The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1880-12-09

than those heretofore constructed, will be re-
quired. Under existing laws, permanent build
lngs can not be erected without the sanction of
Congress, and when sales Of military sites and
buildings have been authorized, the MONEYS re-
ceived have reverted to the Treasury, and
could only become available through o new
appropriation. It is recommended that proyi-
sion be made, by a general statute, for the sale
of such abandoned military posts and buildings
rs are found to be unnecessary, and for the ap-
plication 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 FACILITIES.
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
that the corps of judge advocates be placed
upon the same footing, as to promotion, with
the other staff corps of the army. Under ex-
isting laws the Bureau of Military Justice con-
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-
Gates, upon the same basis with the other staff
corps of the army, would remove unjust dis
elimination against deserving officers, and SUBJ
serve the best interests of the service.
COAST FoRTIFIcArIoNs.
Especial attention is asked to the report of
the Chief of Engineers upon the condition of
our National defences. From a personal in
spection of many of the fortifications referred
70, 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 done to-
wards strengthening and finishing our casemat-
ed works since our late civil war, during which
the great guns of modern warfare and tho
heavy armor of modern Notifications and ships
came into use among the nations, and our
earthworks left, by q sudden failure of appro-
priations some years since, in all stages Of in
completion, are now being rapidly destroyed by
the elements.
NAVIGATION.
"A COHpIeQenblV6 Improvement OF the MlS6l6-
slppl and its tributaries is q matter of trans
cendant Importance. Geographically, CONNER
cialy, and politically, they 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.
nT1~ e L n-1--- L. n.
tance Of about one hundred miles from its
mouth, is obstructed by a succession of bars,
which occasion serious delays in navigation,
and heavy expense for lighterage and towage.
A depth of at least twenty feet at low tide
should be secured and maintained to meet the
land and ocean commerce it subserves.
From Columbia River to San Francisco, q
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 $3.50, 600 was made bv the Forty
fifth Congress for tho commencement of
breakwater and harbor of refuge, to be located
ut some point between the 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.
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
s., 600 pamphlets relating to medicine, surgery
and allied topics. The contents of the Army
Medical Museum consists of %, 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 q building which is peculiarly ex-
.,naAd tn tha DANCER nf obstruction hv fire. IL
is therefore earnestly recommended that an ap-
preparation be made for o new fre-proof build
ing adequate for the present needs and reason
able future expansion of these valuable collec-
tiQns. Such q building should be absolutely ire
proof; no expenditure for mere architectural
display is required. 1t is believed that o suita-
BILE structure can be erected at a cost not to e1-
ceed $3.50, 900.
QUIET HINT.
1 commend to the attention of Congress the
great services of the Commander-in Chief of
our armies during the war for the Union,
whose wise, firm and patriotic conduct did 80
much to bring that momentous conflict to o.
close. The legislation of the United States con-
tains many precedents for the recognition OF
distinguished military merit, authorizing rank
and emoluments to be conferred for eminent
services to the country. An act of Congress
authorizing the appointment of Captain Cen
eral of the Army, with suitable provisions re-
lating to compensation, retirement, and other
details, would, in my judgement, be altogether
fitting and proper, and would be warmly ap-
proved by the country.
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 officer of the United States ship Jamestown.
This vessel was dispatched to Sitka, because of
the fear that, without the immediate presence
danger Of anarchy. The steps taken to restore
order have been accepted in good faith by both
white and Indian inhabitants, and the necessity
for this method of restraint does not in my
opinion now exist. If, however, the James,
town should be withdrawn, leaving the people
as at present, without the ordinary judicial
and administrative authority of organized
local government, serious consequences might
ensue.
CoALINa STATIONS AT THE IsrHMUs.
The Secretary of the Navy has taken steps to-
wards the establishment of naval coaling sta
tions at the 1sthmus of Panama to meet the re-
quirements of our commercial relations with
Central and South America, which are rapidly
growing in importance. Locations eminently
suitable, both as regards our naval purposes
and the uses OF commerce, have been selected,
one on the east side of the Isthmus at Chiriqui
Lagoon, in the Caribbean Sea, and the other on
the Pacific Coast at the Bay Of Golfito.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
In 1850, the postal receipts were $685.
067 40; in 1880, the receipts were S33 315 479 81
All the inhabitants of the country are directly
and personally interested in having proper
mail facilities, and naturally watch the Post
Office very closely. This careful oversight on
the part of the people has proved q constant
stimulus to improvement. During the past
year there was an increase of 2, 1874 postoffices
and the mail routes were extended ri l77 miles,
making an additional annual transportation Of
10, ,S04, 191 miles. The revenues Of postal SER
vice for the ensuing year are estimated at $685.
S45, 174.10, and the expenditures at $42, ATS, :
932, leaving q deficiency to be appropriated out
of the Treasury of g. $50, 757 90