Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-12-04
GRAND RAPIDS, WIS., THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4 1879.
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

paltment estimates for the fiscal yearending June
30 1881, are s4O,SsO 42s e3, the same being for a
! less sum of money than any annual estimate rem
! dered TO congress from that department during
period of at least twelve years.
He concgrs with the general OF the Amy. ii
| the enlistment of the full number Of twenty-five
thousand men for the line of the army, exclusive
/ OF the three thousand four hundred and sixty
three men required for detached duty, and there
| fore not available for service in the field.
He alse recommends that congress be asked to
provide by law for the disposition of large num-
Der of abandoned military posts and ations,
| which, though very valuable in themselves, have
| been rendered useless for military purposes by
| the advance of civilization and settlement.
| lie unites with the quartermaSter general in
recommending that an appropriation be made for
the construction of a cheap and perfectly ire
| proof building for the safe storage OF vast
| amount of money accounts, vouchers, claims and
other valuable records now in tho quartermaster
/ destruction by fire.
lie also recommends, in conformity with the
| views OF the Judge-adVocate general, some dec
laratery legislation in referenc. to the military
statute of limitations as applied to the crime OF
| d4sertion.
| In these several recomme ndationsI concur
The Secretary of War further reports, that the
work for tsa 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 q
greater measure of success in the attainment of
| results than during any previous year. The
nf 1fe sGh m pass at the
| of only seven and one-half feet of water, had on
the 6th of July, 1879, minimum depth of twenty.
SIX fset having width Of not less than two hun
dred feet, and central depth of thirty feet. Pay
ments have been made in accordance with the
statute, as the work progressed, amounting in the
aggregate to S4,250,O00; and further payments
will become due, as provided by the statute, in
the event Of maintaining The channel now Sc
cured.
i ARMY OPERATIONS.
The report of the General of the Amy and of
81 hfN ne pInG foil i
count OF the military operations for the suppress
sion OF hostiittes among the Indians of the Ute
and Apache tribes, and praise is justly awarded
10 tne ofhcers and troops engaged, for prompness,
| skill 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 govern
ment and OF Mexico, to maintain order in that re-
glon, Will prove permanently successful.
Ihls department was enabled during the past
year 10 find temporary though crowded accommO-
dalons, and safe depository for portion of its
records, in the completed east wing of the build
ing, designed for the state, war and navy depart
ments. The construction of the north wing of the
building, part of the structure intended tor the
use of the war department, is being carried for
ward with all possible dispatch, and the work
khOuIS receive from congress such liberal appro-
priations as will secure It's speedy completion.
TIE NAVY DEPARTMENT..
The report of the Secretary of the Navy shows
continued Improvement in that branch of the SER
vice during the last fiscal year. Extensive repairs
| have been made upon vessels, and two ships
nave Dccn competed ana made ready Tor
The total expenditures of the year ended June
80 is inc including nd specific appropriations not esti
The expenses chargeable to the year after deduct
| ing the amount of these specific appropriations,
of s2S3 125 49, that amount having been drawn upon
warrants. but not paid cut during the year. The
fiscal year was sl SIS SIS L. There Was therefore.
a D1snGe ,h Gt tS uneXpended and
Tbs The estimates @ for the fiscal year ending June 80
aficns for the PRESENT sca year s The
reason for this increase is explained In the
fiscal Witch iHf
IN the opinion OF ths secretary, answer all the or
binary demands OF the service The amount drawn
iT9M mas s. 5 tFeaffy II fT9m Which }ny l. m 70 has
funded, leav ny the expenditure for that period
S4bi4%3, 49, If the expenditures OF the rem aiming
tion for hese four months, there will renal un-
expended at the end of the year, S4I 35S 80 of the
tary SHOWS the gratifying fact that among ali the
bspe IS ngt 0cerS o % OF pay corps Of the
: single dollar unite with him in recommend
healtnu locatior. rhat Institution Teecfs ered ei
IL upon the nation, and has obtained the appreba-
It's removal from its present location would not
only be conducive to the health of it's officers and
hess '' "O'0 s''''s'' increase It's "Sei"i-
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
| The appropriation for judicial expenses, whics.
