River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-12-13
RTvER ANp HAkB oR IMPROVEMENTS.

RIVER AND HAhBoR IMPROVEMENTS.
!. Tie river ana harbor improvements have
been carried on with energy and economy.
ThoughAmany are only partially completed,
the resnlts have saved 70 commerce many
tmes the amotnt expended The increase of
eomniorce with greater depth OF channels,
greabef security in navigation and the saving
Of time adds much to the wealth OF the codn-
try, and Increases the resources OF the govern
mcnt.
The bridge across the Mississippi River at
Rock Island has been completely and the
proper site has been deterpi ed'upon for the
Tie abia ind exhaustive rtpoFt made by the
commission appointedto ipyes tisate The Sutro
Tunnel has beeh transmittedto Congress.
.liss THE SIGNAL OFFICE.
The observations and reports OF the Signal
Office have been Continued Stations have
been maintained at each OF the principal lake,
seaport aud river. cities. Ten additional sta
tons have been established in the United
States and arrangements made for exchange
of reports withC Canada, and a similar exchange
OF observations Is contemplated with the West
India Islands.
REFORM IN THE MILITARY SERVICE.
The favorable attention Of Congress is in
vited TO the following recommendations of the
Secretary of War: discOntinuanee of the ap-
pointment o. extra Lieutenants to serve as
adiutanes AID quartermasters the adoption of
q code prov ding specific penalties for well de-
fined offensts 5; so that the inequality of sem
fences adjudged by Court Martals be adjust
ed: the consolidation of accounts, under which
expenditures are made, as meas IRE of econo-
my reappropriation of the money for the
construction of depot at San Antonio the
title to the site being now perfected; a special
act placing the cemetery at the city of Mexico
on the same basis as other national ceme-
| teries; Authority to purchase sites for military
posts IN Texas the appointment ofGcommis-
sary sergeants from non-commissionedo officers
as a measure for securing the better care and
protection OF supplies an appropriation for
the catalogue table OF the anatomical section
! OF tfle army medical museum; a-re-appropria-
ton of the amount for The manufacturing of
breech-loading arms should the selection be so
delayed by the board of officers as to leave the
| former appropriations uneXpended at
the close of tho fiscal year, the
sale OF such arsenals east of the MISSISSIPPI
pi 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 a suitable site for
a proving and experimental ground for heavy
ordnance; the abrogation OF laws which
deprive inventors in the United States
service from deriving any benefit from
their invention; the repeal of the law
prohibiting promotions in staff corps a con-
repeal Of the seventh section fthe act of July
18th, 1866, taking from ENGINEER soldiers the
per diem granted to other troops a limitation
OF time for the presentation of subsistence
supplies under the act of July 4th, 1864; and
a modification in the mode OF the selection of
cadets for the military academy, in order to
enhance the usefulness Of the acade-
my which is impaired by reason
Of the large amount OF time necessarily ex-
pended in giving new cadets a thorough
knowledge of the more elementary branches
of learning which, they should acquire before
entering the academy also an appropriation
for philosophical apparatus aud an increase in
the number and the pay OF the military acad-
emy band.
CHEAP TRANSPORTATION.
The attention of Congress viii be called du-
ring its present session to various enterprises
for the more certain and cheaper trausporta-
ton Of the constantly increasing surplus of
western and southern products 10 the Atlantic
seaboard. The subject is one that will force
itself upon the Legislative branch Of the gov
eminent sOonersor later, and / suggest, there
fore, that immediate steps be taken to gain all
available information, to insure equitable and
just legislation.
WATER CONNECTION.
The route to connect the Mississippi Valley
with the Atlantic at Charleston, ). c.. and Sa-
vsnnah, Ga, by water by way of the Ohio and
Tennessee river and canals and slack water
navigation to Savannah and 0cmugee rivers
has been surveyed and q report made by an
accomplished engineer officer Of t.le army.
Second and third new routes viii be pro-
posed for the consideration OF Congress-
namely, by 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 it is
clearly shown that theyare;not only of Nation
al interest, bat that when completed they will
b. of a value commensurate with their cost,
That production increases more rapidly than
the means OF transportation in our country
has been demonstrated by past experience.
That the unprecedented growth in population
and projects at the whole country vii require
additional facilities and cheaper means for the
more bulky articles of commerce toreach tide
water, and a market Will be demanded in the
near future is equally demonstrable. would
therefore suggest that either o committee or a
commission be authorized sto consider this
whole question and report to Congress some
future day, for its better guidance ia legisla-
ting on the important question.
THE RAILROADS.
The railroads of the country have been rap
idly extended during the last few wears to
meet the growing demands OF producers, and
reflect much credit upon capitalists and the
In addition TO these, a project 10 facilitate
commerce by building a ship canal around
the Niagara Fails on Tho United States Side.
which has peen agitated for many years. will.
no doubt, be called to your attention in this
session, as looking to the great future of the
country and the increasing demands Of COM
merce.
Il might be well, while on this subject not
only TO have examined and reported upon the
various practicable routes fo. connecting the
Mississippi with tide water on the Attain
tic, but the feasibilityof an almost continuous
laad locked navigation from Maine to the
Gulfpf Mexico, Such a route along our coast
would be OF great value at Az times. and of
nestlmable value in. case oi = foreign war.
Nature has provided the create part of this
route, and tile obstacles to be ortrcome are cas-
lily within the skill OF the engineer. have not
alluded 10 this subjec. with the
Wow Of having any further gxl ,nditure Of
public money az this time than NAV be neces-