Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-02


claims by loyal citizens for ausrternasters sterts
snbsistenee supplies to the amount of sssO4s Il
haye been issued te Indians.
ns White sns ~ ID R
total deaths for the year reported, were 81 whites,
The distribution of the Medical aud Surgical
History Of the is Yet 10 be ordered by Congress
o m humber nh By act Of
Of July 49, 1865, there beirg IoE 50 vacancies and
The river ana harbor improyemen.s have been
carried on with eCergy and eco. omg. Though
many aye only partially completed the results have
saved to m"ny che w s9GnS ss
depth OF channels, greater seSurity Ia Ls'leation
of the country and increases the resources Of the
The bridge across the Mississippi river at
Rock Island has been completed aud the prop
er site has been Determined upon for the
bridge at La Gross.
The able and exhaustive report N ade by the
commission appointed to invest gate the Sutro
tunnel has been transmitted to Congress.
The observations and reports OF the signal
Off ce have been continued, stations have been
maintained at each OF the principal lake, sea-
port and river cities. Ten additional stations
have been established in the United States, and
arrangements have been made for an exchange
Of reports with Canada, and a similar exchange
of observations ia conte mplated with the West
India islands.
The favorable attention of Congress is invited
to the following recommendations OF the Secre
tary of War: A discontinuance of the appoint =
ment Of extra leutenants to serve as adjutants
s rroydng speciSc penalties for we'll defined
offences, tsO that the inequality of sentences
adjudged by courtsmartial may be adjusted;
the consolidation OF accounts under which ex-
penditures are made, as q measure of economy I;
q Incorporation Of the money for the continu-
alton Of depot at San Antonio, the title to the
site being now q aot s
basis as other National Cemeteries; authority
to purchase sites for military posts in Texas /;
the appointment OF Commissary Sergeants from
nom commissioned officers, az measure for
securing the better care and protection or
supplies an appropriation for the
publication OF the catalogue and tables Of the.
anatomical section Of the Army Medical Mu-
scum; a RET appropriation of the amount for me
manufacture lof breech-Ioadng arms, should
the selection be 30 delayed by tine board OF off,
GERS 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 estsb-
lishment OF one large arsenal OF construction
chase of suitable site for proving and exper-
mental ground for heavy ordnance; the abrO-
CATION of laws which deprive in
ventors of the United States service
from deriving any benefit from their inven-
tons the repeal OF the law prohibiting promo
tiOns in the staff corps; continuance of the
work upon coast defences the repe al Of the eth
section of the act of July Ii, 1866, taking from
engineer soldiers the per diem granted to other
troops; a limitation OF time tor presentation OF
old war claims for subsistence supplies under
act of july 1, 1854; and a modification of the
mode .Of 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
giving new cadets a thorough knowledge of the
more elementary branches Of learning which
they should acquire before entering the acad-
envy; also an appropriation for philosophical
apparatus, and an increase in the number and
pay OF the Military Academy band.
{ iThe attention OF Congress will be cal ed during
lite present session to various enterprises for the
more certain and cheaper transportation of the
constantly increasing surplus OF Western and
Southern products to the Atlantic sea-board.
The subject is one that will force itself upon the
Legislative branch of the Government sooner
or later, and suggest therefore that immediate
steps be taken to gain all available Information
to insure equable and ust legislation.
One route to connect the Mississippi valley
with the Atlantic at Charleston, South Caro-
lima, and Savannah, Georgia, by water, by the
way of the Ohio and Tennessee rivers, and
canals and sack-water navigation to the Savan-
nah and Ocmulgee rivers, has been surveyed
and report made by an accomplished engineer
officer of the army.
Second and third new routes will be proposed
for the consideration OF Congress, namely: by an
exts nsiOn of the Ksnawha and James river Ca
nal to the Ohio; and by extension OF the Chesa-
peake and Ohio canal
lam not prepared to recommend Govern ent
aid 10 these or other enterprises until 1t Is clearly
shown that they are not only OF national inter
est, but that whenI completed they will be Of
q value commensurate with their cost.
That production increases more rapidly than
the means of transportation in our country has
the unprecedented growth in population ami
products OF the whole country will require add
tionai facilities and cheaper ones for the more
bulky articles of commerce, to reach tide. water
and market, will be demanded in the near fu-
ture is equally dem0nstrable.
would therefore suggest either committee
or commission to be authorized to consider this
whole question, and to report to Congress at
some future day for its better guidance in legis
lating on this important subject.
The railroads OF the country have been rap
idly extended during the last few years to meet
the growing demands of producers, and reflect
much credit upon the capitalists and managers
engaged in their construction.
commerce by the building Of a ship canal
around Niagara alls on the United States side
which has been agitated for many years, will,
session.
Looking to the great future growth of the
country and the increasing demands of COM
merce, it might be well, while on this subject,
not only to have examined and rep0rtediupoB,
the various practicable routes for connecting
the Mississippi with Underwater on the Atlantic,
but the feasibility OF an almost continuous land
locked navigation from M aine to the Gulf of
Mexico. Such route along our coast would
be Of great value at all times and Of inestima-
BILE value In case OF a foreign war. Nature IS
provided the greater part OF this route, and the
obstacles to be overcome are easily within the
skill of the engineer.
view OF having any further xpenditure of pub
lie money at this time than may be necess ary
to procure and place all the necessary informa-
ton before Congress in an authentic FORM to
enable 1t hereafter, if deemed practicable and
worthy, to legislate on the subject without delay.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Secretary OF the Navy here
with accO mpanying explains fully the condition
OF that branch of the public service, its W ants
and deficiencies, expenses incurred during the
past year and appropriations for the same. 1t
also gives a complete history OF the services of
tho navy for the past year, in addition to its
regular service.
1t is evident that unless early steps are taken
to preserve our navy, that, in q very few wears
the United States will be the weakest nation
upon the ocean, of all great powers. With an
energetic progressive business people like ours
penetrating and forming business relations with
every part OF the known world, q navy strong
enough to command the respect Of our nag
abroad Is necessary for the full protection Of
their rights. recommend careful considera-
ton by Congress of the recommendations made
by the Secretary Of The Navy.
P0sr OFFICE DHPARrMRNr.
The accompanying report of the Postmaster
GenerAl furnishes full and satisfactory exhibit
OF the operations of the p. U. Departnnont dur
Ing the year. The ordinary revenues OF tho de-
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