The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1872-12-12

proper site has been determined upon for the
bridge at La Crosse.
The able exhaustive report made by the
commission appointed in investigate tho Sutro
Tunnel has been transmitted to Congress-
The observations and reports Of the
SIGNAL OFFICE
have been continued. Stations have been
maintained at each Of the principle lake. seas
port and river cities. Ten additional stations
have been established in the United States.
and arrangements have been made for an ex-
change Of reports with Canada, and similar
exchange of observations is contemplated With
the West India Islands. Ty
RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE WAR DEPART
The favorable attention of Congress is in,
vited to the following recommendations of the
Secretary of War: A discontinuance Of the
appointment of extra lieutenants to serve as
adjutants and quartermasters the adoption. of
"a code providing special penalties for wel.de-
fined offences, so that the inequality of scnten-
ces adjusting by court martial may be adjus-
ted the consolidation of accounts under which
expenditures are made, as measure o ( econ<
ony an appropriation of the money for the
obstruction of depot at San Antonio, the
title to che site being now perfected a spe--
eial act placing the cemetery at the City OF
Mexico on the same basis as other national
cemeteries; authority to purchase sites for mill
itary posts in Texas; the appointments of COM
missary sergeants from non commissioned off,
GERS as a measure for securing the better care
and protection Of supplies an appropriation
for the publication of the catalogue aud Ia
bes of tho anatomical sections of army med
ical museum an appropriation of the manu-
facture Of breech- loading arms should the se-
lection be so delayed by the board of officers
as to leave the former appropriation unexpen-
ded at the close Of the fiscal year; the sale Of
such arsenals east ofthe Mississippi as can be
spared, and the proceeds applied to the estab-
lishment of one large arsenal Of construction
purchase OF suitable site for proving and
experimental ground for heavy ordnance !; the
abr oeation of laws which deprive inventors in
the United States service from deriving any
benefit from their inventions the repeal of
the law prohibiting promotion in the staff
corps continuance of the work upon tho
coast defenccs the repeal Of the 7th section
of the act of July 10, 1866, taking from en-
gineer soldiers the per diem granted to other
troops; a limitation of time for presentation
of old war claims for subsistence supplies, I'M
der act Of July 4, 1854, and modification in
the mode of the selection Of cadets for tho
Military, Academy, in order to enhance tho
usefulness OF the academy, which is impair
ed BY reason ofthe large amount of time nee
essariy expended IN giving new cadets
thorough knowledge of the mere elementary
branches of learning, which they should ac-
quire before entering the Academy; also, an
appropriation for philosophical apparatus an
increase in the number and pay Of the Mill
tary Academy band.
The attention of Congress will be called
during it's present session to various enterpri-
ses for the more certain and M
CHEAPER TRANSFORMATION
Of the constantly increasing surplus Of Wes-.
tern and Southern products to the Atlantic
soaboaYd The subject is one that will force
itself apon the Legislative branch Of the gov
eminent sooner Or later, and suggest, there.
fore, that immediate steps be taken to gain
all available Information to insure equitable-
and just legislation Ga route to connect the
Mis- issippi Valley With the Atlantic at
Charleston, s. c., aud Savannah, Ga, by wa
ter By the way Of tho Ohio and Tennessse.
rivers aud canal and slack water navigation,
Ito the Savannah and 0cDulgee rivers, has
been surveyed aud reposts made by an &C.
compI.shed engineer officer Of The army 5
S1cend apd third new routes Will be pro.
nosed for the consideration Of Congress, nance
|y. : an extension Of tie @,s-
JAMES RIVER AND KAaAwHA cAmgL
h :he Chic and by extension Of the Chesapeake
AID Chio canal. am not preparedts recon-
mend government aid to these or other euter-
prisss until it is clearly shown that they are
not only ,cf national interest, but that when,
completed they will be of value commensu-
rate With their eess That reduction in
creases nore rapidly than the means of trans
poration in oar country has been demons
trated by past experience; shat the unprsce--
denied growth in population ard productseof.
the whole couutry will require additional ta--
cilities and cheaper ones for. the more bulky
articles ofcommerce 10 reach tide-w water, and
market will be demanded in the near future.
is equally demonstrates I 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 It's better guidance in egislating on this
important subject. The railroads Of the
country have been rapidly extended during
he last ten years to meet the growing de-
mand of producers, and reflect much credit
upon the managers engaged in their sonstruc-
ton. 10 addition to these, a project to facil=
tate commerce by the building of "a
SHIP CANAL AROUND NIAGARA FALLS
on the United States side which has been
sgitated for many years, will no doubt be-
called to your attention at this session. Look.
ing to the great future growth Of the country
and the increasing demands of commerce, il
might be well while on this subject not only
to have examined and reported upon the va
rious practicable routes for connecting the,
Mississippi with tide-water on the Atlantic,
but the feasibility Of an almost continuous
land locked nayig ation from Maine to the Gulf,
of Mexico.
Such a route along our coast would be-. of
great value at all times and of inestimable
value in case of a foreivn var Natura has