Chicago Daily Tribune Newspaper, December 4, 1877, Page 12

12 Jocal agents. Special ngeuf 138 61 B 2 2 Total In rervice... ‘m'u.am LS T TY, o hiemy "0 g senaszu FEP HIE 8 o33 2ol g =2 2% 1 I s B H 2 L = o B i b= & i o : : H 3 e ~ g ¥ B 3 2 £ g El a L 0o 1Dy 400 o102 333, POSTAL NONEY-ORDEN BYSTEM. Thenumber of domestic woney-order offices in operation at the cammencement of the fiscal year was 1,975 4,144 sre In operation at thedate f this report. “The nu?nber of domestic money-orders fssucd duving the year was 4,035,031, amonnt- Ing to 8&7,420,500,30, and the number vald wns 4,760.073, amounting to $72- $94156.63, The domestle _orders repald amounted In value to $460,818.72, which sum s 10 be added to the amount of orders pald, tak- ¢ the total payments 72,008,430 and the e o the Dayinenta over tho Issucs §97.- ex M0.55. Fees nmounting to 8623,748.08 wero recelved Ly Postinasters for the tsaus of domestic orders, A decrense §8 shown by the foregoing state- ment of the year's transactions, wlien compared with that of tho previous [vunr. amounting to £4,215,463,03, or 5.48 per centy o the orders Is- sued; #4,181,414.42, or 5.40 per cent, {n arders i and $41,050.55, or B0 per cent in the es received. c‘l‘lm domestic money-orders fesucd during tho year sveraged §14.78, the avernie belnge 63 conta smaller than that of the previvus years and the avernge fee upon each order wus 12.68 cente, beinig 0.20 cent less than the average of tho pre- vious year. ‘The followlng statement showing the revenue which scertied on_ domestic nioney-onler trans- actlons during the fiscal year etided June 30, 1577, has been reported by the Auditor: - Vi oney-vr- Feos u:ch‘ul on domestic money: 3023, 748,03 000. 71 ders ixsu Premiums, etc 8024, 409, 60 Lost mmluln‘c‘k A, 5, 00 et roven bRt Net revenue, ), Dl 3024,400.00 Tlie amount of revenuo from the domestle busincas fs $60,539.83 below that of the previous year, belng a falling off of nearly 48 per cert. The gross number of domestic and Intérna- tlonal money-ordera lssued during the year was 5,030,747, anounting to OTJ,IIN‘WLISS. and the wrross number pald was 4,540,802, amounting to $7,883,022.03. 1 desire especially to call attention to a mat- ter which has bech carnestly dwelt upon by my two immediate predecessors, aud 0 fosist, a8 they did, upon the urgent necessity for a change in the method of adjusting the BALARIES OF POSTMASTERS AT FOURTI-CLASS OPFICE: In this class are embraced sl ofllces Lo which appointment {s not Presidentinl, or snore than 93 per cent of the whole number, so that ft must be evident that any evil and miscuievous influ- ences affecting the maungement of fourth-class ofiices must bo potent aud far-reachlug in thelr effects. Under existing law, Postmnsters In charge of this class class of offices derive their salaries almost cntirely from a very largo per- entage on thelr sales of rulumlnmln. while thu salarics of Presidential ofllces, having ouce been odjusted according to law, remaln un- changed until 8 new adjustmnent is ordered. Postmasters of the first three classes appoluted by the President, receiviug fixed salarics of from 8{.000 t0 $4,000 (vxcept tho Postmaster at New Yark, whose salury {s 38,000,) must account for all stampa sold by them at thelr (ace value, and their saluries would niot ba increased by the aale of an fimmense number of stampa nor diminish- ed by the failure to scll any. Whether thesalus of statwps at Presidential otlices amount to $10,- 0X0 ur $100,000, the Guvernment recefves tho Cldjre pmount. Buvwith offices of the fourth class TUE OFPOSITE 18 TIE CASE. A Postmasinr at a fourth-cluss officu recelves 60 per cent of the amouut of stamps sold by him in each quarter up Lo 31003 on all over 8100 and not over §300 per quarter, 50 per cont, aud oo all over 8300 per quarter, 40 per cent, until the amount reaches §1,000 or over, when the oflice becomes Presidentfal and has o tixed salary under the method of ndjustiucnt preseribed by law. Ifa Postmaster of tho fourth class sells quarterly $100 worth of stamps, or $00 an- nually, ho recelves of the proceeas §250, and the Government 8100, If ho s 8300 quarterly, or§ warmn‘)ieu. the Postmaster would recelve 8040, und the Uovernment 8500, lie may go further, ard, in additlon to the amount stated, may sell snnuslly stamps to the value of 595, of which his sharo will be 8453, and that of the Government $537, ‘Lhat is, under existing law, twenty-five out of every \wenty-six Postwasters may lcllauuuul{. fun quarterly fustallments, postuge-stamps to the amnount of $2,093, of which each will re- celye 8903, and the Government §1,007, while in ouly vos oflice out of ave“l'ly tweuty-six do the entire proceeds fromn the sufus of stamps ac- cruc to the benetit of the Government, It thus plafuly appears that the law now in force hua creat A DIRECT ANTAGONIEM between the Iuterest of tho Government and Anat of 00 per cent of the.Postuissters, The vetinsters of the fourth class wre fi. terested n sclling a4 muny 4tamds &3 possible, but the larcer theft salew become, the smaller in propurtion arv’ the reve- nuea of the Departinent s uhid, oh tie contrary, the greater the sales by Presidential oflices, Lo kieater the revenues of the Dy country can only use o o stamps, cpartment, for the tad awount of d an futrease ot sales ut lourth-clase Ollices necesss |I( usca o gecreass of Lho re- celpts from Presfdential offiest. When tho Governuient thus offers & premium 10 ita utllcers fur dotrauding (Ls revenues 18 tutl surprlsing tiat the temptation to tlotis ot 1ts expense proves, in tuny cases, ng to be reslsted. Mauy Postinasters are rotail wwerchants, aud are accustonied o pay fn part or whotly fur gowls with vestaze-stamps. Coutplaints are trequently mude to the Depart- went by Postmasters of citles that they sell no stamps to wholesaly merchanty, and the mers chisnta in many ustances have frunkly admitted that luu{ ubtalned ther stamps from thelr cunce try retufl customiers. This, however, s but & single instance of the proportions to which the speculutive trado fn stwnps bas wrown. Thy excclient opportumties afforded by this Jaw Uave not escaped the attention of that clins Of persons who are always ready W turt au houvet penuy At thu expense o1 the Governent, and they have spared uo eilurts to gemorulize those” Postmusters who were not dispused tu take that advantage of the Vioverument which the law allows. pewing-machine sgents, deslers In bogus Jowelry, and i mnusical fustiuments, books, anoalcats, e, huve tempted Postmasters with printed circulars, urging thiem to buy thelr ¥ odv, and for thun in stamps. These © reulurs estiniato the cost in cask 1o the Post- waster ol the goods advertised, vhen patd for L statnpe at par, a0 thut he cunuct fail g seo prutit to bimsell; s, to quict suy seruples of Cotsvience, recite that “gble attorueys kave b cu cousulted whu state ' (aud, § wust admit, w.ln trutn) *thut no Jaw s violal by the Pustmuster in making such trade; that the ouly tilug fu bls wev s au order ot the Post- waater-Geueral deciaring it cause tar removal ‘ ui_uu‘h- .u‘l \l'hl;}n lllu.-wl- lltllu‘ danger, as ‘atiuter u6d Lhe party seud| clrcus o ui dea condentialiyn ) oo 1E e +he cunsequence bs, uid wust contioue to be Bt us the law ulus unchiauged, that the 4 froui thesc vllices iucredse tar begond the tinate wauts of the ruple served by thew, they aupply tu u lar¢e extent our citles, le the sales from the aity oflices vosrespoud- y duniolaly, aud the uet 1evenues of the Devartisent ure tbercby diwmiuizhed. TUAT TUls EVIL NEEDS COKREZCTION #an bardly ve deneds “Lhe remcay is not so A0, arent.” Tee vusiness ol u post-utlice {3 best Liidvated by the uumber aud vuive of the Sabe cauceled by 1t wid the best v upivion, ol correcting the reblel to which attentivn bas been calleg, + bo tuake the value of the stamps “m:'lfi b b too L vlice tie Lash of cumpensation,! t Maaters in sl cares fu whict the saic of -8 Vo i preaest the beais, I4 s trus that this pluu remedics sgainst their disturbance, dispute ‘arise between uny rajlroa’l company an THE CHICAGO TRIBUNLE TUESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1B77—TWELVE PAGIES. las its objectlons and was abandoned for the present system, but experlenco has deman- strated that tho orfglfal method {s better than the present. com‘r’mnsnuon can be devised which will not be #ubject to abuse, the fldelity and diligence of All that ean be doue