Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-12-04
CONTINUED from Third PaseD

General, some declaratory legislation Ia refer
ence to the military statute Of limitations, as
applied to the crime OF desertion. In these
o9Veral 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. Eads, made in pursuance of
ep act Of Congress, has been prosecuted DUR
ibg the past year with greater measure OF
ehocess IN the attainment OF results than dur
ing any previous year. The channel through
this South pass, which, at the beginning of
June 1875, had the depth Of only seven and
half feet OF water, had, on the Sth Of July,
1879, minimum depth OF twenty-six feet, hav-
ing width OF not i, So than twenty-five and
central depth Of thirty feet Payments have
been made in accordance with the ststute a.
the work progressed, amounting III the
aggregate to 81 2oo. ot0 and further payments
will become due, rs provided by the statute and
in the event Of success in maintaining the
channel now secured The reports OF the Gen
oral of the Army and of his subordinates pre-
cent full and detailed account of the military
operations for the repression of hoatities
among the Indians Of the Ute and Apache
tribes, and praise is justly awarded to th1 Off
GERS and troops engaged for promptncss, SKI L.
and courage displayed. The past year has
been one OF almost unbroken peace and quiet
on the Mexican frontier, and there is reason to
believe that the efforts of this Government and
Mexico to maintain order in that region will
prove eminently successful.
This department was enabled during the
past year to hnd temporary, though crowded,
Accommodations and safe depository for
portion of its records IN the completed East
Wing OF the building designed for the Sta'e
War and Navy Departments, The construc
ton Of the North wing of the buiding-a part
of the structure intended for the use Of the War
Departments being carried forward with all
possible dispatch, and the work should receive
from Congress such liberal appropriation as
will secure its speedy completion.
The report OF tho Secretary OF the Navy
SHOVE continued Improvement in that branch
Of the service during the last fiscal year. Ex-
tepsive 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 30, 1879, including specific ap-
preparations not estimated for by the depart
ment, were 1855, Tl0.09 The expenses
chargeable to the year, after deducting the
amount OF these special appropriations,
were sl3, 43, 3l779; but this is subject to
a reduction of 1893, 725 81, that amount
having been, drawn upon warrants, but
not paid out during the year The amount of
appropriations applicable to the last fiscal
year was sl4, 538 ,Gi617. There was, there
fore. q balance of Sl,479,04 81 remaining
unexpended aud to the crsdit OF the
department. on June so, 1879. The est-
eiA SG4 1875, which exceed the appropria
hpbs for the present fiscal year 1851 ,SgIS
Tho reason for this increase is explained
10 the Secretary's report The appro-
priations available for tho present fiscal
year are ST., 502y25o67, which will, in the
dpinion of the Secretary, answer all the ordina-
nv demands of the service The amount drawn
from the treasury from July to Nov /, 1879,
WAS g. no, 4o4 II, of which sl,WS, 1908 has
haen refunded, leaving "a tho expenditure for
that period 81. GA, 963 ~ If the expenditures
Of tho remaining two-thrds of the year do not
exceed the proportion for these four months,
there will remain unexpended at the end Of
tho year SAT-, 800 80 of the current appropria
tons
The report of the Secretary shows the graft
flying fact that, among all the disbursing
officers Of the pay corps OF the navy, there is
not one who IL a defauter to the extent of a
single dollar. l unite with him in recommend
ing the removal Of the Observatory to a more
healthful location. That institution reflects
credit upon the nation, and has obtained the
APPRECIATION 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 Indians.
The reports of the Secretary of the Interior
and of the Commissioner of Indian Affairs,
seting forth the present state OF our relations
with the Indian tribes on our territory, the
measures taken TO advance the civilization aud
prosperity. and the progress already achieved
by them, will be found of more than ordinary
interest The general conduct of our Indian
population has been 30 satisfactory that the oc-
cufreuce of two disturbances which resulted
In bloodshed and destruction of property Is
all the more to be lamented. The history OF
tha.outbreak on the White River Ute Reserva-
I0b in Western Colorado has become so
familiar by elaborate reports in the public
press nat its remarkable incidents need not be
sts .ld here in detail II is expected that the
settlement OF this difficulty Will lead TO suoh
Arrangements IN will prevent further hostile
contests between the Indians and the border
aettlements in Western Colorado. The other
disturbances occurred al the Mescslero Agency
IN New Al, xlco where Victoria, the head OF
small band OF marauders, after committing
many atrocities being vigorously chased by
military force, made his way across the
Mexican border, aud Is now on
foreign soil While these occurrences,
in which comparatively small number OF
indians were engaged. are most deploraole,
vast majority of our Indin population have
fully justified the expectaApus Of those who
believe that by humane and peaceful intU-
encos the Indian can be led to abandon the
habits OF savage life, and to develop capacity
for useful aud civilized occupations. VIVA
they have already accomplished is shown in tie
pursuit of agricultural and mechanical work.
The remarkable success which has attended
tho experiment of employing as freighters n
class of indians hitherto counted among the
general end urgent desire expressed by
them for the education OF their children, may
be taken as sufficient proof that they viii bc
found ctpablA Of accomplishing much more
il they continue to be wisely ana fairly guided
The Indian policy Sketched in the report OF The
Secretary % III Ipteri ", the object Of which
10 make liberal provision for the education OF
Indian youth. to settle the Indians upon farm
lots in eeveraltv 10 give them title in fee to
their farms inslienable for q certain number OF
vpars and " their TINS provided