Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1849-12-27


of Oregon afford 10 commerce, especially with the
islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans and tho
lpopalous regions of Eastern ASIA make il certain
that there Will arise, i'll few years large and pros
porous communities on our western coast. IT, there
fore, becomes important that line OF communion
Ton, the best and most expeditions which the ma
I iure OF The country " i'll admii, should be opened
within the territory ofthe United States from the
| Navlgabe waters of the Atlantic or the Gulf Of
| Mexico, to the Pacific. Opinion, as elected and
expressed by two large and respectable conventions,
lately assembled at st. Louis and Memphis, points
TO railroad as that which if practicable, viii best
meet tire wishes and wants OF The country But
wniie this, II III successful operation, would be a
work of great national Importance and ola value 10
the country which it would be difficult to estimate
ought also 10 be regarded as an undertaking Of
vast magnitude and expense, and one which must,
iris oe, indeed, practicable encounter many diff
ca,ties IN lis construction and use. Therefore, Ia
i .''''c s-ut9 2iti Disappointment, 20 enehll C.s.-,
gress TO Judge whether, In the condition of tie
country through which it must pass, the work ba
feasible. and i it be found so, whether should be
undertaken as national improvement or left to
individual enterprise and in the latter alternative
what aid, if any ought to be extended 10 il by tho
Government, recommend preliminary meas
ure careful reconnaissance OF the several pro
posed routes by scientific corps, and report as
! 10 the praclicabiliiy of making such road with
an estimate Of The cost of its construction and sup
| port.
!
connected with the duties of the Home Department.
refer you 10 the report of the Secretary of ihe In
| terror.
recommend early appropriations for continuing
! the river and harbor Improvements which have
been already begun and also for the construction of
those for which estimates have been made, well
as For examinations and estimates preparatory 10
the commencement of such others as the wants of
the country, and especially the advance Of our popu
laon over new districts and the extension Of COM
merce, may render necessary. An estimate Of the
amount which can he adyan,ageously expended
within the next fiscal year, under the direction of
the Bureau OF Typographical Engineers, accompa-
MES the report of the Secretary of War, which
respectfully invite the attention Of Congress.
The cession Of territory made by the late treaty
with Mexico has greatly extended exposed from
tier, and rendered its defence more difficult That
, treaty has also brough. US under obligations Ia
, Mexico 10 comply with which military force ia
f requisite. But our military establishment is not
3 materially changed, to its efficiency, from tho
condition in which ii stood before the commence
ment of the Mexican war. Some addition TO il will
therefore be necessary and recommend to the ia
vorabla consideration of Congress increase of the
: several corps of the army at our distant western
# posts proposed IN the accompanying report OF ha
, Secretary Of War
s Great embarrassment has resulted from the effect
II upon rank, in the army heretofore given 10 brevet
o and staff commissions. The views of;he Secretary
e of War on this subject. deemed important, and
.~ h"r"""y &c tho service. The plan proposed for
e u'ng disabled onivrre ara pruvuing an yuHi
such OF the rank and file as from age, wounds, aud
e other lnhrmes occasioned by service have become
IS unfit to perform their respective duties is recon-
he mended as means of increasing The efficiency OF
the army, and act ofusice. due from grate-
c. full country 10 The faithful soldier.
rs The accompanying report of the Secretary ofths
N Navy presentsa full and satisfactory of this
CT condition and operations Of the naval service during
in he leuf
s. mate pursuits of commerce have enjoyed lis bene
'g hts. Wherever oar national vessels have gone,
II they have been received with respect officers
D. have been treated with kindness and courtesy and
cS they have, ON all occasions pursued OF strict
C. neutrality, IN accordance with tho policy Of our
l Government.
~, The naval force at present in commission is
y large is admissible. with the number of men au
81 thorized by Congress 10 be employed.
70 invite your attention to the recommendation Of
NO the Secretary of the Navy the subject Of re.Or-
gan!ZatlOn Of the Navy IN its various grades OF off
" GERS, and the establishing of retired list for suci
81 ofthe officers disqualified for active and effect
W i've service. Should Congress adopt such
~ measure as is recommended, it will greatly increase
a. the efficiency CT the Navy and reduce its eXPend
"t lures
" also ask your attention to the views expressed
y by him in reference TO the employment ofwarsieam
'' and in regard to Tie contract for the Transport
=, taOn of the United States mails, and the operation
I of the system upon the prosperity Of the Navy.
III By an act Of Congress passed August l4th, 1913.
-o provision made for extending post Office ana
-, mail accommodations 10 California and Oregon
" Exerlions have been made 10 execute that law but
the limited provisions OF the ACT, the aadcquscy q
ia the means it authorizes, the iil-adapiaiiOn Of
nd pOs-office laws the situation Cf that cOuntTy, and
ev the Of compensation for services allowed
zoe by those laws compared vyitli the prices of labu.
nd and rents in California, render those eyor.ics III n
I great degree Intellectual. More particular and ci
h--i 10 rod Npf
nd The act OF 1915, reducing postage has now, by
=. lis operation during four years produced results
- fully showing that tho income from such reduced
' postage is sufficient to sustain the whole expense OF
- the service Of The Post Office Department not III
Guiding the cost Of transportation in mail steamers
I on the lines from New York TO Chagres, ard from,
~ Panama 10 Astoria, which have net been consider
ro ed by Congress properly belonging 10 Tie mil
no service.
az 1t is submitted 10 the wisdom Of Congress, wheih-
er further reduction Of postage should not now b,
t.; made more particularly Oh the letter correspor j.
~ cnce. This sbould be relieved fon the unjust bur
ell then Of Transporting and delivering tho frankcd
matter Of Congress- for which public service provis-
ion should be made from the treasury | confident
,oJ y believe that change may safely be Rade yed &C
III ing all sngleeic postage 10 the uniform rote q,
10 five cents, regardless Of distance, without there by
= imposing any greatertaX the treasury than woilid
il constitute very moderate corporation for this
,I public service and therefore rc<pectfnv reco,o-
,Js mend such reduction. Should Congress prefer 10
si abolish the ranking privilege entirely it seems
~ probable that demand CT the treasury would re-
10 suit from the proposed re uciion postage Whcih
or ami further birniutrt Lr 10,