The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-07

an dollars and half per hundred net, whilst the sup
=, J.vered at Fort Lcayenworth. Of the latest and
- unerior quality Of oorn-fed beef cost only six dol
=. and twenty-five cents per hundred, nat
a. h subject Of the national offences the report sug
=. martial suspension of the policy Of constructing
o wall works in view of the probable substitution to
I,,gs extent Of earth-work batteries.
n view Of the prodigious development in the marine Of
. sr powers of Europe and of the increased range at
hb their steam nnves enable them to exert the utmost
ngtb of their land armies well floating forces,
M epot suggests provision against descents upon
coasts of hostile armies cooperating with steam fleets
r. Droportson as seapors increase in wealth, they
IN increase the incentive which would incline ouF mar
,is rivals 10 resort in case of war; a revival upon
on, shores of the system which they pursued at sevasto
oo Kinburn, Odessa, Sweborg, and Bomarsund, with
peh destructive effect
The extraordinary merits of the military road from
r Smith by Fort Defiance to California the 35th
.,,e a part Of which opened last year, and the
M is now under exploration and construction by Lieut.
P,sle are dwelt upon and also those of road
ahas been opened through Utah, by what is called the
lev of the Tmpanagos which dminishes the distance
California two hundred and fifty miles less than that
| Of the salt Lake City route
ExpIoatons of the country stretching west from the
pac Hills ofNebrasa to the Columbia river strong
" recommended 1t ii believed that most important
line of INSTRUMENTATION between the Mississippi valley
and the river Oregon viii yet be opened and probably at
no distant day. either through the country spoken of
a little farther north upon line extending from Lake
SUPERIOR along upon the waters of the upper Missouri
those OF the Oregon. At all events, need much in
formation about this country, which nothing but care
believe that between the navigible of the Missouri
and those of the river Oregon portage of not than
four hundred miles intevenes If this should turn out
to be true and the ground should prove suitable for the
construction of road this route will be eventually one
of the important yet discovered between the Allan
tic and Pacific for military purposes.
The purchase of thousand camels for army transpor-
aion is urged In the space of three days well-ap-
ponted command could set ont and traverse space of
one hundred and fifty miles without difficulty or much
htgue and fall upon any Indian tribe perfectly una
wares They would be able to carry all necessary sup
plies for the campaign, and traverse the arid plains with
out any inconvenience from want Of water The supe-
oy of the camel over the horse would become SO
manifest for all movements upon the plains and deserts,
that hostile Indians in those regions would come to
understand the hopelessness Of escape by flight and the
folly of maraudng where chassement was certain The
camel lives and thrvcs upon what would not sustain the
hardest mule and consequently the item OF forage one
now of cost would be almost saved if the sup
ply Of cames sufficient to the demands and
requirements of our frontier service
The establishment of cavalry depot and school for
the instruction and drill of dragons at the government
buildings, at Harrodsburg Kentucky is recommended
with much force of argument The school of artillery
at Old Point Comfort is succeeding in high degree
The creation of another inspector general is requested
The recommendations of the last annual report on the
subject OF the staff are repeated. The combination OF
the two corps of engineers and typographical engineers
into one advised and it is urged that all staff officers
should be required to periodically in the field
Three additional brigadier generals are asked for as
measure of efficiency and economy 1t is recommended
that speedy decision pro should be made by Con
ss upon the claims of volunteers pending before for
services against the Indians
The report concludes with few observations on the
expenditures of the army distinction is drawn be-
tween sums of money appropriated for Notifications
buildings, and aqueducs, TO be expended under the di
Tecon of the War Department, and the expenditures
proper OF the army.
The Secretary has attempted far as possible to meet
the just wishes of the President in reducing the expendi
lures Of the army, and the estimates of the next fiscal
year are less than the appropriations of the last by the
sum of 3d. l604SS 32 They less than the estimates
Of the last session of Congress by the of So 1885,
ioS 55 They amount in the aggregate to slS0lO,-
o'o 2s and strong hope is entertained that the expen-
tures may be still further reduced in the course of
another year.
notwithstanding the Indian wars in Washington, New
Mexico and Texas all of which unforeseen and unex
ced STILL unless there shall be further and larger de
mdS for expenditures in suppressing other Indian hos
'les additional to those already incurred in Washing
Ton Territory, New Mexico and Texas there will be no
necessity for asking appropriations in the shape of de-
fcency bill