The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1879-12-05

application Of the full amount required by law
70 the sinking fund for the current year, but,
| these arrears having been substantially paid, ii
Is believed that the sinking fund can hereafter
DO maintained without any change Of the exist
Ing law.
The Secretary OF War reports that the War
Department estimates fer ths fiscal year ending
June 80, 1881, are S40, 3S0, 42a0 3, the same be
| ing for less sum OF money than any annual
estimate rendered to Congress from that de
| pGrtment during period Of ct least twelve
Army in recommending such legislation o.
| viii authorize the enlistment Of the full num-
Der Of 800 men for he line OF tho army,
exclusive of the 400 men required for de-
tached duty, and therefore not available for
| service In the field. He also recon-
vide by law for TIE disposition Of Q
| large number Of abandoned military posts and
reservations, which, though very valuable In
| themselves, have been rendered useless for
military purposes by the advance Of ciyiisa-
| ton and settlement He unites With the Quar-
termaster Central In recommending that an
| appropriation be made for the construction OF
cheap and perfectly fnA-proof building for
the cafe storage of Q vast amount Of money,
accounts, vouchers, claire and other valuable
records now In the o. eerfnaeter Generals
office, and exposed to great risk Of total lie
shuction By fire. He also recommends. in con-
| formity with the views o. the Judge Advocate
General, some deolaratorg Legislation in refer,
ence to the military staiate of limitations, as
| applied to the crime Of desertion. In these
several recommendations concur.
The Secretary OF War further reports that
the work for the improvement in the South
| pass Of the Mississippi river, under contract
with Mr. James b. Esds, made In pursuance of
an act Of Congress, has been prosecuted dur
ing the past year with greater measure OF
In the attAinunanf 0f raauifa than dur
| ing any previous year. The channel through
the South pass, which, at the beginning of
June, 1876, had the depth Of only seven and
half feet OF wator, had, on the 9Th Of July,
1879, minimum depth Of twenty-siz feet hav-
ing width OF not less than twenty five and q
| central depth Of thirty feet. Payments have
| been made in accordance with the statute as
| the work progressed, amounting in thu
| aggregate TO %, 250, 900, and further payments
viii become due, az provided by the statute and
IN the event Of success In maintaining the
| channel now secured. The reports Of the Gen.
ersl Of the Army and Of his subordinaks pre-.
ent full and detailed account Of the military
| operations for the repression Of hostilities
among the Indians OF the Ute and Apache
tribes, and praise is justly awarded to the Off
|. and courage displayed. The past year has
been one OF almost unbroken peace and auiei
IN the Mexican frontier, and there is reason 10
believe that the efforts Of this Government and
Mexico to maintain order Ia that region will
prove eminenty successful.
This department was enabled during the
past year to end temporary, though crowded,
accommodations and o safe depository for
portion of its records in the completed East
wing of the building designed for the Sta Q,
War and Navy Departments, The construc-
ton Of the North wing Of the buildings parr
of the structure intended for the use OF the Wa
Departments being carried forward with ali
Ia 81,
from Congress such liberal appropriation as
will secure its speedy conn Lotion.
The report Of the Secretary OF the Navy
shows continued improvement In that branch
Of the service during the last fiscal year. Ex-
tensiye repairs have been made upon vessels,
and two ships have been completed and made
ready for sea The total expenditure of he
year ended June 80, 1878, including specific ap-
preparations not estimated for by the depart
ment, were 1856, 7l009. The expenses
chargeable to the year. after deduoting the
amount Of y these special appropriation,
reduction Of s2S3, 1851, that amount
having been drawn upon warrants, but
not paid out during the year. The amount OF
appropriations appli able to the last fiscal
year was sl4, 5S8. GAG II. There WAS, there
fore. . balance Of si,47s. 054S7 remaining
department on June 80, 1879. The est
mates for the year ending June 80, 1881 are
sl4, S64, l4zg5, which exceed the Apr. pria-
tOps for the present fiscal year s361 -
The resson for tisia- hnk4aass iss explained
in The Becretary's report The appro-
year are s14, 502, 25067, which will, In the
opinion Of the Secretary, answer all tie ordina-
~ demands Of the service. Theam0unt drawn
rom the treasury from July to Nov. /. 1873.
was $5, 770, 404 IL, of which 81, 095, 40 50 has
been refunded, leaving as the expenditure for
hat sod No.
