The New York herald., 1872-12-03


history OF the is yet to be ordered by Congress
There exists an absolute necessity for medical
corps OF the full number established by act OF Con-
gress Of July 2s, 1906 there being now fifty nine
vacancies and the number OF successful candidates
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 the greater depth or
| channels. 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 the bridge
| at La Crosse The able and exhaustive reports
made by the commission appointed to investigate
the SutrO tunnel have been transmitted to Con-
grcss. The observations and reports OF the Signal
Onlce have been continued. Stations have been
maintained at each OF the principal lake. seaport and
river cities. Ten additional stations have been es-
| tablished in the United States, and arrangements
Canada. and similar exchange Of observations is
/ contemplated with the West India islands. The
favorable attention OF Congress Is invited to the
neutrality-suspicious. OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
| discontinuance OF the appointment OF extra
lieutenants to serve as adjutants and quarter
masters; the adoption OF code providing specific
penalties for well defined offences, that the in
may be adjusted; the consolidation OF accounts
| under which expenditures are made as measure
the construction Of depot at San Antonio, the
title TO the site being now perfected; special act
same basis as other national Cemeteries AUTHORITY
to purchase sites ior military posts In Texas; the
| appointments OF commtssary sergeants from nom
commissioned officers as measure for securing
the better care aud protection OF supplies; an ap-
preparation for the publication of the catalogue and
tables or the anatomical section of the army medi-
! cal museum; a reapprOpratOn OF the amount for
the manufacture OF breech-Oading arms, should
to leave the former anpropTaton M unexpended az
the close OF the fiscal year, the sale Of such arsenas
east OF the Mississippi as can be spared and the
arsenal OF construction and repair upon the Allan
tic coast and the purchase of suitable site for
| proving and experimental ground for heavy ord
| nance; the abrogatiOn of laws which deprive in
yentOrs In the United states service from deriving
any any benefit from their INVENTIONS the repeal o.
continuance OF the work upon the coast defences;
the repeal Of the seventh section Of the act OF July
13, 1866, taking from engineer soldiers the per diem
Tor the presentation Of old war claims for sub.
and in the mode nod Of Of the n Selection o
cadets for the Military Academy, In order to en-
paired by reason Of the large amount OF time
sarty expended In giving new cadets Q thorough
learning which they should acquire before entering
| the Academy, also an appropriation for phiosOphi-
Cai apparatus ana an increase ID the numbers ana
OF Congress VIII be called during its present ses-
| sion to various enterprises for the
MORE CERTAIN AND CHEAPER TRANSPORTATION
ern and Southern products to the Atlantic sea-
board. Tho subject is one that win force itself
upon the legislative branch of the government
sooner or later, and suggest therefore, that I'M
st ps be taken to gain al nor
route to connect the Mississippi Valley with the
Atlantic at Charleston. S. g., and Savannah, Ga, by
anC canals and slack water navigation to the
savannah aud Ocmugee rivers. Tim route has been
gineer officer OF the army. Second and third, new
routes VIII be proposed for the consideration Of
ana amss By sn sns Of obS t
and by the extension OF the Chesapeake ana Ohio
Canal. am not prepared to recommend govern
ment aid TO these or other enterprises until 1t Is
interest but that when completed they win be Of
duction increases more rapidly than the means Of
transportation in our country has been demon
strated by past experience that the unprecedented
country Will require additional facilities and
cheaper ones for the more bulky articles OF COM
merce to reach Underwater and market will be de-
manded in the near future is equally demonstrabe.
would therefore suggest either committee or
question, and to report to Congress at some future
day. for Its better guidance in legislatng on this
THE RAILROADS OF THE COUNTRY
! have been rapidly extended during the last few
to meet the growing IAN Of
managers engaged in their construction. In adj
| ditton 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 no doubt be called to your
future growth OF the country and the increasing
demands OF commerce, it might be wen, while
sS aua sp'fS e hays
sssp With routes ss a Water on sSs as M
but the feasibility of an almost continuous land
locked navigation from Maine to the Gulf Of
Mexico Such route along our coast would be OF
In case of foreign war: Nature has provided the
greater part OF this route and the obstacles to be
neer. have not alluded to this subject with the
| view OF having any further expenditure OF
public money at this time than may be necessary
to procure and place all the necessary information
before Congress In an authentic form, to enable it
hereafter II deemed practicable and worthy, to
legisate on the subject without delay.
NAVY DEPARTMENT..
The report of the Secretary OF the Navy here
with accompanying, explains fully the condition
OF that branch Of the public service its wants and
deficiencies, expenses incurred during the past
gives complete history Of the services Of the navy
for the past year In addition to Its regular service.
1t Is evident that unless steps are taken to pre-,
states will be the weakest nation upon the ocean
OF all great Powers. With energetic, progressive
| business relations with every part OF the known
world, q navy strong enough to command the re-
spect OF our nag abroad Is necessary for the full
recommend careful consideration by Congress
OF the recommendations made by the Secretary Of
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT..
The accompanying report OF the Postmaster
General furnishes iu ana satisfactory exhibit of
the operations of the Post Ohlce Department dur
Ing the year. The ordinary revenues of the depart
ment for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1872,
amounted to $2l,gl6,426, and the expenditures to
S2685S, ,1o2. Compared with the previous fiscal year
the increase Of revenue was $l,s7s,sS0 or 937 per
cent and the increase Ofexpcnditures ST. 26S OsS or
929 per cent, adding to the ordinary revenues the
and the amounts paid to the subsidized
mail steamship lines from special appropriations.
| The deficiency paid out OF the general Treasury
cheney FOR the year 1871. Other interesting stats-
tcal Information relating to our rapidly extending
postal service Is furnished in this report. The
total length Of railroad mail routes on the 30th Of
June, 1872 was 81 9l miles, SOFT additional miles
during the year. Eight new lines OF IRA railway post
ofices have been established, with an aggregate
length OF 1900 miles. The number OF letters ex-
changed in the mails with foreign countries was
24,362.5o0, an increase OF 4,0e6,5O2, or twenty
per cent over the number in 1871; and
the postage thereon amounted to s1,S71,257 rs.
The total weight OF the mails exchanged with