New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1881-12-21


horses, wagons and supp lies. I concur in
the recommendation Of the Secretary fo,
increasing the army to the strength Of
10000 enlisted men. It appears by the
secretary's report that in the Absence OF
disturbances on the frontier, the troops
have been actively employed in collecting
Indians hitherto hostile and locating
them on their proper reservations; that
prisoners at Fort Randall; that the Utes
have been moved to their new reser-
walton in Utah; that during the recent
outbreak of the Apaches it was necessary
to reinforce the ga' rson in Arizona by
troops withdrawn from New Mexico. and
that some Apaches are now held prisoners
for trial, while some have escaped and the
majority of the tribe are now on their
reservations. There is need of legis-
lation to prevent intrusion upon the
lands set apart for the Indians. A large
military force. at great expense, is re-
quired topatrol the boundary line between
Kansas and the Indian Territory. The
only punishment that at present can be
inflicted is the folcible removal Of the
intruder, and the imposition Of a peeuniary
fine which, in most cases, it is impossible
to collect. There should be penalty by
imprisonment in such cases.
SIGNAL SERVICE.
The separate organization of the Signal
Service is used by the Secretary of War,
and q full statement of the advantages of
such permanent organization is presented
in the report of the Chief Signal Officer.
A detailed account of the useful work
performed by the Signal Corps and the
Weather Bureau are also given in that
report.
THE INDIAN BUREAU.
/ ask your attention to the statement of
the Secretary of War regarding the re-
QUESTIONS frequently made by the Indian
Bureau upon the Subsistence Department
of the army for the casual support OF
bands of tribes of Indians for which ap-
preparations are exhausted. The War
Department should not be left, by reason
of inadequate provision for the Indian
Bureau, to contribute for the maintenance
of the indians.
COAST DEFENsEs.
The report Of the Chief of Engineers
furnishes detailed account of the oper-
atoms for the improvement of rivers and
harbors. I commend to your attention
the suggestions contained in this report
in regard to the condition of our fortifca-
tions, especially our coast defenses, and
recommend an increase of the strength Of
the engineer battalion, by which the ef-
ticiency Of our torpedo system would be
improved.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT.
I also call your attention to the remarks
upon the improvement of the south pass
of the Mississippi river, the proposed free
bridge over the Potomac river at George
town, the Importance Of completing at an
early day the north wing Of the Depart
ment building, and other recommends
tions of the Secretary of War which ap-
pear in his report. The actual expendi-
lures of this department for the fiscal
year ending June 80, 1881, were $780,
POI. 80. The appropriations for the year
1882 were $44,889, 725.42. The estimates
for 1888 are 81 541,276.91.
THE NAVY.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
exhibits the condition of the service, with
valuable suggestions for its improvement.
call your especial attention also to the
appended report of the Advisory Board
which he convened to devise suitable
measures for increasing the efficiency of
the navy, and particularly to the report as
to the character and number Of vessels
necessary to place it upon footing CON-
mensurate with the necessities of the
Government. l cannot too strongly urge
upon you my conviction that every con-
sideration of national safety, economy and
honor imperatively demands a thorough
rehabilitation of our navy, with a just ap-
probation of the fact that compliance
with the suggestion of the head of that
department and of the advisory board,
must involve a large expenditure of the
public moneys. l earnestly recommend
such appropriation as will accomplish an
end which seems to lie SO desirable.
Nothing can be inconsistent with true
public economy than the withholding of
the means necessary to accomplish the OBJ
jects intrusted by: the constitution to the
National Legislature. One of these oh.
jects, and one which is of paramount i'm :
portance, is declared by our fundamental
law to be the provision for the 'scommon
Defense" Surely nothing is more essen
tial to the defense of the United States
and of all our people than the efficiency of
our navy.
We have for many years maintained
with foreign governments the relations of
honorable peace, and that such relations
may be permanent is desired by every
patriotic citizen of the Republic. But If
we read the teachings of history we shall
not forget that in the life of every nation
emergencies may arise when q resort to
arms can alone save it from dishonor.
No danger from abroad now threatens
this people. nor have we any cause to dis
trust the friendly professions of other
governments. But for avoiding as well
as for repelling dangers that may threat.
en- in future, we must be prepared to face
any policy which we think wise to adopt
We must be ready to defend our harbors
against aggression, to protect by the dis
tribution of our ships of war over the
highways of commerce, the varied inter-
ests of our foreign trade, and the person
and property of our citizens abroad to
maintain everywhere the honor of our
flag, and the distinguished position which,
we may rightfully claim among the ma.
tions of the world.
POSTAL MATTERS.
The report of the Postmaster General
is a gratifying exhibit of the growth and
efficiency Of the postal service. The re-
ceipts from postage and other ordinary
sources during the past fiscal year were
$50, 489, 81658. The receipts from the
money order business were $2955S1 80,
making total of $36, 7s5,397.97. The ex-
renditure for the fiscal year was $69.251
73646. The deficit supplied out of the
general treasury was $2,481.12935 or sc
per cent. Of the amount. The receipts
were $3,469, 918. 63 in excess of those of the
previous year, and $4,575,39797 in excess
of the estimate made two years ago, be-
fore the present period of business pros
perity had fairly begun.
The whole number of letters mailed
in this country in the last fiscal year ex-
ceeded 1,000, 100000.
The registry system is reported to- be
in excellent condition, having been re-
modelled during the past four years with
good results. The amounts Of fegistra-
ton fees collected during the last fiscal
year were $712,O82 20-an increase over
the fiscal year ending June 80, 1877, 81
$$435.44340. The entire number of letters
and packages registered during the year
was 8,3S9,919, Of which only 2O61 were