Sacramento daily record-union., 1880-12-07
subserves. The most urgent need, however, for
this great water way is the permanent improvement
of the channel at the mouth Of the river.

this great water way is the permanent improvement
of the channel at the mouth Of the river.
HARBoR OF REFUGE.
From Columbia river to San Francisco, dis
tanee ef ove- six hundred miles, there is
no harbor on the Pacific coast which can be
approached in stormy weather. An appro-
priation SIS 600 was made by the FoIty-ffth Con-
gress for the commencement of a breakwater and
harbor of refuge, to be located at some point be-
tween the Straits Of Fuca ard San Francisco, at
which the necessities Of commerce, local and gen
eral, will be best accommodated. The annual
appropriation is thought be quite inadequate for the
purpose intended The cost OF the work when
| finished will be very great owing to the want of
natural advantages for site at any point on the
coast between the designated limits. and it has not
been thought advisable to undertake the work
without larger appropriation. l commend the
matter to the attention of Congress.
THE NEW WAR DEPARTMENT BUILDING.
The completion OF the new building for the War
| Department is urgently needed and estimates for
continuing its construction are especially recon-
mended. The collection of books, specimens and
records constituting the Army Medical Museum and
Library are of national Importance. The Library
now contains about 81 800 volumes and 81 600 PAM
phets relating to medicine, surgery and allied
| topics. The contents of the Army Medical Museum
consist OF ., 900 specimens, and unique in the
completeness with which both military surgery and
diseases Of armies illustrated. Their destruction
would be irreparable loss, not only to the United
| States but to the world. There arc filed in the
record and dispensation division over 1000 bound
volumes Of hospital records, together with great
quantity of papers, embracing the original records
of the hospitals of our armies during the civil war.
Aside from their historical value these records are
daily searched for evidence needed in the settlement
of large numbers Of pensions and other claims, for
the protection of the Government against attempted
frauds, as well for the benefit of honest claim
ants. These valuable collections are now in a
building which is peculiarly exposed to the danger
of destruction by fire. 1t is therefore earnestly
recommended that an appropriation be made for a
new ireproof building adequate for the present
needs and reasonable future expansion OF these
| valuable Elections. Such building should be alb
solutely ireproof. No expenditure for mere archi-
tectural display is required 1t is believed that
suitable structure can be erected at cost not to
| exceed S250,0o0.
l commend to the attention of Congress the grea.
| services of the CommanderinC Chief of our armies
during the war for the Union, hose wise, firm and
| patriotic conduct did so much t. bring that momen-
tous conflict to q close The legislation of the
United States contains many precedents for the
recognition OF distinguished military merit, author.
izing rank and emolument to be conferred for
eminent services to the country. law author
izing the appointment of Captain General Of the
Army, with suitable provisions relating to compen-
| sation, retirement and other details, would in my
Judgment, be altogether fitting and proper, and
would be warmly approved by the country.
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT.
The report OF the Secretary of the Navy exhibits
successful and satisfactory management OF that
department during the last fiscal year. The total
expenditures for the year Sl2, Ole, $780, leaving
unexpended at the close of the year So 141 6S2 OF
| the amount Of the appropriations. The appropra-
tions for the present fiscal year ending June 80,
1884, are SIS o61 and the total estimates for the
next fiscal year, ending June 80 1882, SIS 953.-
| ISL. The ann unit drawn by warrant from July l,
1880, to November IA, 1880, was S5,04l $40. The
recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy that
provision be made for the establishment 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 is offered by the Off
GERS of the United States ship jamestown. This
that without the immediate presence of national
authority there impending danger OF
anarchy. The steps taken to restore order have
been accepted in good faith by both the white and
Indian inhabitants, and the necessity for the method
of restraint does not my opinion, now exist IL,
however, the jamestown should be withdrawn,
leaving our people as at present without the ordi
nary Judicial and administrative authority of an
organized local government, serious conse-
| quences might ensue. The laws provide only
for the collection of revenue, protection
| CT public property and the transmission
of mails. The problem is to supply local rule for
population so scattered and peculiar in its origin
and condition. The natives are reported to be
tractable and seltsupporting, and il properly in.
structed doubtless would advance rapidly in cviiza
tion and new factor OF prosperity would be added
to the national life. therefore recommend requi-
site legislation upon this subject The Secretary OF
the Navy has taken steps towards the establishment
Of naval coang stations at the Isthmus of Panama,
to meet the requirements Of commercial rela-
tons with Central and South America. which are
| rapidly growing in importance Locations emf.
nently suitable, both as regards naval purposes
| and the uses of commerce. have been selected--one
on the east side of the Isthmus at Chiriqu Lagoon
in the Caribbean Sea, and the other on the Pacific
coast at the Bay of Golito. The only safe harbor:
! sufficiently commodous on the sthmus are at these
points, and the distance between them is less thar
100 miles The report of the Secretary of the Navy
concludes with valuable suggestions with respect tc
the building up Of our merchant marine service
! and which deserve the favorable eonsidera ion o.
| Congress.
| POSTAL AFFAIRS.
The report of the Postmaster General exhibits
continual growth and a high state of efficiency o.
the postal service. The operations Of no depart
ment OF the Government, perhaps, represents with
greater exactness The increase in population and
business OF the country. In 1s60h postal receipts
were SS5 1so All; in 1880, the receipts were 500,
| 3l5479 All the inhabitants Of the country are di
rectly and personally interested in having proper
mail flcillties, and naturally watch the Postoffict
very closely This careful oversight Of the people
has proved constant stimulus to improvement
During the past year there was an increase of 2,l3
possofices, and the mail routes were extended 27,
III miles, making an additional annual transporta
ton of Is s-4, ,191 miles, The revenues of the posta
service for the ensuing year estimated n. S3s,
S45, ia and the expenditures at S42,475,932 leav
ing deficiency to be appropriated out of the Treas
ury of 50 $50, ,757. The Universal Postal Union ha
received an accession of almost all the countries
a,,.,,
postal service ard it is confidently expected that al
other countries and colonies now outside th'
| Union Will soon unite Herewith, thus real
izing the grand idea OF the founders of th'
Union, of forming, for purposes of internationa
mail communication, single postal territory EN-
bracipg the world, with complete uniformity o
postal charges and conditions of international ex
change for all descriptions of correspondence. tt
enable the United States TO do its full share Of th
great work, additional legislation is asked by thu
Postmaster General, to whose recommendation es
pecial attention is called. The suggestion OF th'
Postmaster General that it would be wise to en-
courage by appropriate legislation the establish
ment of American lines to carry the mails between
| our own ports and those OF Mexico, Central Amer
ica, South America, and of the trans-Pacifc coun
tries, is commended to the serious consideration O.
Congress The attention of Congress is also invited
to the suggestions of the Postmaster General in re
| gard to postal savings banks