The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-07

injurious, and creates distinction between
bank currency and lawful money which is
unnecessary, and which ought not to exist.
1t would be wise measure to provide
for the extension of the national banking
system wherever capital and trade may in
vite, withdrawing, if it should seem desira-
BILE, United States notes, as fast as bank
notes are issued.
REPORT or THE SECRETARY OF THE
NAVY.
Secretary Robson reports that the navy
of the United States now consists of 179
ships of all classes and in all conditions.
They are calculated to carry, when in com
mission for service, 1890 guns, exclusive
Of howitzers andsssmall carronades.
Many of these vessels, built with great
rapidity of unseasoned wood, during the
pressing emergencies of the war, are unfit
for use. They make part of the neces-
sary expenditure Of the great war, and the
nation must accept the loss, and from its
abundant resources must supply the def
cheney which is thus occasioned. Unless
something is done in this direction, our
cruising navy, now by no means powerful,
indeed scarcely respectable for a nation Of
our rank and responsibilities, will soon al
most wholly pass out Of existence as all
arm of our national power.
The Secretary warmly urges that Con-
gress shall take efficient measures to, at
least, check the decline Of our naval power.
The Secretary says of the Tehuantepec
canal survey that the season of the year
prevented the running of line to the At
lantic; yet, from the thorough surveys
previously made for railway purposes, and
the general information gathered on the fire.
that the canal can start at the head waters
of ship navigation of theriver Coatzacoalcos
and run thence along its right bank and
ridge at Tarifa, descending through the
Tarifa Pass, across the plains, to its Pacific
terminus. The total length of such canal
will be l72 miles, including river navigation.
1t will require locks to overcome height
of 732 feet.
In the Darien canal survey the possible
ty of a ship canal between the two oceans
was demonstrated by the Napipi route-es-
timated cost 800, 100000 This route pre-
sents not only the great advantage OF most
excellent harbors at each terminous, but its
low cost. compared with other lines, its
construction in rock, requiring but small
outlay for annual repairs, the proximity of
the heaviest portion of the work to the Pa
cific ocean, the absence Of swamps, and the
comparative healthiness of the position,
give it q prominence which repays the cost
and labor of the expedition.
Regarding the Corean expedition, the
Secretary says that the latest dispatches in-
dictate that though the direct object of the
expedition has failed, yet the punishment
which was inflicted upon our treacherous
assailants, and the gallant conduct Of our
forces, has not failed to make an impression
upon the people of the Chinese coast, and
| to contribute materially in its effects to the
consideration and comfort and perhaps to
the safety of our citizens located there.
! The whole expenditure Of the Depart
ment and the service since the date of the
last report is $40, 265 ,240.52, including the
payment of invalid pensions and adjudicated
prize-money, and the appropriations of
Congress for the payment Of bounties and
claims of various kinds to the first of the
present month.
The appropriations for the current fiscal
year amount in the whole to 1861, :
717.25, and the expenditures from these APP
preparations are considerably within tie
proportion applicable to the period which
mas elapsed since us commandments.
Ing 0o'nAase' w eio CO. 81 70 -.
OF tue service iof lne nss,,l year so e,io on
/ The subject of the reduction of the per-
sohhei OF tne navy y coiisiuercu ~ ny
secretary. lhongh II = sohetllhes alesea,
as q matter 81 Complain, .hat rnere aEe
more oiilcers oi Tue navy, esPeolaliy " ~. .he
nleuer sraoe! 'iialc ,uu ie!u,uu 'ot 1I'
service, YET 1t IS iact illat, noteiel'ssai,u,
ing the RrolIio'lons 81 liaiu,y e'lneu oy
many Saiailt oillSeis uu,is .i,e ,ase t M.,
notwitnslahuiils siie au''ilias'oii VIII my
conqueIeu anu .lle nlsi o9liaiuei aeoi
which they deserve az .Ile nallus q sos,
ernheht wilcn owes no p,es iva sa'VA a. a.
nluc 70 .ei a. ~ an o, In, L.S u 90 =
wants OF People; SUI ". mno,o no, ~ ~,
active oniceis ~ ,.ie nisue ia ahnn y .n'
navy y co'lsioieiaoiy 1893 no" ''''''i ~ "a'
oe,qre e!ie war. H. a. ao,,a;,;or 10 ra,or
Notwl'ilstanuiins uiiS eon s'' ~ III
MES .ie u1siLaoni.y " ie ~ .ns IN, =
tary es.a9i' 81 ina ~ 'ne COUNT,
every hliin, " .iio I'VE. pot" ~, so a,str,
WIN .he usni.y anu SAFETY VI .no tDu .t.
aiia ~ eans ~ s1' anu W,.n .;,J
aellluoe VI guou ,a.,i a,u Seru ,,d m,av.
oeconics .ea. ~. e';.hri quo
gus peopie 'o"a'u i'' 'e''''i'i' "''' o''o'''
servants ,,,;oa .,,.t ,bore ara conn