Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-12-14

II Itlt't iIlIt' " 'aii "'''.h l't'NhNhN VII
ginccr and officer Of the army. \
second ani third new route viii he
proposed for the consideration Of Con-
-rc5s. namc!v: by IN extension Of the
kanawha and Jamcs-iivcr Canal to the
Ohio, and by the extension of the
Chesapeak and Ohio Canal l AIN no.
prepared to recommend Government
aid to those or other enterprises until
it is clearly shown that they arc no.
only of national interest, but that,
when completed, they will be Of a value
commensurate with their cost. That
production increases more rapidly than
the means of transportation i'll our
country, has been demonstrated by
past experience: that the unprecedented
growth in population and products of
the whole country will require addi-
t;onal facilities and cheaper means for
the more bulky articles of commerce to
reach tide-water, and that market
will be demanded in the near future,
is equally demonstrated. I would,
therefore, suggest either committee or
n commission be organized to consider
this whole question AMI to report to
Congress at some future day for its
better guidance in leyislating on this
important subject. The railroads of
the country have been rapidly extend
ell during the last few years to meet the
growing demands of producers, and
they reflect much credit upon the capt.
talists and managers engaged in their
construction. In addition to these, a
project to facilitate commerce by the
building Of a ship canal around Niagara
falls, on the United States side, which
has been agitated for many years, will
no doubt be called to yourattcntion this
session. Looking to the great future
of this country, and the increasing de-
mands of commerce, it might be we'll,
while on the subject, not only to have
examined the reports upon the various
practicable routes for connecting the
Mississippi with tide-water on the At
lantic, but the feasibility of almost con-
tinued land-locked navigation from
Maine to the Gulf of Mexico. Such n
route along our coast would be of great
value at all times. and of inostimable
value in case of foreign war. Nature
has provided the greater part of this
route, and the obstacles to be overcome
are easily within the skill of the engi-
neer l have Snot alluded to this SUBJ
ject with the view Of having any further
expenditure of the public money at
this time than may be necessary to
procure and place all necessary infor-
nation before Congress in an authentic
form, to enable it hereafter, if deemed
practicable and worthy, to legislate ON
the subject without delay.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy, herewith accompanying, explains
fully the condition of that branch of
the public service, it's wants and def
ciencies, thc..expenses incurred during
the past year, and the necessary APP
preparations for the same. It also
gives a complete history of the services
of the navy for the past year. 1t is
evident that, unless steps are taken to
preserve our navy, in very few years
the United States will be the weakest
nation upon the ocean of all the great
powers. With an energetic, progress
i've business people like ours, penctrat-
ing and forming business relations with
every part of the known world, a navy
strong enough to command the respect
of our flag abroad is necessary for the
full protection of their rights.
THE posr-oFrIcE DEPARTMENT.
I recommend the careful considera-
ton by Congress of the recommends
tons made by the Secretary in the
accompanying report of the Postmaster
General. It furnishes full and salts.
factory exhibit of the operations of the
Post-office Department during the year.
The ordinary revenues of the Depart
ment far the fiscal year ending June
80, 1872, amounted to s21 ,915 ,426 81,
and the expenditures to SIG, 65S. 1872 OF .
Compared with the previous fiscal year
the increase of revenue was 81 SIG, $3.50
50, and the increase of expenditures
81, 26S, OSS %. Adding to the ordin-
airy revenues of the annual appropria-
tons of $7O0,00O for free matter, and
the amounts paid as subsidies on mail
steamship lines from special appropria-
tons, the deficiency paid out of the
general treasury was 50 ,317 ,765 94-an
excess of S3S9,7O1 % over the def
cheney for the year 1871. Other inter
esting statistics relating to rapidly
extending postal services are furnished
in this report. The total length Of
railroad mail routes on the 3Oth OF
June, 1872, was 57,911 miles, 8,OO7
additional miles of such services having
been put into operation. During the
year eight new lines of railway post,
Offices have been established, with an
aggreSago length of 1900 miles. The
number of letters exchanged by the
mails with foreign countries was a.
362, 50O-an increase of 4,OG6, 500. OF
20 per cent. over the number in 1871.
The postage thereon amounted to ST.
81 ,257 25. The total weight of mails
exchanged with European countries
exceeded 800 tons. The cost of the
I1Dita1 Stafec fro nco flo n{;o wall ,4oo.>>