Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-12-03

GSbf ,lfZ.fz OF claims bN loyal cltlZenS Tor quar-
| termasters' stores taken during the war; sub
sistence supplies to the amount of $50, 04S12
| have been issued TO the Indians. Annual aver
| age mean strength of the army is ,101 white,
and 249I colored soldiers. The total deaths for
| the year report d was S61 white, and 81 COlored,
! The distribution Of the medical and surgical his
tory OF the war is vet to he ordered by congress.
| There exists an absolute necessity for Il full
medical corps of the full number established by
| the act Of congress of July 2Sth, 1866, there
| being now SO vacancies, and the number of
| successful candidates 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 saved to commerce MANY times the amount
| expended. The increase of commerce with
greater depth of channels, greater security IN
| navigation, and tic saving of time, adds MIL
lions 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 de
! termined upon for the bridge at Lacrosse. The
| able and expansive report made by the commits
| sion appointed to investigate the Sutro tunnel
| has been transmitted to congress. The observ-
| atons and report of the signal office have been
| continued. Stations have been maintained AT
| each of the principal lake, seaport and river
cities. Additional stations have been established
| in the United States and arrangements nave
| been made for an exchange OF reports with
| Canada similar exchange of observations
is contemplated with the West India Islands.
The favorable attention of congress is invited
| to the following recommendations of the secreta-
| ry of war: A dlScontinuance of the appoint
ment of extra lieutenants to serve as adjutants
| and quartermasters; the adoption Of code pro-
| viding 3 specific penalty for well defined
| offence, so that the inequality of sentences adj
| judged by courts martial may be adjusted; the
| consolidation of accounts under which eXpendi-
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appropriation of the money for the construction
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
| as other national cemeteries; authority to par
chase sites for military posts in Texas; the APP
pointment Of commissary sergeants from nom
| commissioned officers, as measure for securing
| the better care and protection of supplies; an
| appropriation for the publication of the cata-
| lOgue and tables Of the anatomical section of
the army medical museum; re-appropriation
Of the amount for the manufacture of hreech-
loading arms should the selection be so delayed
by the board of officers as to leave the former
appropriation uneXpended at the close of the
fiscal year.
The sale of such arsenals cast of the MSsis-
sippi as can be spared, and the proceeds applied
to the establishment of one large arsenal of
construction and repair upon the Atlantic coast;
and the purchase OF a suitable site for a proving
and experimental ground for heavy ordnance;
| the abrogation OF laws which deprive inventors
| in the United States service from deriving any
| benefit from heirinventions; the repeal of the
| law prohibiting promotions in the stan corps; a
continuance of the work upon the coast de
| fences the repeal of the 7th section of the act
| of July Is, 1866, taking from engineer soldiers
| the per diem granted to other troops; linita-
| ton OF the time for presentation Of old war
claims for subsistence under act of July 4, 1864;
| and modification in the mode of the selection
| of cadets for the military academy, in order to
| enhance the usefulness of the academy, which
| is impaired by reason Of the large amount Of
| time necessarily expended in giving new cadets
| a thorough knowledge of the more elementary
| branches of learning, which they should acquire
| before entering the academy; also an appropri-
| alton for philosophical apparatus and an in
| crease IN the numbers and pay Of the military
academy band.
The attention of congress will be called, dur
ing its present session, to various enterprises for
the more certain and cheaper transportation OF
| the constantly increasing surplus OF the western
| and southern products to the Atlantic seaboard.
| The subject is one that will force itself upon the
| legislative branch of the government sooner OF
| later, and suggest, therefore, that immediate
| steps be taken to gain all available Information,
| to ensure equable and just legislation. a route
| to connect the Mississippi valley with the Allan
| tic at Charleston, S, c., aud Savannah, Ga, by
water, by the way Of the Ohio and Tennessee
| rivers, and canals, and baCkwatcr navigation to
| the Savannah and Ocmulgee 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 consideration
| Of congress, namely: BY an extension of the
| kanawha and James river canal to the Ohio.
| and by an extension of the Chesapeake and OHIO
| canal. | am not prepared to recommend GOV
| eminent aid to these or other enterprises until
| 1t is clearly shown that they are not only Of ma.
| tlonal interest, but that when completed they
| will be of value commensurate with their cost.
| mat 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 pro-
| ducts of the whole country will require add
tonal facilities, and cheaper ones for the more
| bulky articles of commerce TO reach tide water
and a market, will be demanded in the near
future, is equally demonstrate. | would there
| fore suggest either a committee or commission,
| to be authorized to consider this whole ques
ton, and to report TO congress at some future
day for IFS better guidance in legislating on this
| important subject
| The railroads Ofthe country have been rapidly
extended during the last few years, to meet the
| growing demands of producers, and reflect much
| credit upon the capitalists and managers en-
| gagged in their construction lu addition to these
| project to facilitate commerce by the building
| OF ship canal around Niagara Falls on the
| United states side, which has been agitated for
many years, will probably be called 10 your at.
| tenuon at this session. Looking TO tue great
| iuture growth OF the country and the increasing
| demand OF commerce, it might be well, while
| on this subject, not only to have examined and
| reported upon the various practicable routes for
| connecting the MISSISSIPPI with tide water on
| the Atlantic, but the feasibility of an almost
| continuous land locked navigation from Maine
| to the Gulf Of Mexico. Such route along OuI
| coast would be of great value at all times, and
OF estlmable 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 engineer. ! have
not alluded to this subject with the view OF hay
| ing any further expenditure Of public money al
| this time than may be necessary 10 procure aud
| place all the necessary information before con.
gress in an authentic form, to enable it hereaE
ter, if deemed practicable and worthy, TO IegiS,
late ON the subject without delay.
The report OF the secretary Of the navy here
| with accompanying, explains fully the condi.
ton Of that branch Of the public service, its
| wants and deficiencies, expenses incurred during
| the past year, and appropriations for the same
| IL also gives complete history of the services
OF the navy for the past year, in addition to its
| regular services. IL is evident that unless steps
| are taken to improve our navy, that in a very
few years the United States will be the weakest
| nation upon the ocean of all great powers
| With an energetic progression all business PEG
| pie like ours, penetrating and forming business
| relations with every part Of the known world a
| navy strong enough TO command the respect oil
| our flag abroad is necessary for the full protec
| ton Of their rights. recommend careful Consid.
| Grafton by congress Of the recommendations OF
| the secretary Of the navy.
| The accompanying report of the postmaster
| general furnishes full and satisfactory exhibit
| of the operations of the post office department
| during the year. The ordinary revenues of the
| department for the official year ending June 30
1872, amounted to 81 1913, 1861, and the eX-
| md stRA IN -g.r4