The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1872-12-10


to enhance the usefulness of the Acade-
my, which is impaired by reason of the
large amount of time necessarily expen-
ded in giving new cadets thorough.
knowledge of the more elementary
branches of Learning, which they should
acquire tefore entering the Academy !;
also an appropriation for philosophical
apparatus, and an increase in the mum.
Der and the pay of the Military Acade-
my Band.
The attention of Congress will be call
ed durilig its present session to various
enterprises for the more certain aid
cheaper transportation Of the constantly
increasing surplus of the Western and
Southern products to the Atlantic sea-
board. The subject is one that will force
itself upon the Legislative branch of the
Government sooner or later, and sug-
gest, therefore, that immediate steps be
taken TO gain all available information to
inevitable and just legislation. A route
to connect the Missippi Valley with the
Atlantic, with Charleston, South Carroll
ma, and Savannah, Georgia, BY water,
by way of the Ohio and Tennessee Riv-
ers, and canals and slackwster naviga-
ton, to the Savannah and Ocmulgee
Rivers. has been surveyed; and report
made by an accomplished engineer of
the army. Second and third, new routes
will be proposed for the consideration of
Congress. namely. by an extension of
The Kanawi and James River Canal to
the Ohio, and by an extension of the
| Chesapeake and Ohio Cansl
am not prepared to recommend Gov
eminent aid to these or other enterEri-
ses until it is clearly shown that they are
not only of National interest, 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 coun-
try has been demonstrated by past expe.
rience; that the rapid growth in popula.
ton and products Of the whole country
will require additional facilities and
CltdHCt iISulIS lOi LNc tuOiC buihN al
cles of commerce to reach tide-water,
and market will be demanded in the
near future, is equally demonstrable.
would, therefore, suggest either com
mittee or commission to be authorized tc
consider this whole question, and to re
port to Congress at some future day fol
its better guidance in legislating on the
important subject.
The railroads of the country hav,
been rapidly extended during the las
few years, to meet the growing demand:
Of producers, and reflect much credi
upon the capitalists and managers en-
gagged in this connection In addition tc
these, project to facilitate commerce b!
the building of ship canal around Nj
agara Falls, on the United States side
which has been agitated for many years
will no doubt be callsd to your attention
this session. Looking to the great tutur,
Of the country. the increasing demands
of commerce, it might be well WORT
while on this subject, not only to have
examined and report upon the variou
practicable routes for connecting tht
Mississippi with tide-water on the At
lantic, but the feasibility of an amos
continuous land=locked navigation from
Maine to the Gulf of Mexico Such
route along our coast would be of grea
value at all times, and Of inestimabl
value in case of foreign war. Natur
has provided the greater part thi
route, and the obstacles to be overcom
are easily within the skill of engineers
l have not alluded to this subject witt
, the view of having any further expendi
ture of public money at this time thai
may be necessary to procure and plac
all the necessary information before Con
gress in an authentic form, to enable
hereafter,if deemed practicable and woI
thy, to legislate On the subject withou
delay.
The report of the Secretary Of tn
Navy, herewith accompanying, explain
, fully the condition of that branch of th
public service, its wants and deficiencies
expenses incurred during the past yeal
E and appropriations for the same. 1t als
gives complete history of the service
of the Navy for the past year in additio
to its regular services. 1t is evident tha
unless steps are taken to preserve on
Navy, in very few years the Unite
! States will be the weakest nation upo
the ocean of all the great powers Wit
! an energetic, progressive, business pee
+ pie like ours, penetrating and formin
. business relations with every part of tn
known world, navy strong enough t
= command the respect of our dag abroa
: is necessary for the protection of the
rights. l recommend the careful cor
o sideration by Congress of the recon
! mendations made by the Secretary {
o the Navy. .
T. poSr-orrrcr MP ARTMrNT