The Portland daily press., 1880-12-07

and the corps OF ajudge advocates
upon the same basis with the other
remove an unjust discrimination against de-
serving officers. and subserve the best interests
Of the service. 4
Especial attention is asked to the report of
the Chief Engineers upon the condition Of our
national defences. From personal inspection
OF many OF the Notifications referred to, the
Secretary is able to emphasize the recommen-
dations made, and to state that their incom-
plete and defenceless condition is dscreditable
to the country. While other nations have
been increasing their means for carrying on
offensive warfare and attacking maritime
Cities we have been dormant in preparation
for defence; nothing Of importance has been
done towards strengthening and finishing our
casemated works since our late civil war dur
ing which the great guLs of modern warfare
and the heavy armor of modern Notifications
and ships came into use among the nations,
and our earthworks left, by sudden failure Of
appropriations some years since, in all
stages of incompletion, are now being rapidly
destroyed by the elements.
OUR TWO GREAT RIVERS.
The two great rivers of the North American
Continent, the Mississippi and the Columbia,
have their navigabe waters wholly within the
limits of the United States. and are of vast
Importance to our internal foreign commerce.
The permanency of the important work on the
South Pass of the Miss ssippi river seems now
to be assured. There has been no failure
whatever in the maintenance Of the maximum
channel during the six months ending Aug.
9, last. This experiment has opened road.
deep highway to the ocean, and is an improve
ment, upon the permanent success of which,
congratulations may be- exchanged among peo-
pie abroad and at home and especially among
the communities of the Mississippi Valley,
whose commercial exchanges float in an uuob-
strue ed channel safely to ard from the sea.
A comprehensive improvement of the Mis-
sissppi and its tributaries is matter of trail
scendent importance. These greater water
ways comprise system of inland trensporta-
ton spread like network over large portion
of the United ates, and navigable to the ex-
tent of many thousands of miles. Producers
and consumers alike have common interest
in such unequaled facilities for cheap Trans
portation. Geographically, commercially and
politically they are the strongest tie between
the various sections of the country. These
channels of communication and interchange
are the property of the nation. Its jurisdiction
is paramount over their waters, and the plain
est principles OF public interest require their
intelligent and careful supervision, with view
to their protection, improvement and the en-
hancenIent of their usefulness.
The channel of the Columbia liver, for dis
tance about 100 miles from its mouth, is OBJ
structed by succession of bars which occasion
serious delays in navigation and heavy expen-
ses for lighterage and towage A depth of at
least twenty feet at low tide should be secured
and maintained TO meet the requirements of
commerce it subserves The most urgent need
however, for this great waterway is a perma.
nent improvement of the channel at the mouth
of the river.
From Columbia river to San Francisco,
distance of over 600 miles, there is no harbor
on our Pacific coast which can be approached
during stormy weather. An appropriation of
Sl50OOO was made by the Forty fifth Congress
for the commencement of a breakwater and
harbor of refuge, to be located at some point
b6twpau the Straits nj Fupa md Gop Ernn
co, at which the necessities of commerce, local
and general, will be best accommodated. The
amount appropriated is thought to he quite
ina eluate for the purpose in ended. The cost
OF the work when finished will be very great
owing to the want of natural advantages for
slSe at any point on the coast between the des-
ignated limits, and it has not been thought to
be advisable to undertake the work without
larger appropriation. The matter is submitted
to congress for its consideration.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The completion of the new building for the
War Department is urgently needed and the
estimates for continuing its construction are
especially recommended.
The collections of books, specimens and
records constituting the Army Medical
Museum and Library are of national impor-
tance. The library now contains about fifty
one thousand five hundred (5l.50O) volumes
and fifty seven thousand $4,000 pamphlets
relating to medicine, surgery and allied
topics. The contents of the Army Medical
Museum consists of twenty-five thousand (22,-
OOO) specimens, and are unique in the com.
peteness with which both miltarg surgery
and the diseases of armies are illustrated.