is to eans possible of detecting’ him should he prove carcless or dishonest. The amount of stamps_canceled at an office would afford a vretty fair test of the demand for them iu the nclzhbelwrhuml. and of the lexzitimate sales there- fn; and state under vnth that bis report of the cancella- tion of stamps at his office is accurate, 1t will te far more likely to glve a true stalement of the legitimate business of the offica than the present agatem, whis uature of a chicek., save the munber and valie of the stamps recelved Postmaster mav sell evergwhere and for any- thing, and the more of them he sclls, the largér s compenzation, Tdo not rce how any hasis of Something must bo left to the Postmaster. provide_the best ehouid the Postmaster be required to furnishes nothing fn the tor sale, which the 1t Cangress should decline to chango the present busis of cotnpensation, there onght, at lenst, to be some security provided agalnst the perpetuation of the great abuscs which have grown uw by providing penaltics against Loth buyer ane hn{nz in etamps; and It might be required of T'ostinnsters to make report under oatn of the atamps sold, and_that nose had been eold in trade or on speculation, or for anything but money at thelr fuce value. eclier {n casea of teading and apeett- THE RAILROADS OF THE COUNTRY constitute the main lines, the arterles, so to #peak, of vur postal systom, and it is of the higlhiest importance that our rallway-imaf! service e s perfect in its orgamization and as rellable in its operation as possible. ‘The relations be- tween the railroad officers and the I)cpnmunnt lve been aud are nowof n tnost fricnd ter, It 1s hoped that these friendly relntions will y charns be continued, but it may be well to provide Snould a the Government In réward to carrying the mall, the company has it 1o its power to oppose or resist_any deniands of the Government by refusing longer to carry the mails, leaving this Depurtment to make such otber arrsngeients for their transportation na may be within its obility, It is casy to sce that scrious hiterrup- tlons of the postal scrvice and conscquent em- barrassments to the busluess of the country may result from such a condition of atfairs. ‘fo prevent or provide agatvat such cevil conse- quences, T suegest that legislation would bo ad- visable to vompel the rufiroads to carry the mails ou terms to be prescribed by law. It might be well to leave thy mattor of compensa- tlon to the discretion of the Postmaster-General within such narrowly-viraumseribed bounduries as nay be prescribed Ly Cungress. 1T this of- ficer and the railrond companies should, for any causc, fail to azree as to tho terms of the service, or the compensation therefor, tet thero be a copmnission, board of arbitration, ur other tribunal established by law towhich such dis- putes may bo relerred upon the spplication of the Vostimaster-General or of tho raliroad au- thorities. 1t would not be in consonance witn the splrit of frec Institutions and pop- ular lberty for the Govermment to re- quire railroads to do certatn work and to x the price at which the work should Le done, 1o do so would deprive the rallrond conpanies of any volee or discretion In the management of o part ot thelr business, It ap- pears to me that thio interests of the public de- mand that railroads should be required to transport the malls with ‘certaloty, celerity, sufety, and reguiarity, but that thuy shiould he allowed to lisvosume voice in negotistions as to terms, and In the settlement and adjustinent of disputes growlngz out of the service. TIB INTIMATE POSTAL RELATIONS recently established between the prineipal com- nerelal natlons huve greatly tucreased thelr fn- tercourse, promuted tuele trade, and improved thelr acquaintauce with and kuowledge of each other. Inasinuch ns this country was oucof the first to call for un International postal trealy, it behuoves us, s a matier of uational pride, to make our postal machinery and its managenient as nearly perfect ns possible, and we vught in no partlcular to permit our postal service to by surpassed by that of nay other natlon. An in. telifgent Inspection ot ‘the pustal systems of Europe and an aceurate knowiedgo ot " their de- talls would be of great advantage to us In this respect, 1 therciore: suggest that the Post- master-General e authorized to detail from his Department threc uble and experienced otll- cers to gu to Europe and examine Lhe operation and detuils of the .postal service of thuse Governments which have the most complety and efiicient postul system. One of these oflleers night examine the de artmental organizations of the postol systems n these countrics; onother, the rallway-uinll service and its incldents; und the third, the methods of conducting post-oftices, the dls- tribution of the malls, the carrler svatem, and that part ol thelr mail transportation which most nearly allfos itself to our star and steam- buat service, ’eim 853 of the Rovised Statutes, under the title 4 PRINTERS' PEES," prescribes 08 the rates to be pald for advertls- fuig, 40 cents per follu of 100 words for the I fnsertion, und 20 cents fur each subzequent ju- sertion, Under an carly construction of the law vy a former Attorney-General, 3t was held tiat this sectlon apulled only to udvertlsements ontered by the United States Courts, and this departinent has been uccustomed tocontract with publishiers of newspupers for its annual advertise- miznteut thelr regular commercial rates. Afierthe cottracts nad been wade for advertising the misellancous mall-lettings of April 10, 1877, on the wual baals, the Attorney-teneral deelded that tie rates prescribed in Bee, 853 must gov- crn allGovernment advertlsing, and the Auditur of the Trensitry for the Post-Otlice Department. was thenby compelled to annul the contracts with the qublishers. The matter fs submitted for such ntjun Congress muy see it to take in the premags. If the luw remalng unchanged, tuc Departmiat will be unable to procure the insertion of la wdvertfvements In wost of the leading nowspmers of Lhe country; and In some Btates It will be furossible to muke uthes than teporary contracts for carylng the malls, un account of the inability af the Postnaster-Uen- eral tocomply with the law 1squiring the ad- yerthicments of tho mall-lettlogs to be pub- laned in oue puper at the Cuultal of the Stata 1 which the mail-routes are locuted, by reason of the refusal ol publishers to Inscrt vig adver-, xhxmen::ll ‘2 the ta(cl n}lu\\'cd by l:llw. 5 W] ¢ acen by reference 10 the state of the tluancial comdition of the liemrl“r:l::;‘;!' the revenues of this Department bave fallen ot 0 the extent of $£27,650.25 nluvln? the last fiscal year, as_comnpared with that of the provious zw‘ This Is not thureault of o dim(nlshed It arlses, I apprehend, MAINLY FROM TWO CAU3ES: Mo large sales of. Postinasiera of smiall fimlufummum made by the oliices have lupplh:j the market to such sy extent that postaze-stamps have accumulated In the lands of wholesale merchants und other busincss men, who have ceased to purchaso stanips for their correspond- ence from thetr vity utlices; and inan) stamps purchased - aud on hand before the Tast tiscal year be have been used during that year, o deflcfency ariees, uhlx:ll,yX frum the dunfiish- cd sules of stwnps at Presidential olllces, Anothier thing which has, no doubt, decrcased the revenues of the department §3 the substitu- tiun of postal cards for letters. The number of letters and postal cards cotlected by carrlers |y cities baving o free delivery gives couclusive evidence that such (s the vase. The letters col- lected ju thuse citfes In 1576 amounted to S0),- 250,079, and In 1577 they nurabered 197,475,847} nearly 3,000,000 Icas than In the preceding Fear, Iu 1870 thero were SKLUS0,053 postal vards col- lected In the same cities, and in 1877, 40,537,507; an increase of six and & quurter willions, 8o that, althuugh there Wers more inessages ke in those vities, there were fewer letters In the last than in the previous year. No doubt the same rutses had o correaponding Influence aud produced l1ke resulte at the other oflices, THE TZNDRSCY 0F LEUISLATION aflecting this Departient has been to cheapen tiie rates of w:mae toa peint below the vost of transportation. Winle the business of the De- partmient Las becn thereby enlunred, fts ex. B cnises have been correspondingly increased, and b result 18 that the greater the business the greater the deficiency wuleh Congress {s called uvon to meet by “apvropriations from the Treasur . Postal matrer uf the i imm sud postal cards pa{ , 1ts way throush the wall: ut mat- ¢ secoud aud third clnsscs falls, by o qua wwount, v puy the cost of trapsmision; whlle the large gquantity of otliclal and Con- resslonal wall matter, which, under recent eyistution, goes free, ¢ the Goverument for fts traveportation just as much as other watter, Under existipg postal laws deliclencies ia this Department must, for 4 long Hing tu comy, ju- creasu s busiuess fncreases, und {3 fs best that this fact be clearly understood. Very respect. tully, your obedieut servaut, D. M. Kxv, Postmaster-General. The Fresident, THE ARMY. BEPOUT OF TUK BLCKETAKY OF WAR, Wan DevarTaEsT, Nov, 19, 1577, PRRS- 1DEST: 4 bave the boaor to submlt, as required by law, the avnual report of operations of the War Department. 