The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1875-12-07


survey of the Mississippi river as tol-
lows: In the improvement Of the Mis-
sissippi river the want of a detailed and
survey has long been felt. The
need of such survey is becoming more
and more urgent from year to year, as
engineering improvements in aid OF COM
merce become necessary. The partial
surveys of detached portions of the river
which have from time to time been made
for special Improvements are not suf1-
cient for the discussion of plans for pro-
tecting the river against fioods-a ques-
tion which Is now OF much Importance
or for other. general engineer improve
ments, which should be based on de-
tailed maps, exhibiting not only the con-
dition of the river at the time of the sur
vey, but giving the means of discovering
uture changes. The organization and
instruments of the lake survey furnish
the means OF making the survey of the
river accurately and economically, and
/ recommend that the work be placed in
it's hands.
The following estimate Of Engineers is
submitted:
The estimates of the Chief Of Engi-
neers are submitted separately, as pre-
sented by that officer, viz:
Fortifications and other works of de-
Public buildings and nd grounds and
Washington Aqueduct. t............ 1l4,41d
Surveys 49,. ........................ 10000
New York, ..,.,.,,' $4,000
Office expenses 84,30C
improvement of rivers and harbors.. 14,30l, ,l0C
Total .......................s .s17, ,29s, ,s74
The condition of our militia is referred
to, and the hope expressed that the
proper committee of Congress may ex.
anime into the propriety Of seeing that
more arms and equipments are secured,
in order that this branch Of the service
may be encouraged and strengthened
This estimate Is then submitted:
The actual expenditures OF the
War Department for the year
ending June 80, 1874, including
river and harbor improvements.
The same for the the last fiscal year,
ending June 80, 1875, were...... 4l,277,S76 p
Showing reduction OF. ....... N,O4S,s39 a
The estimate for the military es-
| tablishment for the ensuing year
ending June 90, 1877, are. 49,. .ss9, ,45a,s08 81
Those for the current fiscal year,
ending June 80, 1876, were. ..s.. 81, 4S5, 1853 81
| Being an increase Of ........ $96s, ,427 0
\ The appropriations for that pur-
| pose for the current fiscal year,
were. .$2s, III, ,4O7
| In reference to the Mexican bordel
| troubles, he thinks some Of the reports
sensational, and says proper steps have
been taken to preserve the integrity ant
enforce a proper regard for the territor!
of the United States.
He recommends the purchase OF Ger
tain Confederate papers, that woult
prove Of great advantage to the Govern
ment in detecting fraudulent claims, ant
for other purposes.
i After calling attention to our Nationa
Park, he concludes as follows:
The total expense of making full ant
satisfactory exhibit of our war materl
ais has heretofore been estimated a
! 100000. Congress, at the 6e last session
amount, and burdened the appropria
tion with pro rata share of the expens
of any building that may be erected TO
the accommodation of the entire gov
ernment exhibit. Experience has show
that the amount thus left for the prac
tical exhibit of the War Department l
. inadequate, and recommend that Cor
lgress supplement the appropriation al
ready made with further one. grantin
sufficient to make up the sum OF $1,000
for the practical exhibit of the depart
| ment. This amount is set down at $50
, 600, which includes an item of $22, 600 a
reimbursement for moneys expended l
the erection of the government building
at the Exhibition.
believe that the government, in al
pearing as voluntary contributor .
this Exhibition, international as it is i
character, should avoid the mortiic'
tion of an inconsiderable or discredi
able display. VIM. w. BELKNAP,
Il, Secretary OF War.