Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1879-12-11

The Secretary of War further reports that
the work fOT the improvement in the South
pass of tho Mississippi river, under contract
with Mr. James B. Eeds. made TN pursuance Of
al act Of Congress, has been prosecuted dur.
ing the past year with greater measure OF
ing any previous year: The channel through
shs South pass, which, at the beginning o.
June, 1875, had the depth of only seven and a
half feet of water, had, on the 6th of July,
1870, a minimum depth OF twenty-sK feet, hay
ing width Of not less than t.Tenty-five and &
central depth of thirty feet pa,ments have
been made in accordance with the statute as
the work progressed, amounting III the
aggregate to 81, ,25O, ,02O, and further payments
will become due, es 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 svberdinates pze-
sent full and detailed account of the military
operations for the repression Of hostjlities
a1sioDg tho Indians Of tho Ute and Apache
tribes, ana praise is justly awarded to the off,
GERS and troops engaged for pr"mptnees, skill,
aid courage displayed. The past year has
been one oe almost unbroken peace and quiet
on the Mexican frortier, and there is reason to
bolieye that the efforts 0f this Government and
Mexico to maintain order In that region wiz
prove eninent)y successful.
This department was enabled during tho
Recommendations snd safe depository for
portion of its records i'll the completed East
wing Of the building designed for the STATE,
War and Navy Departments, The construc-
sicn OF the North wing OF the bCildi1H-a par:
of the st1 1acture intended for the use OF tkeW
possible dispatch, and the work should receive
from Congress such liberal appropriation as
will secure it's speedy completion.
The report OF the Secretary Of tho Navy
shows continued improvement in that Etanels
Of tho service during the last fiscal year Ex-
tensive repairs have been made upon vessels,
and two ships have heon completed and made
ready FOR sea. The total expenditure Of he
year enled June 50, 1878, including specific ap-
preparations not estimated for by the depart
ment, were s13, ,555, 7l00e. The expenses
to tho year. AFTER dsuctng the
we're sl3,343,3l77a; but this is subject to
a reduction Of $2s3, ,7,5.o 81, that amount
having been drawn upon warrants, bus
not paid ont during the year. The amount Of
appropriations applicable to the last fiscal
lore. a balance of sl,479,UIH.37 remaining
unexpended and to the cre;;st of the
department on June 3d. 1870. Tho esti-
mates for the year ending June Sc, 1881. are
s14, ,s64, 1895, which exceed the apprcpria-
The reason for this increase is explained
in the Secreta1y's report The agpro:.
priations available for the present fsca.
year IRE s14, ,5o2, ,@@3o.G7 which will, in tho
opinion Of the Secretary, answer all the ordina-
~ demands Of the service. The eamount drawn
was IS, TO, 4H II, Of which 81, Cos. .440 50 has
been refunded, leaving as the expenditure fox
that period 81, ,674 9j3 ~ If tho expenditures
OF the remaining two-thirds Of the year do NOS
exceed tho propol ton for these four monthsz
there will remain unexpended at the end OF
L., = ~ 1x>xSa
ti01s.
TIE report of the Secretary shows the graft
flying fact that, among all the Gisbursing
officers of the pay corps Of the navy, there is
not one who is dofaulter to the extent Of
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. It's removal from i.s present locality
would not only bo conducive to the health oi
its officers and professors, but would
greatly increase its usefulness.
Tho Suppression OF Polygamy.
The continued deliberate violation BY s
largo number ci the prominent and influential
ciiize,,s Of the Territory Of Utah Of the laws os
the United i,tatcs for tho prosecution and pun
ishlnont of polysamy demands sho attention OF
every department of the Government. This
Territory has q population sufficient to en-
tie il TO admission as a State. The genera
Of tho citizens II the Territory, require
it's advance from the Territorial form
and and privileges of a State. This i'm
portant change will not, however, be approved
by tho country wEilo the citizens OF Utah. in
~hici, is condemned as q crime by the laws CT
all civilized communities throughout the wor]c
Tie law for the supnr essan of ibis of1e'nse WaH
snacted with great unanimity by Congre ss more
than seventeen years ago. but has remained:
until recently dead letter in the Territory O.
ing its enforcement. The opinion widely pro
vailed among tho citizens of Utah that the law
vas in contravention of the constitutional guar
antee of religious freedom.
This objection IS now removed. Tho ~
tihe law to be within the legislative power
Of Congress, and binding, as o rule Of
action, for all who resided within the
Territories There is no longer any reason for
te'ay or hesitation in its enforcement !:
should be firmly and effectively executed. y
not sufficiently stringent in its provisions, it
should be amended, and, in aid of the
purpose in vow. recommend that more COM
preLeneive and more searching methods for
preventing as we'll as pullising this crime be
provided. If necessary to secure obedience TO
the law, the enjoyment and exercise OF the
Territories ' Of the United States may be with
held or withdrawn from those who violate or
oppose the enforcement OF the law on this
subiect
Legal Tenders.
The retirement from circulation Of United
States notes, with the capacity Of legal tender
in private contracts, is step to be taken in our
progress to fair and stable currency, which
should be accepted al the policy and duty Of
the Government and tho interest and security OF
the people. 1t is my firm conviction that the
ISSUE Of the legal tender paper money, based
wholly upon tho authority and credit OF the
Government, except i'll extreme emerg-
eney is ythou. .;a warrant IN aa,,nd the seon con-
cia! principles. The Issue Of United States
notes during the late civil war, with the
capacity of IeGa. tender between private lndl-
vitiuals was not authorized except as means
of rescuing the country from imminent peru.
The circulation of these notes as paper money
Tor any protractcd period of time after the &C
complishment of this purpose was not contem-
plated by the frslners OF the laws under which
they were issued. They anticipated the re-
lenlption and withdrawal Of these notes at the
earliest practicable period consistent with the
attainment Of tho object for which they were
provided.
The coinage Of silver dollars since the pass-
age of the act for that purpose up to Nov. ],
1879, was $45,OO0,S5o, Of which s12, 1OO,34l
have been issued from the treasury, and are
now tio1, and *,2. 2N EN-; orc sti' '''
tho possession Of the Government The pen
doncy of the proposition for unity OF action be-
tween tho United States and the principal COM
,slorcial nations OF Europe to effect . perma-
n4nt system for the equality of gold and
silver in tho recognized money Of the
world, leads mo to recommend that Congress-
refrain from new legislation on the general
subject. The great revival of trade, in-
te1nal and foreign, will supply during
the coming year its own Instructions, which
may well be awaited before attempting further
experimental measures with the coinage. !
would, however, strongly urge upon Congress
the importance Of authorizing the Secretary OF
tho Treasury to suspend the coinage of silver
dollars upon the presentlegal ratio. The market
value of tho silver dollar being uniformly and
largely less than the market value CT the gold
dollar, it is obviously impracticable to- main
tain them at par with each other il both are
coined without limit. II the cheaper coin is
forced into circulation it will, if coined without
INIT, become the sole standard of value, and
thus defeat the desired object, which ia cur.
rency Of both gold and silver, which shall be OF
equivalent value, dollar for dollar, with the
universally y-recognized money of the world
Capitol Library.
To preserve and perpetuate the national lit.
; crature should be among the foremost cares OF
! The national Legislature. The library gathered
! at the Capitol still remains unprovided with any