The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1854-12-16

rights of officers. and to the nice sense of honor
which should be cultivated among them. would
seem to exact compliance with the established
rule of promotion in ordinary cases. still it can
hardly be doubted that the range of promotion
by selection, which is now practically confined
to the grade Of general officers, might be some
what extended with benefit to the public SER
vice. Observance of the rule Of seniority some
times leads, especially in times of peace, to the
promotion Of officers who, after mcrtorious and
even distinguished service may have been rem
dered by age or infrmity incapable of perform
ing active duty. and whose advancement. there
fore, would tend to impair the efficiency of the
army. Suitable provision for this class of Off
GERS. by the creation of retired list. would
remedy the evil, without wOunding the just
pride OF men who, by past services, have estab-
lshed the claim to high consideration.
In again commenting this measure to the IA
vorabie consideration of Congress. would sug-
gcst that the power of placing officers on the
retired list be limited to one year. Its pract:c-
al operation would thus be tested. and if. after
the lapse of years. there should be occasion to
renew the provision. it can be reproduced with
any Improvements which experience may indi-
cate. The present organization of the artillery
into regiments, is liable to obvious objections.
The service of artillery is that of batteries. and
an organization Of batteries into corps of ar
tillery would be more consistent with the ma
ture OF their duties. A large part of the troops
now called artillery arc and have been on the
duty Of infantry; the distinction between the
two arms being merely nominal. This nOmi-
nal artillery in our service is entirely dispro-
portiOnate to the whole force. and greater than
the wants of the country demand.I therefore re-
commend the discontinuancc of the distinction.
which has no foundation in either the arms
used or the character of the service expected to
be performed.
The numerous recent marine disasters are
touched upon, and a revision of the laws for the
maintenance Of discipline at sea. recommended.
The revenue of the Post Office Department
falls behind the expenditures sl,755 600.
The President takes decided ground against
granting any more land for Railroad purposes.
We extract this portion Of the Message for the
particular OBLIGATION Of those of Minnesota
who talk Of IS another grant of lands" this ses-
SIGN, to Minnesota:
The suggestions which submitted in my an
rual Message u last year. in reference to grants
of land in sd Of the construction of railways
were less full and explicit than the magnitude
OF the subject and subsequent developments
would seem to render proper and desirable. OF
the sonndncss of the principles then asserted
Congress- entertain no doubt but in its ap-
pllcation it is enough that the value of lands in
particular locality may be enhanccd that.
IN fact, larger sum ior alternate sections
could be obtained than could be realized for all
the sections without the impulse and influence
OF the proposed improvements. y prudent pro-
prctor locks beyond limited sections Of his do
main. beyond present results. To the ultimate
elect which Il particular liHc of policy is likely
To produce on all his possessions and interests
The government. which Is trustee liz this mat
ter for the people OF the States is bound to take
the same wise and comprehensive view.
Prior to and duri;lg the last session Of Con-
grcss, upM ards of thirty millions Ofaercs OF land
were withdrawn from public sale with view to
applications for grants of this character pend
ing before Congress. \ carciul review oil the
whole SUBJECT led me to direct that all such or
ders be abrogated, and the lands restored to
market: and instructions were Immediately
given 10 that effect. The applications at the
last session contemplated the construction of
more than five thousand miles of road, and
grants to the amount of nearly twenty millions
OF acres Of the public domain.
Even admitting the right on the part of Con-
sress to be urques,ionablc, is it quite clear that
the proposed grants would be productive OF
good and not evil. The different projects are
confined, for the grants show that it is proposed
to put the works speedily in process of con-
struction.
Is it wise to augment this excess by encour
aging hopes of sudden wealth expected to flow
from the magnificent schemes dependent upon
the action Of Congress? Does the spirit which
has produced such results need to be stimulat-
ed or checked: Is it not the better rule to
leave all these works to private enterprise. re-
gulatcd, and when cXpcdicnt, aided by the CO.
operation OF States! Reconstructed by private
capital. the stimuant and the check go togcth
cr, and furnish Salutary restraint against
speculative schemes and extravaganza. But it
manifest that, with the most effective guards,
there is danger of going too fast aud too far.
When we reflect that stree the commence
mrnt OF the construction of railways in the
United States, stimula ed as they have been by
the large dividends realized from the earlier
works over the great thorou@ it.rcs. and be
. tween the most important points ct commerce
aud population. encouraged ly State lcgls;a
ton, aud pressed forward by the amazing cncr-
f gy Of private enterprise, only seventeen thou
sald miles have been completed in all the
States in d quarter OF Il century when we see
the crippled condition ofmany works cnmmcnc
cd and prosecuted upon what were deemed to
, be sound principles and safe calculations 3
when VIC contemplate the enormous absorption
OF capital, withdrawn from the ordinary chan
nels of business the eXtravagant rates ofinter
, e t at this moment paid to continue operations
I the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. merely in money, but il
charactcr-and the inevitable effect upon Fl
, nanccs generally-can it be doubted that the
tendency is to run to excess in this NATTER
We may well pause before a proposition con
tcmplating a simultaneous movement for tho
construction of railroads, which in extent, vii
equal, exclusive of the great Pacific road, an(
all its branches, nearly one-third Of the entire
: length OF such works, now contemplated in the
United States, and which cannot cost. will
f equipments less than one hundred and fifty
. millions OF dollars. The dangers Likely to re
. suit from combination of Interests of this char
a acter can hardly be over estimated But indie
. pcndently OF these considerations. where is thu
. accurate knowledge, the comprehensive intel
q, li.ence, which shall discriminate between thu
. relative claims of these twcnty-cight propose,
. roads in eleven States and one Territory p
;, where will you begin, and where end: Ii u
i enable these companies to execute their pro
;. posed works it is necessary that the aid OF tn