Of the remaining two-thirds of the year do not
exceed the proportion for these four months,
there will remain unexpended at the end of
the year s477, $50 so Of the current appropria-
lions.
The report OF the Secretary shows the graft
flying fact that, among al the disbursing
officers OF the pay corps Of the navy, there Is
single dollar unite with him In recommend
ing tine removal Of the Observatory to q more
healthful location. That institution reflects
credit upon the nation, and has obtained the
approbation Of scientific men In all parts Of the
world Its removal from its present locality
would not only be conducive TO the health Of
its officers and professors, but would
greatly increase its usefulness.
United States MarshaIs.
The appropriation for judicial expenses which
has heretofore been made for the Department
OF Justice in gross was subdivded at the last
session Of Congress, and no appropriation
whatever was made for the payment of the
fees OF Marshals and their deputies either in
the service OF process or for the discharge Of
other duties, and since July 80 these officers
have continued the discharge Of their duties
without compensation from the Government,
taking uron themselves the H. cessary incidental
OUTLAWS as well as rendering their own services.
In only few unavoidable instances has the
proper execution Of the process Of the United
states failed by reason Of the absence Of
the requisite appropriation. This course
Of Official conduct on the pAGt OF the officers,
highly creditable to their fidelity, was advised
by the Attorney General, who informed them,
however, that they would necessarily have to
rely for their compensation upon the prospect
of future legislation by Congress. ! there
fore especially recommend that immediate
appropriation be made by Congress for this pur
pose. The act making the principal appropria-
ton for the Department of Justice at previous
clause: sand for defraying the expenses
which may be incurred IN the enforcement
Of the act approved Feb. Is, 1870, entitled
An act TO amend an act approved May
80, $780, entitled An act to enforce the right
Of citizens of the United States to vote In the
several States Of the United States, and for
other purposes, or any acts amendatory there
of or supplementary thereto" No sppropria-
ton was made for this purpose for the current
year. AZ no general election Of members Of
Congress occurred, the omission was o matter
| Of little practical Importance. Such election
year, and the appropriation made for the pay
| of Marshals and deputies should be sufficient
| to embrace compensation for the services they
may be required TO perform ct such election.
The Courts.
Tho business OF the Supreme Court is
| OF present largely in arrears. Il can
not be expected that more causes
annual session, or that by any assiduity the dis
tinguished Magistrates who compose the court
| can accomplish more than Is now done.
In the courts Of many Of the circuits, also, the
| business has increased to such an extent that
the delay Of justice will call the attention of
| Congress 10 an appropriate remedy. 1t is
believed that al is done in each cir
cuit which can be fairly expected from its
| judicial force. The evils arising from delay
are less heavily felt by the United
States than by private suitors, % lite
| causes are advanced by the courts when
it 10 seen that they involve the discussion
Of questions of public character. The remedy
| suggested by the Attorney General is the ap-
poiDtment Of additional Circuit Jud ges, and the
creation Of an intermediate Court Of Errors and
Of part of its jurisdiction, while larger force
is also obtained for the performance Of circuit
| duties. recommend this suggestion 10 the
consideration Of Congress. IL would seem to
afford complete remedy, and would involve, II
ten additional Circuit Judges are appointed, a.
| expenditure Of the present rate OF salaries OF
not more than go, 900 year, which would GER
tainly be small In comparison with the objects
| to be attained
The Postoffice.
The report Of the Postmaster General bears
testimony TO the general revival OF business
throughout the county. The receipts of the
POstofice Department for the fiscal year end
ing june 30, 1878, were s30, Oh, $50 81, being
preceding year. The amour. realized from the the
sale Of postsge-stAmps, stamped envelopes