2 THE AUMT. In accordance with the teims of the act of Cungress of Aug. 15, 167, the upiny was reduced to & maxiwuw of 25,000 wen. The suine act requiring that o reductivn bo made 10 the cavalry, it was found necossary tp reduce \ t cluss, in- aud more ,both otfcers the othier arms of the servics to very scant i mensions, By General Urders No. 47, of date May 9, 1577, the maximum strength of all or- ganizations, except cavalry, was fixed as fol- lows: Enlieted men of engineers Enlisted men of ordnance Grdnance-Sergeants nt posta . Commierary-Serzeants at post Hospital-stewarda West Ioint detach Recralting-partles. ... Indiun acouts.., Gnard at military pri<on, 2 Bixty-five enlirted men per battery for b laht Datterien of ArtHIErYoueecorerieesns sons coe 323 Forty-cignt enlistcd men per battery for & - batt=rics at the artillery-school. 240 Thisty-clht enllsted men per batiery for i) baticriea of artillery, and G enlisied men for non-commissioned staff ut each of fire- {mental headquarters of netilfery. Thirty.seven enlisted men per con P n; r £250 companies of infantry and 5 for non. commissioned atafl at cacii of 25 regimental = hendguarters of inlnatey ... POPRDIRONS 3173 These figures represcnt tho maxtmum strength of the several arms of the serviee named, to wwhich they were reduced by the onder nbove named. In order to secure these reductions, n suspenslon of recrulting und the dischargo of all soldlers whose terms of enlistment would expire prior to Oct, 81, 1877, was orderel. Since July 1 reeruiting has not been resnmed, excent to a very limited extent, Re-cnlistments of non-commissioned ofiicers and ol soldiers of good character, whoso fterms had expired, has been permitted; the necessary me- chanics . and musiclans have been en- Msted, and a number of cavalry-recrults and Indian scouts have been recruited to mecet emergencies growing out of Indian hostilities. ‘Thego enlistments have been made without charge npon suy recruiting-fund. Notwith- atanding these accessions, amounting 1n all to ubout 1,000 men, the actual number now In service Is much below the fizures ahove wiven, THR REPORT OF TUE GENEMAL OF TIE ARMY shows that our small foree bas been constautly employed In arduous and tmportant service, and #hd men havencquitted themaclves 'with great credit. The ladian hostilities, tho unscttied atate of atfuirs on the Mexican bor- der, and the serious disturbances n some of the States of the luterior, all coming together, and each demanding attention, and ealling for the cmployment of a military force, was o severe tax upon vur small and scattered grmy. Even in time of peaco 1t s fmpossible, without a larger army than we posscss, to concentrate a strong force ot any one place without leaving many of our forts, arscnals, and milltary debots witlhout adequate protection. Much loss of 11 hoa resulted from the neees- slty of engaging strony forces of Indlans with detachments of truoxs reverally fnferior in polut of numbers. An army of respectable strength 18 of inestiinable value as o means of preveniting war, ‘This is especlally tene of In- dian war. The savages are well informed as to the atrength of our frontier posts, and they are more intluenced by an exbibition of foree " than by anything clse, The reluforcament of the military posts now ou the frontier, aud the cs- tablishment of & few additional strong posts at suitable points, su as to connuand the country oceupled by the Indinns, and give them the as- surance of certaln und overshielning defeat in case Lhey goto war with thowhites, will, without doubt, insure permanent peace in that quarter, Furthermore, it must nuw be accepted us o fact, which experience hus demunstrated, that Federal troops may he required not only for the protection ot our frontlers, but also to FUESZRVE PEACE AND ORDER IN OUIL MORE POIULOUS INTERIOR. Had a full rezsiment of trufned Federal sol- diers been stationed tn the vicinity of ittsburg the recent riot ot that place would have been prevented or at least suppressed without sc- rious loss of 1lfe and pruperty which attended it. It also scems hizhly probable thut the timelv arrival of n detachimentot Federal troops at Baltimore uu the mght of the 21st of July last had the effect to prevent shinllar scenes of mru:uiu and bloodabed i that city, One of tha most important functlous of the "Foderal Gov- crnment {3 exerclsod when, fn obedlence to the Coustitution, its military power [s extended for the protection of the Stute. It bLelug under- stood that lu caso of domestic vivlence the Fed- erul forces may be employed Lo restors and pro- servo peuco and order, the presenco of u strong garrlsun In any part ol the countey will uften prevent an uprising which, In_ Its abscuve, ikt occur, ‘Phe great value of o stroug Fed- cral force stationed In the vicinity of our great cities would b seen fn the preventlon of mobs and violence, probably far wwore thun in thelr suppression. ‘Tho uriny 18 to tho United Btatca what awall- disciplined and tralned polive force I8 Lo o eity, and the une {s quite us nceessary us the other. Those who apposs any Increase i the urmy do 50 upon the theory that the local militla iy suf- ficient for oll the purposes of preserving the peave and suppressing local uprisings, [t is assumed that our present durce is sutllelent for the protection of vur borders and of our fron- tier settlements. Whetner this assumptlon s correct or not must depend largely upon the disposition of the nuwmercus bands of zavazes within our limits, and of the inhabitants of nelghboring territory across our horders. But walying o discuassion hers of that question, IT MAY BU WELL TO INQUINE whether the local militia shiould be vur only ro- 1lauce for the suppresslon ot domeatle violénee, Our fathers who framed the Constitution, and who were not withoutexporience vpon thispolut, doubted the wisdom of relylir upou tho mih- i, and 80 provided for Lhe employmeut of thy Federal troops for this purpuse. 1T thisscemned necessury to them {n the carly perlod of our Listory, when our population was largely rural, aud the spectaclo keldom or never witnessed of 1arge masscs of men {dle, suffering, and desper- uty, how much uory neevssary 1 tho same thing unow! Asourcountry tncreases In population aud wealth, and ns great cities beconie numer- ous, it must bo clearly seen that there may be great danger of uprisings of lancu nasses of cople for the redress of grluvances, real or uncled; and it s o well-known fuct that such uprisings enlist in a greater or leas degros the sympathies of the communitics in which they occur, ‘This fact alone renders the local militly unreliable in such an emeritel Besldes, it Is knowu that few of the Btales ave any perma- nent or well-drilled soldiery, and the recent troubles have llfllfllfl,’l‘v flluatrated the value, | such an emergency, of the disciplue, steadl Duan, and cooluass which levies never and which characterlzo only the ed aud experienced soldiery. Coolnus steadiness, and lmpielt obedisnes to orders ure tho quallieations most needed In soldicrs wha are to deal with an ex- cited and exasperated mob; and they are quali- tiesucquired only Ry tralnlug, and are scldom fouud in inexperlenced militla. {n view of these considerutions, it Is respoct- fully recommonded that authority bo given to the President to INCRILASE TUX STHENGTI @f tho doploted companies vow ewbraced withe inthe ariny organization The aruiy now has a sulliclent usumber of oftlcers, rogtwents, and companics; bur tha cowpanics are too awull, 1 