The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1880-12-09

Blon De mace, Dy general statute, Tor the sale
Of such abandoned military posts and buildings
as are found to be unnecessary, and for the ap-
phcatlon OF the proceeds to the construc-
ton of other posts. While many of the pres
ent posts are of but slight value for military
purposes, owing to the changed condition OF
the country, their occupation is continued at
great expense and Inconvenience, because they
afford the only available shelter for troops.
ARMY EDUCATIONAL. FAcIIIT1Es
The report of the officer in charge of educa-
ton in the army shows that there are seventy
eight schools now in operation in the army,
with an aggregate attendance of 2,305 enlisted
men and children. The Secretary recommends
the enlistment of one hundred and fifty school
masters, with the rank and pay Of commissary-
sergeants. An appropriation is needed to sup
ply the judge advocates of the army with suita-
able libraries, and the Secretary recommends
upon the Same footing, rs to promotion, with
the other staff corps of the army. Under ex-
isting laws, the Bureau of Military Justice con-
sists of one officer, the Judge Advocate Cen
eral, and the corps of judge advocates, Of eight
officers of equal rank (majors) with provision
that the limit of the corps shall remain at four,
when reduced by casualty or resignation to that
number. The consolidation of the Bureau of
Military Justice and the corps of judge advo-
cates upon the same basis with the other staff
corps of the army, would remove unjust dis
elimination against deserving officers, and sub
serve the best interests of the service.
,. COAST FoRTIFICATIoNs.
Especial attention is asked to the report of
the Chief of Engineers upon the condition of
our National defences. From personal in
spection of many of the Notifications referred
10, the Secretary is able to emphasize the rec
concentrations made, and to state that their in
complete and defenceless condition is discredit-
able to the country. While other nations have
been increasing in their means for carrying on
offensive warfare and attacking maritime cities,
we have been dormant in preparation for de-
fense; nothing of Importance has been doneto
wards Strengthening and finishing our casemat-
ed works since our late civil war, during which
the great guns of modern warfare and the
heavy armor of modern Notifications and ships
came into use among the nations, and our
earthworks left, by a sudden failure of appro-
priations some years since, in all stages of in
completion, are now being rapidly destroyed by
the elements.
NAVIGATION.
comprehensive improvement of the Missis-
sippi and its tributaries is matter of trans
cendant importance Geographically, CONNER
cially and politically, they are the strongest tie
between the various sections of the country.
These channels of communication and inter
| change are the property of the Nation. Its ju-
risdiction is paramount over their waters, and
the plainest principles of public interest require
their intelligent and careful supervision, with
| a view to their protection, improvement, and
| the enhancement of their usefulness.
The channel of the Columbia River, for dis
tance of about one hundred miles from its
mouth, is obstructed by succession of bars,
which occasion serious delays in navigation,
and heavy expense for hghterage and towage.
| A depth of at least twenty feet at low tide
| should be secured and maintained, to meet the
requirements of the extensive and growing in
| land and ocean commerce it subserves.
From Columbia River to San Francisco, a
| distance of over six hundred miles, there is no
| harbor on our Pacific coast which can be ap-
preached during stormy weather. An appro-
| priation of S15O,000 was made by the Forty
fifth Congress for the commencement of a
| breakwater and harbor of refuge, to be located
| at some point between tho Straits of Fuca and
| San Francisco, at which the necessities of COM
merce, local and general, will be best accommo-
| dated. The amount appropriated is thought to
| be quite inadequate for the purpose intended.
| 1 commend the matter to the attention of Con-
| gress.
| THE ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM.
The collections of books, specimens and rec
ords, constituting the Army Medical Museum
and Library are of national Importance. The
| Library now contains about 81, 500 volumes and
$1,000 pamphlets relating to medicine, surgery
| and allied topics. The contents Of the Army
Medical Museum consists of q, 600 specimens
and are unique in the completeness with which
| both military 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. These valuable collections
| are now in o building which is peculiarly ex
-,naAd TO thA dan0er of destruction hv fire. y
is therefore earnestly recommended that an ap
| preparation be made for new hre-proof Dullo
ing adequate for the present needs and reason
able future expansion of these valuable collec
tions. Such building should be absolutely fire
proof; no expenditure for mere architecture
display is required. 1t is believed that o suita
BILE structure can be erected at cost not 10 ex
ceed $3.50, 900.
| A oruET HINT
commend to the attention of Congress tn
great services Of the Commander-in-Chief o
our armies during the war for the Union
whose wise, firm and patriotic conduct did 8
much to bring that momentous conflict to
close. The legislation of the United States con
tains many precedents for the recognition o
distinguished military merit, authorizing ran
and emoluments to be conferred for eminen
services to the country. An act of Congress
authorizing the appointment of Captain Gen
eral of the Army, with suitable provisions re
latlng to compensation, retirement, and othe
details, would, in my judgement, be altogethe
fitting and proper, and would be warmly az
proved by the country.
The Recommendation of the Secretary Of th
Navy, that provision be made for the establish
ment Of some form of civil government for th
people of Alaska, is approved. At preseI
there is no protection of persons or property j
that Territory, except such as is afforded b
the officer of the United States ship jamestown
This vessel was dispatched to Sitka, because {
the fear that, without the immediate presens
of the National authority, there was impendin
danger of anarchy. The steps taken to restol
order have been accepted in good faith by bot
white and Indian inhabitants, and the necessit
for this method of restraint does not in m
opinion now exist. II, however, the Jane
town should be withdrawn, leaving the peopl
as at present, without the ordinary judici
and administrative authority of organize
local government, serious consequences migl
ensue.
CoALING STATIONS AT THE IsTHMUs.
The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps +
wards the establishment of naval coaling ST
tions at the Isthmus of Panama to meet the +
quirements of our commercial relations vii
Central and South America, which are rapid
growing in Importance. Locations eminent
suitable, both as regards our naval purpos
and the uses of commerce, have been selecte
one on the east side of the Isthmus, at Chiriq
Lagoon, in the Caribbean Sea, and the other {
! the Pacific Coast at the Bay Of Golfto.
, THE POSTAL SERVICE.
In 1850, the postal receipts were Ss, SIS
067.40; in 1880, the receipts were $685. 315, 4793
All the inhabitants of the country are direct
and personally interested in having prop
mail facilities, and naturally watch the Pos
t Office very closely. This careful oversight
the part Of the people has proved a consta
J stimulus to improvement. During the pa
! year there was an increase of 2, 1874 postofice
: and the mail routes were extended q, III mile
{ making an additional annual transportation
10,S04, 191 miles. The revenues of postal sc
, vice for the ensuing year are estimated at $3S
7 s45, ia 10, and the expenditures at S42, Al;
, 932, leaving deficiency to be appropriated o.
: of the Treasury of 50, $50, 1880.
! The Universal Postal Union has received t
accession of almost all the countries and ct
: onies of the world maintaining organized post
services, and 1t is confidently expected that
/ the other countries and colonies now outsi
e the Union will soon unite Herewith, thus reali
t ing tho grand idea and aim of the founders
i the Union, of forming, for purposes of intern
4 tional mail communication, a single postal te
: ritory embracing the world, with compile
| uniformity of postal charges, and conditions