The Coconino weekly sun., 1894-12-06

with single exception, has adopted this for nation to meet the conditions of modern war fare, should alone secure for the reoommenda- tlon an early consideration. It is hardly nec- essary to recall the fact that in obedience to the constitution and the laws and for the pur- pose Of protecting the property of the United States aiding the process of federal courts and removing lawless obstruc- tions to the performance by the government of it's legitimate functions it became necessary in various localities during the year to employ considerable portion of the regular troops. The duty was discharged promptly, couragsously and with marked discretion by the officers and men and the most gratifying proof was thus af- forded that the army deserves that complete confidence in it's efficiency and discipline which the country has at all times manifested.
 The total expenditures for tho war depart ment for the year ending June 9, lS9i amounted to S56030 009.3i or this sum s2,00),- 6l4.09 was for salaries and contingent expen- ses; $l3, l6 for the support of the military establishment; S5,00f6Ss23 for misc ellaneous objects, and S25,37l 555.96 for public works This latter sum includes S19 i9i ,037I9 for river and harbor Improvements and S39f7, ,86356 for Qualifications and other works of defense The appropriations for the current year ag- gregate S52, 1l2.7s, and tho estimates sub mittod by the secretary of war for the next fis- cal year call for appropriations amounting to $J2, ,3ls ,52955
 The skill and industry of our ordnance ofi- cers and inventors have, it is believed. over come the mechanical obstacles which have heretofore delayed the armament of our coasts, and this great national underta Sing upon which we have entered may now proceed as rapidly as congress shall determine, with . supply of finished guns of large caliber already on hand to which additions should now rapidly follow. The wisdom of providing carriages and em- placements for their mount cannot be too strongly urged. The total enrolment of tho militia of the several states Is ll7,7j3 officers and enlisted mea, an increase of 5,3I3 over the number reported at the close of the previous year. The reports Of militia inspection by regular army officers show a marked increase in interest and efficiency among the state or ganizations and strongly recommend con tinuance of the policy of afording every prac- tical encouragement possible to this important auxiliary of our military establishment. The condition of the Apache Indians held as prison CTS by the government for eight years at a cost of half a million dollars has been changed dur ing the year from captivity to one which gives them an opportunity to demonstrate their capacity for sef-support and at least partial civilization. Legislation enacted at the late session of congress gave tho war department authority to transfer
 In recognition of the long and distinguished military services and faithful discharge of delicate and responsible civil duties by Maj Gen. John NJ Schoheld, now the general com manding the army, 1t is suggested to congress that the temporary revival of the grade Of lieutenant general in his behalf would be Q just and gracious act, and would permit his re- tirement now near at hand with rank behtting his merits
 The Department of Justice.
 The report of the attorncy-general notes the gratifying progress made by the supreme court in overcoming the arrears of it's business and in reaching condition in which 1t will be able to dispose of cases as they arise without any unreasonable delay This result Is of course very largely due to the successful working of the plan innuguratlnS circuit courts Of appeals. In respect to these tribunals tho suggestion Is made in quarters entitled to the highest con sideration that an additional circuit judge for each circuit would greatly strengthen these courts and the confidence rcpoSci in their adjudication, ana that such an addition would not create greater force Of juiges than tn, increasing business of such courts requires. The pernla- nent solution of what is called the Indian prob lem is probably not to be expected at once, but meanwhile such ameliorations of present con ditions as the existing system will admit ought not to be neglected. am satisfied there should bo a federal court established for the territory with sufficient judges and that this court should Slt within the IeFTlIOry bIlu nave lue Suillt isdiction as to territorial affairs as ts now vested in the federal courts sitting in Arkansas and Texas.
 Another subject of pressing moment referred to by the attorney general is tho roorganiza- tion of the Union Pacific Railroad Co. on a basis equitable as regards all private inter- ests and as favorable to the government as ex- isting conditions will permit. The operation of a railroad by a court through receiver Is a1prtg -fa fp nf uUh an a terminated on all grounds, public and private, at the earliest possible moment.
 It is not my purpose at this time to repeat the considerations which make an inpregnable case in favor of tho ownership and manage ment by the government of the penal institu- tions in which federal prisoners are confined. I simply desire to again urge former recom- mendations on the subject and to particularly call the attention of the congress to that part of the report of the secretary of war, in which he states that the military prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kan, can be turned over to the government as prison for federal convictS without the least difficulty and with on actual saving of money from every point of view.
 Post Office Affairs.
 The report Of the postmastcr-gcneral pre- sents comprehensive statement of the opera tions of the post office department for the last fiscal year. The receipts of the department during the year amounted to s75 OS) ,479.OI and the expenditures of SsI.34,4i4l5. The trans actions of the postal service indicate with barometric certainty the fluctultlons in busi- nesses of the country. Inasmuch, therefore, as business complications continued to exist the last year to an unforeseen extent 1t is not surprising that the deficiency Of revenues to meet the expenditures of the post ofice department, which was estimated in advance at about S8,O0O0)D, should be exceeded by nearly Sl, ,250,091 Tae aScertained revenues or the last year. which were the basis of calcula- tion for the current year. being less than eSti- mated the deficiency for the current year will be correspondingly greater though the post master-general states that the latest indca- | tions are so favorable that he confidently pre- diets an increase of at least per cent, in the l revenues of the current year over those of the last year. The expenditures increase steadily and necessarily with the growth and needs of the country, so that the deh- | ciency is greater or less in any year | depending upon the volume of receipts. The | postmaster-genera states that this deficiency | is unnecessary and might be obviated at once | if the laws regulating rates upon mail matter | Of the second class was modified. The rate re- ceivcd for the transmission of this second-class | matter is cent per pound, while the cost of l such transportation to the government is eight | times that amount. In the general terms Of | the law this rate covers newspapers and peri odicals. The extensions of the meaning Of