recommend that thu President be authorized to reerubt all con- paules of Infautry to ity wen eact, and atterles of artillery to seventy-five men cach, with power, In his discretion, In” vase of emer- wency, to increase the furmer 10 100 and the lat- ter 1o 123 men {nch. Wo muy safely assume that such s diserdtion would bo” exerclsed with becomtog moderation and prudence; and the result would be that the grand sggrezute would never, i any probuble emcrzency arlse fng in_ the * rccess of Congress, ex- ceed 40,000 men, whilo 30,000 would wuf- fleo to meet auy demnatids upon the army that can at this tmebe certainly antlcipated., 1t must not bo forgotten, In considerlng this fuestion, thut there must always be u lurgo CTLEHLsge ul R0 Urmy not nmll:!’llu for duty fu he field. Beshies the number of soldlers on the sick-lst, and thuss enployed on detached duty of varjous kfods, a large nuinber of nien are always needed for guard aud garrlson duty, For example, we have now about 420 miitary posts, ut most of which ten are necessarily em- loyed contiuually in taking care of and guard- bR Uovernment property, We ha ome cigliteeu arienals au i s about forty storebouses or depots, at each of which is stured pr Governin the protection of the property of the Umted Htates at these numervts and widely-scattered renders it necessary to keep avonsiderable orce ou duty for that purpose, sbd therefore withdrawn from othir servize, T om glad to be able to state that TUE MORALE OF THE ABNY 8ppears to by steadily linproving. ‘The number ol Lrals by couris viarnthil, [ e Glhey wilisary atfoube tavul e portion sad diminighed, “The numl pusses, ol desertlous reported durlug each of the four tscal years nawed was a8 10luws: Piscal year euding Juue Fuacal year endjng Juse The lite of the gllule aldiv peace, 13 a lite of dul i thoe ot | wud monotonous routine, of whl:h it is natural, if ot fuevitable, that wen of suirit aud awsbltion shiould weary, “The atteobion ol Congressway very propeny be - vited 80 the queatin, What cin te doue to ren- der thu dadly 1ifu sud duty of the co nmon avl- dlur taore weecabled - L Iuformution In his posscasion rely Ul late been wreatly ' Lsuaicest, us dfinenns of | prescut aod prevarcd Lo iat necomplishing this end, the fmportance of tak- Ing measures for the aubply of more and bet- ter reading mntter for the army. The roldiers should he supplied not only with hooks such as nre found fi the best * post-librarics,” but with the best cuerent literat ure, Inclwling news- papers and magazines; and there publications should be reenlacly sent to ench company In the nrmy, whether at rezular and perinaient posts or not. Our troops are never for any Ert‘fil leugth of time beyond the reach of the mails. ‘This very desiranle objcet can be accomplished atavery irifling cost. The sum of 82,000 per annum to be aporopriated for the supplv of the army with newspapers and magazines would be sufliclent, TIE RETIEED LIST, T recommend to Conuress the cnactment of & Iaw removing the restrictions as to the nunber of officers allowed on the army retired liat. 8cv, 1,238, Revised Statutes, fixes the whole number at B, at any one time. ‘There are now, fo additlon to that number, which s fall, fitty- seven awaltiug retlrement. All these officers, thouzh incapable of dolng uty aro In recelpt of full pay, swhenfif on the retired lst, they would Lo entitled to 75 per eentum of full pay. The comlitions “of retirement now left to the Preshicnt’s discretion are ample to tect every need of the seeviee; and all that is needed fs to leave the number that may be borne on the re- tired sty ot any time, unilinited, or at the dis- wretion of the Presldent, i UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMT, By Generl Grders No. 13, of date, March 2, 187, requlations, approved by the Secretary of War, were duly promulgated, whereby the Military Academy and post of West i'olut were constitited a separate military department, and Dy the sate onler thie President appoiuted Maj- Uen. J. M. Schofleld to the command. Referring to this change, the Board of Visitors, In thelrannual report, “desire to record thelr zense of the great value to the Academy of the ‘nr nee of a Major-tieneral of the Army at Its head,” Estimates liave been received and approved by me as follows: ‘The enlargement, ete., of the cadet- Larracks, Innceurdance with tie plans, 393,440.00 nusw in the War Depastment,., . Completion of the cadets’ hospltal , 744,70 Enlargement of the water-sunply, ,000. 00 Completion of system of sewerago for e POt seinaiees +ereese 13,230,00 Yrovislon for ample gas-works (reap DROPFALIUI s ooaanes hes avvneen senen 25,109.01 he commanding General of the Department has pointed to certain defects in the Revised Statutes reluting to the Academy. e has pro- posed a revision of the laws to cover them and certain reforms as well. The propused reviston contemplates mainly: That the Acadermy und post of Weat Point shall constitute a separate inflitary department ; the General of the Army, underthe Scerelary of Wur, to have funneliate supervision and charge, subject to regulations of “the President of the United States. That thu Superintendent of the Academy shall be the department commanders in his ab- sence, tho next in rank to have command, cte. ‘That the Professorship of Spanish Le abols ished. ‘I'hat all the officers of the Academy shall be ofllcers of the army, asslened to duty st the pleasure of the Presldent. ‘Ihat the Superintendent, when not a general oflicer, shall fiavu the rank of Brigudler-(ien- eral} the commandant of cadets the lueal rank of Culonel; the Professors, for first ten years, the loeal rank of Lieutenant-Cotonel, thureafter the locul rauk of Colonels and thy Inatructors tha loeal rank of Major, That the appointuients annuaily at largo bo fixed at ten. That the term of the encampment be two months. That the Board of Visitora be made perma- nent, aml to consist of two Senators, threo Representatives, the General of the Army, and one other weneral oftleer, the Superintondent of the Military Avadeny, two ofllecrs of tho navy (Rear-Admirals), and three other persons to be appolnted by the Prestdent. DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. In July lust a enll was made by the Governor of the Stute of West Virsinta upou te President for milltary ol to suppressdomestic violenco fn that State, resulting from an norlsmig atnong tho cimnvloyes ot the Daltimore & Uil Rallrouu Compnny, A few days later a shymilar outbreak acearred among the employes of the same Come pany {n the State of Maryland, which also us- sunied such proportions us to defy the authori- ties of the State, and render necessary a similar appeal by the Governor of that State. The ex- citement and eontagion extended raphlly trom Baltlmoro Lo tho westward, along ths great lines ol {nter-State ruilroads, In the State of Pono- sylvanin tho uprlsing reached the pruportions of a very serious insurrection, and led to rlot In the City of Plttsvure, on the 22 of July, re- sulting In a scrious luss of 1ife and property, In that State, also, at o little Iater perjod, the fu- fectlon spread amony tho operatives fo the min- ing regrlons, numberlug many thousauds of ja- borers, The Guvernor of [eunsvlvonia also called upon the President for military aid; as did also, at u 11ttle later porlud, the Governor of Illinale, From several other States, whoso au- thorities made no formal call as required by the Coustitutionundldwa for militaryanl, thero eame very carnust uppeals lor troops to be stationed near the scenesof anticlpated danger, 83 amneans of prescrvitgz the peace, It was rightly Judged that the troops of the United States, by their very presence In any neighborhood, weuld be able to deter evil-disposod versous from acts ol vivlence, In response to these appeals, all the troops within reach that could by spared frqm other dutles were dispatched to the disturbed re- , and, under direction of the Presiden were employed by thls departiment in re: derlng all possiblo nid” to the local authorltios fn securing and maintaining order, In order to respond to calls for ald whoere violence sctually existed, and to guard agalnst danger at threatened places, it became necessary to con- eentrate troops at points in the Btates of West Vireiole, Merylaud, Venusylvania, Indlana, hi- nols, and Missuurl, as well ps la the District ot Columbla, For the promptucss anu zeal with which both ottlcers and men respunded to calls for otd I repressing thcso disorders, and the celerity, courage, and moderation displayed by them i the exeeutlon of thelr diticalt und hin- portunt duties, they are entitled to Wigh praieo. 