Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1880-12-10


States and Mexico, and the obstacles ngai INST
building railways 10 connect the two countries
are on the point of disappearing The inter-
oceanic canal about 10 be constructed by way
Of Panama is referred to as recalling the treaty
obligations subsisting between the United
States and the Colombian government, by
which we guarantee the neutrality of the
transit and the sovereignty and property of
Colombia in the isthmus. The President re-
peats his previous opinion that ''the United
States must assert and maintain such super
vision and authority over any Inter-oceanic
canal as will protect our national interest"
The war between Chill, Peru and Bolivia is
touched upon, but our attempt at mediation
is announced to have failed With Brazil we
hold cordial relations and our trade is extend
ing. Congress is asked for the necessary ap-
Preparations TO meet the expenses of the Inter-
national Sanitary Conference 10 be held at
Washington at the beginning of the year.
The prompt attention of Congress is asked
to measures calculated to develop our foreign
commerce, and it is suggested that great SER
vice might be expected from the laying Of
transmarine cable from San Francisco TO the
islands of the Pacific, Japan and Australia,
by private capital, and if necessary by con-
gressional aida recommendation which has
strong leaning towards the renewal of the
old system of subsidies.
Our financial condition is reported to be
very satisfactory. The total of ordinary re-
ceipts for the fiscal year ending June so is put
at $3.50, 500, Clio 90; the total of expenditures
at $267 ,642, 957 rs, leaving surplus revenue
of sos, S83, 1858 20, which, added TO the cash
balance in the treasury of So, 084 ,434 81,
makes total surplus of 73,96S,087 Al, all OF
which has been applied to the redemption OF
United States securities-the redemption of
h.nK. IL, g.. AL.
Of the surplus. The increase Of revenue for
the past year over the year previous was $780,
sos, 426 ~. 1t is estimated that the surplus
revenue this year will reach 500, 900, 900. The
debt OF the United States has been reduced
from So, 1855, 43l 57l 43 in 1865 to ST. $780,
0l9, 504 IS, and of the principal of the debt
Sl0S, 1853, 100 has been paid since March !,
1877. Within short period over six hundred
millions of five and six per cent bonds will
become redeemable, and Congress is asked for
prompt legislation TO enable the Secretary TO
refund the debt about TO mature.
The resumption of specie payments, it is al
legged, has contributed greatly to the revival
OF business and our remarkable prosperity -
In respect to the $346, 68l ,Ol6 OF legal tender
notes now outstanding it is recommended that
they be redeemed and retired from circulation.
The difficulty of getting the silver dollar into
circulation is alluded 10. The amount coined
up to the LIST of November last was $T2,84
$50, OF which only $25, 1853, 29l are in the
hands OF the people. Congress is reminded
that the average market value of the silver
dollar during the last fiscal year has been but
lightweight cents, and as the constitution re-
cognizes gold and silver as the only true legal
tender money, he suggests that they should
be of equivalent value.
The expenditures of tue War Department
for the fiscal year were $39, 1924, 773 90. The
appropriations for the current fiscal year
amount to Sal, 993,639 40. Attention is called
TO the report OF the Secretary of War, who
asks that the strength OF the army be raised
in accordance with law 10 30, 200 enlisted
men, the appropriations now only providing
for rs, 900 men. The abandonment and sale
of small military posts at the West along the
lines of wagon and stage routes is recommend
ed aud few permanent posts established in
their stead. II is also recommended that Off
GERS away from their commands be sent on
active service, and that such as acted as mill
tary professors be superseded By officers on
the retired list. A comprehensive improve
ment of the Mississippi river and is trbuta-
ries is regarded as Il matter of transcendent
Importance. There is also urgen, need for the
improvement Of the channel at the mouth of
the Columbia river. A building for the pres
eiNatiou VI tue hustuul huu neulCAl works
and records of the army is asked for. The
message also strongly urges the passage of an
act of Congress appointing ex-President Grant
captain general of the army, with suitable
compensation. A condensed statement OF the
report Of the Secretary OF the Navy is given,
showing Total expenditures of the year Sl2,.
9l6 500 As, and the total estimates for The
next fiscal year 1888, 75l 6i. It is recon-
mended some form of civil government be es-
tablished in Alaska. The receipts of the pos
tai service in 1880 were $33, 1916 ,479 81. For
the ensuing year they are estimated at $685.
945, TIA 10, and the expenditures At S42, AS
932. The establishment of American lines OF
steamers with postal subsidies IS recommend
ed. Also reorganization of the federal courts
by the establishment, TO relieve The Supreme
Court Of an intermediate court Of errors and
| appeals.
On The Indian question, the establishment
of Indian schools and the allotment of lands
to the Indians in severalty are recommended
The hope OF the commissioner of agriculture
in relation 10 the home production OF sugar
en- on extensive scale, and also of tea, is al.
luded to, and the attention of Congress is call.
ed TO the prevalence OF pleuro-pneumonia
among our cattle. The message winds M
with some recommendations in regard to the
District Of Columbia, and closes by urging the
reclamation OF the marshes of the Potomac
adjacent to the capital, As whole the mes.
sage is well written, and, il not strong, con.
tains nothing, If We except lis reference to
the South, that is really Objectionable, al.
though some of its statements are fairly open
TO criticism.