Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1879-12-04
statute Of convictions as applied to the crime

or de8eftlOn. IEstz
In these several recommendations concur.
The secretnry Of war further reports that the
work for the provement of the south pass Of
The Mississippi river, under contract with
MIR. James B. Eads, made in pursuance of an
act of Congress, has been prosecuted
during the past year with greater measure of
success In the attainment of the results than
during any previous years. The channel
through. the South Pass, which at the bepin-
of only seven and one-half feet of water, had,
on the 9Th of July, 1879, a minimum depth of
twenty-six feet, having q width of not les8 than
200 feet and 9 central depth of thirty feet.
Payments have been made in accordance with
the contract, as the work has progressed,
amounting in the aggregate to 81 1850, 900, and
further payments willhecome due as provided
by the statutes. in event of success in main
tanning the channel now secured.
The reports of the general of the army and
bis subordinates present full detailed ac-
count of the military operations for the sup
preston of hostilities, and praises are Justly
awarded the officers and troups engaged, for
the promptitude, skill and courage displayed.
The past year has been one of almost IN
broken peace and quiet on the Mexican from
tier, and there is reason TO believe the efforts
of this government and of Mexico to maintain
order In that region will prove permanently
successful.
The department was enabled during tho past
year to find temporary though crowded &C.
oommodation and safe depository for portion
OF lts records in the completed east wing of
the building, designed 70: 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 it's speedy completion.
THE NAVY.
The report Of the secretary of the navy shows
continued improvement in that branch of the
service. During tho last fiscal year extensive
repairs have been made on vessels and two new
ships have been completed and made ready for
sea. The total expenditures, ended June 80, 1879,
including specific appropriations not esti-
mated for by tho department., were 81, 1853,
OIL w. The expenses chargeable to the year,
after deducting the amount OF the specific D.
preparation, were $l3, 343.3l7.79. But this is
subject to reduction of $263, 725. SO, that
amount having been drawn upon warrants, but
not paid out during the year. The amount of
appropriations applied to the last fiscal year
was $14 ,538, 646.l7. There was therefore bal
ance IF $l,479,054.37 remaining unexpended
And to the credit of the d partment on June 80.
1879.
The estimates for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1881, are $l4 1864, 1873, which exceeds the
appropriations for the present fiscal year 1901 :
S9728. The reason for this increase is ex-
planned in the secretary's report. The appro-
priations available for the present fiscal year
are $14, 502 250.67, which WILL injthe opinion OF
the secretary, answer all the ordinary demands
OF the service. The amount drawn from the
treasury from July LIST to Nov. IA, 1879, was
SIS, 770. 40412, of which 81, 095, 1908 has been
refunded, leaving as the expenditures for that
period $4,674 ,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 $477 1859. 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 il
not one who is defaulter to the extent of 8
single dollar. unite with him in recon-
mending the removal of the Observatory to g
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 To-
cation would not only be conducive to the
health of it's officers and professors, but would
greatly increase it's 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 SEES
sion of Congress-, and no appropriation what
ever was made for the payment of the fees oil
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 tn,
proper execution of process of the United States
failed by reason of the absence of the requisit.
appropriations. This course of official cond uc
on the part of these officers. highly creditabl,
to their fidelity, was advised by the at
torney general, who informed them, how
to rely for their compensation upon the pros
poet Of future legislation by Congress.
therefore especially recommend that an imme
date appropriation be made by Congress fo
this purpose.
The act making the principal appropriation
fer the department of justice at previous ses
sions has uniformly contained the following
| may be incurred in the enforcement of the &C
| approved Feb. IS, 1870. entitled an act tc
| amend an act approved May 80, 1870, entitled
an act to enforce the right of citizens in tn,
United States to vote in the several States of tn
United States, and for other purposes, or any
acts ameudatory thereof or Supplementary
thereto"
No appropriation was made for this purpose
for the current year. As no general election fo,
members of Congress occurred, the omission
was q matter of little practical importance
Such elections WILL however, take place dprins
the ensuing year, and the appropriation for th'
pay of marshals and deputies should be suff
cient to embrace compensation for the services
they may be required to perform at suoh cleo
tons.
THE SUPREME COURT.
The business of the supreme court is at pres
ent largely in arrears. It cannot be expected
that more cases can be decided than are nov
disposed Of in the annual session, or that b,
any assiduity the distinguished magistrates
who compose the court can accomplish more
than is now done. In tn!
courts of many Of the circuits the business
has Impressed to such an exten
that the delay of justice will call the attention
| Ut Congress to an appropriate remedy. 1t il
believed all is done in each circuit which car
be fairly expected, and the evils arising from
delay are less heavily felt by the United State
than by private suitors, as its causes are ad
| vanced by the court when it is seen that they
involve the discussi n of questions of public
| character.
The remedy suggested by the attorney gen
eral is the appointment of additional ci,cui
judges and the creation of an intermediat.
VVuAt VI EILOlb auU opkCdAbS Wu1C4 buAA1 IcI4CNS
| the supreme court of part of its jurisdiction
| while larger force is also obtained for tn,
performance of circuit duties. recommend
| this suggestion 10 the consideration Of Con
gress. 1t would seem to afford complete
| remedy and would involve, if ten additions
circuit judges are appointed, an expenditure a
| the present rate of salaries of not more thai
| $6O, 900 year. which would certainly be small
| in comparison with the objects to be attained
THE INDIANS.
The reports Of the secretary of the interio
| and of the commissioner of Indian affairs, set
ting forth the present state of our relation
| with the Indian tribes and our territory, tn
| measures taken to advance their civilization
and prosperity, and the progress alread!
achieved by them, will be found Of more thai
ordinary interest. The general conduct o.
our Indian popnlation has been 40 sat,sfactor,
that the occurrence of two disturbances whlcl
resulted in bloodshed and destruction of prop
| erty, is all the more to be lamented.
! The history of the outbreak on the White
River Ute reservation, Western Colorado, ha
| become so familiar by elaborate report in tn
public press, that its remarkable incidents
need not be stated here in detail. It is ex
pected that the settlement of this difficult.
will lead to such arrangements as will proven
| further hostile conflicts between the Indian
and the border settlements in Western Col
orado.
| The other disturbances occurred at the Mes
celaro Agency in New Mexico, where Nieland
| the head of a small band of marauders, aftel
committing many atrocities, being vigorousl.
charged by military force made his wa!
across the Mexican border and is nov on for
cign soil.
While these occurrences, in which Compare
| lively small numbers of Indians were engaged
dian population have fully justified the expec
tation of those who believe that by human,