1am glad to be able to unuounce that the army hus weain shown ltself the stanch iriend of law, tho firin supporter of thoe lawful author- fties, unnd In an eminent degrec the conservator of peace and order, i€ 1t {s uldo a source of great pleasure to me to be able to aunounce thut tho natleual furces sutit to quell these disturbances met with little resttanco, and woere ublu to exucute ull their orders without fring & gun and without bloodshed, The aingls instance of serious resistanca ut Jobustows, Pu., it 1s be- lieved may bave been In jeporsace of the fact that it was made azalust the national troups. Hero the forbeurnuce of ¢he comtuunding of- fleer (Ma), Juhn Homflton, First Artillery), in not firlng upon the rioters was the mord von- fu,lunuuo fnce be Llmself sustained a paiuful ujury, 1 desire, in this connection, emphatically to express wy obligations ta Maj-Gen, Wintleld 8, Huucock, Unlted Stutes Army, commanding the Mititary Geograubical Division of the Atlantie, for his untiring envricy and great akill o dircet- uig thie movements vl Lroops. 1114 MEXICAN BORDER. By a resulution of the Houss of Representa- thvey; adopted ou the latduy of November fnst,, the President was requested to communicate nII tug o the conditlon of the Mexican border 1n Texas, sund tuany receut vivlation of the territory of the United States by lncursiuue from Mexico, fn reaponse to this request all the faformation In the possession of thls Deparument upon the sub- Ject has Leen transmitied to Imrohody. A statenient tn detall here ds thereforo reudered, uunecessury, It ds sulllcient o say that the lawicas lucursivue by armed baids from thy terrltory of Mexleo uto the Stute of Texas, for the purposes of robbery aud pluu- der, have coutinued to occur, ‘Chcso bandits hiaves longg been in the bubit of crossing the bor- der, coumitting depredatious, and fleciog for safety back lute Mexico, ‘Thls state of thiogs has coutinued for many years, and, in cones yuence, the people of thut portion of ‘Texas Lordering oo the Rio Grande have sutlered I vy, and have, with great reason, com- plal and appesled to the Unfted States for !muwuuu. 1t°has long been evideat that these ucurslune canuot be stopped su long us the Government of Mexivo s either unable or un- williug to punish the marauders, snd the United Btates i prevented trom crosslng the Rio Urande Iu their pursalt, Mexico has uot been able to keep upon her trontier a Larce able and disposed to cither pre- vent these puide® or punish the raiders upon tLeir return with their booty. ‘Fhis state of things Las rendered it ecessary Lo conslder vo- der what circumatances the troops of the United Btates imay be urdered to croes ths luo n pus- suit uf these marsuders, and for the purpose of buulnhlng thew wud recoveriug stolen property, pou 8 caretul cutsiderution It was deewed proper to direct Gea. Ord, cumwandiug lo Texus, (b the exercwsc of his own discretion, when in pursult of 8 band of warauders, Lo fol- low them, eithier when the troope are fn sight of thew or upon @ fresh tral, across the Ao Grande, aud untll they are overtuken and pun- fshed, aud the stuten property recoverod. 1 ais zlad to be able 1o siate that, slthough the vorder bas severul times been crossed fu parsuance of the urder above weotloned, the Dlonlly relations between the two couniries Lave pot been disturbed. Gea 0:d hay sirgeted that wheuever Mexewm t wiph ivliatiug raiders, he s to leave the performance of that lllul\'. on the Mexican shle of the line, to such orce. The report of the General of the Army pre- fonts o Aucelnet and exceedingly clear and interesting account of the rlse, progress, necesaful terminatlon of the war with Nez Perces Indions, umler Chiet Joseph, T foin with Gen., Sherman In glving grateful recopnition of the zeal, encray, endirance, conr- aze, and kil displared by ten. Tloward, Col, Gitbon, aml Col, Miles, ond the officera andmen under their command, tn the prosccution of this most remarkable campalen, With the surreniter of Joseph ended Indian liostilities for the prescnt, and, let us hope, for the futitre as well, 1t Is not, however, wise to assume that all danger fs passed, and that the Indian tribes on our frontier will from this time forwand remninat peace. While honing for the heat, and o8 8 means of securing and presery, peace, we should take measires for enforving obedience to the national authority, and prompt- Iy muppressiniz_evers appearance ol Tostility, With at Jeast 260,000 uncivilized Indfans within our horders, there s aceasion for the wtmoat wigilance, to the end that the lives and property «:1 fu{zeuu on the frontier may be fully pro- ceted. made, the vontractora have consentel to supply them nlso with headstunes, the nated cost of which will be al; 3, nml n balance of $19L,000 ot the al - aupropriation of £1,000,000 will remal It 1s anggested that an- thority he wiven by Congress to thils sum tomark the graves of sol cl private and village cemeterivs, to which the law td ot _extend, Sixty chousand dollars, it s believed, wonld suflive for this purpose. SUNSISTENUR DEPATMENT. As no appropriation fur sub:istence of the army has been made for the current tlscal year, supplies (with the exception of the HNoited aniounts which could be purchased” froin pro- ceeds of sales of subsistence supplics) have been procured on credit. No difliculty has been experienced fn purchas- Ing tha nceessary supplics, and at most pomnty the prices pald liave not been inore In excess ot the cash prics than the usual rates of interest upon the eash value of the stores; but In sume places, where there was but little competition, excesslva prices appear to have heen detnnnded, ns in portlons of Montana, where supplies were required for Gen, loward's commard. These stores hiave not been pald for, hut the bills therefor will be thorougbly scrutinized, and only such suma allowed as may appear just to the seller and Lo the Government. CIHIEP OF ENOINEEKS, The report of the Chiel of Engineers states that work upon our seaconst defenscs has heen preactically Hmited to thelr care, preservation, und partial repairs it he azain urizes the adop- tion of sume reasuneble system of snnual ex- penditure npon oue hacbor defenses. Experiments and nractice on the general ays- tem of torpedo defense have been continued at Willets Point. An appropriation of $100.000 for the coming year §s recommended for this pur- pose, and for the purchase and storage for suen portions of tha materlal as would be fmmedi- arfis] SIGNAL BERVICH, The Bignal Scrvice has continued ts useful- ness {n the difusion of sclentiflc and practical fnformatlon. The dutles now devolved upon that. keevice are, hesides Lhe fnstructions in mili- tury shenaring und telegraphy, to conduct the observatlon il repurt of storms; tu report upon the average depth of water In the great rivers of the interior, and dve notice of thele dangerous tlses; Lo give hnportant nesistance to the life.snving servive on our coast: and to con- struct und repair military telegraph lines, Oune hundred and fifty-nine stations of obser- vatfun have been maintained durlug the year, and the deductions made from the informution nl":l[»‘ requtired Iy case of sudden hostilites, reported by thew, now known us the *Synopals | The sppropriation made in the Suudry Clvit and Indleations,’ hins been continued with gratts | act of the last session of Congress for the pro- fylug reaults, A carcful analysis of the Indica- | tection of the plers of the bridie across the Mis- tlona thus published, sud o comparison with | sissiprd River at Rock Istand, 116, b8 belng - ex- the weather chunyres alterward oceurring within | pended In accordance wilhi the bruvisions of the tho time und district to which each has had ref- | 8ct. crence, has glven an averare percentage of 8610 To comply with tho joint resolution of March as verltled, An averuge of Iu.