The national Republican., 1862-04-24
A BOARD OF roRrrrroArroNs.

A BOARD OF FORTlFlCATIONs,
The bill reported in The House yesterday, BY
~ Mr.. F. T. Blair, IT,, from the Commit'e on |
Military Afairs, "suthorizipg the appointment
Of board Of Notifications TO provide for the
ses-coast and the defences Of the United States,
and for other purposes" provides, In section
arst, that the President be authorized and re-
quired, at As early q day a. practicable after
the passage Of the act, to convene board to
be called "Board Of FortiRcations," which
shall consist Of two officers Of the Corps Of En-.
gineers one officer Of the ordnance depart
ment, one Of artillery, two officers Of the navy,
two members selected by reason Of their scien-
tifc and practical Attsinments, and an officer
Of the Corps Of Engineers as Secretary, whose
duty It shall be to examine and consider our
system Of sea coast and lake Notifications, with
especial reference to such changes as may be
necessary or advisable because Of the intro
duction Of new elements Of attack and defence,
70 examine new devices for defence, and 10
test by experiment such points In the constrnc.
ton of Notifications as It may think neediul.
The board shall report to the President, for
transmission TO Congress, Its conclusions and
results, with such supporting information as
may seem appropriate, and shall also have
power to examine persons and call for paper
and reports on the subject referred to-pro
vided, that the President may, II in his judg.
ment the exigencies Of the country require It,,
order the work recommended by the commis-
sion to be commenced and prosecuted with
out transmitting to Congress.
Section second provides that the unexpended
balance Of all sums Of money appropriated
by an act approved Feb. 20, 1862, for the con.
struction of Notifications shall be expended,
under the direction Of the President, upon
such works of defence as shall be recommend.
ed by the Commission. 1t also further au.
thorizss the President to accept any sum or
sums Of money loaned or advanced by the sew
eral States Of the Union, for construction Of
defensive works for the protection Of the
States making such loan or advance, upon
such terms as shall be sgreed upon between
the proper authorities Of the several States and
the President, and all sum, thus advanced to
the Government by any State, shall be applied
to the construction, repair, or completion ol
works Of defence, making such loans or ad.
vances Of money, and for 20 other purpose
provided that such fertilization shall be frs,
recommended by the commission.
Section third enacts that there be appropri
ated for fertilization experiments and inciden
tai expenses Of the board, one hundred and
fifty thousand dollars, to be disbursed by the
Secretary of the board, under its order.
Section fourth provides that the board shal
examine and consider the propriety Of the con
struction Of navy yard and depot upon the
Northern lakes, of foundry for heavy ord
nance, and also an armory and arsenal Of con
struction west Of the Allegheny Mountains, ant
for additional arsenals Of deposit and repair
and shall, subject to the approval Of the Presi.
dent, locate the same at such points as shall
from purely military considerations, appea
best for the defence Of the country.
Section fifth provides that there shall b
, added to the number Of cadets a. both militar
and naval academy, numbsr equal 10 III
8 present number allowed by existing law il
said schools, to be selected one from each Q
the congressional districts and territories of th
! academic board Of said schools from anon
such applicants as shall apply for admission t
said schools and who, upon examination, shal
be deemed best qualified. provided that To
. number added shall have all expenses defraye
by parents and guardians, who shall be re
Il quired to deposit, with the ruperintel,dants 9
the academies at each year, the estimabl
amount Of money necessary to pay all expense
\ for one year, the cadets being subject to al
: rules and regulations established from time +
, time for the governme mt OF said academies.