Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-12-04

cemeteries; authority TO purchase sites for
military posts in Texas the appointment OF
comm issary sergeants from non-commlssloned
officers as measure for securing the better
care and protection of supplies, an approprI-
alton for the publication of the catalogue
and tables of the anatomical section OF the
Army Medical Museum, reapproprlatIon
Of the amount for the manufacture OF breech
loading arms, should the selection be 50 de-
layed by the board of off ;er5 TO leave the
former appropriation unexpended NJ the close
Of the fiscal year; the sale Of such arsenals
cast of the Mississippi as can be spared and
he proceeds applied 70 the establishment OF
large arsenal Of construction and repairs
upon the Atlantic coast, and the purchase OF
suitable site for proving and experlm mt
al ground for heavy ordance; the abro5auOn
Of laws which deprive inventors in the
United States service from deriving any ben
eft from their inventions; the repeal of the
law prohibiting promotions in the staff
corps a continuance Of the work upon the
coast delences; the repeal OF the seventh Sec
ton of the act of July -, 1869, taking
rom engineer soldiers the per diem granted
TO other troops, Limitation of time for pre-
sentation of old war claims for subsistence
and supplies, under the act Of July I, 1861,
and modification in the mode OF the selection
Of cadets for the Military Academy, in order
70 enhance the usefulness Of thes academy,
which is impaired by reason of the large
amount Of time necessarily expended IN CIV
ing new cadets a thorough knowledge OF
more elementary branches ol learning, which
they should acquire before entering the
Academy; also an appropriation for philo-
sOph cal apparatus, and an Increase insnum-
bers and pay of the Military Academy Band
INTERNAL TRANSPORTATION.
The attention of Congress will be called,
during its present session, to various enter
prises for the more certain and cheaper trans
portatiOn Of the constantly increasing surplus
Dy the Western and Southern products to the
Atlantic seab0ard. The subject IL one that
will force itself upon the legislative branch
of the Government sooner or later, and |
suggest, therefore, that immediate steps be
taken to z iin all available information TO in
sure equitable and just legislation, on the
route to connect the Mississippi Valley with
the Atlantic at Charleston, ). O., and
savannah, ia, by water by way OF the OnIo
and Tennessee rivers and canals and the
/ Black w alter Navigation to the Savannah
/ and Ocmulgee rivers has been surveyed and
a report made by an accomplished engineer
1 of the army. The second and third new
routes will be proposed Tor the consideration
/ OF Congress, namely, by the ex -ensiOn OF the
| Kanawha and James River Canal 10 the OHIO
4 and by the extension Of the Chesapeake
and Ohio Canal | am not prepared /.
recommend Government aid TO these OF other
enterprises until 1t Is clearly shown that they
are not only of national interest, but tla
when completed they will be of a value
commensurate with their cost. That prOduc
increases more rapidly than the means o
transportation in our country has been
demonstrated by past experience that the IN
precedented growth IN population and pro
ducts of the whole country Will require al
ditonal facilities and cheaper ones tor III,
more bulky articles OF commerce to reach the
Underwater, and market viii be demande,
in the near feature Is equally demonstrate e
[ would, therefore, suggest that either com
mittee or commission be authorized to con
slider this whole question and 10 report I,
Congress at some future day, for its bette
guidance in legislaung on this lupOrtan
subject. the railroads Of the country hav,
| been rapidly extended during the last few
years to meet the growing demands III pro
ducers, and reflect much credit upon thu
capitalists engaged in tier construction. Ii
addition to these, a project To facilitate com
merce by the building Ot ship canal aroCu,
Niagara Falls, on the United States SIDE
which has been agItated tor many years, VIII
40 doubt, be called To your attention al tin
session.
Looking to the great future growth of tn
country and the increasing demands oI cIm
merce 1t might be WE'LL while On this sub
lccu, not only to have examined ana repOrteD
upon tie various practicable rOut.s Tor con
Letting the Mississippi wIth tIut-Nl ter OF
the Atlantic, but the Teas iJiilv OF an a!luIs
continuous land locked uavI-stU on from Mana
| to the Cult OF Mexico. oIcl route alOn
our coazJ would be OF great v-'.4s a- fumes
and at ine-titna bic value Ia case Ot lore -
war Nature has provided tie greater par
oil this route and the obstacles % b. over
come are easily within tie skill Of tn
engineer. I have not alIuIeI u tins sub &C
win the view OF having any further cxpcud
ture OF pubic money at ,hls time than ma,
be necessary to procure and place all In
necessary information before Congress IN al
deemed PRACTICAL e AMI worthy to lesIslate Of
he SUBJECT without delay.
tbs NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary OF tue Nav
herewith accompanying, explains fully 70
condition OF that branch Of the pa UIIc serv &C
It's wants and Deficiencies, expenses incurle,
during the past year, ami appropriations TO
the same. It also gives complete hIstJr
Ot the service ot the Navy for tue past yea
IN addition to its regular service.
1t Is evident that unless steps are taken {
preserve our navy u at IN very few year
tue United States Will he tie weakest natIO
upon the ocean OF all the great powers. Wiz
an energetic, progressiOnal business peOul