Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1879-12-04

ment OF our commerce with them, and an ex,
tension of our carrying trade.
recent revolution in Venezuela has been
followed by the establishment of provisional
government. The government has not vet
been formally recognized, and it is deemed
desirable to await the proposed action of the
people, which is expected to give it the sancs
lion of constitutional forms.
SAMOAN ISLANDS.
A naval vessel has been sent TO the Sa-
moan Islands to make SURVEYS and take pos
session of the privileges ceded to the United
States by Samoa, in the harbor Of Pago Pago
A coaling station is TO be established there,
which will be convenient and useful TO the /
United States vessels.
R9UMANiA AND sERviA.
The subject of opening diplomatic relations |
with Roumania and Seryia, now become in |
dependent sovereignties, Is at present under |
consideration. and is the subject Of diplomatic |
| correspondence.
FOREIGN TRADE.
There is gratifying increase of trade with |
nearly all European and American countries. |
and il is believed that with judicious action
| In regard to its development 1t can and will
be still more enhanced, and that American |
products and manufactures will find new and
expanding markets. The reports of diplo-
matte and consular officers upon this subject.
under the system now adopted, have resulted
| in obtaining much valuable information. which
hiss been and will contnus to be laid before
Congress and the public from time to time.
ALASKA
The third article Of the treaty with Russia,
of March s0.ls67,by which Alaska was ceded
to the United States, provides that the inhab
itants of the coded territory, with the excep-
/ tion of the uncivized native tribes. shall be
| admitted to the enjoyment of all the rights
of citizens of the United States, and shall be
maintained and protected in the free enjoy
ment of their liberty. property and religion.
The uncivized tribes are subject to such laws
and regulations as the United States may
from time to time adopt in regard to the alb
original tribes of that country.
Both the obligations OF this treaty and the
necessities of the people, require that some
organized form of government over the Ter
ritory of Alaska be adopted
There appears TO be no law for the arrest
of persons charged with common law offenses,
such as assault, robbery, and murder, and no
magistrate authorized to issue or execute
process in such cases. Serious difficulties
have already arisen from offenses of this char
acter. not only among the original inhabit-
ants but among citizens CT the United States
and other countries, who have engaged in
mining, fishing and other business operations
within the Territory. bill authorizing the
appointment of justices of the peace and con-
stables, and the arrest and detention OF per-
sons charged with criminal offenses. and pro-
viding for an appeal to United States courts
for the district of Oregon, in suitable cases,
will at proper time, be submitted to Congress.
REPORT OF THE sEcTARy OF THE TREASURY.
The attention of Congress is called to the
Il = al. IL.
ury on the condition of the public finances.
The ordinary revenues from all sources for
the fiscal year ended June 30, 1879, were
S273 1927, 1874 46; the ordinary expenditures
for the same period we're $685., 947 SoS 50
: leaving surplus revenue for the year of So
679, 500 90.
The receipts for the present fiscal year,
ending June 80, 1880. actual and estimated,
are as follows: Actual receipts for the first
quarter commencing July |. 1879, *79, S43,-
663.6l estimated receipts for the remaining
three-quarters of the year, $20s, l56, 1856 80 /;
total receipts for current fiscal year, actual
. and estimated, $3.50 100000.
The expenditures for the same period will
be, actual and estimated, as follows: For the
quarter commencing July /, 1879. actual ex-
pendi:ures. SOL 1888, $3.50 and for the re-
naming three-quarters of the year the ex-
10
: making the total expenditures 1894 900, 000
and leaving an estimated surplus revenue for
the year ending June 80, 1sso,of S24. 100000
The total receipts during the next fiscal year
ending June 80, 1881, estimated according to
existing laws will be 1888. 600, 600; and the
estimated ordinary expenditures for the same
period viii be $27S,097 1854 80 leaving a
surplus of 50 ,902 636 81 tor that year.
The large amount expended for arrears of
pension during the last and the present fiscal
year, amounting to $2l,747, 249 so, has pre-
vented the application of the full amount
: required by law to the sinking fund for the
+, carreat year; but these arrears having been
substantially paid, it is believed that the sink
ing fund can hereafter be maintained without
any change of existing law.
THE LAW DEPARTMENT REPORT.
= The Secretary of arreports that the War
Department estimates for the fiscal year end
g ing June so, 1881, are $40, $50, 42s 90, the
: same being for less sum of money than any
$ annual estimate rendered to Congress from
: that department during period Of at least
twelve years.
n He concurs with the General of the army
. in recommending such legislation will au-
Il thorize the enlistment of the full number of
% 900 men for the line of the army exclusive
of the 3,46S men required for detached duty,
and therefore not available for services in
the field
He also recommends that Congress be asked
to provide by law for the disposition of a
e large number of abandoned military posts
e and reservations, which, though very valua-
!, BILE in themselves, have been rendered USE
y less for military purposes by the advances Of
civilization and settlement
J He unites with the Quart ermaster-G General In
r recommending that an appropriation be mace for
the construction OF cheap and perfectly hre.proof
building for the safe storage Of vast amount Of
money accounts. vouchers claims and other vsua-
= BILE records now in the Qusrterr1sster- g enerals
Office and exposed to great rick CT total destruction
by fire.
He also recommends. In conformity with the views
n OF the Judge Advocate General. some declsratory
legislation in reference to the military statute Of
. limitations as applied to the crime Of desertion.
In these several recommendations concur.
u The Secretary Of War further reports that the
work for the 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 greater
measure of in the attainment results than
during any previous year The channel through the
south pass which. at the begi inning of operations
= In June, iS75, had depth Of only seven and one
g halt feet of water had the Sth Of July. 1879 a
: minimum depth Of twenty six feet, having width
!. depth OF thirty feet Payments have been made in
accordance with the statute as the work progressed
amounting In the aggregate to si,25o 900 and
further payments will become due, provided by
the statute. in the event of in maintaining
O the channel now secured.
- TIE INDIAN TRoUnLRs
q The reports of the General Of the Army and his
subordnates present full and detailed account OF
the military operations for the suppression of hos
tiles among the Indans OF the Ute and Apache tribes
and praise is justly awarded to the officers AID troops
engaged for the promptness, skill aud courage dis
:. played
MEXICAN BORDER fRoUDLRs.
The past year has been of almost unbroken
peace and quiet the Mexican frontier, aud there
reason to believe thas the efforts of this Govern
meut and OF Mexico to maintain order in that region
will prove permanently successful
GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS.
This department enabled during the past year
TO hnd temporary though crowded accommodations,
with safe depository for portion of its records in
the completed wing of the building designed for
the State, War and Navy Departments The
struction OF the north wing Of the building, part
of the structure intended for the use OF the War
Department being carried forw ard with all posi-
BILE dispatch. and the work shou Id receive from Con
gress such liberal appropriations as will secure its
speedy completion
THE REPORT TIE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
shows CONT nusd improvement that branch OF the
service during the last fiscal year Extensive re-
, pairs have been made vessels. and two new
ships have been completed aud made ready for sea
The total expenditures Of the year ending June 3D.
1879 including speci6c appropriations cot estimated
D Tor p the Department. were $t355a 40 0s The
expenses chageasle to the year after deductng the
amount OF these specific appropriations. were Sl3,-
54o3tI w but this Is sub ect 10 reduction OF szsJ
rs sq. that amouut having been drawn upon war
rants but not paid out during the year The amount
OF appropriations applicable TO the last fiscal year
was si4 e5s $50 IS There was. therefore, balance