The Indiana State sentinel., 1879-12-03

This is especially fortunate, In view OF the fact
that the question OF an inter-oceanic canal has
recently assumed a 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. IL Is trusted that enlightened states
inanship on their part will see that the early
prosecution of such a work will largely inure
10 the benefit. not only Of ,heir own citizens
and those OF the United states, but OF the COM
meIce of the civilized world II is not doubt
ed that, shouid the work be- undertaken under
the protective auspices OF the United States,
and upon satisfactory concessions for the
right OF way, and its security, by the Central
American governments, the capital for its
completion would be readily furnished ffom
this country and Europe. which might, fail
ing such guarantees, prove inaccessible.
diplomatic relations with Chill have also
The war between Peru. Bolivia. and Chill
still continues. The United states have not
deemed IL proper TO fnferpose In the matter,
further than To convey TO ali the Govern ments
concerned, the assurance that the friendly
Offices of the Government of the United States
for the restoration OF peace upon an honorable
basis viii be extended, In case the belliger-
ents shall exhibit resdiness to accept them.
Cordial relations continue with Brazil and
the Argentine Republic. and trade with those
countries is improving. a provision for regu-
lar and more frequent mail communication,
in our own ships, between the ports of this
country and the nations of South America
seems 10 me to deserve the attention of Con-
gress as an essential precursor OF an enlarge
ment OF our commerce with them, and an ex-
tension OF our carrying tr.de.
A recent revolution in Venezuela has been
followed by the establishment OF a provisional
Government. This Government mas not yet
been formally recognized and IL IL deemed de-
siraole to await the proposed action OF the
tion of constitutional forms.
a naval vessel has been sent to the Samoan
of the nrty,iepes &c eed 10 the Iinited Sfsfes v
Samoa, In the harbor OF Pago Pago. A coal
ing station Is to be established there, which
win be convenient and .seful to United States
vessels
The subject of opening diplomatic relations
with Roumania an. Sci via, now become indie
pendent sovereignties. is at present under
consideration, and is the subject of diplomatic
correspondence
There is a crafty ing increase OF trade with
nearly all European aud American countries,
and 1t is be ieved that with judicious seton
still more enhanced, ana that merican pro-
ducts and manufactures Will find new and
expanding markets. The reports OF dipIo-
matte and consular officers upon this subject
under the system now adopted, have resulted
in obtaining much valuable information.
which has been and will continue to be laid
before Congress aud the pubic from time TO
time.
The third article of the treaty with Russia
of March 30, 1857, by which Alaska was ceded
10 the United States, provides that the IN habi-
iants OF the ceded territory, with the excep-
tion of the uncivi.ized 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 uncIvilized tribes are subject to such
from time to time adopt in regard to the
aboriginal tribes of that country.
Both the Obligations Of this treaty ana the
necessities OF the people require that some
| organized form of government over the Ter
| ritory of Alaska be adopted.
There appears to pe no law for the arrest of
persons charged with common-aw offenses,
| such as assault, robbery and murder, and no
| magistrate authorized TO issue or execute pro-
| cess in such cases. Serious difficulties have
/ already arisen from offenses of this charac er,
/ not only among the original inha abitants. but
nnU n var M - n ma
countries, who have engaged in mining, fish
| ing and other business operations within the
Territory. A bill authorizing the appointment
OF justices of the peace and con stables and the
| arrest and detention of persons charged with
| to United States courts for the district OF Ore
gon, IN suitable cases, will, at q proper time,
= be submitted to Congress.
The attention of Congress is called to the an :
nual report of the secretary of the treasury on
the condition of the public finances.
1 The ordinary revenues from all sources for
the fiscal year ended June 30. 1879. were s21S,
| S27,lS4.46: the ordinary expenditures for the
same period were s266.si7 ,Ss3 So: leaving sur
plus revenue for the year of So SIS, 500 80.
The receipts for the present fiscal year, end
follows: Actual receipts for the first quarter
commencing July /, 1873, s1g,Si3,6636i; estf-
lsfnated receipts for the remaining tnree-quar-
I8ers of the year, Sos 1859; total receipts
i Tor the current fiscal year, actual and esti-
mated. s2ss 100000.
/ be, actual and estimated, as follows: For the
/ quarter commencing July ], 1873, actual ex-
penditurss, s9l, ,5s3. .sSi.l0; and for the remain
| ing three quarters of the year the expenditures
| are estimated at misunderstanding the
total expenditures s26i ,0oo,uQ0, and leaving an
estimated surplus revenue for the year ending
June 80, 1881, OF s-4.e0O0OO. The total receipts
/ during the next fiscal year ending June 80.
1881. estimated according to existing laws, Will
| be s2SS OOO,O o: aud the estimated ordinary ex
pendifures for the same period will be S2Is,-
Ug7 364. .S9 leaving surplus OF s9"02, ,6So.6l Tor
/ that year.
The large amount expended for arrears OF
i peniions during the last and the present fiscal
year. amounting to s2l ,747 ,249 90, has prevented
i the application of the full amount required by
| law to the sinking fund for the current year;
paid, 1t is believed that The sinking fund can
hereafter be maintained without any change
of existiDgl law.
department estimates for the fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1881, are S40.ssO AS 9S the same
being for less sum of money That any annual
estimate rendered to Congress from that de-
partment during a period of at least IL years.
| He concurs with the general of the army in
recommending such legislation Will author
ize the enlistment of the full number OF 2o.ND0
| men for the line OF the army, exclusive OF the
3.463 men required for detached duty, and
therefore not available for service In the field.
He also recommends that Congress be asked
to provide by law for the disposition OF a large
| number of abandoned military posts and
reservations, which, though very valuable IN
themselves, have been rendered useless for
military purposes by the advance OF civiliza-
tion and settls ment-
| He unites with the Quartermaster general
in recommending that an appropriation be
made for tf,e construction OF a cheap and per-
feety fire proof building for the safe storage OF
y vast amour. Of money accounts, vouchers
claims. and other valuable records now in the
quartermsster generais office, and exposed to
great risk to total destruction by hre;
the views of the Judge. .adv vocate general,
some declaratory legislation in reference I,
the military statute OF limitations as applied
to the crime of desertton.
/ IN these several recommendations concur
The secretary . war further reports, that the
| wo K 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 q greater measure of success In
the attainment of results than durlng any
/ previous year. The channel through the South
Pass, which, at the beginning OF operations in
June, 1875, had depth OF only seven and one
half feet OF water, had, on the 8th or July. 1873
| q minimum depth OF % ieet, having width O
not less than 300 feet and central depth OF &c
feet. Payments have been made in accordance
| with the statute. as the work progressed
amounting in the aggre gate to 4,25U,COO; and
further payments will become due. as pro-
vtded by the statute. in the event of success