Jamestown alert., 1879-12-09

of ita records in tho completed east wing of
the building, designed for tho state, war and
| navy departments. The construction of the
north wing of the building, the part of the
structure intended for use of the war depart
ment, is being carried forward with all pos
! sible dispatch, and the work should receive
from Congress such liberal appropriations as
will secure its speedy completion.
THE NAVY.
| The report of the secretary of the navy shows
continued improvement in that branch of the
service. Il During the last fiscal year extensive
| repairs have been made on vessels and two new
sea. The total expenditures, ended June &c. lS79
including specific appropriations not esti-
mated for by the department., were 81 $685.
| 57l %. The expenses chargeable to the year.
| after deducting the amount OF the specific ap-
preparation, were $l3, ,343,3l779. But this is
subject to a reduction Of $2S3, 725. so, that
amount having been drawn upon warrants, but
not paid ont during the year. The amount of
appropriations applied to the last fiscal year
was $l4, ,538 646.i7. There was therefore bal
ance uf $I,479, ,0543 81 remaining unexpended
and to the credit Of the d. partment on June 80.
1879.
The estimates for the fiscal year ending June
appropriations for the present fiscal year $780,
S97.28. The reason for this increase is ex-
planned in the secretarys report. The appro-
priatons available for the present fiscal year
are Sl4, 502, ,25067, which will, inthe opinion of
the secretary, answer all the ordinary demands
treasury from July lst to Nov. II, 1879, was
SIS, ~, ,404.12 of which 1905, 440.s3 has been
refunded, leaving as the expenditures for that
period $4,G74 ,963.79. If the expenditures 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 ,359. 80 of current appropriations.
The report of the secretary shows the
gratifying fact that among all the disbursing
officers of the pay corps of the navy, there is
not one who is a defaulter to the extent of q
| single dollar. unite with hin, in recon-
mendng the removal of the Observatory to a
more healthful location. That institution re-
| fleets credit upon the nation and has obtained
the appreciation of scientific men in all parts
| of the world. Its removal from its present 10.
cation would not only be conducive to the
health of its officers and professors, hut would
greatly increase its usefulness.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.
The appropriation for judicial expenses which
has heretofore been made for the department of
justice in gross was subdivided at the last ses-
| sion of Congress, and no appropriation what
ever was made for the payment of tho fees of
marshals and their deputies, either in the SER
vice of process or for the discharge Of other du-
| ties, and since June 80 these officers have con-
tinued the performance of their duties without
| compensation from the government. taking
upon themselves the necessary incidental out
| lays, as we'll as rendering their own services.
| In only few unavoidable instances has the
proper execution Of process of the United States
failed by reason of the absence of the requisite
appropriations. This coulse of official cOnd uct
on the part of these officers, highly creditable
to their fidelity, was advised by the at
| torney general, who informed them, how
ever, that they would necessarily have
to rely for their compensation upon tho pros
pect Of future legislation by Congress-.
therefore especially recommend that an imme.
diate appropriation be made by Congress- for
this purpose.
The act making the principal appropriation
f. the department of justice at previous ses-
sions has uniformly contained the following
clause: ''And for defrsying the expenses which
may be incurred in the enforcement of the act
approved Feb. %, 1870. entitled an act to
amend an act approved May 80, 1870, entitled
an act to enforce the right of citizens in the
United States to vote in the several States of the
United States, and for other purposes, or any
acts amendatory thereof or supplementary
thereto
No appropriation was made for this purpose
for the current year. As no general election for
members of Congress occurred, the omission
was q matter of little practical Importance
Such elections will, however, take place during
the ensuing year, and the appropriation for the
pay of marshals and deputies should be suffi-
cient to embrace compensation for the services
they may be required to perform at such e!ec-
tions.
THE SUPREME COURT.
The business of the supreme court is at pres
ent largely in arrears. 1t caunot be expected
that more cases can be decided than are now
dispose of in the annual session, or that by
any assiduity the distinguished magistrates
who compose the court can accomplish moro
than is now DONE, In the
courts Of many. of the circuits the business
that the delay of justice will call the attention
Of Congress to an appropriate remedy. 1t is
believed all ia done in each circuit which can
be fairly expected, and the evils arising from
delay are less heavily felt by the United States
than by private suitors as its causes are ad-
vanced by the courts when it is seen that they
involve the discussion Of questions of public
character.
The remedy suggested by the attorney gen
eral 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 a part of its jurisdiction,
while larger force is also obtained for the
performance of circuit duties. I recommend
this suggestion TO the consideration Of Con-
gress. 1t would seem to afford a complete
remedy and would involve, if ten additional
circuit judges are appointed, an expenditure at
the present rate of salaries of not more than
100000 year. which would certainly be small
in comparison with the objects to be attained.
THE POsTOFFIcE.
The report of the postmaster general bears
testimony to the general revival in business
throughout the country. The receipts of