-r cent I8 be- | 3, 1877, a Cominission was appointed to examine lleved to be attainable. The wide diffusion of [ into the matter of contracts made between the these reports way be judged by tha fact that | United States and the Moline Water Company they abuear regitlarly In atmost all tho dally | as to tha water-power at Moliue, 11 newsprners of the country: nnd no great storn In the survey of the Northern and North- has swept over anv conslderuble part of the | western lakea under the Engincer Department, United States without pre-announcetnent. the triungulation bas been carrled from West- In pursuance of acts of Congress for the cons | flekd, N. Y., to Palnesville, 0. ‘The topography struction of telegrapnie Hnes In the luterior and | and i:ydruxrnpllv liave been carried Irom Ash- upon the frontler, connecting military vostaand | tabula, 0y, to Vermiilion, O. the latitudes and Matlons, the enlisted men of the 8igual Service | lougitudes of Mount Forrest nnd Calro, TIl., ave nearly completed the lines In Arizonn, New | have been determined, and assistance bas been Mexleo, and the Texan frontler. A totallenzth | rendered fn the - telegraphic determinae of 'i""" miles of line Is now operated, and f3 | tion of the Jongitudes of Fort Fetter- partially self-supportiog. man, In W{umluz'l‘urrlmry, and Forts Stock- The Chicf Signal Ofllcer recommends the | ton, Coucho, and McKuvett, In Texas, The complete and permancut organization of the | difference of level between Lakes Miclhizan and Biznal Service. Thas subject waslust year favor- | Buperlor has boen deterdhned, The survey of ably reported upon aud recommended by tho | the Mississippi River, which has been carried on Presldent to Congress, It Is nuw, agaln, sub- | by the offlcer charged with the lake survey, los mitted {n the hope that sultable legisiation may | been extended from five nilles aboye Calro, 1il., be had {n this regard, to u polnt cight miles ubove Columbus, Ky, PRESERVATION OF WATR KECORD3. YVolume IL, Deacriptive Geologvy Voluine 1V, Since the report of my predecessur, made one | Pateontolozy aml “Ornitholo, and Volume year ago, the work of the publication of the VI, Mleroseopieal Petrograpliy, aml the (ico- ofticial records ‘of the War of the itebellion, | lozleal and Topographical Atlus ofthe Geoloic- both Union and Confederate, has been diligent. | 81 Exploration of _the fortieth paralicl, bave Iy and systematically oursucd, though under a | been comeleted duriug the year, and ure now uinch alininialied force of printers sud copylsts, | it the hands of tho Public Printer. Volute L, during the present flscal year, by raason’ of o Bvslelm,mu Geology, and Volume VI, Verte- Inpizely-reduced appropriaiion. As far as se. | brats Paleontolowy, will soon be finishicd nnd compliabed, this consists of u serles of volumes [ Feudy for the printer. Thess reports will com- in print, thus mnltiplying the widely-scattered | plete the work and publications belonging to documents an file, so that they cun be readily | this survey. examined in a condensed “form, By this The systematle survey of the territory westof means, ns well as by a judiclous distribu- | the 100th meridian, which for several years hus tlon of o fow coples, records of inestl- | been carefed un by engincer and other vitleers of mable value are secured from possiblo loss by | the army, has been continued during the vear in fire, and tromn the obliterating lafluences of rtions of Calitornls, Nevada, Colorado, and time, ‘The arrangement of the matter (8 In | New Mexico, The continuation of this usctul chronologleal order, and great caro fs exerclsed | work, (n its present sutistactory coudition of n compuritig what I8 put in print with tho orle- | organization, will, it is hoped, commend fteell Inala, 'The report above alluded to shiows au | to the favornble conshderation of Congress, ageregate of thirty volumes issued since the ONDNANCE DEPARTMENT, comuencement ol the work, severnl years ago, In consequenea of the fallurs of the aporo- of which twenty-two volumes have refureuce to | priations for the arny, the wanufucture of arms military operations on the part of the United | at the Natlonal Aruory at Soringtield was States, aud elght volumes pertain to uperations | stopped on the irst of July last, aud thero on the part of the Contederate States. At | now only on hand a reserve supplv of 8, Emcnl the volumes agusesaty nyrzg--auvuu Sm"- ritles and 5,053 carbines, of the latest model. It racing upward of 33,000 pages), of which [ s the opinlon of the Department, a4 a tuirty-seven relato to the United States and ten | measure of — precaution and military to tho Confederate States, furesight, that o wmuch larger number It will be seen that this effort to get valuablo | of urms of the latest and wmost op- historfcal matter futo proper form, and to re- | proved patterns should be on land in our ar- deem 1t from o chaotic condition, {8 now | senals fn caso of emergency, The present assumiug 0 position of jmportance n | Bpringtictd breceh-loading rifle” compares layor- which the whole country Is deeply | ably with the best arma here or abroad. Itls Interested, Thot its prosccutlon shoulil | an arm that may not be superscded for sume Lo provided for by o permancatly | years, and, If obliged to vleld to one of superior organized working foree. tnder intelligent und fuithful supervision, and bfl Niberal n;:l:rupm- tlons Irom vear to years untll completed, seems to be mnanifest, The War records of the Coufederate States have been published up to the end of the year 1861, The m of materlal yet ou haud for publicatfon 1s very large. It s known, huweyer, ;.hm. documents of an fmportant chiaracter are 1o the hands of Stute and private societies and fudlviduals, Thess obtajued and arranged clironologically with tho rest, o moro satisfue. tary result will be arrlved at, and supplement- ary edittons avolded, ng It is the futeution to print fully uud accurately all records pertalning 1o the War of the Ltebellion, from whatever suurce procurable. Henve tha discrepuncy at present between the number of volumes lsstted rom the two great fuuntaing of supply, as scen above. It is hoped that, In due tune, with the aid of such leglsintion as may be necessary, thy Government will be uble te gbtain vriginals not now i pusscislon, or, at least, of duly authen ticated coples. merit, the elfect will viot be to ronder It obso- lete, bue to make It secondary outy Lo one hay- o “groater rapldity of fiee, “In this view it is lnl:llcvud to be wisu to luy up a reasvuable sup- iy, 1u the supply of metalllc ammunition, It is reported that wo are lamentably deflcient, Ten routds per mwonth per man for targat practive hadd been allowed, but this was tnadequate for trainfuz the soldicr in the use of thy rlflu, and In the perfection of his marksmanstlp. Many com- lnints from those fn actlveservice bave resulted n an order doubling the allowance, making an annual expenditure of G,000,(00 of cortridires, The oppropriations for th: past have, however, been too small ‘to reuder this vxpenditure a judicious one, and {t i3 recoin- mended that un inereased appropriatiou be made for metallle smunition, E ‘The subjeces of the organization, arming, and dlsciplining the militia has recelyed the attentive cunsderation of the Chiel of Ordnauge, whose department 18 required, under the act of 1503, to provide nrms und equipinents for the whole QUARTERMABTER'S DEPARTMENT, body of mlitla, Under that act, an appro- ‘Tho appropriations for the Quartormostier’s | priation of $200,000 14 annually made, which Depurtment for the last flscal vear wero $1,5000,- | 18 not sufliclent to arm and equip mors 00Y 1eas than in the previons year, notwithatand- | than 8,000 Infantry. ‘The orzanized militia of fog the crease In tha cavalry arm. Yet tho | the Btates Is now repoited at over 0,000 expendiiures snd Mabilitles have been kewt | men, and §f 16 be the purposo of Congress within the apvropristions, except in the ftem of | to cucourage the fucresse wnd cllicieney of this transportation, for which a detlciency eatlmate | foree, o much lurger sum thun s uow provided of $1,00,000 lias been sabmittal, Exigencles | will be ne Y. have caused the nunierous movements of bodles ‘The arnament of our seacoast fortifications of troops, and ereat expenditurs has been - | 48 progressing slowly, A conslderation of curred fu thelr concontration at eritieal polnts, | their urgent wantd, the leiigth of ting required 1 quite agreowith the Quarterinauter-Ueneral, | to supply them, tho unprotected cot lun of that, in a military point of view, tle futercsts | our hurbors, aud the absolute fmpossibility of of the Governiment requiro the passage of o | providing for thele defense