The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-12-09

their usefulneae.
The channel of tho Columbia river for dis
tanoe OF about 100 miles from it, mouth 10
ohstrncted BY succession of barn, which
oocaaions serious delays In navigation and
heavy expenses for lightaee and towage. A
be secured and maintained to meet the re-
qeirements of tho extensive and growing
inland and ocean commerce it subserves. Tho
urgent need. however, for this gseat water
wey 10 permanent improvement of the cham
mel 1t tho mouth of the river. From Columbia
600 miles, there il no haxbor on
our Pacific ooast which can be-
approached during atormy weather. An sp-
preparation of elt0. 200 was made by tho Forty
6fth Congress for tho commencement of .
back water aud hazbor of refuge, to be located
q some point between the straits of Faeoa snd
Ian Frapcieoo. ae which tho neoessities of COM
mefoe, local and general, will be best accom-
modsted. The amount appropriated IL thought
to be quite inadeq nate for tho purpose intend
ed. The cost OF the work when finished will
be great, owing to the want of natural ad-
vsotaess for site at any point On the coast
between tho designated imits, and it has not
been thoueht to be advisable to undertake the
work without larger appropriation. COM
mend the master to the attention of Congress.
The completion of the new building for tho
war department il urgently needed aud the
atimates for continuing it, construction are
especially recommended.
ord. ooostitatine the army medical museum
1os s''' Il. 'is t.r, Of s'0os .an;D: Inn
aboat 81, 500 volumes and $1,000 pamphlets,
relating to medicine, surgery and subjects
allied to physios. The contents of the army
medical museum consist of 1900 specimens
and arc unique in tho completeness With wbish
thA n%
armies aro llustrated. Their destruction
would be IN irreparable loss, not only to tho
United States, but to tho world. There are
filed in tho record and pension division over
16. 600 bound volumes of hospital records, to-
eether with great quantity of papers embr.c-
hospitals Of our armies durirg the civil
war. Aside from their historical value theae
records are daily searched for evidence needed
In tho settlement of large number of pensions
and other claims and for the protection of the
eovernmens against attempted frauds ~ well
valuable contents are now in . building which
10 peculiarly exposed to tho danger of destruc-
tion by fire. II il therefore earnestly reoom-
meuded that an appropriation be made for .
new hre proof building, adequate for the pres
ent needs and fature expansion of these valu-
absolutely fro proof. No expenditure for
believed that suitable structure can be GREG
ted as cost not to exceed e25.00o.
GEN. GRANT.
l commend to the attention Of Congress tho
great services of tho oommander-in.chiefo of our
armies during the var, whose wise, firm and
patriotic conduct did 20 much to bring that
moHsotous oonfict to . close. The leeisla-
tion OF tho United States contains many pre-
oedents for tho recognition at DISTINGUISHED
military merit, authoeixi1g rank and emolu-
ments TO be conferred for eminent services to
tho country. An act of Congress authorizing
the appointment Of . captain general of ths
penaation, retirement and other detailS, would,
In my judgment, be altogether fitting and
proper. and would be warmly approved by the
country.
Tho report of tho secretary Of tho navy ex-
hibiss tho satisfaotoey management of that de-
paztmsnt during tho last fiscal year. Tho total
expenditures for the year were el2, GIG, 60 IS,
leaving unexpended 1t tho close Of tho year
ILL, $50. ~ of the amount Of available ap-
preparations. The appropriations for tho pres.
ene fiscal year ending June 50, 1881. arc 3l5.-
09s. .o6l. 49, and tho total estimates for tho next
Isl. 81. The amount drawn by warrant from
July l. 1850, to November 1, 1880, il e5,04l,-
670.l6.
The Recommendation of the secretary of the
navy that provision be made for tho estah-
lishment of some form of civil government for
the people of Alaska il approved. At present
there u no protection of persons or property In
that territory except such - il Afforded by
the officers Of the Uoitsd States ship James,
town. This vessel was dispatched to 1itks be.
cause of tho fear that without thu immediate
presence of the national authority there was
impending danger of anarchy. The steps taken
70 restore order have been accepted in good
fath BY both white and Indian inhabitants,
and tho necessity for this method of
restraint does not in my opinion now exist. II,
however, the Jamestown should be withdraw,
Leaving the people - at present without the or
dinary judicial and administrative authority
of organised local governments, serious eonse-
foe tho collection of revenues, the protection Of
public property and the transmission of tho
mails. Tho problem il to supply local rule
tor population 20 scattered and 10 peculiar in
its origin and condition. The natives are 10
ported 70 Be teaohabls aud self-suppoeting, and
ed TO the national life. therefore recommend
the requisite legislation upon this subject.
Tho secretary OF the navy has taken steps
towards the establishment Of naval coaline
stations at tho Isthmus Of Paunsms to meet
tho requirements of our Commercial relations
WIN OeoSEo4 000 oOuS0 A@et13op WolC4 are
Fspidly growing in importance. Locations
eminently suitable, both q regards our naval
purposes and the uses of commerce, have been
eeleoted on tho east side Of the Isthmus, ss
Ohiriqai Lagoon. In lhe Oasribean Sea, and
the other a thePaoifc cOest Ut the Bay of GAL
6to. The onlv safe harbors suficiently oommo-
dious on the lstbmus are st these points. aud
tho distance between them 10 less than 100
milee.
The report Of The secretary of the navy con-
cludes With valuable su9gestious with respect
70 the building up OF our present marine SER
vice. which deserve the favorable consideration
of Congress.
POSTAL MATIERS.
The report Of The postmastsr general ex-
hibits The continual growth and the high state
of e6icis1cy of the postal service. Tbs opera.
lions of NO department of the government,
perhaps, represent With greater exactneas tho
increase in tho population and business Of The
ooastry. In 1850 the p,stsl receipts were
e5.5l8,067.40. In 1850 tho receipts wer tss,-
SIS. .479. "a. All the inhabitants of the coun-
try are directly and persocally interested in
having proper mail facilities and naturally