Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1872-12-10
THE HERALD.
Continued from first pace }

era and canals and slack water navl-
cation TO the Savannah and Ocomul.
gee rivers has been surveyed, and q
report made by an accomplished
engineer officer Of the army. Other
routes are proposed for the consider
alton OF Congress, namely, by an ex-
tension Of the Kanawha and James
river canal to the Ohio, and by the
extension Of the Chesapeake and
Ohio canal.
am not prepared 70 recommend
aid 20 either Of these or 10 other en-
terprises until it is clearly shown
that they are not only OF natural in
terest. but that wien completed
they will be of a value commensur-
ate with their cost.
That production increases more
rapidly than means of aDsporta-
ton ia our country has demonstrated
by past experience. The unpreee-
denied growth Of population and
production OF the country, will re-
quire additional facilities and cheap
or means OF transportation for the
more bulky articles Of commerce.
l would therefore suggest either q
committee or commission be su-
thor:zed to consider the whole
question, and to report to Congress
at some future day, tor it's better
guidance in legislating on the I'M
portant subject.
The railroads Of the country have
been rapidly extended during the
last few years to meet the growing
demand of producers, and reflect
much credit upon the capitalists and
managers engaged in their construc'
ton.
In addition TO these q project to
facilitate commerce, the building of
q ship canal around Niagara Falls
on the United States side, which has
been agitatod for many years will,
no doubt. be called to your atten-
ton this session.
OTHER INTERNATIONAL IMPRov EMENTs
Looking to the great future of
the country and the increasing de-
mand of its commerce, il might be
we'll not only to have examined and
reported upon the various practical
bio routes for connecting the Mis-
sissippi with the tide water on the
Atlantic, but tho feasibility of an
almost continuous land locked navi-
cation from Maine to the Gulf of
Mexico. Such q route would be of
great value at all times, and Of ines
Unable value in case Of q foreign
war. Nature has provided the
greater part Of this route, and the
obstacles TO be overcome are easily
within the skill OF the engineer
| have not alluded TO this subject
with the view of having any fur
ther expenditures Of public money
at this time than may be necessary
10 procure and place all the neces>
Eary information te'ore Congress- in
an authentic form, to enable it here
after, if deemed practicable, to legis-
late on the subject without delay.
NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the secretary of the
navy herewith accompanying ex-
plains fully the condition OF that
branch OF the public service, its
wants and deficiencies, the expen-
avs incurred during the past year
and tho appropriations for tho same
1t also gives q complete history Of
the services OF the navy for tho pnsl
year in addition TO it's regular ser
vices.
IL is evident that unless steps orc
taken TO preserve our navy, in q
very few years the United States
will be the weakest nation upon the
ocean Of ell the great powers
With an energetic, progressive, bus
mess 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 flag abroad is nee.
essary for the full protection OF
their rights. ] recommend the care
ful consideration by Congress of the
recommendations made by the Sec
rotary Of the Navy.
PosToFFICE DEPARTMENT.
The accompanying report of the
Postmaster General furnishes a full
and satisfactory exhibit Of the OPP
orations of the Postoftice Depart
ment during the year. The ordin-
airy revenues Of the Department for
the fiscal year ending June Both,
1872. amounted to S2l 9l5 1876 81.
aud tho expenditures to S26 658 1872 :
81. Compared with the previous
fiscal year, tho increase of revenue
was 81. SIS, 3S095, or 937 per cent
and the increase of expenditures
S1,265 ,SSS.23, or 9.29 per cent In
addition to the ordinary revenues,
the hnual appropriation ofS7O0,OO0
for FREQ matter, and the amounts
paid as subsidies TO mail steamship
lines from special appropriations,
tho deficiency paid out of the gener-
81 treasury was S3.3l7,765 "a, an ex-
cess Of 1886 707 IS over the def
cheney for the year 1871. Other in
teresting statistical information re-
!ahng to our rapidly extending pos
ISL service il furnished in this re-
port
The total length of railroad routes
on the both of June, 1872, was 81,
oil miles-S077 additional miles of
such service having been put into
operation durisg the year. Eight
new lines of railway postofiices have
been established, with "a aggre-
gate length OF 29,009.
The number Of letters exchanged
in the mails with foreign countries
was "a, 1862 500-an increase of A.
06G SOP, or 20 per cent over the
number in 1871. The postage there.
on amounted TO SlS7 .l25 725. The
total weight OF the mails exchanged
with European countries exceeded
$40 tons. The cost Of the United
States mail steamship service was
1920, 30l70 The total cost of the