fn thne of sudien | Taw tder which all railrods ahall be obllgeato | danger, leads to the conclusion that it would be trausport, at the earllest dmwmnl)lu tlue, the | for the best fntescat of Lhe country to provido u men and materfal of the United States, leaviug | perinavent aunuat appropriation for thelr arma- tho adjustment of the question of aceounts to be deterinined o such manuer sathe Lecislucure may provide, INDEDTED RAILIOADS, ‘The balance dues the United States by the Bouthern rullroads, to whom, at the close of tha ment, FINANCIAL STATAMENT, EATIMATES, BTC. Tho estimates tor this Department for the fis- cal fenr cudlog June B0, 1579, as reviaed, mnonut in the aggregate to tho sum of §43,115,443.24, s followss ‘War, the United S8tates rolline stock and rull- | Salarlos, contl, road material collected at and near Nashville | postag . wag, urder Executive orders of August snd | Blilitury esiabl Qctuber, 1865 sotd ou credit, is $1,885,503.22, | Vublic work, Ouly $315 wus collected from thesc roudsduring | 3lecelluncous the year, Judgment was obtalned In tho United States urt for the Middle District of Tennessce, ut the October term of 1870, ogatnst the Nashyille & Northwestern Hallroad, for $500,150, but no moneys bave been realized as yet under the du- clsion of dement, Congress biag relicved somo o the (ndebted rallroads; thlll dirccted compromlises with ok Salaton socctiary tovat- | abiy reducaduid 1t Ja belloved ot tho soveral ¢ cen g suins now usked are the lowess thut con be ap- ¥eculiva Departiucule lias vt bogs wrmuted: Jroprlated conslsteutly With 2 Just regard for i " . 16 . | the public Intercats. Iu tho aggregate of these Do et b 100k, Gront muM: | eglimates Iy lucluded soveral fieuns wWhicl aru nished 10 the anwy lu States not fo rebelhioy | S4bmitted 1 pursuance of vtatutes requiring tho have been Mlled. Oue thousand oue hundred | Baual expenditurs of detinito suus ul inuuey, and_twosuch claim, smouuting, as prescuted but relate 1o matters restine entirely fo the dis- 1o $1,503,228,84, were acted o t'y the Quuncr: cretion of Congress, Of this cluss aro appro- mastér-Genersl duriug gl vear,” OF tiese, ho | bristious for fortilications und vitier works of revorted fuvorably to the Third Auditor, under defensu; siveraind harbor fmprovenientas bulhl: the law, 400; his recommendation for alluwanca | 188 aid groundsln aud srouud Washington] amounting ‘o $155,37—about one-third tho | Washinkton Auucduct, aud surveys, For i amount clulmed; 633 wero rejected, amountluy | Purpuscs, esthuates, “HFWUMW% B16,145, 1o §1.359,180.6%," Thero remalucd oo flle for | Werd subuitied by the Culel of Euglue sction, b tho close of the year, 12,600 clalms, agurecatiog $7,591,755.50. >, 0! 1 concur with the Quartermaster-General jn | ¥ the oplulon that somu method of settling tbls [ E9te O Total.... Thu eatimates for the support of the military eatablisliment are lor un aginy of 25,000 cultsted men, ond the ll:f(lll'cfium thureof tnay be In- creased or dunluished (u proportlon as the strengilior tho anmy I8 Unatly lixed at o larger or susuller nuinber, bltted by the chicls of ‘The catimates Lurcaus have, fu somo lustances, been considers lave thought proper toreduce the estimates dur rivers uud hurbors to the sgurepate of ¥3, and for fortifications to the aggre- It s proper, buwever, to ob- great mass of clutms should be provided. { ree- | S6rVe LAY U8 watlmates for rivers amt haruars, Gintend (hat thess ciaume be transterred (o tho | 38 b scnked by the Lhisp ot hll'l-"“!"'l were Cownmissioners of Soutbiern Clulws, or soma | Prepared and dubmitted Ly him lu cowpliauce with numervus ucts of Cougress. other tnbunal huving more thue und better fa- INFROVENENT OF TAE NOUTU OF TUN MISSS- chlities Jor thetr couslderntion and decléion than poss ‘i BIEL RIVER, sropostied Ly dieddolfice e Ju order to cuably this Departmeut to_ carey Two new posts have Leen loested, one oy | iBto elfuct, ou behalt of the United States, tho Toujzue River and ove on the Little Horn, For theée posts the sum of $200,000 was’ appro- pristed, aud goul vrogress toward their ervee ion hius been muds durlug the past year. appropriavon comlng too late tu be apolied dur- fipz the tune of vuvigation lust year. delay has been causcd by the cmployment of thy troaps B Iwn& to vstabliah the posts) agaluet the Nes Perces, who bave been Sually captured by the | forces under the comwander of the posts cn |- ‘Tougue River, The cstablishment of & new [m: at Hell-Gato Pasa of the Rocky slotsbsius, io Montauy, has been ordered, aud work thercou is 1o progress, fi mfl(m reservation fuo the Pass bas been de- clare roylluus of the act of Congress authoriziug Sud.-. B. Kuds to coustruct such jettics and other auxiliary works us are u ary to pers anently walutaiv & wids sud deep “channel from by Misslsalppl River through the Suuth Puss to the Lull of Mexico, su ollicer of the Curps of Eugtncers s statfoned at the Boutls with wnstructions to repurt from tune Lo the naturo und condition of the wurk in k68 Llig dopth of wuter and width of cha, rukand matalued. the 3lat of Uctober 8 report showed a 20 foo¥ chanuel at averuge tood-tids turough the bar, and throughout the pass and between tha Jettics, with a least width of 210 feet. The ju- terruption to navigation for & vessel drawing 23 fuet was 430 fect fo leusgth, and 1he channel was, with this exception, ut least 160 fect wide, When a chasuel 22 feet In depth und 200 fect fu width shall buve becn uttalued, further sum of $500,000 will become due; avd fu respect Lo the thne of the probable attaiumncut of this aepth, the cugincer nspectiug-otlicer reports 1t 4 probable thut the uid of tho new dredge- boat, if it s wodvrutely successful, uay sooB el abla'Mr. Eade to xai u canael 22 fect decp for a widfn pf 200 Ut the Jetlics, sud the cuilicta stu U atiafument of Bz CIRLNE L b L of low siver by o Lelp, pueniy, uf vauly ua vrdiuacy divdgads NATIONAL MILITAMY CEMETERIXS. ‘There are seventy-uine uationd wilitary ceme- teries, which are carcfully waintalved, which lwprove fu beauty end touditiou with aee, ‘Tne headstone * vontracts - .rnn flnull{ been 80 fur completed that all thegbead- stoncs provided sor i the coutracts as orl 1y wade oro fn place; 258,500 graves have permuneutly warked With warble or eranite staues, suitably fnscribed, sta cost of 3786, S50 14, sud the contructs are fulililed, Sowe cemeterics baving been declare 1 uation- &l ailitary cemeterics sluce e coutracts were e " machine, and Iater, perhaps, even wity o i, These stalearents are made beey . ope it tact apraved Marelr I 1KT51 requirs o gy hanozable Sceeretary of Warshail Hentiig iy I annual report the ftahable timo when atjer s MY mentawill became due.™ ok Provisfon for this payment I8 malo sandey civil act of March 3, 1577, vol. 10, g 40 proviled It becomes dito prior (0 Iat o 'Fapt ary, 1878, Should the continrency arise gy quent to that date, it wonld apnear that hmh“" provision must be made by Congress for l:‘ payment. . L having been ofiicially reported to me thay there was an open channel of greater depty thy, cighteen feet at mean tide to and from the ne“ through the South Pass to the port of New 01: lenns, Idirected, An¥. 18, 1877, the muspens, of the operations. for the deepening of the Southiwest Pass under the appropriation of Aug, 14, 1870, in compliance with the Provisiony of that act. Gzo. W. McCrany, Becretary of (Var. SECRET SERVICE, REPORT OP EA-CIIIEF ELMER WASHRURY, Snecial Disoutch to The ChIeuan Tribune., Wasutnaton, D. C, Dee. 8.~The follow), statement relative to the Sccret-Service sysin was, nt the request of Assistant Sccretary of the Treasury McCormick, prepared by Elme, Washburn, Chief of Secret-Service, and n:com, panles the report of the Comnlasion fuvestigay. Ing that subfeet: Wasinnarox, D, ¢, JleC n the Nov. 24, 1877.—The n rmick, Augialant Secrelary n/”a':} Treasury—Sin: y lo your request Chalrman of o Commission sppolnted to' fn gate tho workingsuf thie ** Secret-Service, " | hary thie honot to sudimit sonie suzgestions in' relatigy to its urganization aud management: In my opinion, the steicily Secrat or Deteetivy Bervice of the Guvernment s an [nstitution, the direction of which, from its . natnee, belongs to the Departinent or tice, and whould be transferred fo fhq Departinent. Preauming, howover, that thi service will remain a part of the Teeosury lenan. ment, ¥ will first muke such suszestions os oceyr to me in that connection, and then give my reasony for advising its transfor o the Department of Juy. llcn.