The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-12-10

two-thirds Of the year DO not exceed the pro.
portion tor these four months, there will re.
main unexpended at the end Of the year
SAT-, 35e.3 80 of the current appropriations.
The report of the secretary shows the crafty
ing fact that among all the ~disbursing Officers
of the pay corps OF the navy, there is not one
who is a deiaulter to the extent OF q single
dollar. I unite with him in recommending
the removal OF the observatory to a more
bcalthful 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.
The appropriation lor judicial expenses,
which lns heretofore been made for the de-
partment OF justice III gross, was subdivided at
the last session OF Congress, and no appropria-
ton whatever was made Tor the payment oil
the tees OF mnrshals and their deputies, either
in the service OF process or for the discharge
OF other duties, and since June 20 these OH.
GERS have continued the performance of their
duties without compensation from the govern.
ment. taking upon themselves the necessary
incidental OUTLAWS as well as rendering their
own services. IN only q low unavoidable in
stances has the proper execution OF the pro-
cess OF the United Suites Jailed by reason OF
the absence Of the requisite appropriation.
This course OF official conduct on the part o.
these officers, highly creditable to their fidel-
ity, was advised by the encouragement, who
informed them, however, that they would
necessarily have to rely for their compensa.
ton upon the prospect OF future legislation by
Congress. l therefore especially recommend
that immediate appropriations be made oy
Congress tor this purpose. Inc ACT making
tho principal appropriation Tor the department
OF Justice at previous sessions has uniformly
contained the following clause: And Tor DE,
~iravins the expenses which may be incurred
in the enforcement OF the act approved Feb.
IS, 1870, entitled An act to amend an act ap-
proved May 80, 1870, entitled An net to en-
force the right OF the citizens OF the United
States to vote in the several States OF the
United States, and for other purposes, or for
any nets amendatory thereof, or supplement
airy thereto" No appropriation was made tor
this purpose for the current year. As no
general election o! members of Congress
occurred, the omission was u matter OF little
practical importance. Such election WILL,
however, takn place during the ensuing year,
and the appropriation made for the pay Of
marshals and deputies should I've sufficient to
embrace compensation Tor the services tneS
may De required 10 perform ut such elecuon.
OTHER RANCHES OF THE GOVERNMENT.
The bus iness OF the supreme court 10 AZ
present largely in arrears. II cannot ne eA-
pected that more causes can be decided than
are now disposed Of in lis annual session, or
that by any assiduity the distinguished mag
istrates 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 oil Congress to
an appropriate remedy. 1t is believed th2t all
is done in each circuit which can iairly be ex-
pcctcd from its judicial force. The evils arls-
ing from delay are less heavily ielt by the
United States than by private sultors, as It's
causes are advanced by the courts when it Is
seen that they involve the discussions OF qnes-
lions OF a public character. The remedy sug-
gested by the Encouragement is the appoint
mcnt of additional circuit judges, and the
creation OF un intermediate court OF errors
and appeals, which shall relieve the supreme
court OF Il purt of its jurisdiction while q 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 n complete remedy, and wouldinvolve
if ten additional circuit judges are appointed,
an expenditure, at the present rate OF salaries,
of not more than $50, 600 a year, which: would
certainly be small in comparison with the OBJ
jects TO be attained.
The report OF the postinaSter-general bears
testimony to the general revival OF business
throughout the country. The receipts OF The
post-ofnce department for the year ending
June 80, 1879, were $30,04l, 9S2.S6 being
S7G4, 465. 81 more than the revenues OF the
preceding year. The amount realized from
the snlc of hostage stamps, stamped envel-
opes md postal cards was $764 4G5.9 more
than in the preceding yesr, and 81 1881, 559.23
more than in 1877. Ike expenditures oil the
department were S33,449, Sa9.45, OF which the
sum OF S376, 46l. 63 was pnid on liabilities in
Cured in the preceding year. The expenli.
lures during the year, were $3Ol, lO9.U
less than in the preceding year. This
reduction is attributed mainly to the oper-
alton OF the law passed June II, 1878, chang.
ing the compensation OF postmasters from
O commission on the yalne OF stamps sold,
to u commission on stamps cancelled. The
amount drawn from tho treasury on ap.
preparations, in addition to the rev.
enues of the department, was So, 03l ,454. 81,
being 50, &c, 1877 Sc less than in the preceding
year. The expenditures Tor the fiscal year
ending Junc 80, 1881, are estimated al $780,
800, 800, and the receipts from all sources ut
priated for out of the treasury OF 81, no, 900.
The relations OF the department with railroad
companies have been hmrmonized, notwith-
standing the general reduction by Congress Of
their compensation, by the appropriation Tor
special facilities. line railway postoffice lines
have been greatly extended, especially in the
Southern States. The interests OF the railway
mail service and of the public would be greatly
promoted and the expenditures could &c more
readily controlled, by the classification OF the
employees OF the railway mail service as
recommended by the acknowledgement, the
appropriation Tor salaries, with respect to
which the maximum limit is already fixed by
law, to be made in cross. Tie postmaster
general recommends an amendment OF the
law regulating the increase OF compensation
Tor increased service aud increased speed in
star routes, so as TO enable him TO advertise
Tor proposals Tor such increased service and
speed. He also suggests the advantages 70
accrue to the commerce Of the country from
the enactment OF u general law authorizing
contracts with American. built steamers, car.
lying the American tlag, Tor transporting the
mails between ports OF the United States and
ports OF the West Indies and South America,
at n fixed maximum price per mile; the
amount TO be expended being regulated by
annual appropriations. i'll like manner with
the amount paid Tor the domestic star service.
The arrangement naulc by the postmaster
general and the secretary Of the treasury Tor
the collection Of duty upon books received in
the mail from foreign countries has proved 80
satisfactory in its practical operation that the
recommendation is now made that Congress
shall extend the provisions OF the act OF March
5, 1879, under which this arrangement was
clcs received in the mails from foreign coun-
tries.
THE INDIAN
The reports OF the secretary OF the interior
and oil the commission OF Indian affairs, set.
ting forth the present state oil our relations
with the Indian tribes on cur territory, the
measures taken to advance their civilization
and prosperity, and the progress already
achieved by them, will be found oil more than
ordinary interest. The general conduct OF
our Indian population has been so satisfactory
that the occurrence OF two disturbances, which
resulted in bloodshed and destruction OF prop
erty, is al the more 10 be lamented. The
history OF the outbreak on the White river
Ute reservation, in western Colorado, has be-
come so familiar by elaborate reports in the
public press that its remarkable incidents need
not TO be stated here in detail. 1t is expected
that the settlement OF this difficulty will lead
to sucn arrangements as will prevent further
hostile contact between the Indians and the
border settlements in western Colorado. The
other disturbance occurred nj the M"scalcro
agency, in New Mexico, where Victoria, tie
head OF a small band oil mnrauders, after colr-
hitting many Atrocities, being vigorously
chased by a military force, made his way
across the Mexican border, and is now on
foreign coil.