Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-02-09
FcRT SMELLING.
We are Coming Father Hennepih With
100000 More.


During the past week the GLOBE alluded
to Secretary of War Ramsey as having ask
ed the senate military committee for an ad
ditional appropriation of 100000 to com
plete the offices, ETC., for department head
quarters at Fort Smelling. This action on
the part of the secretary of war was taken
at the su question of Gen. G. II. Tompkins,
chief quartermsster of the department of
Dakota, who addressed letter to the Gen
eral of the Army regarding the matter some
time ago, in which he clearly set forth the
necessity and ACCESSIBILITY OF the appropria-
ton as follows:
BY the act Of Congress- approved March g.
1879. the sum of one hundred thousand dol
lars ($lOO OOO) was appropriated for the pur-
pose of constructing the necessary buildings"
ETC., for department headquarters at Fort
Smelling, etc.
In compliance with the wishes of the general
of the army, and following the designs of the
war department in tkis regard, so far as known
and understood by me, plans and estimates OF
good, substantial and commodious buildings
were prepared by me- as follows:
One building for headquarters offices.
One building for quarters for commanding
general.
Twelve buildings for quarters for officers on
the staff of the department commander.
These plans and estimates were approved by
the department commander. The cost of
erecting the fourteen buildings, exclusive of
heating apparatus will about consume the sum
appropriated.
To complete the work thus lnaugurated,
thoro will pe required the following additional
buildings and other work, at the following
estimated cost:
Buildings probably ffteen) for
quarters, mess-halls, kitchens,
ETC., for general service clerks,
enlisted men, and civilian en-
ployes employed at department
headquarters. ...............S 5U,UOU UU
Stables for public and private ami
mails, forage-house, wagon and
harness rooms; also privies, wood
sheds and other necessary build
ings for all the quarters. ........ 5000 90
For purchase and putting in proper
heating apparatus in all the
buildings, including Offices. ..... $1,000 90
For introducing and perfecting a
complete system for supplying all
the buildings with water ..... 10000 90
For the construction of fences
about all the quarters, and other
buildings; sidewalks throughout
the place; for grading roads,
walks, and for sewerage. ....... 10000 90
Total requirements to complete
the work. $100, 600 90
When it is considered that, under the most
favorable circumstances, the sum already ap-
pTopriated will be consumed in putting up
fourteen buildings for offices and quarters, the
additional sum now asked for, for the purpose
stated, Is regarded very close approximation
to the actual cost of the work contemplated.
The site selected for the headquarters
buildings, the associations and surroundings of
the neighborhood, combine to invest Fort
Gal l. IL
the pride and strength of a generation o. pIo-
neers in this country. is midway between the
cities OF St. Paul and Minneapolis, and is a
central point of interest to residents of both,
we'll as to all tourists in this country.
Thousands of people visit the post and the
falls of Minnehaha, Bridal Veil, and others in
this immediate vicinity every year.
take the liberty of enaffng upon these
facts, because L believe it will enhance the
value of the many attractions of the place and
heighteu the interest felt by the people of
Minnesota if the establishment of department
headquarters within sight of the famous post
Is made pet manent, handsome and complete in
all details of structure and landscape culture.
To do this appropriately more money will be
needed, and earnestly hope that the amount
now asked for will be favorably recommended
by the honorable secretary of war.
l further recommend that in case the money
is appropriated by Congress it will be made
available at once, and that it shall be expended
under the direction of the department COM
mander.
Very respectfully, sir, your obedient servant,
CHAs. II. ToMPK1Ns,
Deputy OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES United States
army, chief quartermaster.
Gen. Sherman forwarded the letter to Sec
rotary Ramsey, with the following endorse
ment thereon:
Headquarters OF THE ARMY.
WASHINGTON, d. c., Jan. 10, 1880. I
This paper is most respectfully submitted
to the honorable secretary of war, whose long
residence in st. Paul makes him more familiar
with the importance and historic interest
of old Fort Smelling. l regard it as a stragetic
point chshould always be held by the United
States, and am therefore disposed to recon-
mend almost any outlay which will make it
valuable as a permanent military site. recon-
mend that the honorable secretary submit this
report and estimate to the Minnesota delega-
ton, that they may ask of congress an appro-
priation of money large their better
knowledge of the temper of congress will
stand. A hundred thousand dollars is large
sum. but it could well be expended at Fort
Smelling. w. 7. SHERMAN, General.
With such showing as presented by Gen.
Tompkins, and adequately pushed before the
committee, the appropriation will, as it
should, be doubtless passed.
N