The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1879-12-04

The Government of China has signifsd its
willingness to consider the question of the
emigrations of its subjects to the United States
with a dispassionate fairness, and to cooperate
in such measures as may tend to prevent in
jurioos consequence to the United States.
The negotiations are still proceeding, and will
DO pressed with diligence.
QUE SISTER RKPUBLIcs.
It is Qualification to be able to announce
that through the judicious and energetic action
of the military commanders of the two ma
tons ON each side of the Rio Grande, under
the Instruction. of their respective
Governments, raids and depredations have
greatly decreased, and in the localities
where formerly most destructive, have now
almost wholly ceased.
In view of this result, I entertain a conf
dent expectation that the continuance of this
prevalence of quiet on the borders will soon be-
come SO assured as to justify a modification of
the present orders to our military commanders
rs to crossing the border without encouraging
such disturbances as would endanger the peace
of the two countries. The third installment
of the award against Mexico, under the Claims
Commission of July 4, 1858, was duly paid,
! and has been put in course of distribution in
pursuance of the act Of Congress providing for
the same. The satisfactory situation between
the two countries leads me to anticipate an ex-
pansion of our trade with Mexico, and an in
creased contribution of capital and industry by
sources of that country. I earnestly commend
to the wisdom of Congress the provision of
suitable legislation looking to this result.
Diplomatic intercourse with Columbia is
again fully restored by the arrival of Minis
ter from that country to the United States.
This is especially fortunate in view of the fact
| that the question of an inter-oceanic canal has
recently assumed new and important aspect,
| and is now under discussion with the Central
| American countries through whose territory
the canal, by the Nicaragua route, would
have to pass. 1t is trusted that enlightened
craftsmanship on their part will see that the
| early prosecution of such a work will largely
| inure to the benefit, not Only of their own
citizens and those of the United States, but of
| the commerce of the civilized world.
Diplomatic relations with Chilli have also
been strengthened by the reception of Minis
ter from that country.
Cordial relations continue with Brazil and
the Argentine Republic, and trade with those
countries is improving.
A recent revolution in Venezula has been
followed by the establishment of Provisional
| Government. This Government has not vet
been formally recognized, and it is deemed de-
sirable to await the proposed action Of
the people, which is expected to give it
the sanction of constitutional forms
with Roumania and Servia, now become inde-
pendent sovereignities, is at present under
consideration, and is the subject of diplomatic
correspondence.
There is gratifying increase of trade with
nearly all European and American countries
aud it is believed that with judicious action
| in regard to its development it can and will be
still more enhanced, and that American pro-
ducts and manufactures will find new and ex-
panding markets. The reports of diplomatic
and consular officers upon this subject under
the system now adopted have resulted in OBJ
tanning much valuable information, which
has been and will continue to be laid be-
fore Congress and the public from time t.
time.
Ia PUBLIC FINANCES.
/ The attention CT Congress is called to tn,
annual report Of the Secretary of the Treasury
ON the condition of the public finances. Th,
ordinary revenues from all sources for tn,
fiscal year, ended june 80, 1879, s273,
S27, ,1S4.46. The ordinary expenditures 10
the same period were $266, ,947 ,Ss3. SO ; leavin,
surplus revenue for the year, OF Sc ,S7a, 800. .93
The receipts for the present fiscal year, endin,
June 80, 1880, actual and estimated, are Al
follows: Actual receipts for the first quarter
commencing July 1, 1879, S79, ,S43, ,663.61 esti
mated receipts for the remaining three quar-
ters of the year, $20s, ST, 1869 total receipt
for the current fiscal year, actual and esti
mated, $2SS 200 900. The expenditures for th
same period will be, actual and estimated, a
follows: For the quarter commencing July ]
1879, actual expenditures, S9l ,6S3, ,5S5.lO, an
for the remaining three-quarters of the year tn
| expenditures are estimated at $172,316, ,6I4. 80
making the total expenditures $264 900 900
and leaving an estimated surplus revenue 10
the year ending June 80, 1880, of !24 900 COZ
Tho total receipts during the next fiscal wear
ending June 80, 1881, estimated, according t.
existing law, will be $2ss, 900 900, and the est
mated ordinary expenditures for the same pc
riod will be $27s, ,O97 ,364.3s, leaving surplus
Of $1,000, ,635.61 for that year. The larg
amount expended for arrears of pensions dur
ing the last and the present fiscal year, amount
ing to $21 ,247 ,249.6O, has prevented the ap
plication of the full amount required by law t
, the sinking fund for the current year; bu
these arrears having been substantially paid
, it is believed that the sinking fund can here
after be maintained without any change Of e1
:, isting law.
, OUR FIGHTING FORCES.
The Secretary of War reports that the Wa
Department estimates for the fiscal year end
ing june so, 1881, are $40 $3.50 .93, the sam
being for less sum of money than any annus
: estimate rendered to Congress from that De
= partment during a period of at least twelv
c years. He concurs with the General of th
a Army in recommending such legislation g
( will authorize the enlistment of the full numbs
i. of the 3,463 men required for detached dut.
j and therefore not available for service in tt
: field. He also recommends that Congress
9 asked to provide by law for the disposition of
d large number of abandoned military posts an
y reservations, which, though very valuable
: themselves, have been rendered useless for mi
8 itary purposes by the advance of civilizatio
It and settlement. In these several recommend;
tions concur.
THE INDIANS
= The reports of the General of the Army ar
: of his subordinates present full and detailt
: account of the military operations for the SUI
! \ preston of hostilities among the Indians
y the Ute and Apache tribes, and praises a
:. Justly awarded to the officers and troops e.
= gagged for the promptness, skill and coura
:, displayed.
Ie The report of the Secretary of the Ma,
1t shows continued improvement in tn
of branch of the service during the last fisC
n year.. Extensive repairs have been made up
le vessels, and two new ships have been cor
J. pleted and made ready for sea. The total e
s, penditures of the year ended june 30, 1877
y including specific appropriations not estimat
II for by the Department, were $13,555, ,710.C
al In expenses chargeable to the year. after deduc
ing the amount Of these specific appropriation
4 were $l3,343, 7.79, but this is subject tc
b reduction Of 1888 1859, that amount havi
,e been drawn upon warrants but not paid Q
st during the year. The amount of appropri
" tions applicable to the last fiscal year W
N $14 ,538, ,646.17. There was, therefore, b,
Of ance of ST. l,479,954.37 remaining unexpend
be and to the credit of the Department on Ju
80, 1879. The estimates for the fiscal ye
"a ending June 80, 1881, are $l4,864, ,l47.i
n, which exceeds the appropriations for the pr,
r, ent fiscal year, 1901 ,s97.2s. The reason
this increase is explained in the Secretar.
q report.
of THE SUPREME COURT.
n The business of the Supreme Court
a present largely in arrears. 1t can not be q
Ill pected that more cases can be decided than
now disposed of in its annual session, or IL
u by any assiduity the distinguished Magistra
lie who compose the Court can accomplish nj,
T. than IL nav done. In the Courts of many
the Circuits nlso tho husinoss has increns