The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-06-18

OF War to improve and repair the Mullsn
Wagon Road between Forts Missoula and
Ceur d'Alene was, under instruction of the
House Commit on Military affairs, called
up by Delegate Maginnis in the House on
Saturday, June 9th, ard the report of the
Committe on Militia y Affairs asked to be
read.
THE BILL wHICH WAS READ
Authorizes aud empowers the Secretary of
War to have improved and repaired the
military wagon road, commonly known as
the Mullaa wagon road, between Folt Mis-
soula, in Montana Territory, and Font Ceur
d. Alene, in Idaho Territory, and for tho
purpose of defiaying the expenses Of the
same the sum of SEQ, 600, or SO much there
of as may be necessary, is hereby appropri-
ated out of any moneys In the Treasury not
otherwise Appropriated.
The report of the House Committee on
Military Affairs was as follows:
The Committee on Military Affairs have had unde
consideration letters from Hon. George w. McCrary,
late Secretary OF War. and from Hon. Alexander
Ramsey. Secretary of War, incosng reports of Army
officers whose commands, In obedience to orders from
the General of the Army, were engaged during the
summer Of 1879 In clearing out and reopening the
Government military road between Forts Mssopla
and Coerr d'Aene, kiown as the Mullan road and
conttrpcted by the Government In 1885,
Yoer Committee finds that this road lie the only
meaus of communication aero the mounts n be-
tween thcre POSTS q dist,1ce o; about one hundr d
a IL
and its impossible condition the main sson Of
the easy scape OF the Nez Pcrces from Idaho under
Joseph, which caused the subsequent protacted and
expensive campaign.
Under the direction Of the General of the Army
who pass, over tina. road shortly alter the event. the
troops on both sides of the mountains have been sent
out to clear up aud reopen the road meeting at the
summit of the range. Captain Penrose reports that
on the east eide of the Mountains his command
worked one hundr and fifteen miles of road, built
twenty log bridges from hundred to Henty five
feet long, aud cut aud removed hundreds of trees
that had fallea across tho road.
On the western side of the range Colonel Wheston'a
command work Bftyfour days with chcerfulne =
end alacr ty, although without extra-duty pay.
Colonies Wheaton and Gibson and Generals Nc
DoweIl Howard Terry and Sheridan join IN the r.
quest for an appropriation of $4,000, which Is
ly recommended by the Secretary of War and the
General of the Army.
This APPROPRIATION is sdel for tho more perna-
! nent work which must be done by mechanics, fol
iron, tools blasting material etc. to be used in
nection with the labor of the troops and to secur
permanency for their work.
Your committee ands th... in accordance with tn
request Of the Secretary of War and the officers oil
the Army the Military Committee prepared and re-
ported a bin for q 200 the amount asked for
which pas sed the Senate and ia now on the Speakers
table. The sub Committee, consisting of the Chair
mar and Mr.. Masinnis instructed to call up that
bill from the Speakers table, in order that tine appro
pation may be available for this seasons work, ant
| commend the passage of the bill.
| The bill was read first, second and third
times, and passed, and on motion Of Ma.
ginnis final action was had by tabling the
motion to reconsider. This sent 1t to the
President for signature, which it undoubt.
eddy attained. The appropriation win bs
Immediately available, and We trust Gen
Penroso will again be placcd In charge Of
the work he so ably conducted la.t yeai
this side the Lake with nothing but "pio.
neer /" tools. The Northern Pacific will BE-
completed to the Lake in . few months,
| and the reconstruction OF the Mullan roa
to that point will give Montana the sdvan-
| tage of travel and transportation by rail
| and wagon over route that for many years
was practically limited to pack trains.
| From the report of General Penrose the
| amount appropriated should be sufficient
| to put the entire road In excellent repair.