Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-12-03


with Canada, and q similar exchange of OBJ
servations is contemplated with the West In
dia Islands.
The fav orable attention of Congress is in
vited to the following recommendations of
the Secretary of War: A discontinuance of
the appointment Of extra lieutenants to serve
as adjutants and >qhartermasters the adop-
ton of a code providing specific penalties for
well defined offences, so that the inequality
of sentences adjudged by courts martial may
be adjusted;- the eonsotidatfon of accounts
under which expenditures are made as a
measure of economy; an appropriation of the
money for the construction of depot at San
Antonio, the title to the site being now per.
tected; special act placing the cemetery at
the City of Mexico on the same basis as other
national cemeteries; authority to purchase
sites for military posts in Texas; the ap-
pointment of commissary sergeants from nom
commissioned officers as Il measure for
securing the better care and protection
Of supplies; an appropriation for the publica-
ton Of the catalogue and tables of the ana
tomical section of the army medical museum;
a reappropriation of the amount for the man.
ufacturer of breach loading arms, should the
selection be so delayed by the board of officers
AS to leave the former appropriation unex
pended at the close of the fiscal year; the sale
of such arsenals east OF the Mississippi as can
be spared, and the proceeds applied to the es.
adjustment of large arsenal of construction
and repairs upon the Atlantic coast, and the
purchase of a suitable site for proving and
experimental ground for heavy ordnance the
abro 2ation of laws which prevent inventors in
the United States service from deriving any
benefit from their inventions; the repeal Of
the law prohibiting promotions IN the staff
corps; continuance Of the work upon the
laf. .aa1n f -tb
of the act of July 18Th, 1866, taking from en-
gineer soldiers the per diem granted for other
troops; the limitation of time for presentation
OF old war claims for subsistence ard supplies
uEder the act of July 4th, 1864 and medi
fication in the mode of the selection OF cadets
for the military academy, in order to enhance
the usefulness of the academy, which is im-
paired by reason of the large amount of time
necessarily expended in giving new cadets
thorough knowledge of more elementary
branches of learning which they should ac
quire before entering the academy; also an
appropriation for philosophical apparatus and
an increase in numbers and pay of the military
academy band.
New RouTEs OF TRANSFORMATION.
The attention of Congress will be
called during lis present session to
various enterprises for the more certain and
cheaper transportation of the constantly in
creasing surplus of the Western and South
ern products to the Atlantic seaboard. The
subject is one that will force itself upon the
legislative branch of the government sooner
or later, and | suggest, therefore, that inn
mediate steps be taken to gain all available
information to insure equitable and just leg
islation. The route to connect the Mississip.
pi valley with the Atlantic at Charleston, s.
c., and Savannah, Ca, by water by way of
the Ohio and Tennessee rivers and canals
and the black waters navigation to the
Savannah and Ocmulgee rivers, has been
surveyed and report made by an accom-
plished engineer of the army. The second
and third new routes will be proposed for the
consideration of Congress, namely. by the ex
tension of the Kanawaha and James River
Canal to the Ohio, and by the extension of
the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal. am not
prepared to recommend government aid to
these or other enterprises till it is clearly
shown that they are not only of national in
terest, but that when completed they will be
of a value commensurate with their cost.
That production increases more rapidly than
the means Of transportation 10 our country,
has been demonstrated by past experience.
That the unprecedented growth in population
and products of the whole country will re-
qure additional facilities and cheaper ones
for the more bulky articles of commerce to
reach tide water and a market will be de.
manded in the near future is equally demon
stIable. would therefore suggest either a
committee or commission be authorized to
consider this whole question, and to report to
Congress at some future day, for its better
guidance in legislation on this important SUBJ
ject. The railroads of the country have been
rapidly extended during the last few years,
to meet the growing demands of producers,
and reflect much credit upon the capitalists
engaged in their construction.
NIAGARA SHIP CANAL
In addition to these 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 brought to your attention at
this session. Looking to the great future
growth of the country and the increasing de-
mands of commerce, it might be we'll 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 landlocked navigation
from Maine to the gulf of Mexico. Such a
route along our coast would be of great value
at all times, and Of inestmable 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 engineers. l 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 a
form to enable it hereafter, if deemed practi-
cable and worthy, to legislate on the subject
without delay.
NAyf DEPAgTMEST.
The report of The Secretary of the Navy,
herewith accompanying, explains fully the con-
clifton of this branch Of the public service,
i:s wsnts and Deficiencies, expenses incurred
during the psst year, and appropriations for
ths came. 1t alec gives acomplete history of
the service u the Navy for the past year in
addition 10 iis regular service. 1t il evident
that ungsss stsps are taken 10 preserve our
Nary, taaa ia very few years the United
statss Will be the weakest nation upon the
ocean " all the great powers. With an en-
esgetAe professional business people like ours,
penetrating anc forming business relations
VITA every pan VI the known world, navy
stt2ng enough % command the respect of our
Rag etrosG il Decessary for the full protection
" their sig;ais. recommend careful con-
siaefati9n by Congress Of the recommenda-
ttgpS made ,gy tsl- Secretary NJ the Navy