Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1872-12-12
WATER CONNECTION.

The route TO connect the Mississippi Valley
with the Atlantic at Charleston. s. c.. and Sa-
v4nnah, Ga, by water by way OF the Ohio and
Tennessee river and canals and slack water
navigation to Savannah and Ocmulgee rivers
has been surveyed and report made by an
accomplished engineer officer Of the army.
Second and third new routes Will be pro-
posed for the consideration Of Congress,
namely, ny an extension of the kanawha and
James Rivers Canal to the Ohio and by an eX-
tension Of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal.
am not prepared to recommend Government
aid to these or other enterprises until 1t Is
clearly shown that theytare,nOt only Of Nation
al interest but that when completed they Will
b9 OF value commensurate with tneir cost,
That production increases more rapidly thah
the means OF transportation IN our country
has been demonstrated by past experience
That the unprecedented growth III population
and projects at the whole country VIII require
additional facilities and cheaper means for the
more bulky articles OF commerce to reach tide
water, and marSet viii be demanded in the
near future is equally demonstrable. would
therefore suggest that either a committee or
commission be authorized to consider TINS
whole question and report to Congress some
future day, for its better guidance IN legiSia-
ting on the important question,
THE RAILROADS.
The railroads of the country have been rap
idly extended during the last few years 70
meet the growing demands OF producers, anu
reflect much credit upon capitalists ana 'He
managers engaged in tdcir cOus'rOcnsn'
In addition to these, project to faelhlaI5
commerce by building a ship canal afonnu
the Niagara Fails on the United states SIDE
which has peCn agitated for many wears, VII
no doubt. be called to your attention IN t4is
session, as looking TO the great futars Oh ule
country and the increasing demands Oh CUM
merce. -
Ii might be wen, while on this subject not
only to have examined and reported upon the
various practicable routes for connecting 'lo
Mississippi with tide water on the Alah-
tic but the feasibility Of an almost continuous
land. locked navigation from Maine 10 Tue
Gulf of Mexico, Such route along our c9"s ~
would be OF great value at all times, anu u
inestimable value in case Of Foreign Wal,
Natale has provided the greater part OF .hl'
route. and the obstacles 70 be overcome are cas-
ily within the skill OF the engineer nave uo'
alluded to this subject Nlta 'nt
view of having any further eE~eadlfuTe u
public money at this time than NAV be neGes-
Sary TO procure and place all AIRY luo.'
.Iatlon before Congress IN an autaeliuc ioaa,i
to enable it hereafter, ifdeeme3 rraeteao!e ana
worthy TO iCgislJte on the >1Ht--s NltH'",
DELAY
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report ar the Secretaro # the Navy,
herewith ACCOMPANYING, explains luhE -
condition of that branch Of tine public Service
its wants aud dedliea sies, expenses incuEI S,.
a..ring the past year, and apIIolra2tl.ns' lot
the same. II also gives a c0ma. Il hstor! y
the services Of the navy Tor Tie past wear, "a
addition TO its regulSS services. lt is eNl"eu'
taat unless steps are taken Z" IL e7ellS
navy. HAT IN a very few years the Cated states
wifi be the weakest nation ap tle ocean y
all great nations. With an en- e. se pfd5tss
n IS business people ike ours senetIa'elt2,
and forming business relations with very pa. "
ri the haown world. 8 navy -- .4.u-i +
e1nmaul the respect OF oEr Aa- aa,oa@
Necessary for the full prot cllaa tntn
= 9b-. recommend The caret7. .aerst',5 ~
bs Congress of the reeommeliat- 81 maze y
the Secretary e the Navy