The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-12-05
i the kanava aol james River Cana, the fol

the kanavssa aaii James River Canal, the fol-
loving language is used:
s:Thc attention OF Congress will be caller
during the present session to various entes-
prises for the more certan and cheaper trans
portation ofthe constantly increasing supplied
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 or later. and l sug-
gcst, therefore, that immediate steps be taken
| to gain all available information to insure
equitable and just leg sIa:ion One route to
connect the Mississippi Valley with the At
| lantic, at Charleston, S. G., and Savannah,
Ga, by the way Of the Ohio and Tennessee
rivers and canals, aad slack water navigation
| to the Savannah and Ogeechee rivers has been
surveyed, and report made by an accomplished
engineer officer of the army. Second and
third new routes will be proposed for tho con-
sder;1tlon OF Congress, namely, by an expan-
sion OF the kanawha and James River Canal
) to the Ohio, and by the extension of the Ches
apeake aud Ohio Canal. | am not prepared
to recommend Government aid to these or
other enterprises, uutil it is clearly shown
that they are not only of national interest but
that, when completed, they will bear value
commensurate with their cost That produc
ton increases more rapidly than the means of
transportation in our country has been de-
mopstrated by past. experience. That the
unprecedented growth in population and pro-
duets OF the whole country Will require addi
tioual facilities, and cheaper ones, for the
more bulky articles of commerce to reach
tide water and market, will be demanded
IN the near future is equally demonstrabe =
would, therefore, suggest that either COM
mittee or commission be authorized to con-
slider this whole question and to report to
Congress at soE.s future day, for it's better
guidance ia leaisiatlns on this important sub
ject."
From this it will be seen that the President
while he expresses Partially for none of
the proposed routes, takes strong ground in
| favor Of such Immediate action al shall secure
the best roate. We have no doubt but
careful inyestiga such as is recommended.
will result very favorabiy for the James Riv-
| er route, and we look for carly action By Con
gress in this direction.
The following statistics concerning the
Post Ofhle Department will be interesting IS
showing the magnitude Of tha postal service:
"The total length Of railroad mali route Oh
the Both of June, 1873, was 59,9ll miles,
rs, OF additional miles OF such service having
been put into operation during this year
| Blight new lines of railway post Offices have
been established, with al aggregate length f
| Z ,9U9 miles The number OF letters excllau-
ged in the mails with foreign countries was
"a 1862 800, an increase Of 1906, SOP, or 20
per ceut. over the number 10 1871, and the
postage thereon, amounted to 81 81 557 rs
The total weight Of the mail exchanged with
| European countries exceeded 800 TONS"
| The cost Of our ostal facilities for the
| last fiscal year was S26 658, 1872 Very ma
| tesia.. advance was made during the last year
| 10 our postal communications with all the
leading countries Of Europe aud America
| Doth in improved rates and increased iacih-
ties. The President recommends a commission
| TO take into consideration the best method,
| equitable to private corporations, for aceui-
ring all telegraph lines now In operation aud
| for connecting this service with the postal
service Of the nation.
| He recommends action Ia favor of the car
| rying trade, the continuation Of steamship
communication with foreign countries, and
the encouragement OF ship building. lie
manifests fixed determination to sustait
hose acts of Congress to enforce the rights
Of citizens of the United States to vote in
the several States Of the Union He disussss
his Indian, policy aud recommends a terrific
rial form of government for the Indian Terri
tor yuh ;oh shall II
closer relationship with our government than
any at present existing During the last year
there were disposed fout Of the public lands
IL 1854, 975 acres The receipts from allsources
were ", 2IS, 100. Over four aud half mil-
lion Of acres of the public lands were taken
for homeste-ds by actual settlers The Pres
idant recommends tho passage Of the patent
laws recommended last winter, and explains
tho necessity for more room for this growing
and important department. He asks early
attention Of Congress to the recommendation
Of the Secretary OF the Interior that a census
Of the country be taken in 1875, and favors
the project. He recommends the passage of
the bill nov pending granting the proceeds Of
the sales of public lauds to educational pur-
poses. He recommends the passage Of laws
for the ultimate extiLguishmsnt Of polyga-
my. He calls attention to the report of tn
Commissioner Of Agriculture. He recon-
mends appropriate action concerning the
centennial celebration. The message closes
with the subject OF improvement Of the civil
service, and while recognizing the fact that
no system Of rules can be an immediate and
entire remedy for existing evils, tho Presi-
dent promises to apply them so as to secure
the grearest possible reform.
The Winchester shoe factory is in a -four
Using condition.