Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1870-12-05


ton with certain acts and resolutions passed at
tsss last session Of Congress:-In accordance with
the act Of February ?, 1870, an officer has been
detailed to superintend the survey and sxamin-
alton of the Willamette river, Oregon with
view to the location of the proposed bridge from
Portland to the east bank of the river, but no
report has yet been received. The question OF
the location and construction Of q bridge across
the Niagara river, from Buffalo to Canada, Is
still under consideration by board Of eugi-
neers, and more detailed and extended surveys
bridge across the Arkansas river at Little Rock,
with map showing its location, as required BY
the act OF July l. $50, has yet been Furnished
ton ,h has sr hsn Rpa ny ,a and no s
ment in this matter. The Green Bay and Mis-
sissippi Canal Company not having fled a
satisfactory agreement In writing to grant and
convey to the United States the property and
franchises mentioned in section of the act of
July I, 1sIe, for the improvement OF water COM
munication between the Mississippi river and
rivers, the amount appropriated by the act of
July 10, 1870, Si0O 600, for improvement OF the
Wisconsin river, has not become available. The
ofhcer In charge of the Improvement has been
directed to submit q project for the apple alton
OF the amount. The sum appropriated for wi
dening and deepening the ship canal in the
Patapsco river and Chesapeake Bay Is now
being aPplied to this improvement by dredg-
ing: The improvement in deepening the
harbor or waters Of the mouth OF the Sus
quehanna river, for which a sum of Sl2 900
contract to dredge the channel, which will prob
ably be completed this season. The board of
othcers for the examination of all bridges now
erected or in process of erection across the Ohio
river was organized on the 18th of October, and
is now In session at Cincinnati, Ohio. The ques-
ton OF the location Of pier in the Delaware
bay, at or near Lewes, Delaware, and the ex-
tent and material, whether stone or iron, to be
used in its construction, Is under consideration.
The survey of the Bayou Teche, provided by
the joint resolution of May 5, 1870, was m sde,
~ IL
session. An appropriation of 81 800 was sub
sequently made for the improvement of this
bayou land a contract entered into for its execu-
ton, but the work has been delayed by the prev
aIence of yellow fever in that region.
In the survey OF the lakes, operations were
chiefly carried on in Lake Superior, extendir q
to Lake Michigan and other necessary points,
and embracing, toward the close of the season,
parts OF Lake Champlain. Such of the results
of the surveys as are of special value Tor pur-
poses of navigation are made known at once by
the publication Of preliminary charts, prepara-
ton OF more elaborate maps following. The
survey of the lakes is work OF great utility,
and the estimates for this object commend
themselves to attention. The SURVEYS and re-
cOnnoissances required in connection with the
permanent sea-cOast defenses. for other mill
tary purposes, and for the movement of troops
in the territory occupied or frequented BY In
dian tribes, have received due attention. The
geological survey of the central route Of COM
municatiOn with the Pacific coast has pro-
gressed in the most satisfactory manner. These
actively in the field and ice, and are essential
to the operations of the government. Provi-
sion should be made tor them by annual apprO-
priatiOn.
In the Ordnance Department the estimates
are far in advance OF any submitted since the
close OF the war, for the reason that no appro-
priation for ordnance or ordnance stores was re-.
quested or made for the present year. The I'M
expended balances were placed beyond the reach
of the Ordnance Bureau, and much embarrass-
ment was caused in procuring supplies for fill-
rv,rvp cit
hand At Springfield Armory few thous and
arms are being manufactured for competitive
trial in the field, under the recommendation of
ue Cniet OF Ordnance, in connection with the
The property Of the United States at Harper 8
Ferry was sold in November and December
ise9, in accordance with the terms prescribed
by law: 1t is recommended that Rome AR
senal, New York; Champlan Arsenal Vermont
Mount Vernon Arsenal, Alabama; Appalachi-
cola Arsenal, Florida; and North Carolina Ar
seDal, North Carolina, be sold, and that the
captured lands in Shreveport, Louisiana, and
Marshal and Jefferson, Texas, and in Marion
and Davis counties, Texas, be also disposed of.
There are many other arsenals throughout the
country which, in the opinion of the Secretary,
should be sold and the proceeds used, If neces-
sary, for the erection of q principal arsenal for
the Atlantic coast. Not only economy, but
many interests connected with the subject
make it advisable to dispose of those which can
now be spared with advantage-the proceeds to
De used as above indicated. Rock Island Ar
principal arsenal for the valley of the Missis-
sippi. An arsenal Of like character in the
East could be erected from the proceeds of the
sales .; OF useless arsenals, without any appro-
prlation OF funds from the public treasury.
When the new form of ch-loading arm is
decided upon and placed in the hands OF the
troops, there should be called in from all the
States arms OF the old style which have hereto
fore been issued and new issue made to them of
those OF the improved pattern. 1t is the part of
wisdom IN the public defense to keep the mill
tia-the mainstay OF the nation in time of war
acquainted with the use of the best arms the
govern ment armories can offer. Our security
AZ nation can. in lieu of q large standing army
De maintained by the ability which will thus be
glven us OF putting promptly on war footing
formidable force.
Under various joint resolutions passed At the
last session Of Congress 225 pieces of condemned
ordnance were donated to soldiers cemeteries
in addition to large indefinite amount for
monuments.
The duties imposed upon the War Department
observation and report Of storms by telegraph
and signal have been discharged under the
management Of the chief signal officer. The
result thus far mas been very satisfactory, and
II Is conhdently believed that the systematic
means adopted to carry out this wise legislation
OF Congress will result in benefits to Commerce
which will amply justify an appropriation ade-
quate to its accomplishment.
The operations OF the Army during the wear
have been chiefly confined to the assistance of
the civil authorities in carrying out the laws and
All VIC SUPPRESSION OF lnO1an dopredatiOns. The
Secretary again asks consideration to the matter
OF incursioDs OF Indians from the south side of
the Kio Grande, which seems to constitute a
systematic business, only to be broken up by
cooperation on the part or the Mexican an-
thorities. Pursuit by our troops stops at the
boz der while our citizens can pass into Mexico
and witness the sale OF their animals recently
stolen. '
system of general regulations for the adj
miDstratl0D OF the affairs of the Army as pre-
sciloed by section 20 OF the act of July -. 1870
is being prepared, and will be presented to Con,
gress at Its coming session. 1t is work which
requires much labor and studious care but II is
hoped that it may be submitted in time for full
consideration by Congress.
The slow, tedious, and cumbersome system OF
clerical administration in the various bureaus
OF the Department retarded business to such An
extent that, for the purpose of devising some
plan which would expedite its transaction a
board was organized, composed Of two officers
OF the stan corps and q civilian clerk, for An
examination Of the subject. They gave the
matter thorough and exhaustive attention.
which resulted in the report of a plan which
has been approved and which will 90 into oper-
alton on January /, ISL. 1t is confidently be-
lieved thatathe result will be satisfactory hast
eDng forward the work of the different bureaus.
doing away with the necessity for Increased
clerical force, and giving satisfaction to tn at
large number OF persons who have business