Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1880-12-07
with the other staff corps of the army.

Under existing laws. the bureau of militia
ry justice consists of enc otncer, the Judge |
advocate general and the corps OF judge |
advocates, of eight officers OF equal RAM,
(majors.) with provision that the limit OF |
the corps shall remain at four, when re-
duced by casualty or resignation to tnat |
number. The consolidation ofthe bureau
of military justice, and the corps OF Judge |
advocates, upon the same basis With Inc |
other staff corps of the army, would re"
move an:unjust Discrimination against de-
serving officers, and subserve the best
interests of the service.
A comprehensive Improvement OF the
Mississippi and its tributaries Is matter OF
transcendent Importance. These great
waterways comprise a system OF inland
transportation spread like net work oyer a
large portion of the United States, and
navigable to the exte1t of many thousands
of miles. Producers and consumers allke,
have common interest in such uneq1ailed
facilities for cheap transportation. Geog-
raphically, commercially and politically,
they are the strongest tie between the Yari-
Gus sections Of the country: These chan
nels of communication and interch snge are
the property of the nation. Its jurisdic>
ton is paramount over their waters, ana
the plsinest principles of public interest
require their intelligent and careful super
vision, view to their protection, improves
ment, and the enhancement of their use
fulness.
GEN. GRANT.
I commend to the attention of congress
the great services of the COMMANDMENTS
chief of our armies during the war for the
union, whose wise, firm, and patriotic con-
duct did so much to bring that momentous
conflict to close. The legislation OF the
United States contains many presidents for
the recognition of distinguished military
| merit, authorizing rank and emoluments to
| be conferred for eminent services to the
country. An act of congress authorizing
| the appointment of a captain general of the
| army, with suitable provisions relating to
compensation, retlrem ent, and other details,
would, in my judgment, be altogether fit
ting and proper, aud would be warmly ap.
| proved by the country.
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 yea were $l2, Ole, $50 As leav-
| ing unexpended at the close of the year
| were 81, l41, 6S2 % of the amount of availa-
BILE appropriations. The appropriations for
the present fiscal year ending June so,
| 1881, are SIS COS, 061. As; and the total esti-
1 mates fer the next fiscal year ending June
drawn by warrant from July l, 1880, to
November l, 1880. is $5,04l, 57045
THE POSTMASTER ENERAL's RE.
L PORT.
The report of the postmaster general ex>
hibits the continual growth and the high
state of efficiency of the postal service.
The operations of no department of the
government, perhaps, represent with great
| er exactD ess the increase in the population
| and the business of the country. In 1861,
the postal receipts were S85lS,0e7 4O; IN
1880, the receipts were $33, 3l5, 479 3d. All
the inhabitan of the country are directly
and personally interested in having proper
mail facilities, and naturally watch the
postofice very closely. This careful over
sight on the part of the people has proved
| constant stimulus to improvement
Il During the past year there was an increase
of 2,13i postoffices. aud the mail routes
were extended u, III miles, making an ad'
! ditioDal annual transportation of 10. SO4, l9l
miles. The revenues of the postal service
for the ensuing year are estimated at S3o,
845, TIA 10, and the expenditures at S42,
495, 1872, leaving deficiency to be ap
. 757 80.
The suggestion of the postmaster general
that it would be wise to encourage, by ap
. | propriate legislation, the establishment o
American lines of steamers by our Owl
citizens, to carry the mails between GU
own ports and those of Mexico, Contra
America, South America, and of trans
Pacific countries, is commended to TIA
serious consideration of congress.
The attention of congress Is also invited
to the suggestions of the postmaster gener
! al in regard to postal savings.
BUSINESS IN THE FEDERAL COURTS
: The necessity for additional provision
to aid in the transaction of the business c
> the federal courts, becomes each year NOR
/ apparent. The dockets of the suprem
l court, and of the circuit courts, in tn
t greater number of the circuits. are encum
r bered with the constant accession of cases
f In the former court, and in many instance
in the circuit courts, years intervene befor
3 it is practicable to bring cases to hearing.
!, The attorney general recommends tn
9 establishment of an intermediate court c
: errors and appeals. 1t is recommends
4 that the number of judges of the circu
, court in each circuit, with the exception c
4 the second circuit should be increased b
q the addition of another judge; In tn
{ second circuit, that two should be added
4 and that an immediate appellate coul
f should be formed in each circuit, to consi:
f of the circuit judges and the circuit justice
and that in the event Of the absence {
either of these judges the place of the ab
, sent Judge should be supplied by the judg
: of one of the district courts in the circui
| | SuCn an AppelldLo couCb COuIu 10 sdloly IL
vested with large jurisdiction, and It's DE-
8 cisions would satisfy suitors in many case
$ where appeals would sill be allowed I
: the supreme court. The expense INQUIRE
/ | for this intermediate court, will require
r very moderate increase OF the appropris
s tons of the expenses of the department c
t justice. This recommendation is con
g mended to the careful consideration {
9 sideration of congress.
\ | IL ovidQnt that a dAlAV OF lnstlna. 1
i many instances oppressive and dlsastrou
s to suitors, now necessarily occurs in til
9 federal courts, which will in this way
= | remedied.
THE INDIAN QUESTION.
q The expenses of Indian education hav
d go far been drawn from the permanent ely
Y ilization- fund at the disposal of the depar
g ment of the interior: but the fund is no
4 so much reduced, that the continuance
g this beneficial work will in the future d.
4 pend on specific appropriations by congre
# for the purpose, and l venture to expre
o the hope that congress will not permit ir
e stitutiohs so fruitful of good results,
10 perish for want of means for their supper
On the contrary, an increase of the numb'
n of such schools appears to me highly az
g. visable.
n The past year has been unusually FRI
IS from disturbances among the Indian tribe
% An agreement has been made with Il
h Utes, by which they surrender their larg
te reservation in Colorado IN consideration {
y an annuity, to be paid to them, and agrt
l. to settle in severalty on certain lands desil
r, mated for that purpose, as farmers, holdiI
n, | individual title to their land in fee. simpl