Their destruction would be an irreparable
loss, not only to the United States, but to the
world There are filed in the record and PEN
sion division, over sixteen thousand (16,OOO)
bound volumes of hospital records, together
with great quantity of papers, embracing
the original records of the hospitals of our
1iaoA An rir,nt tl<,o o,~vsI Al
historical value, these records are dailG search
ed ior evidence needed in the settlement of
large numbers OF pension and other claims, for
the protection of the government against at
tempted frauds, as we'll as for the benefit of
honest claimants. These valuable collections
are now in building which is peculiarly ex-
posed to the danger of destruction by fire. 1t
IS therefore earnestly recommended that an
appropriation be made for a new fre-proof
building. adequate for the present needs and
reasonable iuture expansion of these valuable
collections. Such building should be abb
soiutely fire-proof; no expenditure for mere
architectural display is required. 1t is be-
lieved that suitable structure can be erected
at cost not to exceed two hundred and fifty
thousand dollars (250,00O)
GENERAL GRANT.
l commend to the attention of Congress the
great services of the Comn,ander-in-C Chief of
our armies during tie war for the Union,
whose wise, firm aud patriotic conduct did SO
IuCu W DTluS GndL mOmeuCOuS cOn1lCC TO a
close. The legislation of the United States con
tainsmany precedents for the recognition of
distinguished military merit, authorizing rank
and emoluments to be conferred for eminent
services to tue country. An act of Congress |
authorizing the appointment OF Captain |
General of the Army, with suitable provisions |
relating to compensation, retirement, and |
other details, would, in my Judgment, be alto |
gether fitting and proper, ,and would be warmly |
approved by the country.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy ex- |
bibits the succe sful and satisfactory manage |
ment of that department during the fiscal wear. |
The total expenditures for the last wear were
$l2,916, ,63945 leaving unexpended at the close |
of the year SO, l4l ,682.23 of the amount of |
available appropriations. The appropriations |
for the present fiscal year ending June 30 1881,
are 90, ,V9S .O6i 10: and the total estimate for |
the next fiscal year ending June 80, 1882, are |
$l5953 751 81. The amount drawn by warrant |
from July l, 1880, to Nov. 1, 1880, is S5,O41,-
570.45.
SECRETARY THoMPsoN's RECOMMENDATIONS |
CONCERNING ALASKA.
The recommendation of the Secretary of the |
Navy, that provision be made for the establish |
ment of some form of civil government for the |
people OF Alaska, is approved. At present |
there is no protection OF persons or property in |
that Territory, except such as is afforded by |
the officers Of the United States ship James |
toWH 1nlS VeSSel was O6SpatCn0d TO Sltka, |
because of the fear that, without the immedi- |
ate presence Of the National authority, there |
was impending danger of anarchy The steps |
taken to restore order have been accepted In |
good faith by both white and Iudian inhabi- |
tants, and the necessity for this method of re-
straint does not, in my opinion, now exist If. |
however, the jamestown should be Withdrawn, |
leaving the people, as at present, without the |
ordinary, judicial and administrative authority |
of organized local government, serious conse-
quences might ensue.
The laws provide only for the collection of |
revenue, the protection of public property and |
the transmission of the mails The problem is |
to supply local rule for a population SO scat |
tered and so peculiar in its origin and condi. |
ton. The natives are reported to be teachable |
and self.supporting. and If properly instructed |
doubtless would advance rapidly in civiliza. |
ton, and q new factor of prosperity would be |
added to the national life. therefore recon-
mend the requisite legislation upon this sub |
ect.
The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps |
towards the establishment OF naval coaling sta |
tons at the Isthmus of Panama, to meet the |
requireme lts I our commercial relations with !
Central and South America, which are rapid
ly growing in importance. Locations emil |
nently suitable, both as regards our naval |
purposes and the use of commerce, have been |