The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-12-06

priation of the amount for the manufacturing of
! breech-loading arms, should the selection be 70
| delayed BY the board of officers as to leave the
former appropriations unexpended ut 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 establishment of one large
arsenal of construction and repair
upon the Atlantic coast and the
| purchase Of suitable site for proving and ex-
| detrimental ground for heavy ordnance the alb
rogation of laws which deprive inventors in the
United States service from deriving any benefit
from their inventions the repeal Of the law pro-
hibiting promotions in staff corps and continuance
| of work on Coast defences; the repeal of the
seventh section Of the Act of July 18th, 1865,
taking from Engineer soldiers the per diem grant
ed to other troops; limitation of time for pre-
sentation of subsistence supplies under the Act of
July 4th, 1864 4 modification of 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 Ca
diets thorough knowledge of the mere element
AIRY branches OF learning, which they should ac-
quite before entering the Academy; also en- ap-
preparation for philosophical apparatus and an in
crease in the number and pay Of the Military AGA
DENY Band. t-..t .,'s ,r1 f. -.
SHIP CANAL ACROSS THE COUNTRY. "a,
The attention of congress will be called during
more certain and cheaper transportation of the
constantly increasing surplus of eastern and
southern products to the Atlantic sea board. The
subject is one that will force itself upon the legis
latlye branch OF the government sooner or later,
and I suggest. therefore, that immediate steps be
taken TO gain all available information to insure
equitable and just legislation route to connect
the Mississippi valley with the Atlantic at
Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Geor-
gia, by water by the way Of the Ohio and Tennes-
see rivers by canals and slack water navigation.
The Savannah and Ocmulgee rivers have boon
surveyed and report mazda asat by an accom-
third new new routes will be proposed for the
consideration Of congress, namely: By an extern
sion Of the kanawha and James rivers canal to tho
ONO. and BY a. an extension Of the
not prepared to recommend government aid to
that they are not only o national interest but
that when completed they win be Of a value com
mensurate with their cost. That production in
creases more rapidly than the means Of transpor-
past experience. That the unprecedented pro-
gress Of the country will require additional facil-
ties and cheaper means for the more bulky artf-
Giles OF commerce to reach Underwater and mar
ket will be demanded in the near future is equal
" demonstrable. would therefore suggest eth
or committee or commissioners be authorized to
consider this whole question and report to Con-
gress at some future day for its better guidance n
legis!ating On the important subject. =. fT
,..rh. ..;,...,. -. j, sAiLRoAps; 80 G-s,,,
U060
extended during the last year, to meet the grow.
Ing demands Of producers, and reflect much credit
upon the capitalists and managers engaged in
thief construction. ,@4'
"a NIAGARA SHIP CANAL
In addition to these, project to facilitate COM
merce by building ship canal around Niagara
Falls, on the United States tide, which has been
agitated for many years, will no doubt be called
to YOUR attention this session. s@ = RVE
.tS1 1tse SOME rHING NEW. Aaaa# !"
tofk No.
the increasing demands Of commerce, it might Be
well, while on this subject, not only to have ex-
anhined and reported upon the various practicable
rates 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 our coast would be Of great value at all
times, and Of inestimable value in case Of .
foreign war. Nature has provided the greater
part OF this route, and the obstacles to be over
come are easily within the skill of the engineer I
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 procufe
| and place all necessary information before Con-
gress in an authentic form to enable it hereaftet
if deemed practicable and worthy, to legislate on
| thesubject without delay. s'''h
~ NAVY .pEPARrdENT. #N
The report of the Secretary Of the Navy,
herewith accompanying, explains fully the condi-
ton Of that branch Of the public service II
during the past year and APPROPRIATIONS for same.
f also gives complete history Of the services IF
the navy for the past year in addition to its reg
taken to preserve our navy. in Ia yery few wears
the United States will be the weakest nation upon
| the ocean of all the great powers. With an en-
ergetic, progressive people like ours penetrating
and forming business relations with every mart Of
the known world, . navy strong enough to COM
mand respect to our dag abroad, is necessary for
4 If th0ipr iuhf ~ al
| careful consideration by Congress Of the recom
mendations made BY the Secretary Of the Navy.
| POST OFFICE pEpARrMSNT.. -
| The accompanying report Of the Post Master
General, furnishes full aud satisfactory exhibit
| Of operato, of the Post Ot6cs Department. du-
ring the year. The ordinary revenues Of the De-
4 partment for the fiscal yeas ending June 8Oth.
| 1871, amounted to $2l, 400 81. and the ex.
penditures. SEE, 705, 1872 ,2l compared with the
previous fiscal year, the increase of revenue VAS
$l,S7S, 3SO.95 or O93S per cent, and the inoroase
Of expenditures, 81, 26S $4,000 or .O929 per cent.
/ Adding to the ordinary revenues, the annual an