The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1880-12-10

THESE CHANNELS OF COMMUNICATIONS
and Interchange are the property of the
nation Its Jurisdiction is permanent
over their waters. and the plainest nrin.
| eiples of public interest require their in.
telligent and careful supervision. with a
view to their protection, improvement.
ana the enhancement of their useful
ness.
The channel of the Columbia river.
Tor distance of about 100 miles from
It's mouth, is obstructed by succession
OF bars, which occasion serious delays
IN navigation, and heavy expenses ior
Iitherage and towage 4 depth of al
least twenty feet al low tide should be
secured and maintained to meet the re-
quiremenfs Of the extensive and growing
inland and ocean commerce it suhseryrS.
The most urgent need, however, for this
great waterway is a permanent improve
ment OF the channel At the mouth of the
river.
From Columbia ritter TO San Francis.
CO, distance of over coo miles, there Is
no harbor on our Pacific cost which can
be approached during stormy weather.
An appropriation OF. $4,000 was made
by the forty fifth congress, for the com
mencement of breakwater and harbnr
of refuge, to be located at some point
between the Straits of Fuca and San
a AoANASNbt at Which tue 0GJGSSIIieS OF
commerce, local and general. will he
best accommodated. The amount an
propriated is thought 10 be quite made
quate Tor the purpose Intended The
cost OF the work, when finished, will bt
very great, owing to the want of natural
advantages for q site at any point on the,
coast between the designated limits, and
it has not been thought to be advisable
To undertake the work without a larger
appropriation. | commend the matter
TO the attention of congress
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary of the navy
exhibits the successful and satisfactory
management of that department during
the last fiscal year. The total expendi-
lures for the year were S12,916, 639.45.
leaving unexpended at the close of the
year, S2,141 ,6S2.23 of the amount Of
available appropriations. The apprO-
priations for the present fiscal year end
ing June 30, 1881, are $15, 095, O61 As;
and the total estimates for the next fiscal
year ending June so, 1882, are SID, 95:,,- :
1871. The amount drawn BY warrant
from July l, 1880, to November 1, 1880.
is 1904. 570.45.
THE POSTAL SERVICE
The report of the postmaster general
exhibits the continued growth and the
high state of efficiency of the postal ser.
vice. The operations of no department
of the government, perhaps, represent
with greater exactness the increase in
the population and the business of the
country. In 1860, the postal receipts
were $8,51S, O6740; in 1850, the receipts
were $50, 3l5, 479.34. All the inhabitants
of the country are directly and personally
interested in having proper mail facili-
ties, and naturally watch the post office
very closely. This careful oversight on
the part of the people has proved con
slant stimulus to Improvement. During
the past year there was an increase Of
2, 134 post offices, ard the mail routes
were extended q, 177 miles, making an
additional annual transportation of TO-
804, 191 miles. The revenues of the post
tai service for the ensuing year are esti-
mated at $38, S45, 174.10, and the eXpendi-
lures at $42 ATE, 932, leaving deficiency
to be appropriated out of the treasury OF
So, $50, 757 90.
INDIAN AFFAIRS.
The report of the secretary of the in
terror presents an elaborate account OF
the operations of that department dur
ing the past year. 1t. gives me great
pleasure to say that our Indian affairs
appear to be in more hopeful condi-
ton now than ever before. The Indians
have made gratifying progress IN
agriculture, herding and mechanical pur-
suits. Many who few years ago were in
hostile conflict with the government are
quietly settling down on farms where
they hope to make their permanent
homes, building houses and engaging in
the occupations of civilized life. The
introduction of the freighting business
among them has been remarkably fruit
full of good results, in giving many of
them congenial and remEncrative en-
ployment, and in stimulating their anbi-
ton TO earn their own support. Their
honesty, fidelity and efficiency as car
riers are highly praised. The organize
ton of a police force of Indians has
been equally successful IN maintaining
law and order upon the reservations. and
in exercising wholesome moral in
fiuence among the Indinas themselves.
concur with the secretary Of the inter
ior in the recommendation that the pay
of this force be increased, as an induce
ment to the best class of young men Il,
enter it.
The message further informs us that
much more care and attention has been
given TO the education OF the Indians,
but the efforts of the government Is
greatly crippled for want of money.
Some few boarding schools have been
started at the agencies. The Normal
we'll, and the Indian school at Carlisle,
Pennsylvania, has 200 students. He
congratulates the country that costly
Indian war has been prevented By the
agreement with the Utes by which they
surrendered their largo reservation and
agreed to settle on other lands in sever
atty.
AGRICULTURE.
The commissioner of agriculture ex-
vNea m npGAanS haIiaF hot If
forts in behalf of the production of our
own sugar and tea have been encourag-
ingly rewarded. The importance of the
results attained have attracted marked
attention at home, and have received the
special considerati on of foreign nations.
The successful cultivation of our own
tea, and the manufacture of our own
sugar would make a difference of many
millions OF dollars annually to the
wealth of the nation.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND WASHINGTON.
again commend the general interests