‘ Andiwould, therefore, tespectfully recop. men: Firat—That the name of this seevice to something short and sigmificant, i llovo it as much as poss| attaching to it by reasun ltical and poraoual purposcs, Second—That the general supervidon of the Becrot Survice bo exorcised by an Arslstant Secre. tary of the Treanury, possesalng wome legal attaip. nients, In place uf the Solicitor of the “Treasury, 1 have luf(x{elled thischange becaare I think 1t (m. ortant that the Secretary of the 'Treasncy shoaly iavn a more direct and intimate knowledye of (be workiuge of 1his service, and this chango would en, able him to do ko, und nlso unable the Unlef to s migre prontitly in many cesential matters, Thtrd="Tlat soma une be mado **disbursing oM. cer, " whoso oflicial dutles novor require hun to by obsent from Warhington, and who bas the tine 1y examino toe accounts himself, ~he stould b re. quired to do that, Hourth--That tha Chlef bo allowed larger diy. cretionary powers. and be held atrictly responeibls for resuits. 1lo ought to be willirg to be respuns. {ble for what Lo controls, and undor such clreuin. nlances nothing short Of success must bu nc cepted, Fifth—That tho ofilco of '* Asaiatant Chlef* by abolished, It is superfiuous. ‘Thin nust sot Le construed as nny [reflection upon the preeent In. cumbent, Me. Beason, for nothing tmt cunflict of authonity and confusion will ensue when any vie attempts to excrcise tho fonctions that ttle hine vlics in taly #ervies, ‘Iho Chiela clerk shonll be tuch more compotent to act for i, un tha would be rery selilom neceseary, S ver Jae ba ehany I orler toics o Trom Ahe obbrohirly 8 prostitatiun to po. Lxd int there should be a force of from ten o fiftecn periman Agents commissioncd by the Seeretary of th aary, and Jocuted with non. nul beadguarters In tho Jeading cities of the coun tev. As ) now understand the necessities, twelve would be auflicient. 'Lhe number, however, would depend Jurzely upon the field of lshoe the eervica wan expected to cover. If thelr laboras were re- stricted’ to tho supprussion of counterfelttng, { think even less than tvelve wontd be sutticlent to wwauage ull the Work. Of courss the appropglation }wnm lmly tho wsalaries of & nuich o urce ol would accowmp bl1 little or nathing. These Aveuts suould by fectud for thelr superior character, sound judgient, strict rellabllily, und geeat fntel Nzence. ‘Tavy should ba required to mako dul; reporty of thelt operations, and Insuch manneran. for thut Liey conld take ovath to all when re. utead to do vo, Seren/h—Thut the permanent Agents bo nomi. nated by the Chief, ond sppofated and commls- mwned vy te Seeretary of the Treasury, and that it suould be understood that the ecre- tary would appoint no ono who was not noiminated by “the Chicl, Theso Agents would need more or loas axalstunce, which should be em- Plun:d temporarily by authority of the Chiefonly, ‘The assistants should be selected for thelr udapia- fiou to the particular work they were required to perform, and would require no ‘written autiorizae tlon. Asarule, they would be uscd unly us strict. 1y accret avenia, Lighth—1Ehat the compensation of the perms- nent Agenta anould be fixed at a rato high cnouzh cuver tho nocesaury exira expense Incurred for [} living while in ithe discharse of their of- ficlal” dutles, sud th then, no allow. ance for subsistenc ould made a8 at present. - In many instan rule, it 1 difilcutt 1o declde whon an Aent is ens titled to aubsistance, Tils change would tend 1o simplify accounts, and obviate any injustics 1o cither xnlr. Ninth—"That tho permanent Agenta of this acr- vice be placed on an equal footing, at loast, with the Bpucint Agents of the customs and internal revenue, in the mattor of contpensution and nilow- an There hav alwayq been a feeling anong thent, and justly so too, that the Department did not treat them ua well [n thot respect aa 1t did the Speclal Agunts, Jenth—That the aystem of rowarda already es- fablisbed, vy means of which Stato and tuniclpal ofllcens get sume compensation for the arrest aud [mm-hmunl of counterfelters, bo adbered to, If hat is carried out in good falth it will uld mater- |uu{ in the suppression of countorfelting, —u greut deal can be sccomplished in that way for tbe muney expended, Klseent/i—That some action bo taken to enable permunent A (his service to obtaln authors iy srom Culted States Marshala to earve warednts when they eall for ity Zuel/th—Thut the exponding of the Secret Scrv+ 1ce appruprlation, excupt thruugh 1ts agents, should avalded. [ mentionthis becauss [t seoun des aicable to malutaln this urganization, and because 1 know a practice bas prevalled to somo extent of allowing utber orfunhnulum. and occaviually Judividualy, acting Independont of this Seevico, to Jase a poriion of the fand, ZhirteentA—That the Secrotary of tho Treasury prohitbit, ub-nuuulr. the uso of thls Rervice, or y portion of the fund, In any case, excupt whers 8 crine has boen commltied azulnst the Governs wient, or thers 18 good reasun tobellevs vuchs crime bad bean conunitted; and that bo further undor the present feiting, wor alune to the supp occurring in the I'reasury Department. 1n addition to Its -wclnll‘v thero 14 much work in that Departmout, even, which it miieht perforn with guod results, 1 think tno suppression of snuggilog would bo found a very duwirable fleld ol uperations for thls scrvice,” as therv are wany cuscs which cannot ba reached with- out atrictly detective work, and of such a chare acter ua tho Special Agouts canuot perfuroi, b there aro some cnimes occurring in wther Depal ments of the Uovernment, for 1ho Inveatigation of which, and the deicction snd bringing lo pun ment of the vifunders. thero fs 1w provislon, cept thruugh the agency of the Secret Service of thu Treasury Departinent, and many cases of that kiud can be cited, wiich this service has brought tua succeastul conclusion. [ veliove it fu conceds «ed that the maluteuance of thls dcrvico la a uece sity, fur thu purpose of Kecping the cufation of counterfeit monoy within too Hmits of endurance, If for o other reasou. ‘Fho practical suppression of counterfuiting docd not wecesaarlly rwquire the entire aftention of the vervice,” Ana the hnuum{u of the Apprue pristion act, the only luw nuthorlzing this survice, and precedent, boldi Juatify I use by all Depart- ments of the Uoverumont. I thorefore think there can by oo good reason \IMI the untire encte tics of this oryaulzation should not b fully euie Ployed sud uo vinpluyed upun the tnost lmporiant detective work uf the Government, without ree urd, wader proper restrictions, to the particular epurtment 1n whick such work might occur. 1'do not recummend that this orguulzation slould take Lhe place ol the Variuuecurps of Special Ageuts, uraltempt 10 pertorm thicle dutics, but unly that 1t should act tor ull the Uepariments under ” propes resirictions, 1o cases Tequiring strictly wecret of detective wervice, short, that it suould be & *+ natlunal detectlve corp My principal reason for recommending the tranes for uf thy **Secrct Bervice ' Lo tne Dapurtment of Jusiice, 18 thut by vo duisg it becomes En:(lub.l o sccuro the prowpt co-operation of the District Altorucys und Murvlals, whicl ks often of the ute wmost huportance; whezeas, under ihio presend wagagesicut, It uot unlltugcnlly luppeus that el uccess 1 defeated )y the pecessry delsy In obtainlnz fostructions from tbag Departs went. . Whle the agents of tbis scrvice siould uot 5 © bo placed under tho tunirol of tag District- Attors ueys or the Marshals, thelr dotles are oficu 0 closely sllled that | thuuk 1t must be evident tbat the public ntozest would Le wetter senvcaif sil wero controlled Ly tho wamu hand, 1t wlll bo no- ticed that an uct of Congress trausferring the 8p- propriations 18 all that would b uccevsary 1o ac* complish the objuet. ‘Tuere ln wucl T might sug- gest, but presume It 18 not necessary for the pur~ poacs of your bouvruble Commisslon, 1 will oniy that “too wuch Impoertunce canuol be sttsched Lo the charscter of wien Buthunized 10 BCE BY #gENl uf tha **becret Bervice, " Mespectlully suoaitted, 5!.2:1! WaANUBL IS, Lata Uhief of Secres dervice Livisivo. FalRBANKS' ATANDAUD SCALES £ ©OF ALL KIND& {724 FAIAZANKS, MORSE & CJ. 13’ : 115 Lake 5t., Chicago. Be zarcul tobuy only the Genulzes