Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1880-12-17

! vi Jul HdtiOiidl uclcLSCS. + rTOIn DcrSOuHl
inspection of many of the Notifications re-
ferred to, the secretary is able to empha
size the recommendations made. Their
incomplete and defenscless condition is
discreditable to the country. While other
nations have been increasing their means
for carrying on offensive warfare and at
lacking maritime cities, we have been dor.
mant in preparation for defence. Nothing
OF importance has been done toward
strengthening and finishing our casemated
works since our late civil war, during
which the great guns of modern warfare
and heavy armOr, modern Notifications
and ships have come into use among ma.
tlons and our earth-wOrks. left by the sud-
den failure of appropriations some years
since in all stages of incOmpletiOn, arc
now being rapidly destroyed by the ele-
ments.
| NAVAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the secretary of the navy
exhibits successful and satisfactory man.
agement Of that department during the
last fiscal year. The total expenditures
for the year were $12,916,6 1880, leaving un.
expended at the close of the year $2,141,.
6S2 of the amount available. Appropria-
tions for the present fiscal year ending
June Both, 1881, are 5,095 ,001, and total
estimates for the next fiscal year ending
June Both, 1882, arc $15,953,751. The
amount drawn by warrant from July 1st
1850 to November 18th 1880, is 1904, $40.
The recommendation of the secretary of
the navy that provisions be made for the
establishment, of some form of civil gov
ernment for the people of Alaska, is ap.
proved. At present there is no protection
OF persons or property in that territory ex-
cept such as is offered by the officers of
the U. 3. ship jamestown. The vessel
was dispatched to Sitka because If fear
that without the immediate presence Of
national authority there was impending
danger Of anarchy. Steps taken TO res
tore order have been accepted in good
faith by both white and Indian inhabi-
tants, and the necessity for this method of
restraint does not, in my opinion, now cx-
ist. II, however, the jamestown should
be withdrawn, leaving our people, as at
present. without the ordinary Judicial and
administrative authority of an organized
government, serious consequences might
ensue. The laws provide only for the
collection Of revenue, protection of public
property and transmission of mails. The
problem is to supply local rule for q
population so scattered and peculiar in Its
origin and condition. The natives are re-
ported to be tractible and selfsupporting,
and if properly instructed, doubtless
would advance rapidly to civilization, and
a new factor Of prosperity would be ad-
ded to national life. / therefore recon-
mend the requisite legislation upon this
subject.
The secretary of the navy has taken
steps towards the establishment Of naval
toaling station at the Isthmus of Panama
CO meet the requirements Of our CONNER
cial relations with Central and South
America which are rapidly growing in
Importance. Locations eminenlly suitable
both rs regards our naval purposes and
the use OF commerce, have been selected;
one on the east side of the isthmus, at
Chiriqui Laguna, in the Caribbean Sea,
and the other on the Pacific coast at the
bay of Golfito. The only safe harbors
sufficiently cOmmodious on the isthmus
are at these points and the distance be-
tween them is less than 100 miles.
The report of the secretary concludes
with valuable suggestions with respect TO
building up our merchant marine SER
vice, and which deserve the favorable con-
sideration Of congress.
FINAHoIL.
The condition of the financial affairs OF
the Government as shown by the reports
OF the Secretary of the Treasury Is very
satisfactory. It is believed that the pre-.
sent financial situation Of the United
States, whether considered with respect
to trade, currency, credit, growing wealth
or extent and variety of0ur resources, Is
more favorable than that OF any other
country of our time, and never has been
surpassed by that Of any country at any
period in history. All our industries are
thriving, tho rate Of interest IL low, new
rail- Dads are being constructed, vast i'm
migration is increasing our population,
capital and labor, new enterprises In great
number are in progress, and our cotnmer-
cial relations with other countries are i'm.
proving. The ordinary revenues from
all sources for the fiscal year ended June
80. 1870, were, (cents being omitted:
Customs ...... 8 l66. .522. .06z
Internal revenues :. .......... 124.O09, ,373
Sales of public lands. ........ 10,116,506
Tax on circulation and deposits
OF national banks. ........... 7,0i4,W
Repayment of interest by Pa
cific railway companies -. 1,707, 1857
Sinking fund for Pacific rail-
way companies ............ ,62l
Customary fees, fines, penal.