justice in gross, subdiyided at the last session
OF congress and no apPrMopriation OPP whatever was
heirdepuies either in the service of process
these Officers have continued tie performance Of
thelf duties without compensate from the gov
dental GutlayS, as well rendering their own SER
vices. In only a few unavoidable instances, has
states failed by Of the absence Of the re-
9uisite appropriation. This course of oficis CON
bic to their fidelity, was advised by the attorney
whS them that they
p dion upon fhe prospect OF tuture legislation by
appropriation be made by congress for this pur-
The act making ne principal appro. i,tiou for
the DEPARTMENT Of ustlce at previous sessions has
| uniformly contained the following clause; And
| for defraying the expenses which may be incurred
| IN the enforcement OF the act approved February
q, 1870, entitled An act amend an act approved
May 80, 1870 entitled AN act to enforce the right
of citizens of the United States to vote In the sey
eral states in the United States, and for other
purposes,' or any acts amendaory thereof or sup
Elementary thereto
No appropriation was made for this purpose for
the current year. AS no general election for mem.
bers OF congress occurred, the omission was
matter of little practical Importance. Such cleo
tion will, however. take place during the ensuing
year, and the appropriation made ior the pay of
marshalS and deputies should be sufficient to en-
brace compensation Tor the seTvIces they may De
| required to perform at sach elections.
The business OF the supreme court is at pres
that more causes can be decided than are now
disposed OF in its annual session, or that By any
aSsldulty the distinguished III lagstrates who COM
pose the court can accomplish more than is now
done In the courts of many of the circuits, also.
the business has increaS ed to such an extent that
the delay justice will call the attention OF con,
| gresa to an appropriate remedy. 1t is believed
thst all is done in each circuit which can fairly be
expected from its judicial force. The evils sris :
ing from delay are less heavily felt by the United
States than By private suitors it's causes are
! advanced by The court when it is seen that they
involve the discussion of questions OF pnblic
character
| The remedy suggested by the attorney general
Is the appointment Of additional circuit judges.
and the creation of an intermediate court of errors
| and appeals, which shall relieve the supreme
court OF part of its jurisdiction, while larger
force is also obtained for the performance of cir
cult duties.
1 Icommend this suggestion TO tho Dnsideration
OF congress, , Ii would seem 10 afford complete
cult judges appointed an expenditure at the
bTesent rate of salaries, of not more than sixty
| lained.
THE POSTAL DEPARTMENT.
| Tie report of the postmaster general bears tes-
timony TO the general revival of business through
out the country The receipts of the post ONCE de-
were $50 80 S. being s7s54S5 81 mors 0 than the
ed To 0 the @ Of SSssse he
envelopes, and postal cards. was 1854 i65 81 more
than in 81 TIE eRpendtures OF the depaTtmen mepg
were S5flS Ss9 a. OF which the sum Of 1916 45 81
years.
Tne expenditures during the yelr were ssOI,-
209 u less than in the preceding year. This reduc-
ton IS TO be attributed mainly to the operation of
the law passed une H. 1873, changing tie compen-
satlon OF Bostmasters from commission the
| value Of stamps sold, to commission 81 stamps
| The amount drawn from the treasury on appro-
pr1atons in addition 10 the of the depart
ment sG3I ass S. being s. 216 1871 IS less tha n
| IN the preceding year
| The expenditures for the fiscal year endfag
June 80 feSl are estimated at S3g go 800 and the
receipts from all sources at $32 2ie OG1 leaving
dencieney TO be appropriated for oi the treas
| ury, of 81. 7Ig. $40.
The relations of the department. with railroad
| companies nave been harlnonized notlylthstand-