department estimates for the fiscal
42S 90, the same being for less sum OF
money than any annual estimates rendered
to Congress from that Department during a
period of at least twelve years.
lie concurs with the General of the Army
in recommending such legislation as will
authorize the enlistment of the full number
of twenty-five thousand men for the line
Of the Army, exclusive of the three thou
sand four hundred and sixty-three men
required for detached duty, and therefore
not available for service in the field.
He also recommends that Congress be
asked to provide by law for the disposition
of large number of abandoned military
posts and reservations, which, though very
valuable in themselves, have been rendered
useless tor military purposes by the advance
of civilization and settlement.
He unites with the Quartermaster Cen
eral in recommending that an appropria-
tion be made for the construction OF a
cheap and perfectly f1re-proof building for
tie safe storage of a vast amount OF money
accounts, vouchers, claims and other val
liable records now in the Quartermaster
Generals Office, and exposed to great risk
of total destruction 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 sp-
piled to the crime of desertion.
In these several recommendations I
concur.
THE MISSISSIPPI JETTrEs.
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 attain
ment of results than during any previous
year. The channel through the South
Pass which, at the beginning of operations
in June, 1875, had depth of only seven
| and one-halt feet of water, had, on the Sth
of July, 1879, minimum depth OF twenty
six feet, having width OF not less than
| two hundred feet and a central depth of
| thirty feet. Payments have been made in
accordance with the statute, as the work
| progressed, amounting in the aggregate to
| 81, 250, 000 and further payments will
| become due, as provided by the statute, in
the event Of success IN maintaining the
| channel now secured
ARMY REPORTS AND OFFICES.
| The reports of the General Of the Army
and of his subordinates, present
| a full and detailed account of the
military operations for the suppression
| 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 IN
| broken peace and quiet on the Mexican
| frontier, and there is reason to believe that
| the efforts of this Government and of Mex
| leo, to maintain order in that region, Will
prove permanently successful.
| This Department was enabled during the
past year to find temporary though crowded
| accommodations, and a safe depository for
portion of its records, in the completed
east wing of the building, designed tor the
| State War and Navy Departments. The
| construction of the north wing of the build
| ing, q part of the structure intended Tor the
use of the War Department. rs being carried
| forward with all possible dispatch, and the
work should receive from Congress such
| liberal appropriations as will secure It's
| speedy completion.
| NAVY DEPARTMENT.
| The report OF the Secretary of the Navy
| shows continued improvement in that
branch OIL the service during the last fiscal
year. Extensive repairs have been made
upon vessels, and two new ships have been
.completed and made ready for sea.
The total expenditures of the year ended
| June 80, 1879, including specific appropri-
ations not estimated for by the Department,
were S13, 300, 710-09. The expenses charge
able to the year, after deducting the amount
| of these specific appropriations, were
$13, 343, 317 70 ;but this is subject to reduc-
| ton of 1888, 725. 90, that amount having
been drawn upon warrants, but not paid
out during the year. The amount of ap--
propriations applicable to the last fiscal
| year was $14, 53S, GAG. II. There was, there
fore, balance of 81 ,479, 054 81 remaining
unexpended, and to the credit of the De
partment, on June 80, 1879. The estimates
for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1881, are
| S14, 1854, 147. 95, which exceeds the appro-
priations tor the present fiscal year 1851,
| 897 %. The reason for this increase is
| explained in the Secretary's report. The
appropriations available for the present
/ fiscal wear are $14. 502, 250. 81, which will,