Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-12-28

/ that q theological and hlIneraloglcai eXplora-
ton, TO be connected with the general survey,
and that mineral lands be divided into small
lets, suitable for mining and be disposed Of,
| by sale or lease, so as TO give our citizens an
opportunity Of procuring a permanent right
Of property in the soil. This would seem 10
De as important TO the success Of mining as Of
agricultural pursuits.
The great mineral wealth of California,
the advantages which its ports and harbors
and those of Oregon afford TO commerce, es-
/ pecaly with the Islands in the Pacific aud
the Indian Ocean, and the populous regions
OF Eastern Asia, make it certain that there
will arise in few years, large aud prosper
Gus communities on our western coast.
Communications the best and most eXpedI-
tious which the nature of the country will ad-
NIT, shout he opened within the Territory Of
the United States.
From the navigable waters from the gulf
to the Pacific, the opinion, as elected and eX
pressed By two large and respectable Conven-
tons, lately assembled at St. Louis and Mem
phis, points to a Rail Road, as that which, il
practicable will best meet the wishes and
wants of the country, bat while this, If sue
cesslul operation, would be work Of great
material importance and of value to the
\ country which would be difficult to estimate.
Ii IS also to be considered as an underta-
lit be indeed practicable, that must encoun-
ter many difficulties in its construction. To
avoid failure and disappointment, to enable
/ Congress to judge OF the practicabiiity of the
! proposed enterprise, 10 decide clearly wheth-
er the same shall be undertakes, If found to
be feasible, and whether as a national or pri-
vate work, recommend, "A preliminary re-
COnnolssance Of the several proposed routes.
/ by the several scientific corps, and that they
report on the probability of making such a
road, with estimates Of the cost Of construc-
ton and support. For this, and other mat
ters connected with the Home Department, l
refer you to the Report of the Secretary Of
the Interior.
! recommend early appropriations for con
tinuing river aud harbor improvements which
have been already commenced, and also for
the construction Of those for " hich estimates
have already been made, as well for examlna-
tons and estimates preparatory to the com
menCernent of such others as the wants of the
country, and especially the advance of our
population over new districts. and Of the ex-
Itention OF commerce may render necessary.
The estimated amount which can be advan-
tHgeously expended within the limits of the
fiscal year under the direction of the Copo-
graphical Engineers, accompanies the report
Iof the Secretary Of war, TO which | respect
|cassjon Of territory made by late treaty with
Mexico, has greatly extended our exposed
position and renders its defence more difficult.
The treaty has also thrown US under obiga-
ton to Mexico, to comply with which a mil
Itary force IS requisite. bat the military estab-
hshment is not materially changed.
Great embarrassment has resulted from the
effect upon the rank in the Army. heretofore
given to brevet aud staff commission. The
views of The Secretary Of War, on this sub
Jet are deemed important, and il carried IN
TO effect will, il is believed, promote the har-
mony Of the services. The plan proposed
for the re iring disabled officers. and provI-
ding an asylum for such Of the rank and file
who from aye, wounds AID other inGtmities,
occasioned by services. have become unfit
for further duty, Is recommended us a meas
ure increasing the efficiency of the ar.
nav, and as an net OF justice due from CRATE
fu people Ia the faithful soldier The ac-
comPanying report of the Secretary of the
Nary, presents full and satisfactory account
= of the Naval services.
: Our citizens engaged in legitimate com
| merce have enjoyed lis benefils-wherever
our national ships have gone, they have been
received with respect, our officers have been
received with kindness and courtesy, and they
have on all occasions, pursued "a course of
icy Of our government. The naval force, a,
= present in commission is as large as is advi-
sable with the number of men authorized by
o Congress 10 be employed.
invite your attention to the rccommenda
ton Of the Secretary cf the Navy, on the sub
ject of reorganization in the various grades o
officers, and the establishing OF a retired list
FOR such of the officers IS are disqualified fJl
active and effective service. Should Con.
: gress adopt some such measure as has beer
: recommended, it will greatly increase the eC
Gciencv Of the Navy, and reduce its expendi
lures. ! also ask your attention 10 the views
expressed by him, in reference to the EN-
-poyment Of war steamers, and in regard Il
the contracts for transportation of the United
States Mails, and the operations Of the system
upon the prosperity ofthe Navy BY an &C
of Congress, passed August 18th. 1913, pro
vision was made for extending post Offices and
! mail accommodations to California aud Ore
gon. EXerti0us have been made to execute
that law, but the limited provision of the
act nadequacy of the means it authorized
. the i'll adoption of the Post Office law to thai
country, and the measure of the compensa-
ton allowed by those laws, compared with
= the prices of labor and rents in California
= render those exertons IN IA great degree inef
fectual; more particularly an efficient nrovis
; ion Of law is required. On this subject, the
. act of 1916 reducing postage, has now by its
operation during four years produced result.
: showing that the income resulting from such
reduction Of postage is sufficient, for the whole
: expense of the service of the Post Office De
, partment, not including the costs of transpor-
: tation in mail steamers, from New York Il
: Chagres, or from Panama to Astoria. which
: have not been considered by Congress as prom
erly belonging to the mail service.
d 1t is submitted to the wisdom of Con
gress whether a further reduction of post
i age should not now be made, more par
e ticularly of the letter correspondence.
!; These should be relieved from their IN
= Just burden Of transporting and delivering
. the ranking matter of Congress, for
: which provision should be made from the