The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-12-03

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water S826, 1873. 50 and by stage "a, 1915 SO
and for the purchase Of transportation
animals, wagons, hire of transfers, &c.
1924, e5o.64. About $780, 900 have beef
collected from southern railroads during tn
year, leaving about SAC, goo still due. TIL
Quatermaster has examined and trans
mitted to the accounting officers for settle
ment $780,, 172.72 Of claims by loyal citi
2ens for quartermaster's stores taken during
the war. Subsistence supplies to the amour,
of SS9, 04S.12 have been issued to Indians.
The annual average mean strength of the
army was "a, 101 white and ,494 colored
soldiers. The total deaths for the year
reported were 185 white and "a colored.
The distribution Of the Medical and Sur, l.
cal History of the War is yet to be ordered
by Congress. There exists an absolute ne
cessity for medical corps Of the full NUM-
Der established by act of Congress Of July
%, 1885, there being now fifty-nine vacan-
cies, and the number of successful appi.
cants rarely exceeds eight or ten in any one
year.
The river and harbor improvements have
been carried on with energy and economy.
Though many are only partially completed,
the results have secured to commerce
greater depth of channel, greater security
in navigation, and the saving of time adds
millions to the wealth of the country and
increases the resources of the Government.
The bridge across the Mississippi river at
Rock Island has been completed, and the
proper site has been determined upon for
the bridge at La Crosse.
The able and exhaust i've report made by
the commissioner appointed to investigate
the Sutro tunnel has been transmitted to
Congress.
The observations and reports Of the Sig
nal Office have been continued, stations
have been maintained at each Of the princi-
pal lake, seaport, and river cities. Ten
additional stations have been established in
the United States, and arrangements have
been made for an exchange of reports with
Canada; and o similar exchange Of obser-
vations is contemplated with the West
India islands.
The favorable consideration Of Congress
is invited to the following recommendation
of the Secretary Of War: A discontinue
ance of the appointment of extra lieuten-
ants to serve as adjutants and quartermast-
ers the adoption of code providing spe-
cial penalties for well.defined offences, so
that the inequality of sentences by courts
martial may be adjusted the consolidation
of accounts under which expenditures are
made as measure of economy an app
of the money for the construc-
ton of depot at San Antonio, the title to
the site being now perfected special act
placing the cemetery at the City of Mexico
on the same basis Of other national ceme-
teries; authority to purchase sites for
military posts in Texas the appointment
OF commissary-sergeauts from non-commis.
stoned officers as measure for securing
the better care and protection Of
supplies; On appropriation for the
publication of the catalogue and tables Of
the anatomical section of the army medical
/; en- appropriation Of the amount
for the manufacture of breech-loading
arms, should the selection be SO DELAYED
BY the board of officers as to leave the for
mer appropriations unexpended at the close
Of the fiscal year; the sale of such arse
nails east of the Mississippi as can be
spared, and the proceeds applied to the es.
of one large arsenal of con-
struction and repair upon the Atlantic
coast, and the purchase of suitable site
for proving and experimental ground for
heavy ordnance; the abrogation of laws
which deprive inventors in the United
States service from deriving any benefit
from their inventions; the repeal of the
law prohibiting promotions in the
staff corps; q continuance ofthe work upon
The coast defences the repeal of the 10th
section of the act Of July 18th, 1865, taxi
co1ltaxa p.
granted to other troops; limitation of time
or presentation Of old war claims for SUBJ
,istence supplies under act of July 4, 1864,
and q modification IN the mode Of selection
Of cadets fof the military academy, in order
% enhance the usefulness of the academy,
which is impaired by reason Of the large
amount of time necessarily expended in
giving new cadets thorough knowledge
3f the mere elementary branches of learn
ng, which they should acquire before en-.
.ering the academy; also, an appropria-
ion for philosophical jparatus, and an
Increase in the numbers and pay of the
military academy band.
OUR WATER LINEs.
Tho attention of Congress will be called,
Turing its present session, to various en-
terpriSes for the more certain and cheaper
of the constantly increasing
surplus of western and southern products
to the Atlantic seabord. The subject ID
one that will force itself upon the iegisla-
tive branch of the Government sooner or
later, and suggest, therefore, that imme
date steps be taken to gain all available
to insure equable and just
legislation. One route, to connect the
Valley with tho Atlantic
at Charleston, South Carolina, or Savan-
nah, Ga, by water by the way of the
Ohio and Tennessee rivers and canals and
navigation to the Savannah and
Ocomulgee rivers, has been surveyed and
report made by an accomplished engineer
officer of the army. Second and third,
new routes will be proposed for the consid-
GRAFTON of Congress-namely, by an exten.
sion Of the James River and Kanawha canal
to the Ohio, and by extension of the Ches-
apeake and Ohio canal. am not prepared
to recommend Government aid to these or
other enterprises until it ia clearly shown
that they are not only of national in
terest, but that when completed they will
be Of value commensurate with their
cost. That production increases more
rapidly than the means of transportation
in our country has been demonstrated by
past experience. That the unprecedented
growth in population and products of the
whole country will require additional facili-
tiaa and chpaner onpq for tho mora bplly y,