Arizona citizen., 1873-04-12
OUR TELEGRAPH.

As our readers are already aware the appropriation for a military tele- graph in Arizona was only made at the late session of Congress. The money is not available until July l, next, and we understand that the Secretary of War will order work begun at the earliest practicable time after that date.
 Following is the speech of Delegate Mccormick i'll the House, (February POI upon the necessity of the appro- priation, as reported in the Congress ional Globe:
 The Clerk read as follows:
 For the con struction of a military tele- graph from San Diego, California, via Fort Yuma and Maricopa Wells, to Prescott, Arlzona, $50,3ll 8O
 MT. Mccormick, of Arizona. MT. Chairman, move to amend by in serting on line ten hundred and thirty one of the bill, after the word Pres cott," the words "and Tncson," the omission being undoubtedly the result of an oversight in the com nittee-room or Printing Office, as all the documents from the War Depart ment suggest that the proposed line of telegraph be constructed to both of these points. Indeed, it is essential, i'll order to the control of military movements i'll the great natural divis- ions of the Territory, that it extend to each of these places. Thus amend ed the paragraph will read as follows:
 For the construction of military tele- graph from San Diego, California, via Fort Yuma and Maricopa Wells, to Prescott and Tucson, Arizona, $50,31l so.
 Of the importance of the telegraph in military operations there can be no two opinions. T. H. 'a1a great war in this country, and u tue later great war iu Europe. the wires were taken to every camp and bat,le-feld and who can estimate rha de-ay7 the ms understandings. the alunders, and the usaltss expenditures nat were avoided by the instant al. -ueraI commuui- cation they aGJ. -d. not to speak of tine prompt intelligence ot ali opera tions they furnished the press and the people? By act approved July 5. 1862, Congress appropriated $500, 900 for constructing and extending the telegraph for military purposes and for expenses in operating the same. In 1863 an equal amount was appro- priated for the same purpose, and in 1864 the sum of $275, ,OOO was given. By act of March 3, 1871, authority was granted the Secretary of War to secure the construction of a telegraph line from Yancton, Dakota Territory, to Fort Randall and thence to Folt Sully in that Territory, for use in military operations in the Sioux country. So there is no want of pracedents for the appropriation now proposed, and the department of Arizona is, 1 believe, the only one where important military move ments have for years been carried on without this valuable auxiliary. It is now, as it has been for several years urgently asked for by the de- partment commander, the division commander, the General of the Army, and the Secretary of War ill official documents sent to Congress by the latter.
 The estimated cost, as submitted by the chief quartermaster of the mili- tary division of the Pacific, is exceed ingly low in view of the length of the line, and Is chiefly for the cost of material and the employment of such skilled labor as may be necessary in addition to the work of the soldiers.
 The Government can undoubtedly build line and operate 1t more eco- nomically than any company could, and the commercial business of the Territory is not yet sufficient to War rant the organization of @ company. The enterprise properly belongs to the Government, and is i'll the direct in terest of economy and efficiency. 1 undertake to say that instant con- munication between the officers of the Army in Arizona and headquarters in San Francisco and in Washington would have prevented many of the differences between the citizens and the officers, many of the successful movements of the hostile Indians and unsuccessful movements of the troops, a freuuent waste of money, and much |