The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1888-12-14

port gives a graphic history of these In
dams, and recites with painful vividness
their bloody deeds and the unhappy failure
Of the government to manage them by
peaceful means. It will be amazing If q
val of q desire for q return OF these prison.
ers to their reservation upon sentimental
or other grounds. IL Il
* Sf THE NAVY. a
The report of the secretary of the navy
demonstrates very intelligent mananage-
ment in that important department md
discloses the most satisfactory progress in
the work Of the reconstruction of the navy
during the past year. OF the ships in
course Of construction five, viz, the Charles.
ton, Baltimore, Yorktown, Vesuvius and
and are rapidly approaching completion,
and in addition to the above the Phlladel-
phia, San Francisco, Newark, Bennington,
Concord and BerreshOp, torpedo boats, and
all under contract for delivery to the de-
partment during the next year. The pro-
gress already and being made gives good
ground for the expectation that these
as part Of the American navy
within the next twelve months.
The report. shows that Notwithstanding
large expenses for new construction n
the additional labor they involve, q total
ordinary or current expenditure OF the de-
partment for the three years ended june
80, 1888, are less by more than 20 per
cent. than such expenditures for the three
years ended June 80, 1884. The various
steps which have been taken to improve
the business methods of the department
are reviewed by the secretary. The pur-
chasing of supplies has been consolidated
and placed under a responsible bureau
L~-l- TLs, 1~~ .nuv,1toAs n TIM Ay,rfoi1Urnnf
of open purchases, which in the years 1854
! and 1886 amounted to over 80 per cent. OF
all the purchases of the department., to less
than IL per cent, so that at the present
time about 80 per cent. of the total depart
! mental purchases are made by contract,
and after competition. AS the expendl..
lures on this account exceed an average OF
two millions annually, it is evident that an
important improvement in the system has
been inaugurated and economies int-o-
duced.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the postmaster general
shows q marked increase of business in
every branch OF the postal service. The
number of postofices on July l, 1888, was
81, 1876. an increase of6 124 in three years and
OF 1918 for the last fiscal year. The latter
New England States, 5; Middle states, 18l;
Southern states and Indian territory,
1,4O6; the states and territories of the Pa
/ cific coast, 100: the ten states and terri
tories of the west n northwest, 4SS5; total,
2,2l9. Free delivery Offices have in
creased from 1879 in the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1887, to 958 IN the year ended June
80, 1883. In the railway mail service there
has been an increase in one year OF 168
/ routes, and in the number of miles travelled
! per annum ar increase of 15O, 716. The
estimated increase of railroad service for
the year is 600 miles, but the
amount of new railroad service actual
The volume of business in the money order
division, including the transactions in
postal notes, reached a sum upwards OF
$14S, O00, 600 for the year. During the past
year parcel post conventions have been
concluded with the Barbados, the BAHIA
mas, British Honduras and Mexico. and
are now under negotiation with all the
increase correspondence with foreign
countries during the past three years is
gratifying, and is especially notable and
| exceptional with the Central and South
| American states and with Mexico. AS the
| greater part Of the mail matter exchanged
| with these countries is commercial in its
| character, this increase is evidence of i'm
| practical operation of the parcel poet pom
| ventions, o far as negotiated, has served
| to fulfill the most favorable predictions as
to their benefits. In January last a
general post convention was ne
gotlated with the the Dominion on
March l and which practically makes
one postal territory of the United States
and Canada. Under it a merchandise par
Gel may now be transmitted through the
| mails at fourth class rates of postage. 1t
is not possible here to touch even the lead
ing heads of the great postal establishment
to illustrate the enormous and rapid growth
| OF its business and the needs for legislative
REIMBURSEMENT of much of its machinery
This reform has been before commended
in the reports Of the secretary, and its ex-
| pediency is so fully demonstrated by the
| argument he presents in its favor, that
its adoption should be no longer neglected.
The death of Gen. Sheridan in August
last was q national affection. The army
then lost the grandest OF chiefs, the country
lost a brave, experienced soldier, a wise
| and discreet counsellor, and a modest and
| sensible nan Those who in any manner
came within the range of his personal as
| ISOLATION will never fail to pay deserved
and willing homage to his greatness and
the glory Of his career, but they will cher
ish with more tender senSibility the loving
memory of his simple, generous and c0nsid-
| crate nature.
The Apache Indians, whose removal
/ from their reservation in Arizona followed
the capture of those of their number who
engaged in a bloody and murderous raid
durin 1885 and 1886, are now held prison.
ers of war at Mount Vernon barracks, in
the state of Alabama. They numbered
October 81, the date Of the last report, 80
men, 40 women, 20 boys and SO girls, in
all 1882 persons. The commanding officers
state they are in good health and CON
tented, and that they are kept employed as
fully as is possible under the circum-
stances. The children, as they arrive at
that it has %outgrown. For these and valu-
able recommendations of the postmaster
general, attention is earnestly invited to
his report. A department whose revenues
have increased from $40, 772,000 in 1870 to
$72, 700, 600 in 1883, despite reductions of
postage, which have enormously reduced
the rates Of revenue, while greatly inc1eas-
ing its business, demands the careful con-
sideration of the congress as to all matters
suggested by those familiar with its opera
tons, and which are calculated to increase
its efficiency and usefulness.
A bill proposed by the postmaster-gen-
eral was introduced at the last session of the
congress, by which a uniform standard in
%hn -. o.o~. ono:~<o 1,r,,1l c. II