Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1872-12-12


this whole question, and to report to Con
gress at some future day for its better guild
ance in legislating on the important iect.
The railroads Of the country have boen rap
idly extended during the last few years 10
meet the growing demands Of producers,
and reflect much credit upon the capitalists
aud managers engaged ia their construc-
ton. In addition TO these, project to
facilitate commerce by the building of
ship canal around Niagara Falls, on
the United States side, which has
been agitatcd for many years, will no
doubt be called to your attention this SEES
sion. Looking to the great future Of the
country and the Increasing demands of
commerce, it might be well, while on this
subject, not only to have examined and re.
ported upon the various practicable routes
for connecting the Mississippi with tide
water, but the feasibility of an almost con
tinuous lsndlocked navigation from Maine
to the Gulf of Mexico. such route along
our coast would be of great value at all
times, and of lnestimable value in case of
foreign war, Nature has provided the great,
er part Of this route, and the obstacles to
be overcome arc easily within the skill Of the
engineer. ~
have not alluded t "a 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 ne
S"N7''p MI '''N'''A frApf1 NolltANo9 IA 'iii
authentic form to enable it hereafter, if
deemed practicable and worthy, to lcgislate
on the subject without delay
THE NAVY.
Inc report OF the secretary OF the Navy
herewith accompanying, explains fully the
coha!tloh OF lhat oTanch OF the pubHc Ser.
vice, its wants and deficiencies, expenses
incurred during the past year, and appropri-
atoms Tor Inc same. IL also gives com
plete history Of the service of the navy for
tne past year ID 0aalIoh 10 us regular ser
wees IL l7 eNiueut tuat unless steps are
taken TO preserve our navy that IN very
lie" years lhe Inled states VIII be the
weakest nation upon the ocean Of all the
@fett powers "ith an energetic, progress
I'VE BUSINESS people hke ours penetrating
ana forming business relations with every
PlrO OF lAe known WoFld, navy, strong
enough 10 CO""'Huu tue respect o. our nag
aoio""' Is necessary LOT lhe lull protection
OF 'helf rights, recommend careful con
SI9'i31ioh ny SohGIee9 OF the ftconmehd-
e''onH 1haue oy 'he secretary Of the Navy.
POST OFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The accompanying report Of the Post
master General furnishes full and satisfac-
tory exhibit OF the operations Of the Post
Office department during the year. The
ordinary revenues OF the department for the
fiscal year ending June 30, lS72, amounted
to 81 ,9l5,4 1861 and the expenditures SO,
67s, 1921. Compared with the previous IT'S
cal wear, the increase Of revenue was 81 SIS
5So"3, or 9.3I per cent, and the increase Of
expenditures S2,2JS, OSS %, or @29 per cent.
Adding 10 the ordinary revenues, the an
nual appropriation Of 100000 for free mat
Ter, and the amounts paid in subsdic on
mail steamship lines from special approptia-
lohs, the deficiency pad out Of the general
treasury was @".3l', tn3.94-au excess Of
$3.50, 1U1. 2S over the deficiency for the year
lNt Other Interesting iStIpQl in DTmVf
relating to our rapidly extending postal
service, Is furnished in TINS report The total
length OF railroad mail routes on the %Oth Of
June, ISL was 5I9ll miles, N,0i1 additional
miles OF suCh service having been put into
operation during the year; eight ne" lines
Of railway post otilecs have been established,
with an aggregate length OF 9o0miles. The
number OF lelJcrs exchanged in the mails
with foreign countries was 245623 800, an in
crease OF I ooo2Gs or twenty per cent over
the number In lSil, and the postage thereon
amounts to 81 800. The total weight
OF the mails exchanged with European coun-
tries exceeded so tons. The cost OF the
United states trans Atlanl ic mail steamship
service was $%@U,3Vl,to. Inc total cost oil
the lnited states ocean steamship service,
including the amounts paid to the
SUBSIDIZED mes or man steamers, was
Slo2bU3u"r Inc following are the
only steamship INES no" receiving
subsidies Tor mai service unarr
socclaI aCVS u NopS'ess, ne taclhc NAH
tealiishiP COMPANY receive F'Vo'uoV per an
nun tot carr SInS 'hohIhIY MAI between
9an rtancIsGo, Japan l, a anda oiiha, WhIeh WIN
De lnCfeasGu TO ,! ,VVV'oto per ahhUin' ana
SEM u0hthly mai on ana altGr Oclooer /,
100 re HlVeu ot"'eS ana hra|H WAN
nteaiaSllP COMPANY IecttEt Hl"oVV1 per an
mum Ior carrying ulohlhIy 'hai, oc'WeGu
new ,'s ofA anu MO '4heiIo' braHll ana tHc