The weekly miner., 1880-12-14

/ our uuTiuS tto NhT iOT OHioH,
| whose wise. firm and patriotic conduct did so
! much to bring that momentous conflict to a
| close. The legislation of the United States
| contains many precedents for the recognition
of distinguished military merit, authorizing
rank and honors to be conferred for eminent
| service to the country that congress author
i ize the appointment of a captain general of
the army, with suitable provisions relating to
compensation, retirement and other details,
would, in my judgment, be altogether fitting
and proper, and would be warmly approved
by the country.
| NAVY REPORT.
The report of the Secretary Of the navy
exhibits successful and satisfactory manage
ment of that department during the last fis-
cal year. The total expenditures
for the year were Sl2,oG1 $3.50,
leaving unexpended at the close of the
year, So, 14l ,6S2 of the amount of the avaia-
BILE appropriations. The appropriations for
the present fiscal year ending June 30th,
1881, are $l5, ,O95,06O, and the total estimates
for the next fiscal year ending June 3Oth,
1882, are $15,953,751 The amount drawn
by warrant from July 1st, 1880, to November
lst, 1880, is $5,O41,570. The recommendation
OF the Secretary of the Navy that some form
OF civil government for the people of Alaska
be established, is approved. Atpresent there
is noiprotection of persons or property in that
| territory except such as is offered by the
officers of the United States ship James
town. This vessel was dispatched to Sitka
because of the fear that without the immediate
presence OF national authority, there was an
| impending danger of anarchy. The steps
| taken TO restore order have been accepted IN
good faith by both the white and Indian in
habltants, and the necessity for this method
OF restraint does not in my opinion now eX-
ist. If, however, the jamestown should be
Withdrawn, leaving our people at the present
without the ordinary judicial and admins
trative authority of an organized local gov
ernment, serious consequences might ensue.
The law provides only for the collection of
revenue, the protection of public property,
and the transmission of mails. The problem
is to supply local rule for popula ion so
scattered and so peculiar in its origin and con-
dition. The natives are reported to be tracta-
Bile and self-snpportlng, and if properly in
structed doubtless would advance rapidly in
civilization, and new factor of prosperity
would be added to our national life. I
therefore recommend requisite legislation
upon the subject.
REPORT OF posTMAsTER-G GENERAL
The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps
towards establishing naval coallng station
at the Isthlnus of Panama to meet the re-
quirenents OF our commercial relations with
Central and South America, which ar rapid
nenty suitable both i'll regard to our naval
purposes and the uses Of commerce, have been
selected, one Oh the east side of the Isthmus at
Chirqui Lagoon in the Caribbean sea, and
the other on the Pacific coast at the Bay of
Parita. The only safe harbors sufficiently
commoIious on the lsthmas are at these
points, and the distance between them is less
that 100 miles. The report of the Secretary 0 f
the Navy concludes with a valuable suc-
TpStlOn tn I'm
merchant and marine service, and which de-
serves the favorable consideration of con-
gress.
The report of the rostmaster-genela ex-
hlbits continual growth and a high state of
efhclency OF the postal service. The opera
lions OF no department of the government,
perhaps, represent with greater eXactness
tie increase in population and the business
of the country. In 1860 the postal receipts
were $S,51S,CG7 in 1880 the receipts were
$333 3l5,479. All the inhabitants of the coun-
try are directly and personally interested in
having proper mail facilities, and naturally
atch the post-office very closely. This care
ful oversight on the part of the people has
proved constant stimulus 20 improvement.
During the past year there was an increase
of 2,l34 post-ottices, and the mail routes were
extended Pitt miles, making an additional
annual transportation of 1O,S04, ,191 miles.
The revenues of the postal service for the ell
suing year are estimated at S3S,S45, ia, and
the expenditures at $42, 1882, leaving a
deficiency to be appropriated out of the
treasury of So, ,G3O,757. The universal postal
union has received accessions of almost
all countries and colonies of the world
maintaining an organized postal service, and
| 1t is confidently expected all other countries
and colonies outside the union will soon
unite Herewith. Thus realizing the grand
| ideas of the founders of the union of form
ing for the purpose 0fiDternational mail COM
munication sincle postal territory EN-
bracing the world, with a complete uniform
| ity Of postal charges and conditions of enter
national exchanges for all descriptions of
| correspondence, to enable the United States
| to do its full share of this great work, ad,li-
| tional legislation is asked by the postmaster
| general, to whose recommendations especial
| attention as called. The suggestions of the
puStmaSter-gcneral that it would be wise to
encourage by appropriate legislation the estab-
| lishment Of an American line of steamers hy
| our own citizens 10 carry mails between our
| own parts and those of Mexico, Central
| America, South America and the trans
Pacific countries, is commended to the serious
consideration of congress. The attention of
| congress is also invited to the suggestions Of
the postmaster-general in regarl to postal
| savings.
| COURT MATTERS.
The necessity for additional provisions to
aid in the transaction of the business of the
federal courts, becomes each year more appar-
ent. The dockets of the supreme court and
of the circuit court in a greater number of
circuits are embarrassed with the constant ac-
cession of cases. In the former court and in
many instances in the circuit courts, years
intervene before it is practicable to bring the
cases to a hearing. The attorney general
| 1isb of iptar
mediate court of errors and appeals. 1t is
recommended that the number of judges of
the circuit court in each circuit, with the ex-
ceptien of the second circuit, should be in